Swivel Joint for Horizontal Well Completion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in well completion, particularly in horizontal wells, is the buckling of completion strings due to static friction and torque limitations, which restricts the depth of completion and increases the risk of pipe damage, limiting the effective deployment of completion equipment.
Innovation Solution
A swivel joint is introduced between the drill pipe and the completion string, allowing the drill pipe to rotate while the completion string remains stationary, reducing axial friction and enabling controlled weight transfer, combined with a pusher sub and anti-rotation sub to manage force and prevent rotation, facilitating deeper well completion without buckling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the completion string is moved linearly without rotation into a horizontal well, then the completion equipment can be deployed, but static friction causes buckling and limits deployment depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swivel joint that enables rotational motion between the drill string and completion string, transforming the static linear movement problem into a dynamic solution where rotation reduces axial friction and prevents buckling while maintaining controlled deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel joint acts as an intermediary device between the drill string and completion string, allowing relative rotation to occur at this interface, thereby reducing friction forces along the completion string and enabling deeper horizontal well completion
2Force
If rotation is applied to the completion string during deployment, then friction is reduced, but torque limitations and pipe damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The swivel joint serves as a mediator that isolates the completion string from direct rotation, allowing the drill string to rotate while the completion string remains relatively stationary, thus reducing friction without exposing the completion equipment to damaging torque
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into two independent rotational systems: the drill string can rotate freely at the surface, while the completion string is decoupled through the swivel joint, allowing differential rotation and protecting the completion equipment from excessive torque
3Length of moving object
If the drill string is made longer to reach greater depths, then completion depth increases, but buckling risk due to compressive force increases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing rotational capability through the swivel joint, the system transforms the static compressive load problem into a dynamic situation where rotation creates stabilizing effects and reduces the net compressive forces acting on the drill string, thereby preventing buckling in longer horizontal sections
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 allows for more controlled and efficient deployment of completion equipment to greater depths in horizontal wells by reducing friction and torque, preventing buckling, and enabling precise weight management, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional linear movement methods.
Implementation Method 1
reducing axial friction and enabling controlled weight transfer
Implementation Method 2
The swivel joint may comprise a ball bearing or a thrust washer
Data Source
AI summary
A method of completing a well which has a longitudinal axis along a direction with a horizontal component, the method comprising rotating a first string and moving the first string into the well along the longitudinal axis of the well, providing a swivel joint rotatably connecting the first string to a second string, moving the second string along the longitudinal axis of the well into the well, wherein the second string comprises completion equipment, moving the completion equipment into the well along the longitudinal axis of the well.