Redundant Casing Exit Anchor Setting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing anchor setting systems in the drilling and completion industry require time-consuming removal and reconfiguration of drillstrings for repairs, leading to inefficiencies at the rig floor due to the lack of redundant setting methodologies.
Innovation Solution
An anchor setting system with a housing and piston assembly that includes redundant setting methodologies, allowing for axial shifting of slips using multiple force introduction methods without reconfiguring the system or removing the drillstring, including hydrostatic, tubular pressure, and mechanical settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single setting system is used for the anchor, then the system is simpler, but the reliability decreases because repair requires removing the drillstring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a redundant setting system with multiple independent setting mechanisms (hydrostatic actuator, mechanical weight system, and tubular pressure system) configured in parallel. This redundancy provides beforehand cushioning against actuator failure, allowing the anchor to be set through alternative methods if the primary system fails, without requiring drillstring removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple setting methodologies that utilize different physical parameters and mechanisms: hydrostatic pressure, mechanical weight forces, and tubular pressure. By providing multiple pathways to achieve the same anchoring function through different parameter mechanisms, the system increases reliability while maintaining operational complexity within acceptable limits.
2Ease of repair
If the drillstring is removed for actuator repair, then the actuator can be fixed, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant setting system enables self-service functionality where the system can compensate for actuator failure using alternative setting mechanisms. If the hydrostatic actuator fails, the system can automatically or manually switch to mechanical weight setting or tubular pressure setting, allowing the operation to continue without external intervention or drillstring removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with built-in redundancy before failure occurs, providing backup setting methods that can be activated immediately upon actuator failure. This eliminates the need for time-consuming drillstring removal and repair operations, maintaining productivity while enabling repair capability.
3Reliability
If multiple setting methodologies are integrated into one system, then the reliability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the setting system into distinct modular segments: a hydrostatic actuator module, a mechanical weight system module, and a tubular pressure system module. Each module is independently configured and can operate autonomously. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability through redundancy while managing complexity by organizing components into separate, manageable units with clear functional boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor setting system having redundant setting methodologies including a housing having an internal chamber. The housing has an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, and a second end. A slip is shiftably mounted to the outer surface of the housing. A piston assembly including a piston element is arranged in the housing. The piston element includes a conduit and is shiftably mounted in the internal chamber. An activator is mounted to the piston assembly. The activator selectively shifts the slip axially along the housing in response to movement of the piston element.