Self-Venting Downhole Setting Tool for Reliable Pump Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole setting tools require complex gas venting procedures before deployment, making them susceptible to pump displacement by high-pressure gas, necessitating retrieval to the surface for venting, which complicates operations.
Innovation Solution
A self-venting downhole setting tool that automatically vents gas from the pump intake chamber to the wellbore during deployment, using a vent passageway to ensure fluid communication only in one direction, allowing the tool to operate without requiring pre-deployment venting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional downhole setting tool is used, then the pump system can be protected from gas displacement by requiring pre-deployment venting, but the deployment process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful gas from the pump intake chamber through a dedicated vent passageway that directs gas to a collection chamber. This separation of gas removal function from the main pumping function eliminates the need for complex pre-deployment venting procedures while maintaining pump reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary gas venting action by providing a vent passageway that automatically removes gas from the pump intake chamber before the pump begins operation. The gas collection chamber is prepared in advance to capture and contain the vented gas, preventing it from interfering with pump operation.
2Reliability
If pre-deployment venting is required, then gas can be removed from the pump system, but the tool must be retrieved to the surface for venting, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the downhole setting tool to vent gas from its own pump intake chamber while remaining in the wellbore. The vent passageway and collection chamber work autonomously to remove gas without requiring surface intervention, allowing the tool to stay deployed and maintain productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas collection chamber as an intermediary component that captures and contains the vented gas. This intermediary structure allows gas to be removed from the pump system while preventing it from escaping into the wellbore environment, achieving effective gas removal without surface retrieval.
3Device complexity
If the pump intake chamber is exposed to high-pressure gas, then the pump system can be simplified, but the pump becomes susceptible to displacement and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pump system into distinct functional zones: a pump intake chamber for fluid intake, a vent passageway for gas removal, and a gas collection chamber for gas containment. This segmentation allows the pump to operate simply without complex protection mechanisms while maintaining reliability through dedicated gas management pathways.
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 reliable inflation of inflatable packing tools by automatically venting gas, preventing pump displacement and simplifying the deployment process, ensuring consistent operation without the need for repeated surface venting.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid communication passageway, known as a vent passageway, is provided in fluid communication from the pump intake chamber to the wellbore, for the purpose of evacuating a gas (e.g. air or other gases typically found in a downhole wellbore environment) from the pump intake chamber during the deployment of the BHA
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of use are disclosed that enable a simplified operational procedure of isolating portions of a well bore. Specifically, a self-venting setting tool is described, that in an embodiment, utilizes well bore fluid as the inflation fluid for a downhole packing device. Simply exposing the tool to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure readies the system for the setting of downhole packing devices. Otherwise, a typical system may be required to undergo a complex venting procedure prior to deployment or be susceptible to failure due to gas regions within the wellbore prior to reaching a desired location for the subsequent wellbore isolation.