Sidewall Coring Tools With Active Circulation for Cuttings Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical sidewall coring tools face issues with heat build-up, cutter degradation, and cuttings accumulation due to lack of active fluid flow, leading to reduced efficiency and increased risk of bit stalling and jamming during core sample extraction.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a downhole bi-directional pump module in the sidewall coring tool assembly to provide active fluid circulation, allowing adjustable flow rates and directions to cool the coring bit and remove cuttings effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If mechanical sidewall coring tools are used without active fluid flow, then the device complexity is reduced, but heat build-up occurs and cutter degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidheat build-up

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a downhole pump module that uses hydraulic principles to circulate fluid through the coring tool. The pump draws fluid from the wellbore, pressurizes it, and delivers it through internal passages to the coring bit and cuttings removal channels, enabling active cooling and cuttings removal without significantly increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

Fluid circulation acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wellbore environment and the coring tool components. The pumped fluid serves as a mediator that transfers heat away from the coring bit, lubricates moving parts, and carries cuttings away from the coring shaft, thereby reducing heat build-up and improving tool performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If mechanical sidewall coring tools operate without active fluid circulation, then energy consumption is reduced, but cuttings accumulation occurs leading to bit stalling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddrilling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The downhole pump module utilizes hydraulic energy to circulate fluid through the coring tool system. By drawing fluid from the wellbore and pressurizing it through the pump, the system creates active flow that removes cuttings from the coring bit and shaft, preventing accumulation and bit stalling, thereby maintaining high drilling efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The pump module enables continuous fluid circulation throughout the coring operation. The fluid flow continuously removes cuttings from the coring bit face and transports them away from the coring shaft, maintaining clear passages and preventing bit stalling throughout the entire coring process, thus ensuring sustained productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If downhole bi-directional pump module is added to sidewall coring tool, then fluid circulation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The downhole pump module is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it circulates fluid for cooling the coring bit, removes cuttings from the coring shaft, provides lubrication to moving parts, and can operate in bi-directional flow modes. By consolidating these functions into a single module, the patent increases productivity while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump module is integrated within the existing coring tool structure, with the pump housing nested within the coring tool body and internal passages routed through existing components. The pump draws fluid from the wellbore annulus and delivers it through internal channels to the coring bit and cuttings removal pathways, effectively nesting the fluid circulation system within the coring tool architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enhances drilling efficiency by reducing parasitic torque, preventing cutter degradation, and minimizing bit stalling, while ensuring effective cuttings removal and lubrication during coring operations.

Implementation Method 1

a downhole pumping module configured to control a flow of fluid through the coring module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

enhances drilling efficiency by reducing parasitic torque, preventing cutter degradation, and minimizing bit stalling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS20250320816A1Sidewall coring tools having active circulation features

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods presented herein include sidewall coring tools with active circulation caused by bi-directional downhole pump modules included in the sidewall coring tools. The active flow of mud through the sidewall coring tools may be adjustable in substantially real time during coring operations performed by the sidewall coring tools. In general, the ability to actively control the flow of mud through the sidewall coring tools enables lubrication and assists in moving cuttings during coring operations away from the coring bit.