Preloaded Drill Pipe Segments for Large LCM Object Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LCM deployment techniques are not conducive to effectively circulating larger-scale LCM objects, limiting their use in severe or total lost circulation scenarios due to damage or incompatibility with standard mud pumps, and potential damage to pumping systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of preconfigured drill pipe segments containing large LCM objects, retained by dissolvable plugs or retention elements, which release the objects into the wellbore upon fluid flow, allowing their deployment without damaging conventional pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional mud pumps are used to circulate LCM objects, then smaller LCM objects can be deployed, but larger LCM objects cannot be deployed without damaging the pumps or breaking down the particles
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string is divided into multiple drill pipe segments, with large LCM objects deployed in smaller quantities across different segments rather than attempting to pump one large object through the entire system. This segmentation allows large objects to be deployed without requiring high-pressure pumping that would damage pumps or break down particles.
Solution Approach 2:
A retention element acts as an intermediary mechanism within the drill pipe segments to hold and release LCM objects. This intermediary system eliminates the need for high-pressure pumping, allowing large LCM objects to be deployed without subjecting them to damaging forces from conventional mud pumps.
2Reliability
If larger LCM objects are deployed to address severe lost circulation, then plugging effectiveness improves, but deployment complexity and risk of equipment damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment system is segmented into multiple drill pipe sections, each capable of holding and deploying LCM objects independently. This segmentation simplifies the overall deployment process by breaking down a complex single-step operation into manageable segments that can be deployed sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
LCM objects are pre-loaded into drill pipe segments before deployment to the wellbore. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex pumping and circulation systems during the actual deployment, reducing deployment complexity while maintaining the ability to deploy large LCM objects effectively.
3Ease of operation
If LCM objects are deployed through standard mud pumps, then deployment process is simplified, but the pumps may be damaged or the LCM particles broken down
Solution Approach 1:
LCM objects are pre-positioned within drill pipe segments at the surface before being deployed to the wellbore. This preliminary action eliminates the need to force LCM objects through high-pressure mud pumps, maintaining pump integrity and LCM particle integrity while still achieving deployment through a relatively simple process of circulating drilling fluid to trigger release.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention element serves as an intermediary that decouples the deployment mechanism from the pumping system. This allows the drilling fluid circulation system to simply provide the trigger for release without subjecting LCM objects or pumps to damaging high-pressure forces, maintaining both pump integrity and particle integrity.
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 effective deployment of large LCM objects to plug wellbore vulnerabilities, preventing fluid loss and reducing wellbore irregularities, thus enhancing drilling efficiency and reducing non-productive time.
Implementation Method 1
retained by dissolvable plugs or retention elements, which release the objects into the wellbore upon fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
drilling fluid is flowed through the drill string. The flowing of drilling fluid through the drill string causes the retention element to release the lost circulation material objects
Implementation Method 3
enables the effective deployment of large LCM objects to plug wellbore vulnerabilities, preventing fluid loss
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A method, and related apparatus, involves providing one or more drill pipe segments (360) and disposing a quantity of lost circulation material objects (362) within the one or more drill pipe segments (360). A retention element (364) is provided to retain the lost circulation material objects (362) within the one or more drill pipe segments (360). The one or more drill pipe segments (360) are connected to a drill string at a wellbore, and drilling fluid (342) is flowed through the drill string. The flowing of drilling fluid (342) through the drill string causes the retention element (364) to release the lost circulation material objects (362) to propagate further.