Stab-in Float Shoe Anti-collapse Rupture Disc

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Solution Overview

Problem

The primary hazard in inner string cementation is the risk of casing collapse due to sudden annulus bridging, which can lead to interrupted cementing operations and incomplete wellbore cementation.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a stab-in float shoe attached to the casing and a stab-in stinger attached to the drill string, featuring a plug-type rupture disc connected to a check valve. The rupture disc ruptures at a predetermined threshold pressure, halting cement flow and preventing further pressure buildup in the annulus, thus avoiding casing collapse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cement mixture is pumped into the annulus during inner string cementation, then complete wellbore cementation is achieved, but sudden annulus bridging causes pressure buildup that can lead to casing collapse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecementation completenessVSAvoidcasing collapse risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A rupture disc is pre-installed in the float shoe at a predetermined rupture pressure that is lower than the casing collapse pressure. When annulus bridging occurs during cementation, the rupture disc ruptures at the predetermined pressure threshold, preventing pressure buildup that would otherwise cause casing collapse. This preliminary protective measure allows complete cementation while mitigating the collapse hazard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rupture disc acts as an intermediary pressure relief mechanism between the cementing operation and the casing. It provides a controlled failure path that protects the casing from excessive pressure while allowing the cementation process to proceed to completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a rupture disc is installed to prevent casing collapse, then pressure control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure controlVSAvoidfloat shoe complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rupture disc is a disposable, single-use component that is relatively simple in construction. It is designed to rupture at a predetermined pressure and is then discarded, replacing a complex active pressure control system with a simple, passive, low-cost pressure relief device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief function is extracted from the float shoe as a separate, independent rupture disc component rather than integrating complex active pressure control mechanisms into the float shoe structure. This simplifies the overall device while maintaining pressure control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution effectively prevents casing collapse by managing pressure within the casing-drill string annulus below the collapse pressure rating of the casing, ensuring safe and complete cementation of the wellbore.

Implementation Method 1

The plug-type rupture disc ruptures in response to an increase of the pressure in the annulus to a predetermined threshold pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-induced rupture: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

The plug-type rupture disc is connected to a check valve. The predetermined threshold pressure is lower than the rated collapse pressure rating of the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCheck valve flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS20250137345A1Float shoe with Anti-collapse feature for string cementation

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A system performs inner string cement operations in a wellbore. The system includes a stab-in stinger connected to a distal end of a drill string and a stab-in float shoe connected to a distal end of a casing. The stab-in float shoe includes a first check valve and a plug type rupture disc. The first check valve includes instructions configured to prevent a reverse flow of cement mixture. The plug type rupture disc is house between the first check valve and an outlet of the stab-in float shoe. The plug type rupture disc includes instructions configured to rupture at a predetermined threshold pressure and, once ruptured, permits flow of cement mixture from the annulus into the stab-in float shoe. A related method includes: enabling a stab-in stinger to stab-into a stab-in float shoe, starting the cementing operation and rupturing the plug-pe rupture discs at predetermined pressure.