Tapered Collet Mechanism for Cementing Plug Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cementing operations in well completion require longer setting times and more cement slurry, with reverse cementing facing challenges in holding displaced cement in place, necessitating additional equipment, time, and personnel.
Innovation Solution
An improved inner sleeve and downhole tool with a collet and valve system that allows for efficient placement of cement in the annulus by shifting from a compressed to a natural state, using a frangible device to release the inner sleeve and control valve positions for effective cement placement and setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cementing operations are used to place cement in the annulus, then the casing is stabilized and secured, but longer setting times and more cement slurry are required
Solution Approach 1:
The collet mechanism transitions from a compressed state during running to a natural expanded state after deployment, dynamically changing the flow path configuration. This allows the system to adapt to different operational phases: controlled flow during insertion and free flow during cement placement, thereby reducing setting time while maintaining casing stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the collet from compressed to expanded, which alters the flow path parameters. This parameter change enables efficient cement slurry placement with reduced pump pressures and shorter setting times while still achieving reliable casing stabilization
2Reliability
If traditional cementing operations are used to place cement in the annulus, then the casing is stabilized and secured, but more cement slurry is required
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic transition of the collet from compressed to natural state optimizes the flow path for cement slurry placement. This reduces the quantity of cement needed by improving placement efficiency and reducing waste, while still achieving the required casing stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles to control the collet mechanism and manage cement slurry flow. By optimizing the hydraulic flow path through the collet mechanism, the system reduces the total volume of cement slurry required while maintaining effective casing stabilization
3Productivity
If reverse cementing is used to place cement in the annulus, then cement placement efficiency is improved, but additional equipment and personnel are required to hold displaced cement in place
Solution Approach 1:
The collet mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls the flow path during running, enables efficient cement placement during deployment, and maintains casing stabilization. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized equipment required in reverse cementing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The collet mechanism automatically transitions from compressed to natural state after deployment, self-regulating the flow path without requiring additional equipment or personnel intervention. This self-service capability maintains productivity improvements while reducing equipment 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
This solution reduces the amount of cement needed, shortens the setting time, and lowers pump pressures, thereby reducing operational costs and personnel requirements while ensuring effective cement placement and stabilization of the casing string.
Implementation Method 1
The frangible device can be broken by a pressure differential across the downhole tool to release the inner sleeve from the valve connector housing
Implementation Method 2
the collet and collet fingers are allowed to return to their natural state, and thus flare outward allowing the plug to disengage
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an inner sleeve, a downhole tool, and a method for cementing. The inner sleeve, in at least one aspect, includes a tubular having an inside tubular surface and an outside tubular surface. The inner sleeve, according to this aspect, further includes a collet including two or more collet fingers coupled to one end of the tubular, the collet having an inside collet surface and an outside collet surface, and further wherein the inside collet surface flares outward from the inside tubular surface by an angle (θ0) when the collet is in its natural state.