Sidewall Coring Cylinder Partial Rotation for Unconsolidated Formations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sidewall coring methods face challenges in extracting high-quality core samples from unconsolidated formations with low Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) due to damage caused by drilling rotation and differential pressure, leading to poor sample recovery and integrity.
Innovation Solution
A sidewall coring tool using a combination of rotary and percussive methods, with a coring cylinder that rotates less than a full rotation and is axially pushed into the formation, aided by hydraulic actuators to extract core samples from unconsolidated formations, improving sample recovery and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional rotary coring methods are used, then core samples can be extracted from formations, but the core samples are damaged due to drilling rotation and differential pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The coring operation is divided into distinct phases: a cutting phase where the coring cylinder penetrates the formation, a rotation phase where the cylinder rotates less than a full rotation to cut the core, and a retrieval phase where the core is extracted. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, preventing damage by controlling rotation only during the cutting phase and avoiding continuous rotation during retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The coring tool employs periodic action by rotating the coring cylinder back and forth less than a full rotation during the cutting phase, then stopping rotation during the retrieval phase. This periodic rotation pattern enables effective core cutting while preventing the harmful continuous rotation damage that occurs with traditional rotary coring methods.
2Productivity
If the coring cylinder rotates continuously, then core cutting is effective, but sample quality deteriorates due to excessive rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The coring cylinder rotates back and forth less than a full rotation during the cutting phase, which is sufficient to cut the core sample effectively. By using partial rotation rather than full or continuous rotation, the system achieves the necessary cutting efficiency while avoiding the excessive rotation that would damage the sample quality.
3Ease of operation
If the coring tool is designed for simple operation, then ease of use is improved, but the ability to handle unconsolidated formations with low UCS is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coring tool incorporates dynamic elements including hydraulic actuators that automatically adjust the coring cylinder's position and rotation based on formation conditions. The system can adapt its rotation speed, axial force, and rotation angle in real-time to match the specific challenges of unconsolidated formations, maintaining both ease of operation and reliable sample recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The coring tool uses hydraulic actuators to provide controlled axial force and rotation to the coring cylinder. This hydraulic system enables the tool to handle the low UCS formations by applying appropriate force and rotation characteristics automatically, maintaining operational simplicity while improving reliability in challenging formations.
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 method enhances the recovery and quality of subterranean sidewall core samples by minimizing damage and maintaining sample integrity in challenging environments with high pressure and low UCS formations.
Implementation Method 1
rotating a coring cylinder of the sidewall coring tool back and forth less than a full rotation while pushing the coring cylinder of the sidewall coring tool against a bore wall of the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
pushing the coring cylinder of the sidewall coring tool into the subterranean formation to enable extraction of a core sample
Implementation Method 3
one or more actuators configured to rotate the coring cylinder back and forth less than a full rotation while pushing the coring cylinder against a bore wall of a wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods presented herein include sidewall coring tools used to return core samples of rock from a sidewall of a wellbore as part of a data collection exercise for exploration and production of hydrocarbons. In particular, the systems and methods presented herein perform sidewall coring of a subterranean formation using a combination of rotary and percussive coring. More specifically, the systems and methods presented herein rotate a coring cylinder of a sidewall coring tool back and forth less than a full rotation while pushing the coring cylinder of the sidewall coring tool against a bore wall of a wellbore, and push the coring cylinder of the sidewall coring tool into the subterranean formation to enable extraction of a core sample of the subterranean formation.