Single-Run Liner and Suspension Plug Installation in Wellbores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore drilling requires two trips down the well to install a liner and a suspension plug, which is time-consuming, costly, and causes wear and tear on the well formation and casing.
Innovation Solution
A single run system comprising a running tool, a suspension plug setting tool, and a plug section, which allows for the simultaneous installation of a liner and suspension plug in a wellbore during a single trip, utilizing a packer assembly and pressure or mechanical activation to secure the liner and set the plug.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional two-trip procedures are used to install liner and suspension plug, then installation reliability is improved, but operational time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the liner installation and suspension plug deployment operations into a single integrated running tool assembly. The running tool includes both a liner setting tool and a suspension plug setting tool connected in series, allowing both operations to be performed during one trip down the wellbore. This merging of operations eliminates the need for separate trips, reducing operational time while maintaining installation reliability through coordinated activation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension plug is prepared and positioned in advance within the running tool assembly, ready for deployment immediately after liner installation. The running tool is pre-configured with both the liner and suspension plug, and includes activation mechanisms that are prepared beforehand to set both components in the correct sequence during a single operation. This preliminary preparation ensures reliable installation without requiring additional trips.
2Reliability
If conventional two-trip procedures are used to install liner and suspension plug, then installation completeness is improved, but expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functionally distinct tools (liner setting tool and suspension plug setting tool) into a single running tool assembly. This combined assembly includes all necessary components for both operations, eliminating the need for separate tool trips and reducing operational expenses while ensuring complete installation of both liner and suspension plug through coordinated activation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The running tool assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both liner installation and suspension plug deployment. The single running tool includes a liner setting tool for installing the liner and a suspension plug setting tool for deploying the suspension plug, making it a universal tool that replaces multiple specialized tools and reduces overall operational cost.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional two-trip procedures are used to install liner and suspension plug, then installation accuracy is improved, but wear and tear on wellbore increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines liner installation and suspension plug deployment into a single running tool assembly that operates in one continuous operation. This eliminates the need to pull the tool string out of the wellbore and re-run it, thereby reducing mechanical wear and tear on the wellbore casing and formation. The integrated design maintains installation accuracy through coordinated activation mechanisms for both components.
4Productivity
If single run system is used to install liner and suspension plug, then operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The running tool assembly is divided into distinct functional modules: a liner setting tool section and a suspension plug setting tool section, connected in series. Each module can be activated independently through ball drop mechanisms or other activation means. This segmentation allows the complex functions to be broken down into manageable, independently controllable units, improving operational efficiency while making the complexity manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ball drop mechanisms and activation tools as intermediaries to trigger the setting operations. Balls dropped through the running tool activate seats that in turn trigger the liner and suspension plug setting mechanisms. This intermediary activation method simplifies the control of the complex integrated system, allowing sequential operation of multiple functions through a simple, reliable triggering mechanism that improves operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for running a liner and suspension plug into a wellbore in one run is provided. The single run system features an up hole end and down hole end and comprises a running tool, a suspension plug setting tool, and a plug section. The running tool further comprises a packer assembly which includes at least a packer element and a liner connection. The single run system is run down hole to position the liner and the packer element is activated to secure the liner. The plug running tool detaches from the liner and packer element and is pulled up hole to position the plug section above the liner and packer element. The plug section comprises a suspension plug which is set in the casing above the liner. The remaining elements of the single run system are released from the plug section and pulled up hole.