Retrievable Tubular Sleeve for Washout Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Washout sections in wellbores can prevent or complicate the running of intervention or measurement tools, adversely impacting the efficiency, production, and safety of well operations by creating obstacles for tool passage and fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A retrievable tubular sleeve is run downhole through the casing string, connecting with a landing nipple to extend into the washout section, allowing intervention or measurement tools to pass through while enabling easy retrieval, thus mitigating the effects of the washout section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a washout section forms in the wellbore, then the wellbore geometry changes naturally, but tool passage is prevented or complicated
Solution Approach 1:
A retrievable tubular sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component that spans the washout section. The sleeve has a smooth internal profile that guides tools through the enlarged washout area, preventing tool engagement with the irregular wellbore geometry while maintaining access to the reservoir below.
Solution Approach 2:
The wellbore is effectively segmented into three zones: the cased section above, the washout section in the middle, and the open-hole section below. The tubular sleeve creates a temporary artificial casing within the washout zone, separating the problematic geometry from the tool passage path.
2Ease of operation
If the tubular sleeve is installed to mitigate washout effects, then tool passage is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular sleeve is designed as a dynamic, retrievable component rather than a permanent installation. It can be deployed when needed and removed when no longer required, allowing the wellbore structure to adapt between simple and complex states based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular sleeve is installed temporarily to facilitate tool passage through the washout section, then retrieved and removed after serving its purpose. This temporary deployment adds complexity only when needed, rather than permanently modifying the wellbore structure.
3Ease of operation
If the tubular sleeve extends into the washout section, then tool passage is improved, but retrieval complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A retrieval mechanism is pre-installed on the tubular sleeve before deployment. This preliminary action ensures that the retrieval function is already in place, eliminating the need for complex post-installation retrieval operations and simplifying the overall process.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more geometric dimensions of a portion of a washout section of a wellbore are determined. A retrievable tubular sleeve is run downhole through the casing string, such that a key profile disposed on an outer surface of the retrievable tubular sleeve connects with a landing nipple disposed on an inner surface of the casing string. The retrievable tubular sleeve is dimensioned such that, when the key profile is connected with the landing nipple, a portion of the retrievable tubular sleeve extends downhole from the downhole end of the casing string and within the portion of the washout section for which the one or more geometric dimensions have been determined, and an intervention or measurement tool can be run through the retrievable tubular sleeve through across the washout section.