Roller Bearing Assembly for Low-Friction Casing Running
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in hydrocarbon development operations is the increased friction and risk of casing strings getting stuck in subterranean wells, particularly in deviated zones with complex geometries, leading to costly delays and potential abandonment of wells.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a roller bearing assembly with a casing string, featuring a bearing body and spherical bearings that reduce friction by allowing the casing string to move with reduced contact forces, maintaining a stable position relative to the string while allowing spherical bearings to rotate freely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a casing string is moved through a subterranean wellbore, then the casing string can be installed to provide structural support, but friction between the casing string and wellbore increases with well complexity and deviation, leading to stuck pipe incidents and operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
A roller bearing assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the casing string and wellbore. The bearing assembly includes multiple rollers arranged in a circular pattern that contact the wellbore wall, allowing the casing string to move through with reduced friction. The rollers act as mediators that convert sliding friction into rolling friction, significantly reducing the force required to move the casing string through deviated and complex wellbores
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional sliding contact mechanical system with a rolling contact system. Instead of the casing string directly sliding against the wellbore wall, roller bearings are used to substitute the sliding friction mechanism with rolling friction, which has lower resistance. This mechanical substitution reduces the force required for casing string installation and minimizes stuck pipe incidents
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wellbore has complex geometry with deviated zones, then extended reach and complex well designs are achieved, but friction between the casing string and wellbore increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The roller bearing assembly is designed as a dynamic system that can adapt to changing wellbore geometries. The rollers are free to rotate and adjust their positions as the casing string moves through deviated zones and dogleg intervals. This dynamic configuration allows the bearing assembly to maintain optimal contact with the wellbore wall while accommodating complex well paths, reducing friction throughout the entire installation process
3Volume of moving object
If the inner diameter of the wellbore is reduced, then wellbore size constraints are met, but friction between the casing string and wellbore increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the friction parameter by introducing roller bearings that transform the nature of contact between the casing string and wellbore. Even in small diameter wellbores where clearance is limited, the rollers reduce the coefficient of friction by converting sliding contact to rolling contact. This parameter change allows successful casing string installation in constrained wellbore sizes that would otherwise be too small to run casing without getting stuck
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
Significantly reduces friction forces by at least 50% and minimizes the risk of the casing string sticking, thereby reducing operational costs and time, while maintaining even cement distribution around the casing string.
Implementation Method 1
The roller bearing assembly reduces friction forces that are generated from contact between the outer diameter surface of the casing string and the inner diameter surface of the bore
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for reducing friction between a casing string and a bore of a subterranean well when moving the casing string within the bore of a subterranean well include a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly has a bearing body and a plurality of spherical bearings spaced around an outer diameter of the bearing body. The bearing body is secured in line with the casing string.