Single-Trip Wellbore Completion Assembly with Integrated Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current method for completing an oil or gas well requires a two-trip procedure for running in and setting completion assemblies, which is inefficient and time-consuming, as it involves separate trips for the lower and upper completion assemblies, necessitating additional operations to displace fluids and set packers.
Innovation Solution
A single-trip completion assembly system where a production string with an integrated upper and lower completion portion is run together, utilizing a flow regulating system with a dissolvable material in the screen assembly to block fluid flow during deployment, allowing for circulation and fluid displacement without the need for an inner string, thus eliminating the need for a second trip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-trip procedure is used to run in lower and upper completion assemblies separately, then proper fluid displacement and packer setting can be achieved, but operational time and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lower completion assembly and upper completion assembly into a single integrated completion string that can be run in one trip. The lower completion includes a screen assembly with base pipe, while the upper completion includes a circulation valve and packer. These are connected to form a unified assembly that performs both fluid circulation and production functions in a single installation operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation valve is pre-positioned in the upper completion assembly before running into the wellbore. This allows circulation fluid to be pumped through the entire completion string and displaced in the wellbore during the same trip that the completion is installed, rather than requiring a separate circulation operation after installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a two-trip procedure is used with separate running of lower and upper completions, then proper assembly and disconnection operations can be performed, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the lower completion assembly (screen, base pipe) and upper completion assembly (circulation valve, packer) into a single pre-connected completion string. This eliminates the need for separate running operations and mid-trip connection/disconnection procedures, reducing operational complexity while maintaining proper assembly relationships.
3Reliability
If circulation fluid is pumped through inner tubing string in two-trip procedure, then fluids can be displaced, but additional equipment and operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the inner tubing string by using the completion string itself as the circulation path. The circulation valve in the upper completion allows fluid to be pumped directly through the completion assembly and displaced in the wellbore, removing the need for separate inner tubing and associated running/retrieval operations.
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
Enables efficient installation of a complete production string in a single trip, reducing operational time and complexity by allowing fluid circulation and displacement through the screen assembly, and ensuring effective isolation and production packer setting without additional trips.
Implementation Method 1
a dissolvable material in the screen assembly to block fluid flow during deployment
Implementation Method 2
A circulation fluid is then pumped down the inner tubing string to the bottom of the screen assembly and back up the annulus between the lower completion assembly and the wellbore wall in order to displace formation, drilling and other fluids
Implementation Method 3
Following circulation, the packer is set and the running tool with the inner string is retrieved from the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A method for installing a production string in a wellbore and a production assembly for deployment in a wellbore are disclosed. An upper completion portion including a tubular and an upper circulation valve and a lower completion portion including a screen assembly and a lower circulation valve are together deployed into a wellbore at the same time. The upper circulation valve is movable between a closed position to block fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the tubular and an open position to establish fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the tubular. The lower circulation valve is movable between an open position to establish fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of a base pipe deployed adjacent the screen assembly and a closed position to block fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the base pipe.