Single Trip Cement Through Open Hole Whipstick Mill Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing a sidetrack in an uncased wellbore are time-consuming and costly due to the need for repeated trips down the wellbore to position the cementing assembly, remove the drill string, and position the mill above the whipstock.
Innovation Solution
A single trip assembly comprising a mill selectively connected to a whipstock with a snorkel tube positioned within both the mill and the whipstock, allowing cement to be pumped through the snorkel tube to cement the wellbore and enabling the mill to create a sidetrack without requiring separate trips, using a shearable device to release the mill and a release mechanism to retrieve the snorkel tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If repeated trips are made to position cementing assembly, remove drill string, and position mill, then proper sequencing of operations is achieved, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cementing assembly and mill into a single integrated tool that can perform both cementing and milling operations during one trip into the wellbore. The mill is positioned within the cementing assembly, allowing sequential execution of cementing followed by milling without requiring separate trips, thereby reducing time and operational costs while maintaining proper operation sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a cementing assembly for delivering cement to the wellbore and simultaneously functions as a milling assembly for creating a sidetrack. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate equipment and trips, directly addressing the time and cost issue while ensuring reliable operation sequencing through the integrated design.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate trips are used for cementing and milling operations, then each operation can be optimized independently, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cementing assembly and mill into a single integrated tool, reducing the number of operational steps from multiple separate trips to one combined trip. The mill is positioned within the cementing assembly, allowing both functions to be executed sequentially in a single operation, thereby simplifying the overall process while maintaining the ability to optimize each function's performance.
3Productivity
If a single trip assembly is used for both cementing and milling, then time and trips are reduced, but the assembly structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the mill is positioned within the bore of the cementing assembly. This nesting allows the mill to be housed within the outer diameter constraints of the cementing assembly, enabling both functions to be integrated in a single tool without excessively increasing the overall assembly size or structural complexity, thereby maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the outer cementing assembly structure and the inner mill component. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a unified tool, balancing the reduction in trips and time with manageable structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for use to cement an uncased wellbore and create a sidetrack of a wellbore with a single trip into the wellbore. The assembly includes a mill selectively connected to a whipstock. A snorkel tube is positioned within a bore of the mill and within a bore of the whipstock. The assembly is connected to drill string and positioned within an openhole portion of the wellbore. After the assembly has been anchored, cement may be pumped down the drill string and through the snorkel tube. The mill may be removed from the whipstock by shearing a shearable device connecting the mill to the whipstock. The mill is used engage a diverting surface on the whipstock and create a sidetrack. The mill may also mill a portion of the snorkel tube or the snorkel tube may be removed from wellbore up the drill string prior to milling the sidetrack.