Pump-Down Adapter for Downhole Tool Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deploying and retrieving wellbore tools in horizontal or deviated wellbores is inefficient due to the need for extensive setup and teardown of workover rigs, which takes time and space, and requires complex equipment.

Innovation Solution

A pump-down adapter system that uses a pressure differential created by circulating fluid to move and position downhole tools within wellbores, eliminating the need for a workover rig by engaging fins with the tubular inner surface and utilizing a wireline for tool deployment and retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a workover rig is used to deploy and retrieve wellbore tools, then tool deployment capability is achieved, but setup and teardown time increases and equipment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool deployment efficiencyVSAvoidsetup and teardown time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of tool deployment from the complex workover rig system. By using a simple pump-down adapter that can be deployed through existing wellbore infrastructure, the system removes the need for extensive rig setup and teardown, achieving tool deployment capability with minimal equipment and time investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump-down adapter serves as an intermediary device between the surface equipment and downhole tools. It enables tool deployment through fluid pressure actuation without requiring direct mechanical connection to a workover rig, thereby eliminating the time-consuming rig setup and teardown processes while maintaining effective tool deployment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a workover rig is used to deploy and retrieve wellbore tools, then tool deployment capability is achieved, but equipment complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool deployment capabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the core deployment function from the complex workover rig system, retaining only the essential pump-down adapter and fluid pressure mechanism. This extraction eliminates unnecessary equipment complexity and space requirements while preserving the fundamental capability to deploy and retrieve downhole tools effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex mechanical workover rig system with a fluid pressure-based pump-down adapter system. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy mechanical equipment, reducing both equipment complexity and space requirements while maintaining effective tool deployment capability through hydraulic actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If fins are extended radially from the pump-down adapter, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidadapter structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fins are designed to be extendable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. When extended, they provide enhanced sealing capability against the wellbore wall; when retracted, they minimize interference with tool deployment. This dynamic configuration achieves reliable sealing without permanently increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The extendable fins serve multiple functions: they provide sealing capability when extended, and can be retracted to minimize interference during certain operations. This multi-functionality achieves reliable sealing without permanently increasing device complexity, as the same structure adapts to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 efficient deployment and retrieval of wellbore tools in various wellbore orientations without the need for a workover rig, significantly reducing setup and teardown time and maintaining tool integrity through sealing and pressure control.

Implementation Method 1

uses a pressure differential created by circulating fluid to move and position downhole tools within wellbores

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

engaging fins with the tubular inner surface and utilizing a wireline for tool deployment and retrieval

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS11142976B2Positioning downhole-type tools

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

One downhole-type tool of a set of interchangeable downhole-type tools is interchangeably received by a pump-down adapter. The downhole-type tool is positioned by the pump-down adapter within a wellbore tubular. The downhole-type tool is released by the pump-down adapter.