Rotatable Wellbore Tool with S-Shaped Bend for Parted Casing Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and repairing a parted casing in a wellbore is challenging due to its eccentric position relative to the rest of the casing, making it difficult for traditional linear tools to enter and causing issues like lost production, environmental damage, and flow assurance problems in both production and injection wells.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable wellbore tool with an S-shaped bend and a mule shoe is used to access the parted casing by rotating and stabbing the tool in a downhole direction, allowing it to align with the parted section and facilitate the entry of additional tools or cement for repair and plugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional linear wellbore tool is used, then the tool structure is simple, but the tool cannot access the parted casing due to its eccentric position
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore tool incorporates an S-shaped bent pipe configuration instead of a linear structure. This curvature allows the tool to navigate the eccentric offset between the wellbore axis and the parted casing, enabling access to the parted section while maintaining a relatively simple overall tool design.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool design uses asymmetric bending portions with different radii and angles to match the specific eccentric geometry of the parted casing. The first and second bending portions are configured with different characteristics to accommodate the offset position, allowing the tool to align with the parted casing while keeping the structure simpler than a fully adjustable mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the wellbore tool is rotated and stabbed to access parted casing, then access to parted casing is achieved, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The S-shaped bent pipe is pre-configured with specific bending radii and angles that are calculated in advance to match the expected eccentric offset to the parted casing. This preliminary geometric configuration reduces the need for extensive trial-and-error rotation and stabbing operations, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining access capability.
3Ease of operation
If the parted casing is eccentric relative to wellbore axis, then the parted casing position is fixed, but traditional linear tools cannot reach it
Solution Approach 1:
The S-shaped bent pipe provides a fixed curvature that can accommodate typical eccentric offsets. The first and second bending portions create an arc-like path that allows the tool to reach the parted casing while maintaining structural integrity, providing adaptability to eccentric positions without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore tool includes a rotatable elongate pipe that includes a first elongate portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the elongate pipe. A first bending portion with a first end attaches to a downhole end of the first elongate portion. The first bending portion deviates from a longitudinal axis of the first elongate portion in a first direction. A second bending portion has a first end attached to a second end of the first bending portion. The second bending portion is positioned downhole of the first bending portion. The second bending portion deviates towards the longitudinal axis in a second direction different from the first direction. The first bending portion and the second bending are eccentric relative to the first elongate portion. The wellbore tool is rotated a set amount and stabbed in a downhole direction until the wellbore tool enters the parted casing.