Retractable Wet Latch Assembly for Wireline Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

In subterranean well drilling, obtaining uncontaminated formation fluid samples is challenging due to mudcake invasion, leading to contaminated samples and increased pumpout times, which affect the accuracy and reliability of formation evaluation and require additional time and resources.

Innovation Solution

A wet latch assembly is used to provide electric power to a formation tester without circulating drilling fluid, reducing contamination levels and pumpout time by establishing an electrical connection between a retractable first component and a second component of the wet latch assembly, allowing for direct power supply from the surface and minimizing the invasion of contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If drilling fluid circulation is used to power the formation tester, then power supply is achieved, but contamination levels increase and pumpout time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supplyVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/hydraulic power transmission system (drilling fluid circulation) with an electrical system. A wet latch assembly establishes an electrical connection between the surface and the formation tester, allowing power to be supplied through electrical signals rather than circulating drilling fluid, thereby eliminating contamination from mudcake invasion while maintaining power supply capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If drilling fluid circulation is used to power the formation tester, then power supply is achieved, but pumpout time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supplyVSAvoidpumpout time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for prolonged drilling fluid circulation by using an electrical power transmission system through the wet latch assembly. This substitution allows the formation tester to be powered immediately upon establishing the electrical connection, significantly reducing or eliminating the pumpout time required to flush contaminants that would otherwise be necessary when using fluid circulation for power supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a retractable latch component is used in the wet latch assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a retractable latch component that can dynamically change its position between extended and retracted states. This dynamic mechanism simplifies the overall operation of the wet latch assembly by allowing automatic engagement and disengagement through simple axial movement, reducing the need for complex manual manipulation while the retractable nature is integrated into the component design itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach reduces contamination levels in formation samples, shortens the pumpout time, and enhances the quality of fluid samples, enabling more accurate formation evaluation while reducing operational costs and time.

Implementation Method 1

providing an assembled wet latch assembly by coupling the second component of the wet latch assembly with the extended first component of the wet latch assembly such that an electrical connection is established between the first component and the second component and between the BHA and the surface via the wireline cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11692438B2LWD formation tester with retractable latch for wireline

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method including, without removing a BHA from a wellbore of a well extending into a formation, extending, into an interior flow bore of the BHA, a first component of a wet latch assembly to provide an extended first component of the wet latch assembly, conveying downhole via a wireline cable, from a surface through an interior flow bore provided by a drill string, a second component of the wet latch assembly, and coupling the second component of the wet latch assembly with the extended first component of the wet latch assembly such that an electrical connection is established between the first component and the second component and between the BHA and the surface via the wireline cable, and testing the formation with a formation tester of the BHA, while providing power and/or data telemetry for the formation tester via the wet latch assembly and the wireline cable.