Rotating Flow Coupler for Horizontal Well Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horizontal drilling faces significant challenges due to increased drag and friction forces, which prevent equipment from reaching the total depth of the well, leading to potential buckling and reduced productivity of horizontal wells compared to vertical wells.
Innovation Solution
A rotating flow coupler system is introduced, featuring a bearing mechanism that allows for relative rotation between inner and outer tools, providing additional degrees of freedom for equipment to navigate the wellbore, reducing drag and friction by enabling equipment to be rotated around critical sections of the wellbore and horizontal kick-off points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional drilling systems are used in horizontal wells, then equipment can be installed, but drag and friction forces increase with lateral length, preventing equipment from reaching total depth and causing buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The flow coupler is designed to rotate dynamically about a vertical axis, transforming the static casing system into a dynamic one. This rotation capability allows the inner casing to adjust its orientation and reduce contact friction with the wellbore wall, enabling equipment to reach greater lateral lengths without buckling
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational freedom about a vertical axis perpendicular to the horizontal wellbore axis. This adds a new degree of freedom in the vertical dimension, allowing equipment to navigate around high-friction zones and reach deeper laterals by rotating around the kick-off point
2Ease of operation
If chemical lubricants and roller beads are used to reduce friction, then equipment can reach certain lateral lengths, but additional drag and friction still cause buckling beyond a certain depth
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating flow coupler provides continuous dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the inner casing to rotate and reposition itself in response to varying friction conditions along the wellbore, preventing buckling through active motion rather than passive lubrication
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the inner and outer casing, enabling smooth rotation and reducing direct friction contact. This mechanical intermediary provides more reliable friction reduction than chemical lubricants alone
3Productivity
If the ratio between lateral length and vertical distance increases, then horizontal well productivity improves, but drag and friction forces significantly reduce the drill string ability to reach total depth
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing rotational freedom about a vertical axis, the system adds a new dimensional capability that allows the drill string to navigate around friction zones and reach greater lateral lengths, directly extending the drill string reach while maintaining the high lateral-to-vertical ratio needed for productivity
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
The rotating flow coupler system allows equipment to reach deeper laterals by reducing drag and friction, preventing buckling, and enhancing the ability of drill strings and casing strings to reach the total depth of the well, thereby increasing the productivity of horizontal wells.
Implementation Method 1
reducing drag and friction by enabling equipment to be rotated around a critical section of a wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating flow coupler that is configured to couple multiple sections of a casing for a horizontal well, wherein the rotating flow coupler is configured to rotate relative to the casing allowing an additional degree of freedom for equipment being lowered into the well. This may allow for equipment such as coil tubing, drilling string, casings strings, etc. to reach a total distance of deeper laterals.