Partial Radial Cutter for Severing Well Accessory Conduits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to sever accessory conduits in hydrocarbon wells without damaging the well completion tubing or casing during the idling process.

Innovation Solution

A downhole tool equipped with a tubular support and an explosive charge, featuring a cylindrical casing with a wedge opening, is used to position a partial radial cutter that discharges radially to sever accessory conduits without fully severing the tubing or damaging the casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a cutting tool penetrates the tubular member to sever accessory conduits, then the conduits are effectively cut, but the tubular member may be completely severed or the casing may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoiddamage to tubing and casing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The explosive charge is segmented into a modular assembly with a casing containing explosive material and a separate shaped charge component. This segmentation allows precise control of the cutting action to sever only the accessory conduits while preserving the integrity of the completion tubing and casing through the annular space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shaped charge is designed with a specific geometry that concentrates the explosive energy locally at the target conduit location. This local quality ensures that the cutting action is confined to the accessory conduits in the annular space without affecting the completion tubing or casing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a cutting tool applies sufficient force to sever hardened conduits, then the conduits are cut through, but the tool may damage surrounding structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting forceVSAvoidcollateral damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effects of uncontrolled explosive force are extracted and contained within a specifically designed casing structure. The shaped charge geometry extracts and directs only the necessary cutting force toward the accessory conduits, preventing collateral damage to surrounding completion structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaped charge assembly acts as an intermediary between the explosive energy source and the target conduits. It mediates the force transmission by shaping and directing the explosive wave to cut through hardened conduits while the casing contains and controls the energy distribution to prevent damage to surrounding structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the cutting tool creates a complete radial cut through the tubular member, then all conduits are severed, but the tubular member integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidtubular member integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating a complete radial cut through the entire tubular member, the shaped charge is designed to perform a partial cut action that severs only the accessory conduits in the annular space. This partial action achieves the necessary productivity of cutting all target conduits while preserving the structural integrity and stability of the completion tubing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively cuts accessory conduits while preserving the integrity of the well completion tubing and casing, enabling safe installation of a cement plug.

Implementation Method 1

an explosive charge disposed within the tubular support. The explosive charge includes a casing having the form of a cylinder with a wedge portion removed to form a wedge opening, and a shaped charge shaped to fit the wedge opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShaped charge: Shaped Charge

Data Source

PatentUS12473789B2Method and system for cutting hydraulic and/or electric lines in the annular space of a well

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Described herein are methods and apparatus for idling a hydrocarbon well. A downhole tool is described that includes a tubular support and an explosive charge disposed within the tubular support, the explosive charge comprising a casing having the form of a cylinder with a wedge portion removed to form a wedge opening and a shaped charge shaped to fit the wedge opening. Methods described herein include positioning a partial radial cutter near an interior wall of a well completion tubing of a hydrocarbon well at a location opposite from an accessory conduit disposed in the well outside the well completion tubing, with the discharge portion of the partial radial cutter facing the interior wall of the well completion tubing, and discharging the partial radial cutter to penetrate a portion of the interior wall and sever the accessory conduit.