Sand Control Sleeve with Dynamic Filtration Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sand control configurations in the drilling and completion industry face challenges in efficiently promoting unimpeded flow while preventing the entrainment of undesirable fluids and solids, such as sand, during both production and treatment operations like fracturing.
Innovation Solution
A sand control sleeve with a filtration material that can change its occupancy state from fully open to fully closed, allowing for incremental filtering, utilizing shape memory materials and polymers that can be actuated by temperature, electric, or magnetic fields to control fluid flow and sand exclusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filtration material is used to control sand, then sand control is improved, but flow restriction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration material is designed to dynamically change its state between open and filtered configurations in response to environmental conditions. The material transitions from an expanded state that restricts flow to a collapsed state that allows unimpeded flow, enabling adaptive sand control rather than static filtration that permanently restricts flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration material's physical parameters (volume, porosity, permeability) are changed in response to environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, or pressure. This allows the material to transform its filtration characteristics dynamically, opening up when flow is needed and closing when sand control is required.
2Reliability
If fixed filtration is used, then sand control is maintained, but flow cannot be unimpeded
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed filtration to dynamic adaptive filtration. The filtration material can be actuated to change its state between open and filtered configurations, providing operational flexibility to switch between unimpeded flow and sand control modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration material automatically responds to environmental conditions or control signals to adjust its state without requiring external mechanical actuators or complex control systems. The material self-regulates its filtration properties based on the operational requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If shape memory materials are used for filtration, then flow control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical actuation systems are replaced with smart materials that inherently respond to environmental stimuli. Shape memory alloys or polymers automatically change their mechanical properties in response to temperature or other stimuli, eliminating the need for external motors, valves, or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The material's physical parameters are changed through environmental stimuli rather than mechanical means. This allows flow control to be achieved through simple environmental triggers (temperature, pH, pressure) rather than complex mechanical or electronic control systems.
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 unimpeded flow during treatment operations and effective sand control during production by selectively occluding ports or channels, ensuring a better quality of produced fluid by filtering out sand and fines.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing shape memory materials and polymers that can be actuated by temperature, electric, or magnetic fields
Implementation Method 2
actuated by temperature, electric, or magnetic fields
Implementation Method 3
actuated by temperature, electric, or magnetic fields
Implementation Method 4
actuated by temperature, electric, or magnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
A sand control sleeve includes a body; a port extending through the body; and a filtration material disposed relative the port and configured to attain a first condition where relatively less of the port is occupied. A second condition where relatively more of the port is occupied by the material. A method for producing fluid.