Pressure Balanced Running Tool for High-Pressure Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulically activated running tools used for deploying downhole components face premature release issues due to high circulation pressures, necessitating a solution that can effectively operate at pressures greater than 5,000 psi without limiting pump pressures or rates.
Innovation Solution
A running tool with a pressure balancing configuration, featuring a first pressure chamber for actuation and a second pressure chamber for balancing forces, allowing for deployment at high pressures without premature activation, utilizing a fluid conduit and actuator member connected to a release mechanism, where the second pressure chamber opposes axial forces during deployment and is isolated to enable actuation by increasing fluid pressure in the first chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high circulation pressures (greater than 5,000 psi) are used for coiled tubing drilling operations, then productivity and drilling efficiency are improved, but the risk of premature release of the liner increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is divided into two separate chambers: a first pressure chamber that receives borehole fluid during deployment and a second pressure chamber that is isolated during deployment. This segmentation allows the tool to withstand high circulation pressures without premature activation, as each chamber serves a specific function at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
A ball seat assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two pressure chambers. During deployment, the ball seat assembly isolates the second pressure chamber from the first pressure chamber, preventing high circulation pressures from causing premature release. When activation is required, the ball seat assembly allows pressure equalization between chambers.
2Ease of operation
If a hydraulically activated running tool is used for deploying downhole components, then ease of operation is improved, but the tool becomes sensitive to high circulation pressures causing premature activation
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is divided into two separate chambers: a first pressure chamber that receives borehole fluid during deployment and a second pressure chamber that is isolated during deployment. This segmentation allows the tool to withstand high circulation pressures without premature activation, as each chamber serves a specific function at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
A ball seat assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two pressure chambers. During deployment, the ball seat assembly isolates the second pressure chamber from the first pressure chamber, preventing high circulation pressures from causing premature release. When activation is required, the ball seat assembly allows pressure equalization between chambers.
3Productivity
If pump pressures are increased to facilitate deployment at high circulation pressures, then productivity is improved, but the risk of premature tool activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure chamber is divided into two separate chambers: a first pressure chamber that receives borehole fluid during deployment and a second pressure chamber that is isolated during deployment. This segmentation allows the tool to withstand high circulation pressures without premature activation, as each chamber serves a specific function at different operational stages.
Solution Approach 2:
A ball seat assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two pressure chambers. During deployment, the ball seat assembly isolates the second pressure chamber from the first pressure chamber, preventing high circulation pressures from causing premature release. When activation is required, the ball seat assembly allows pressure equalization between chambers.
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 reliable deployment and release of downhole components at high circulation pressures without limiting pump pressures or rates, ensuring stable operation and preventing premature tool activation.
Implementation Method 1
applying fluid pressure above a threshold value to the first pressure chamber to generate an actuation force that moves the actuator member to the second position
Implementation Method 2
The second pressure chamber is configured to receive borehole fluid from the fluid conduit during deployment and apply a balancing force to the actuator member during the deployment and prior to activating the running tool, the balancing force opposing the actuation force
Data Source
AI summary
A running tool includes a tool body having a fluid conduit, and an actuation assembly including an actuator member connected to a release mechanism, the actuator member moveable in an axial direction from a first position to a second position to cause the release mechanism to disengage with a downhole component. The actuation assembly includes a first pressure chamber in pressure communication with the fluid conduit, where the running tool is configured to be activated to release the downhole component by applying fluid pressure to the first pressure chamber to generate an actuation force that moves the actuator member to the second position. The running tool also includes a second pressure chamber in pressure communication with the same fluid conduit. The second pressure chamber is configured to receive borehole fluid from the fluid conduit during deployment and apply a balancing force to the actuator member during the deployment.