Spoolable Downhole Control System Modular Connectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The drilling and completion industry faces inefficiencies due to the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of splicing spoolable control and monitoring lines, which slows down the progression of tubing strings into boreholes and detracts from productivity.
Innovation Solution
A spoolable downhole control system that integrates signal-bearing components along a length of line, capable of actuating operations, with pre-designed openings and components that can be easily attached to a string without the need for splicing, using protective sleeves and modular designs to facilitate efficient deployment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional splicing techniques are used to connect control lines and components, then reliable connections are achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into modular components (control modules, connectors, protective sleeves) that can be independently assembled and connected. Each component is pre-prepared with connection interfaces, allowing rapid assembly without complex splicing operations while maintaining connection reliability through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Components are pre-assembled with protective sleeves and connection interfaces before deployment. The control modules are pre-configured with necessary connections and protections, so that when deployed, they require minimal on-site assembly work, significantly reducing installation time while ensuring reliable connections were established during controlled pre-assembly.
2Reliability
If conventional splicing techniques are used to connect control lines and components, then reliable connections are achieved, but labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into plug-and-play modular components with standardized interfaces. This segmentation transforms the complex splicing process into simple connector attachment operations, dramatically improving ease of installation while maintaining connection reliability through the standardized, pre-tested interface designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Connectors serve as intermediary elements between control lines and components, simplifying the connection process. Instead of directly splicing lines to components, the connectors mediate the connection, providing a user-friendly interface that reduces labor intensity while ensuring reliable electrical and mechanical connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If splicing operations are performed for each connection, then control components can be integrated, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors and modular components are designed with universal interfaces that can accommodate various control module types and configurations. This universality enables flexible component integration and adaptability to different system requirements while maintaining high installation productivity through standardized, repeatable connection procedures that eliminate the need for custom splicing work for each integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A spoolable downhole control system includes a length of one or more lines suitable for the downhole environment. The spoolable downhole control system also includes one or more components disposed in signal bearing communication with the one or more lines and along a length of the one or more lines, prior to the system being connected with a string. The components are capable of actuating an operation. A method for creating a downhole system includes spooling out the spoolable downhole control system and joining the one or more components with one or more subs of the tubing string.