Propellant Tool for Tubular Manipulation in Remote Oil and Gas Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tools for manipulating tubulars and other targets in the oil and gas industry are inefficient, costly, and cumbersome, particularly in remote locations, and often require cumbersome ancillary equipment with stricter logistical and regulatory controls.
Innovation Solution
A tool utilizing two spaced propellant sources within a housing, with an ignition mechanism and chamber outlets for combustion products, which produces a consistent and effective stream of gases, solids, and plasma to manipulate targets through ablation, cutting, or removal, allowing for faster and more controlled operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional tools are used for manipulating tubulars in remote locations, then operations can be performed, but the tools are inefficient, costly, and require cumbersome ancillary equipment with stricter logistical and regulatory controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical manipulation tools with a propellant-based system that uses combustion products (gas, plasma, and particulate flow) to manipulate targets. The ignition mechanism generates high-temperature combustion products that can cut, erode, or move tubulars without requiring complex mechanical actuators, hydraulics, or electrical systems, thereby eliminating cumbersome ancillary equipment while improving operational efficiency in remote locations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and parameters of matter by using propellant combustion to generate extreme temperatures, high-velocity gas flow, and plasma conditions. These parameter changes enable the combustion products to interact with and manipulate tubulars through thermal, mechanical, and chemical effects, providing a simpler yet more efficient alternative to conventional mechanical tools
2Loss of time
If conventional tools are used for manipulating tubulars, then operations can be performed, but the operations are time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic ignition of propellant charges to manipulate tubulars in discrete, controlled stages. By igniting propellant in sequential or alternating patterns, the system can perform cutting, erosion, or movement operations more rapidly than conventional tools, reducing overall operation time while maintaining precision and control
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion-based system provides continuous useful action through sustained propellant combustion and high-velocity product flow. Unlike intermittent mechanical tool operation, the combustion products continuously interact with the target, maintaining effective manipulation force throughout the operation and significantly reducing total time required
3Reliability
If single propellant source is used in chamber, then tool structure is simpler, but combustion product flow is less consistent and effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the propellant source into multiple separate charges positioned at different locations within the chamber. Each charge generates combustion products that flow through the chamber and combine to form a more consistent and effective overall flow. This segmentation allows better control over the combustion process and produces more reliable target manipulation compared to a single propellant source
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the combustion product flows from multiple propellant sources within the chamber to create a unified, high-velocity stream. By combining the efflux from several charges, the system achieves greater flow consistency and effectiveness than a single source could provide, while the merged flow maintains directional control for precise target manipulation
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 tool enables faster and more efficient manipulation of targets, reducing time and resource costs, with improved control over the flow of combustion products for precise operations, such as severing tubulars, and can handle multiple layers and complex targets like casing and rock formations.
Implementation Method 1
a tool for manipulating a target with combustion products from a propellant
Implementation Method 2
manipulate a target, such as a tubular, by, for example, ablation, cutting, displacement, removal, heating, abrasion, or erosion and/or consuming
Implementation Method 3
manipulate a target, such as a tubular, by, for example, ablation, cutting, displacement, removal, heating, abrasion, or erosion and/or consuming
Implementation Method 4
the material of the target may be oxidised (partially or fully) by the stream of combustion products
Data Source
AI summary
A tool (1) for manipulating a target with combustion products from a propellant includes a housing (2) defining a chamber (12), at least two propellant sources located within the chamber and spaced apart one from the other, an ignition mechanism for igniting propellant (26) at the propellant sources, and at least one chamber outlet (30) for combustion products from the propellant sources. Methods of manipulating a target using the tool are also described.