Pneumatic Wellbore Transport System for Safe Tool Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore operations require human technicians to physically deliver tools and materials to the wellhead, posing safety risks due to proximity to high-pressure fluid equipment.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic transport system that propels objects through a pipeline using gas flow, allowing objects to be transported from a safe distance to the wellhead, where they can be deployed into the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If technicians manually transport tools and materials to the wellhead, then operational flexibility and direct control are maintained, but safety risks increase due to proximity to high-pressure equipment
Solution Approach 1:
A pneumatic transport system acts as an intermediary between the safe location and the wellhead, carrying tools and materials through a pipeline without requiring technician proximity to high-pressure equipment. The system includes a launch tube positioned at a safe distance from the wellhead, connected via piping that allows remote deployment of objects into the wellbore.
2Ease of operation
If technicians approach the wellhead for tool deployment, then direct manual control is possible, but exposure to high-pressure fluid hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct manual mechanical delivery with a pneumatic transport mechanism. Objects are propelled through the pipeline using pressurized gas (air) instead of technicians physically carrying tools near the wellhead. The launch tube and piping system enable automated or remotely-controlled tool delivery, substituting human mechanical transport with gas-driven pneumatic transport.
3Reliability
If a pneumatic transport system is implemented, then technician safety is improved by maintaining distance from the wellhead, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pneumatic transport system is segmented into distinct functional components: a launch tube positioned at a safe distance, intermediate piping connecting the launch tube to the wellhead, and a deployment mechanism at the wellhead. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance and operation while maintaining the safety benefit of remote positioning.
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
Enables the safe and efficient transportation of objects, such as darts or capsules, to the wellhead without requiring technicians to be in close proximity to high-pressure equipment, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
transporting comprises propelling the object through a pipeline of the transport system by moving a gas in the pipeline
Implementation Method 2
moving the gas in the pipeline comprises using one or more pumps to generate an outflow and/or intake of the gas
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transporting an untethered wellbore completion apparatus to an outlet of a transport system that is operably coupled to and in fluid communication with a wellhead, from a location remote from the wellhead is disclosed. In some embodiments, the transporting includes propelling the object through a conductor of the transport system by moving a gaseous fluid through the conductor. In some embodiments, the object is a dart for use in a wellbore completion operation.