Sequentially Operated Hydrostatic Piston Packer for Wellbore Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packer setting technologies, such as the bottom-up hydrostatic setting module, are not ideal for applications where simultaneous wellbore annulus and production tubing pressure cannot be applied, leading to incomplete packer setting due to limited annular regions and the need for intervention with plugs.
Innovation Solution
A packer assembly with sequentially operated hydrostatic pistons that can be set without requiring both tubing and annulus pressure, featuring a packer mandrel with activation and release assemblies that allow piston movement via pressure differences, enabling radial expansion of seal assemblies without the need for plugs or simultaneous pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bottom-up hydrostatic setting module is used to set a packer above another sealing device, then the packer can be set without plugs or other well intervention devices, but the limited annular region between the unset packer and the previously set sealing device becomes closed off and can no longer communicate with the upper annular area, causing the trapped pressure to dissipate and the packer to not fully set
Solution Approach 1:
The packer setting system is divided into multiple independent hydraulic circuits: an upper hydraulic circuit for actuating the upper packer and a lower hydraulic circuit for actuating the lower packer. This segmentation allows each packer to be set independently without interference from the other, resolving the contradiction between interventionless setting and setting completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic connector is introduced as an intermediary component between the upper and lower packers. This connector provides separate hydraulic pathways that allow independent pressure application to each packer's setting mechanism, enabling both packers to be fully actuated without the annular region closure problem that occurs with single-circuit systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If simultaneous wellbore annulus and production tubing pressure cannot be applied, then the application is simplified, but existing packer setting technologies cannot achieve complete packer setting
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic actuation system is segmented into independent upper and lower circuits that can be selectively activated. This allows the system to adapt to different application scenarios: both packers can be set simultaneously when both pressure sources are available, or individually when only one pressure source is available, while ensuring complete setting in each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on available pressure sources. The hydraulic connector automatically routes pressure from available sources to the appropriate packer circuits, enabling the system to function effectively whether simultaneous dual-pressure application is possible or not, without compromising setting completeness.
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 effective sealing between tubular strings and wellbore surfaces without the need for plug intervention, ensuring complete packer setting and maintaining seal integrity across various well configurations, including deepwater and deviated wells.
Implementation Method 1
a force generated by a pressure difference between the wellbore and the first chamber to shift the first piston... and a force generated by a pressure difference between the wellbore and the second chamber to shift the second piston
Data Source
AI summary
A packer for use in a wellbore includes a packer mandrel. First and second pistons are slidably disposed about the packer mandrel defining first and second chambers therewith. An activation assembly initially prevents movement of the first piston. A release assembly initially prevents movement of the second piston. First and second seal assemblies are disposed about the packer mandrel such that actuation of the activation assembly allows a force generated by a pressure difference between the wellbore and the first chamber to shift the first piston in a first direction toward the first seal assembly to radially expand the first seal assembly and to actuate the release assembly and, actuation of the release assembly allows a force generated by a pressure difference between the wellbore and the second chamber to shift the second piston in the first direction toward the second seal assembly to radially expand the second seal assembly.