Rotating Sleeve Downhole Reamer for Single-Pass Hole Conditioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole reaming tools require multiple passes to achieve the desired hole size and cleanliness, affecting drilling efficiency, equipment, and pose risks such as differential sticking and impaired retrievability, while also impacting downhole pressures and flow.
Innovation Solution
A downhole drill string reaming tool with a rotating sleeve powered by a mud turbine, featuring axial and radial bearings, and optional spring-loaded anti-rotation teeth, which allows for efficient hole cleaning and conditioning without disrupting pressure or flow, and facilitates tool retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a secondary reaming tool is run to clean the well bore, then hole cleanliness and size are improved, but drilling time and operational costs increase due to requiring a second trip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reaming function with the drilling operation by integrating a reamer assembly that can be run concurrently with the drilling bit. The reamer rotates along with the drill string, allowing hole cleaning and conditioning to occur during the drilling trip itself rather than requiring a separate secondary operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaming action continues continuously during the drilling operation. The reamer blades constantly engage with the well bore wall as the drill string rotates and advances, maintaining hole cleanliness throughout the drilling process rather than requiring intermittent or post-drilling reaming operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If reaming tools are used to clean the hole during drilling, then hole conditioning is improved, but downhole pressures and flow are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer assembly is designed with specific blade configurations and spacing that concentrate the reaming action at the well bore wall interface while minimizing interference with the central mud flow path. The blades are positioned to contact only the hole wall, allowing mud flow to remain largely undisturbed in the center of the well bore.
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer blades are designed to dynamically adapt to the well bore conditions, with flexible mounting or adjustable positioning that allows optimal contact with the hole wall while maintaining clear flow paths. The rotation speed and blade engagement can be adjusted to balance reaming effectiveness with flow maintenance.
3Manufacturing precision
If reaming tools are deployed to clean the well bore, then hole cleanliness is improved, but the risk of becoming stuck downhole increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer assembly is designed with preliminary conditioning features that prepare the well bore wall before the main reaming action. The blade configuration and spacing are optimized to gradually condition the hole wall, reducing the likelihood of differential sticking by creating a more uniform bore diameter and removing unstable rock formations in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer is divided into multiple blade sections distributed around the circumference, with each segment handling a portion of the reaming task. This segmentation allows for more uniform hole conditioning and reduces the concentration of stress on any single point, lowering the risk of well bore collapse or tool sticking.
4Manufacturing precision
If reaming tools are used to clean the hole, then hole conditioning is improved, but the ability to retrieve tools further down the drill string is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The reamer assembly is designed as a separable or extractable component that can be removed from the drill string without requiring retrieval tools to pass through the reamer. The blade configuration and mounting system allow for easy detachment or passage of fishing tools, maintaining full retrievability while providing effective reaming functionality.
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 efficient reaming during drilling, reduces the risk of sticking, and allows for tool retrieval, maintaining downhole stability and flow efficiency, while supporting slide drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a mud turbine for rotating the rotating sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A drill string reaming tool for reaming a wellbore while drilling as part of the bottom hole assembly on a drill string comprises a reaming sleeve having teeth or cutters thereon. In some embodiments, the reaming sleeve rotates around the longitudinal axis of the tool unpowered. In some embodiments, the rotation of the reaming sleeve is powered by a turbine driven by mud flowing through the drill string.