Shape-Memory Tripping Object for Fracture-Fluid Delivery and Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing borehole operations lack efficiency in combining fracture fluid delivery and filtration functions, leading to redundant operations and suboptimal resource recovery.
Innovation Solution
A tripping and filtration object that transitions through multiple conditions within a borehole system, utilizing shape memory materials to create a pressure drop, pass through a landing seat, and transform into a filtration media, enhancing the functionality of borehole subsystems by integrating fracture fluid delivery and filtration in a single operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate operations are used for fracture fluid delivery and filtration, then each function can be performed independently, but operational efficiency decreases and redundant operations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fracture fluid delivery and filtration functions into a single integrated object. The object includes a landing seat for fracture fluid delivery and filtration media that can be deployed together, eliminating the need for separate operations to deliver fracture fluid and perform filtration.
Solution Approach 2:
The tripping and filtration object serves multiple functions: it acts as a landing seat for fracture fluid delivery, provides filtration through embedded media, and enables tripping operations. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate operations needed in borehole management.
2Productivity
If a single object performs multiple functions, then operational efficiency improves, but the object complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The object is segmented into distinct functional components: a landing seat portion for fracture fluid delivery, filtration media portions for filtration, and tripping elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration media is nested within or attached to the landing seat structure, with different portions of the object serving different functions in a compact integrated arrangement. The nested configuration reduces overall complexity while maintaining multiple functions.
3Stress or pressure
If shape memory materials are used to create pressure drop, then fracture fluid delivery function is achieved, but the material must undergo phase transition
Solution Approach 1:
Shape memory materials are used that change their physical parameters (shape, density, porosity) in response to temperature changes or actuation fluid. This parameter change creates the necessary pressure drop for fracture fluid delivery while allowing the material to transition between different functional states.
Solution Approach 2:
The object utilizes phase transitions of shape memory materials to achieve different functional states. The material transitions from a compact state that creates pressure drop for fracture fluid delivery to an expanded state that provides filtration media, leveraging the phase change property of the material.
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
This solution enables efficient integration of fracture fluid delivery and filtration, reducing redundant operations and improving resource recovery efficiency by leveraging shape memory materials that change geometry and density in response to temperature or actuation fluid, facilitating seamless transition from fracture fluid application to filtration.
Implementation Method 1
leveraging shape memory materials that change geometry and density in response to temperature or actuation fluid
Implementation Method 2
the volume being of dimension and/or geometry to create a pressure drop across the landing seat such that a function of the borehole subsystem is obtainable by the application of pressure against the volume of material when seated on the landing seat
Implementation Method 3
a third condition of at least the portion of the volume wherein the at least a portion of the volume becomes a filtration media
Data Source
AI summary
A tripping and filtration object to manage a borehole operation, including a volume of material that is landable upon a seat in a borehole to create a pressure drop such that a function of the borehole subsystem is obtainable. In a second condition, the volume is passable through the seat. In a third condition the volume becomes a filtration media. A method for managing a borehole operation, including conveying an object to a landing seat in a borehole system, functioning the landing seat through application of pressure against the object on the landing seat, passing at least a portion of the object through the landing seat, and changing the at least a portion of the object into a filtration media after passing through the landing seat. A borehole system, including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and an object disposed within the string.