Retrievable Downhole Anchor With Debris Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rock anchors for open holes are typically non-retrievable and generate debris that can damage or affect the operation of the anchor and surrounding downhole equipment.
Innovation Solution
A movable wall engaging member that can transition from a retracted to an expanded position to engage and disengage the wellbore wall, allowing for retrievability and incorporating features like hydraulic actuation and debris evacuation channels to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing rock anchors are designed to be permanently anchored, then anchoring reliability is improved, but retrievability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor system employs movable wall engaging members that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. The slips are designed to be movable relative to the mandrel, allowing them to engage the bore wall for anchoring and disengage for retrieval. This dynamic capability enables the system to provide reliable anchoring when needed while maintaining retrievability, resolving the contradiction between permanent anchoring and ease of retrieval.
2Strength
If engaging elements penetrate the formation surface, then anchoring strength is improved, but debris generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates debris evacuation channels that extract harmful debris generated during anchoring operations. These channels provide pathways for debris to be removed from the anchor system, preventing accumulation that could interfere with operation or cause damage. This extraction mechanism addresses the harmful debris generation while maintaining the beneficial penetrating engaging elements for anchoring strength.
3Reliability
If debris accumulates near anchoring members, then anchoring capacity is maintained, but operational reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Debris evacuation channels are integrated into the anchor system to continuously remove debris from areas near the anchoring members. These channels prevent debris accumulation that could interfere with the operation of movable components or cause damage to the anchor system. By actively extracting debris, the system maintains operational reliability without sacrificing anchoring capacity.
4Ease of operation
If movable wall engaging members are added for retrievability, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs movable wall engaging members (slips) that can transition between engaged and disengaged states relative to the mandrel. This dynamic design enables retrievability while the simplicity of the movable mechanism minimizes added complexity. The slips are designed to be straightforwardly movable, providing ease of operation for retrieval without excessive mechanical 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 the anchoring apparatus to be retrieved and maintains operational integrity by preventing debris accumulation, thus reducing the risk of damage to the anchor and surrounding equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating member is movable by hydraulic actuation
Implementation Method 2
engaging elements for frictionally interacting with the formation surface
Data Source
AI summary
An anchoring apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprises at least one movable wall engaging member for engaging a wall of a wellbore, wherein the at least one movable wall engaging member is movable from a retracted position to an expanded position to engage the wall, and from the expanded position to a retracted position to disengage the wall. Provision of one or more wall engaging members being movable from an expanded position to a retracted position allows the anchoring apparatus to be retrieved from the wellbore, and in particular, from an open hole.