Shrinkable Sleeve Stabilizer for Wellbore Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centralizers and stabilizers for wellbores face issues such as wear, high costs, and damage to casing pipes due to threaded connections or locking collars, and are not suitable for large casing sizes without accessing the end of the casing string.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer apparatus with elongate blades formed from ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, connected around the outer diameter of the casing, using a shrinkable sleeve that activates via heat and UV light to immobilize the blades, eliminating the need for permanent connections or large tools, and suitable for both small and large casing sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded connections or locking collars are used to connect stabilizers to casing, then the stabilizer can be securely attached, but the casing pipe is damaged and its strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A shrinkable sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the stabilizer and the casing pipe. The sleeve wraps around the stabilizer assembly and, when shrunk, provides a secure connection without requiring threaded connections or locking collars that would damage the casing pipe. This mediator transfers the attachment forces away from the casing pipe surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical connection methods (threaded connections, locking collars with set screws) are replaced with a shrinkable sleeve system that uses thermal or chemical activation to achieve secure attachment. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical fastening elements that would penetrate or damage the casing pipe.
2Reliability
If crimping devices are used to create interference fit stabilizers, then secure attachment is achieved, but large tools are required and access to pipe ends is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer system is segmented into modular components (stabilizer blades, shrinkable sleeve) that can be assembled around the casing pipe from the side. This segmentation eliminates the need for large crimping tools and access to pipe ends, as the components can be attached along the length of the pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The shrinkable sleeve utilizes parameter changes (thermal expansion/contraction or chemical activation) to achieve secure attachment. The sleeve is applied in a relaxed state and then activated to shrink or harden, creating a secure interference fit without requiring large crimping forces or tools.
3Reliability
If permanent connections are used for stabilizers, then the stabilizer remains fixed during operation, but refurbishment requires hard-facing that causes stress crack propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The shrinkable sleeve provides a non-permanent but secure connection that can be removed and replaced during refurbishment without requiring hard-facing operations. The sleeve can be detached from the stabilizer and casing, allowing the stabilizer to be refurbished with simple reattachment rather than complex hard-facing processes that risk stress crack propagation.
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 provides enhanced position stability, reduces damage to the casing, and allows for easy installation on existing pipes without requiring large tools or accessing the pipe ends, offering a cost-effective and durable alternative to traditional stabilizers.
Implementation Method 1
a shrinkable sleeve that activates via heat and UV light to immobilize the blades
Data Source
AI summary
Shrinkable sleeve stabilizers formed around the outer surface of a pipe to enhance position stability of the pipe when operably positioned within a well bore and related methods, are provided. The shrinkable sleeve stabilizer according to an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of elongate stabilizer blades shaped and configured to connect around an outer diameter of the pipe, and a shrinkable sleeve sized to wrap around an outer surface of the each of the plurality of stabilizer blades when connected to the outer diameter of the pipe to immobilize each of the plurality of stabilizer blades when activated.