Single-Trip Wellbore Completion Assembly with Acid Wash

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wellbore completion methods require multiple trips, increasing time, cost, and environmental risk due to the need for multiple connections and operations.

Innovation Solution

A completion assembly including a mechanical formation isolation valve in an open position, a production sealing element, and a production sealing element setting tool is used to perform an acid wash and fluidically seal the wellbore in a single trip, with the option to shift the isolation valve to a closed position using a shifting key tool, and dispose additional equipment like a screened inflow control device and swell packer within the wellbore.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple trips are used for wellbore completion operations, then each operation can be performed thoroughly, but the total operational time increases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompletion operation qualityVSAvoidtotal operational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple completion operations (placing completion equipment, performing acid wash, setting production sealing element, and isolating formations) into a single trip through the wellbore. The completion assembly integrates multiple functions including the mechanical formation isolation valve, production sealing element, and acid wash capability, allowing all operations to be performed sequentially in one continuous operation rather than requiring multiple separate trips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The completion assembly is designed as a multi-functional tool that can perform various completion operations simultaneously or sequentially. The assembly includes a mechanical formation isolation valve for formation isolation, a production sealing element for sealing the wellbore, and acid wash capability for cleaning the wellbore interior, all integrated into one universal tool that replaces multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple trips are used for wellbore completion operations, then each operation can be performed with proper equipment, but the operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompletion operation qualityVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple completion operations (placing completion equipment, performing acid wash, setting production sealing element, and isolating formations) into a single trip through the wellbore. The completion assembly integrates multiple functions including the mechanical formation isolation valve, production sealing element, and acid wash capability, allowing all operations to be performed sequentially in one continuous operation rather than requiring multiple separate trips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple trips are used for wellbore completion operations, then proper procedures can be followed, but environmental risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure complianceVSAvoidenvironmental risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple completion operations (placing completion equipment, performing acid wash, setting production sealing element, and isolating formations) into a single trip through the wellbore. The completion assembly integrates multiple functions including the mechanical formation isolation valve, production sealing element, and acid wash capability, allowing all operations to be performed sequentially in one continuous operation rather than requiring multiple separate trips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If a mechanical formation isolation valve is used in open position, then formation isolation is achieved, but the valve requires subsequent shifting to closed position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation isolationVSAvoidvalve operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical formation isolation valve is designed to automatically shift from the open position to the closed position based on predetermined conditions or mechanisms. The valve includes a shifting key tool interface that allows the valve to be shifted to the closed position after the completion assembly is deployed, enabling the valve to serve itself by automatically isolating the formation when needed without requiring continuous manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach reduces the number of trips required, decreases operational time and costs, enhances worker safety, and minimizes environmental impact by completing the wellbore efficiently in a single operation.

Implementation Method 1

the production sealing element is activated with the production sealing element setting tool fluidically sealing a wellbore upper section uphole of the completion assembly from a wellbore lower section downhole of the completion assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid sealing:

Implementation Method 2

The linear actuator is configured to mate with the mechanical formation isolation valve and mated to the mechanical formation isolation valve. The mechanical formation isolation valve is shifted with the linear actuator.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical actuation: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11060377B1Completing a wellbore

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method for disposing a completion assembly within a wellbore in a single trip. The completion assembly includes a mechanical formation isolation valve in an open position, a production sealing element, and a production sealing element setting tool. An acid wash is performed using the completion assembly within the wellbore. After performing the acid wash, the production sealing element is activated with the production sealing element setting tool, fluidically sealing a wellbore upper section uphole of the completion assembly from a wellbore lower section downhole of the completion assembly. The production sealing element setting tool is decoupled from the production sealing element. The mechanical formation isolation valve is maintained in the open position. The production sealing element setting tool is pulled out of the wellbore.