Shock Absorber for Reverse Circulation Cementing Pressure Pulse

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reverse circulation cementing operations pose a risk to wellbore integrity due to high pressure pulses generated upon closure of the flow control device, which can lead to formation fracture and cement slurry loss, especially in wells with narrow equivalent circulating density (ECD) windows.

Innovation Solution

A downhole tool with a flow control device and a shock absorber is used to absorb pressure pulses, allowing the flow control device to close without transmitting the pulse to the formation, maintaining wellbore pressure within a safe range by using a dissolvable retainer to control the flow control device's closure and a shock absorber to dissipate energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the flow control device is closed during reverse circulation cementing to prevent cement slurry flow, then cement slurry loss to formation is prevented, but a high pressure pulse is generated that can fracture the formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecement slurry lossVSAvoidpressure pulse

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shock absorber device is installed upstream of the flow control device to absorb the pressure pulse before it reaches the formation. The shock absorber includes a compressible element that is compressed by the pressure pulse, converting the harmful pressure energy into mechanical compression energy, thereby protecting the formation from fracture while still allowing the flow control device to close and prevent cement slurry loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock absorber acts as an intermediary element between the flow control device and the formation. It intercepts and absorbs the pressure pulse generated by closing the flow control device, preventing the direct transmission of harmful pressure to the formation while maintaining the flow control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If the flow control device closes suddenly to stop cement slurry flow, then cement slurry loss is prevented, but the momentum of the cement slurry creates a high pressure pulse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecement slurry lossVSAvoidpressure pulse

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber is positioned upstream of the flow control device to provide beforehand cushioning against the pressure pulse. The compressible element in the shock absorber is designed to be compressed by the momentum-driven pressure pulse, absorbing the energy before it can cause formation fracture, thus allowing sudden closure of the flow control device without harmful pressure transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock absorber converts the harmful pressure pulse energy into beneficial mechanical compression of the compressible element. The pressure pulse that would otherwise fracture the formation is instead used to compress the shock absorber element, storing energy safely and preventing formation damage while maintaining the effectiveness of the flow control device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The solution effectively reduces the risk of formation fracture and cement slurry loss by absorbing pressure pulses, maintaining wellbore pressure within a critical window between the fracture gradient and pore-pressure gradient, thereby ensuring wellbore integrity during reverse circulation cementing.

Implementation Method 1

a shock absorber associated with the flow control device, wherein, during a time interval between the closure of the flow control device and the stoppage of the reverse circulation of the cement slurry down the annulus, the shock absorber is adapted to absorb the pressure pulse in the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a dissolvable retainer to control the flow control device's closure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS11261694B2Apparatus, systems, and methods for dampening a wellbore pressure pulse during reverse circulation cementing

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and methods for reverse circulation cementing a tubular string in a wellbore. One such method includes reverse circulating cement slurry down an annulus defined between the tubular string and the wellbore. During the reverse circulation, a flow control device located in the tubular string is closed to prevent, or at least reduce, flow of the cement slurry from the annulus into the tubular string. The closure of the flow control device causes a pressure pulse in the wellbore. After the flow control device is closed, the reverse circulation is stopped. During a time interval between the closure of the flow control device and the stoppage of the reverse circulation, a shock absorber associated with the flow control device absorbs the pressure pulse in the wellbore so that a pressure in the wellbore is maintained within an acceptable range.