Powered Sheave Assembly for Wireline Tool Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for deploying downhole tools into wellbores often require the use of sinker bars, which add cost and complexity, and struggle with moving tools under high wellhead pressure due to friction and weight limitations, especially with wireline systems.
Innovation Solution
A powered sheave assembly with grooves on its outer surface is used to route and deploy conveyance apparatus, such as wireline or coiled tubing, into the wellbore, providing torque and axial force to overcome pressure and friction, eliminating the need for sinker bars and enabling tool deployment without additional weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If wireline or slickline is used to convey tools into the wellbore, then pulling capacity is sufficient, but the wellhead pressure times area plus friction exceeds the weight of the tool, preventing tool deployment without sinker bars
Solution Approach 1:
A powered sheave assembly acts as an intermediary device between the wireline/slickline and the downhole tool. The sheave applies axial force directly to the tool-conveyance system, overcoming the resistance forces (wellhead pressure times area plus friction) that prevent tool deployment. This mediator provides the necessary pushing force without requiring sinker bars to add weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered sheave assembly generates counteracting force to overcome the effective weight of the tool system under pressure. By applying axial force in both directions, the sheave compensates for the situation where wellhead pressure times area plus friction exceeds the tool weight, enabling deployment without traditional sinker bars.
2Ease of operation
If sinker bars are added to increase tool weight for deployment, then tool deployment becomes possible, but additional tool and riser length is required without any job function beyond initial deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The powered sheave assembly serves as a mediator that provides the necessary force for tool deployment without requiring the addition of sinker bars. This eliminates the need for extra tool and riser length, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining deployment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the need for sinker bars from the tool deployment system. By using the powered sheave to provide axial force, the harmful element (sinker bars that add complexity without functional benefit beyond deployment) is eliminated entirely.
3Reliability
If two services (wireline/slickline and coiled tubing) are used for tool deployment, then contingency plans for BOP valve closure are possible, but service cost increases and capabilities of the lighter service are underutilized
Solution Approach 1:
The powered sheave assembly enables the lighter service (wireline or slickline) to perform the full function of tool deployment that previously required the heavier coiled tubing service. By providing axial force to overcome pressure and friction, the sheave allows wireline/slickline to independently handle deployment, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability through the ability to use the lighter service for both deployment and intervention.
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
The powered sheave assembly effectively deploys tools into the wellbore by applying sufficient force to overcome wellhead pressure and friction, reducing operational costs and complexity, and enhancing the pulling capacity without the need for sinker bars, thus improving the efficiency of tool deployment.
Implementation Method 1
providing torque and axial force to overcome pressure and friction
Implementation Method 2
applying sufficient force to overcome wellhead pressure and friction
Data Source
AI summary
Methods include deploying a downhole tool into a wellbore with a conveyance apparatus by mounting a tool to a distal end of a spooled conveyance apparatus, routing the conveyance apparatus around a powered sheave assembly, which includes a plurality of grooves disposed on the outer surface of the sheave to accommodate the conveyance apparatus, and providing a power source for applying torque to the powered sheave. The powered sheave assembly then deploys the conveyance apparatus into the wellbore. In some cases a traction device may be disposed between the powered sheave and the wellbore to provide axial force in both directions. The conveyance apparatus is moved through a sealing apparatus, a blowout preventer, and a wellhead, with the powered sheave, after the routing the conveyance apparatus around a powered sheave.