Reciprocating Bailer Helical Drive Agitator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for clearing debris from wellbores, especially in horizontal wells and sandy formations, face challenges such as high torque issues during casing rotation, difficulty in rotating long casing strings, and the expense of using nitrogen gas, with existing tools being either costly to modify or ineffective in horizontal environments.
Innovation Solution
A tool that uses reciprocation to open and close valves for pumping debris slurry into a tubing string, incorporating a helical drive to rotate an agitator for forming slurry, and a perforated sub for storage, allowing for efficient removal of debris without the need for casing rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If casing string is rotated to move past obstruction, then obstruction can be cleared, but high torque causes damage to threads and centralizers
Solution Approach 1:
The tool divides the obstruction clearing function into separate components: a rotation mechanism for agitating debris and a reciprocating pump mechanism for removing the slurry. This segmentation allows the rotation function to be performed by a small, controlled mechanism rather than the entire casing string, eliminating excessive torque buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reciprocating pump mechanism that acts as a mediator between the rotation/agitation function and the debris removal function. This intermediary component enables debris removal through reciprocation rather than direct rotation of the casing string, thereby eliminating the harmful torque effects.
2Ease of operation
If nitrogen gas is pumped into wellbore to remove debris, then debris can be removed through annulus, but operation becomes prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The reciprocating pump mechanism is self-service in that it uses the mechanical reciprocation of the tool itself to create the pumping action. The pump is driven by the tool's reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for external power sources or expensive gases like nitrogen. The system uses its own mechanical energy to perform the debris removal function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system (nitrogen gas) with a mechanical reciprocating pump system. Instead of using compressed gas to push debris through the annulus, the system uses a mechanical pump driven by reciprocation to achieve the same debris removal function, thereby eliminating the need for expensive nitrogen gas.
3Device complexity
If conventional bailer with non-rotating mandrel is used, then simple structure is maintained, but inability to rotate prevents effective operation in horizontal wellbores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic rotation capability to the bailer mandrel, transforming it from a static, non-rotating component to a dynamic one that can rotate during reciprocation. This dynamic feature enables the mandrel to effectively agitate and move debris in horizontal wellbores, while the rotation is coupled with the reciprocating motion to maintain structural integrity and avoid excessive complexity.
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 effective debris removal from wellbores by forming and pumping a slurry through the tubing string, reducing torque-related damage and operational costs, and functioning in both vertical and horizontal wells.
Implementation Method 1
utilize reciprocation of part of the tool to open and close standing and travelling valves for pumping slurry containing debris from a wellbore into the tubing string
Implementation Method 2
a helical drive arrangement acts between the mandrel and the sleeve for driving the sleeve axially and rotationally along at least a portion of the mandrel
Implementation Method 3
A one-way standing valve is fluidly connected to a distal end of the sleeve bore
Implementation Method 4
a one way travelling valve is fluidly connected to the mandrel's bore
Data Source
AI summary
A tool is incorporated into a tubing string and is run into a wellbore until an agitator at a bottom of the tool engages an obstruction in the wellbore. A helical drive arrangement between a mandrel and a sleeve causes the sleeve on the outside of the tool, to which the agitator is attached, to rotate as the mandrel is reciprocated between a downstroke and an upstroke. Rotation of the agitator disrupts the obstruction forming debris therefrom and a slurry of the debris in wellbore fluid. At the same time, reciprocation of the mandrel causes a standing valve and a travelling valve in the tool to be alternately opened and closed for pumping the slurry into the tool and from the tool into the tubing string for storage therein. Periodically the tool is tripped to surface and the stored debris is removed from the tubing string.