Downhole Surge Attenuation System for Wellbore Completion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for wellbore completion, which involve using perforation guns to create perforation tunnels for hydrocarbon production, often result in debris clogging these tunnels, and excessive fluid surges can cause tunnel collapse or tool sticking, leading to costly remediation and potential well loss.
Innovation Solution
A downhole completion tool with a surge attenuation system that includes a surge chamber and constrictor plates or filler materials to control the surge volume and flow rate, reducing the risk of debris accumulation and tool sticking by managing the fluid surge during and after perforation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a surge of fluid is provided into the downhole oilfield tool to flush debris out of perforation tunnels, then debris removal effectiveness is improved, but excessive surge can cause tunnel collapse or tool sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the surge pressure within a specific range (formation pressure ± 500 psi) and regulating fluid flow rate through chokes and restrictors. This optimizes the surge parameters to achieve effective debris removal while preventing tunnel collapse and tool sticking, resolving the contradiction between debris removal effectiveness and tunnel stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through pressure sensors that monitor wellbore pressure in real-time during surge operations. The system automatically adjusts surge pressure and flow rate based on feedback from the formation, ensuring debris is effectively cleared while maintaining tunnel integrity and preventing adverse effects like tool sticking.
2Productivity
If multiple perforation guns are used to service multiple production zones, then production capacity is improved, but surge control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the surge control system into multiple independent surge chambers, each associated with specific perforation guns and production zones. Each chamber can be controlled independently with its own pressure regulation and fluid injection system, enabling multi-zone production while maintaining manageable surge control complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality through a centralized surge control system that manages multiple perforation guns and production zones through common control mechanisms including pressure regulators, flow controllers, and a unified monitoring system. This multi-functional approach enables coordinated surge control across multiple zones, achieving high production capacity without proportionally increasing control 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 surge attenuation system effectively clears debris from perforation tunnels, prevents tunnel collapse, and reduces the risk of tool sticking, thereby enhancing perforation effectiveness and well production while minimizing costly remediation.
Implementation Method 1
A surge chamber contained in the downhole oilfield tool comprising an enclosed volume of fluid or gas at a pressure lower than the wellbore pressure may be suddenly opened after the perforation gun has been fired, providing for a surge of wellbore fluids into the surge chamber
Implementation Method 2
The oilfield downhole completion tool comprises a surge chamber sub-assembly containing at least one constrictor plate to reduce the in-flow of wellbore fluid within the surge chamber when a well is surged
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole oilfield completion method comprises determining a surge profile for a wellbore and assembling a downhole completion tool having an interior surge volume and comprising a surge attenuation system operable to reduce a surge of the downhole completion tool based at least in part on the surge profile. The method also comprises running the downhole completion tool into the wellbore and surging the wellbore by admitting wellbore fluid into the interior surge volume, the surge reduced at least in part by the surge attenuation system.