Resettable Lock for Subterranean Tool Multiple Cuts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subterranean tools face challenges in making multiple cuts in a single trip while maintaining well control and efficient fluid circulation, as they often require multiple trips for reconfiguration and lack effective well control during cutting operations.
Innovation Solution
A resettable lock assembly that allows a moving component to be selectively locked and released, enabling multiple cuts in a single trip by deploying a spear to grip the tubular under tension and deploying a packer for well control, while bypassing fluid circulation during cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a seal is not actuated until the cut is made to allow circulation, then fluid circulation is enabled during cutting, but well control is lost in the event of a kick
Solution Approach 1:
The packer is deployed and set in advance before the cutting operation begins, establishing well control and isolation beforehand. This allows fluid circulation to occur through the cutter while the well remains controlled by the pre-positioned packer, resolving the contradiction between enabling circulation and maintaining well control.
2Productivity
If the tubular is held in compression during cutting, then the cut can be made, but cutting efficiency decreases and blade rotation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of holding the tubular in compression as in conventional tools, the spear grip mechanism holds the tubular in tension during the cutting operation. This inversion of the stress state from compression to tension significantly improves cutting efficiency and ease of blade rotation, directly resolving the productivity-force contradiction.
3Productivity
If a single trip tool is used for multiple cuts, then operational efficiency improves, but the tool complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spear assembly is designed with universal multi-functionality, incorporating a grip mechanism, packer deployment capability, and resettable locking system that can be reused for multiple cutting operations. This multi-functional design enables multiple cuts per trip while managing complexity through integrated components rather than separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates dynamic elements including the resettable locking mechanism that can be set and reset multiple times, and the movable spear grip that can engage and disengage from the tubular. These dynamic features enable the tool to adapt to multiple cutting locations while maintaining a relatively compact and manageable structure.
4Reliability
If the spear is set to engage for support with body lock rings, then the tool can be held in position, but the tool must be pulled from the wellbore and redressed for another trip if the casing will not release
Solution Approach 1:
The packer is set in advance before the cutting operation to establish well control and isolation. This preliminary action ensures that well control is already in place before cutting begins, eliminating the need for additional trips to set well control devices and improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spear grip mechanism is designed to be recoverable and reusable. After completing a cutting operation, the spear can be released and reset to engage with the tubular at a different location, rather than requiring the tool to be pulled out and redressed. This recovery and reuse capability reduces the number of trips required.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock holds a movable member in position to a stationary member. The set position of the tool is held while being configured to release with the capability of being reset in the same trip to lock a set position of the tool in the same or a new location.