Spoolable Downhole Tubing Liner Expansion for Corrosion Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preventing corrosion of well tubulars, such as chemical inhibitors and high-grade alloy linings, are inefficient or costly, posing a challenge in maintaining the integrity of tubulars during water production.
Innovation Solution
A spoolable liner system is used, which involves connecting a connector to the distal end of the liner, forming connections at specific points within the tube, and filling the liner with a fluid to expand it against the tube's interior wall, creating a liquid-impermeable barrier to protect against corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical inhibitors are injected into the well to prevent corrosion, then corrosion protection is provided, but the method is inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable spoolable liner that is inserted into the tubular to provide corrosion protection. The liner is a single-use component that is deployed internally within the existing tubular structure, eliminating the need for continuous chemical inhibitor injection and providing more efficient, long-lasting protection.
2Reliability
If high grade alloys such as chromium or nickel based alloys are used to line tubulars, then corrosion protection is improved, but the cost and logistics become relatively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where a spoolable liner is inserted inside an existing tubular. This nested approach allows the use of protective materials without replacing the entire tubular structure, significantly reducing manufacturing cost and logistical complexity while maintaining corrosion protection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a flexible spoolable liner that can be easily deployed within the tubular. This thin-film approach provides effective corrosion protection at a fraction of the cost of high-grade alloy construction, as the flexible liner material is much less expensive than chromium or nickel-based alloys.
3Reliability
If a spoolable liner is inserted and expanded against the tube interior wall to create a liquid-impermeable barrier, then corrosion protection is achieved, but the installation process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic or pneumatic expansion mechanisms to inflate the spoolable liner against the tubular interior wall. This allows the liner to be inserted in a collapsed state through the tubular and then expanded to the required diameter, simplifying the installation process while ensuring a liquid-impermeable barrier for effective corrosion protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a dynamic installation process where the spoolable liner transitions from a collapsed transport state to an expanded operational state. This dynamic approach allows the liner to be easily inserted through the tubular in a compact form and then expanded in-place to provide the required corrosion protection, reducing installation complexity.
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
The spoolable liner effectively prevents corrosion between the distal and proximal connections, ensuring the tubulars' integrity while allowing production flow through the liner, thus reducing maintenance costs and logistical challenges.
Implementation Method 1
filling an interior area defined by an interior of the spoolable liner, the termination, and the deployable plug with a fluid such that the fluid expands the spoolable liner against an interior wall of the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A method of lining a tube using a spoolable liner includes connecting a connector to a distal end of the spoolable liner. The connector and spoolable liner are inserted into the tube and are advanced to a tube engagement point. A distal connection is formed between the spoolable liner and the tube by attaching the connector to an engagement mechanism at the tube engagement point. A proximal end of the spoolable liner is established and a proximal connection is formed between the proximal end and the tube. The spoolable liner is plugged with a deployable plug in a vicinity of the distal end and with a termination in a vicinity of the proximal end. An interior area is filled with a fluid such that the fluid expands the spoolable liner against an interior wall of the tube.