Pulling Prong With Movable Nose Assembly For Wellbore Retrieval
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pulling tools face challenges in retrieving well tools from deep, deviated, inclined, or horizontal wells due to increased elongation and frictional effects, which can strain the integrity and strength of the tools and conveyance systems.
Innovation Solution
A pulling prong with an outer housing and a nose assembly forming an activation chamber, equipped with activation means such as springs or pressure differentials, that moves from a running to a retrieving configuration to disengage lock mandrels and reduce friction, allowing for easier retrieval of well tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pulling tool is used to retrieve well tools from deep, deviated, inclined or horizontal wells, then the well tool can be retrieved from the wellbore, but the elongation of the conveyance and added frictional effects place significant demands on the integrity and strength of the pulling tool and conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling prong is designed with movable components including a nose assembly that can move between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the lock mandrel. This dynamic configuration allows the prong to adapt to the locked state during deployment and transition to a disengaged state during retrieval, reducing the force required to pull the tool from deep or deviated wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling prong is divided into distinct functional segments: an outer housing, a nose assembly, and activation means. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the nose assembly engages with the lock mandrel profile, the activation means triggers the transition, and the outer housing provides structural support - thereby reducing overall strain on the system.
2Ease of operation
If a pulling tool with latching assembly and pulling prong is used to retrieve well tools, then the well tool can be dislodged and retrieved, but the well tool may become difficult to retrieve once positioned in the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling prong incorporates a dynamic nose assembly that can transition between engaged and disengaged positions. During deployment, the nose assembly engages with the lock mandrel profile to secure the tool. During retrieval, the activation means triggers the nose assembly to move to the disengaged position, making it easy to pull the tool out even from deep or deviated wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulling prong is pre-configured with the nose assembly in an engaged position ready to interface with the lock mandrel profile. The activation means is pre-positioned to trigger the transition to disengaged state when needed, ensuring that the tool can be easily retrieved without requiring complex manual operations during the retrieval process.
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 described pulling prong effectively reduces the strain on retrieval systems by disengaging lock mandrel profiles, facilitating the retrieval of well tools from complex well geometries without compromising the integrity of the tools or conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member in the activation means, wherein the spring member is configured to be in a first compressed state when the nose assembly is in the first running configuration and in a second extended state when the nose assembly is in the second retrieving configuration
Implementation Method 2
a pressure differential between the activation chamber and downhole pressure when the pressure chamber is configured to be in a first extended state when the nose assembly is in the first running configuration and in a second compressed state when the nose assembly is in the second retrieving configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Provided, in one embodiment, is a pulling prong. The pulling prong, in one example, includes an outer housing, and a nose assembly slidably located within the outer housing. In this example, the nose assembly and outer housing form an activation chamber. The pulling prong, in this example, may further include activation means located within the activation chamber, the activation means configured to move the nose assembly from a first running configuration to a second retrieving configuration.