Tapered Nose Tool Segmentation for Through-Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tapered nose tools in the resource recovery industry, such as bull nose tools and guide shoes, restrict through-tubing and well intervention operations due to their design, which becomes a challenge in complex and sensitive well environments, and simple solutions like half mule guide shoes may cause damage and hinder rotation.
Innovation Solution
A tapered nose tool with a configurable design that can transition between a closed and open position, featuring a degradable nose component, a releasable nose component, and the ability to rotate due to fluid flow, allowing for retrievability and enabling through-tubing operations while maintaining alignment and concentricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a closed-end tapered nose tool (bull nose) is used to improve alignment and concentricity, then the alignment capability is improved, but through-tubing and well intervention operations cannot be performed past the tool
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered nose tool is divided into a permanent housing and a removable nose component. The nose can be removed or degraded to allow through-tubing operations, while the housing remains to maintain alignment. This segmentation allows the tool to transition from a closed-end configuration to an open configuration for subsequent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool transitions from a static closed-end structure to a dynamic structure where the nose component can be removed or degraded. This dynamic change enables the tool to adapt its function: first providing alignment with a closed nose, then allowing through-tubing operations after nose removal or degradation.
2Reliability
If simple guide shoes are used to protect the upward facing profile, then protection capability is improved, but rotation of the upper tool string is hindered and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide shoe is segmented into a permanent housing and a removable nose component. The nose provides the protective function for the upward facing profile, while its removability allows the upper tool string to rotate freely after removal, eliminating the constraint present in simple guide shoes.
3Ease of operation
If a closed-end tapered tool is used to negotiate downhole profiles, then profile negotiation capability is improved, but future downhole tasks cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The nose component is extracted from the tool assembly after serving its purpose in negotiating downhole profiles. This extraction creates an open passage that allows future downhole tasks such as through-tubing operations to be performed, which would be impossible with a permanent closed-end tool.
4Ease of operation
If a standard mule guide shoe is used to allow rotation, then rotation capability is improved, but damage risk and inability to handle complex profiles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool combines the protective nose component with a housing designed to allow rotation. The nose provides profile protection similar to guide shoes, while the overall segmented design with removable nose enables rotation capability that simple guide shoes lack.
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 tool reduces risks associated with standard guide shoes, allows for future downhole tasks, and facilitates through-tubing operations without damaging the wellbore, ensuring efficient wellbore system assembly and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A tapered nose tool configured to rotate due to fluid passing therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A tapered nose tool having a closed position and an open position, a degradable nose component, a releasable nose component, that is configured to rotate due to fluid passing therethrough and configured for retrievability of a portion of the bull nose tool.