Downhole Tool Retainer Bridge Decoupling for Sleeve Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for opening and closing tubular production sections downhole are either unreliable or introduce debris, complicating the production of hydrocarbons after fracturing operations due to the need for drop balls or individually aligned ports.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool with a movable sleeve and retainer mechanism that allows axial movement by decoupling the bridge portion using a milling tool, enabling alignment of perforations for fluid flow without introducing debris, and can be repeatedly opened and closed for fracturing and production phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drop balls are used to slide a sleeve valve, then the production section can be opened, but the method requires drop balls to fall downward and dissolve or be removed by milling, increasing device complexity and potential for debris
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic drop ball mechanism and replaces it with a millable bridge portion that can be removed by a milling tool. The bridge portion connects the movable sleeve to the tubular string, and when milled away, the sleeve is freed to move axially and align perforations, eliminating the need for drop balls and ball seat removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge portion serves as an intermediary element that temporarily connects the movable sleeve to the tubular string. This intermediary can be cleanly milled away by a forcing tool, providing a controlled decoupling mechanism that avoids the complexity of dissolving or removing drop balls and their seats.
2Productivity
If ports are opened individually, then fluid flow can be controlled, but debris or obstructions may be introduced on the inside of the screen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the movable sleeve from the screen housing entirely by millable bridge portions. When the bridge portions are milled away, the sleeve is freed to move axially within the screen housing, allowing perforations to align with screen openings for controlled fluid flow without introducing debris into the screen interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces individual port opening mechanisms with an axial movement system. The movable sleeve moves axially to align its perforations with the screen openings, providing fluid flow control through a simple linear motion rather than complex individual port actuation, thereby avoiding debris introduction.
3Strength
If a retainer with thick walls is used, then structural strength is maintained, but the forcing tool cannot access the bridge portion for decoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed with non-uniform wall thickness, featuring a thin-walled bridge portion that provides milling access while the rest of the retainer maintains thick walls for structural strength. This local variation in wall thickness allows the forcing tool to access and mill the bridge portion for decoupling while preserving the overall structural integrity of the retainer.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the movable sleeve is firmly retained, then position stability is ensured, but the sleeve cannot be actuated for opening
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge portion is designed to be millable by a forcing tool, allowing preliminary decoupling action before sleeve actuation. The millable bridge portion provides a controlled weak point that can be removed to free the sleeve for axial movement, enabling the transition from a stable retained position to an actuated opening position.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer-sleeve connection transitions from a static firm retention state to a dynamic actuated state through the removal of the bridge portion. The millable bridge allows the system to shift from a fixed, stable configuration to a movable, adaptable configuration where the sleeve can align perforations for fluid flow.
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
This solution provides a reliable and debris-free method to manage fluid flow, enhancing the efficiency and safety of hydrocarbon production by allowing controlled alignment of perforations, reducing operational costs and maintaining well integrity.
Implementation Method 1
configured to receive therein a milling tool with a diameter DM
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool, configured to receive a milling tool or other forcing tool, includes: a tubular mandrel; an adapter housing coupled to the mandrel; a guide sleeve disposed within the adapter housing; a movable sleeve configured for sliding movement within the guide sleeve; and a retainer positioned uphole of the movable sleeve. The retainer includes an upper annular portion, a lower annular portion, an annular void between the upper and lower annular portions, and a bridge portion extending between the upper and lower annular portions. The upper annular portion is initially fixed to the guide sleeve. The lower annular portion is configured such that downward movement of the lower annular portion causes the movable sleeve to move downward within the guide sleeve. The bridge portion comprises a through-passage and a thin walled segment adjacent to the void. Milling or otherwise disconnecting the bridge portion permits the lower annular portion to move the moveable sleeve.