Telescopic Casing Joint for Reciprocation and Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the oil and gas industry, manipulating a casing string, particularly in horizontal wellbores, is challenging due to gravity effects and secured downhole portions, which limits cement distribution and movement, leading to incomplete bonding and operational impediments.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic casing string joint that allows for the rotation and reciprocation of the casing string uphole of a packer or restriction, comprising a tubular sleeve and mandrel with a fluid seal, enabling movement and cement distribution even when the downhole portion is secured, and includes a locking mechanism for co-rotation in certain configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the casing string is secured in the wellbore to prevent movement, then stability is improved, but the ability to reciprocate and rotate the casing string for cement distribution is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasing string stabilityVSAvoidcasing string manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The casing string is divided into two distinct segments: an upper movable portion and a lower fixed portion. The movable portion can be reciprocated and rotated independently for cement distribution operations, while the lower portion remains secured to the wellbore to maintain stability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each segment to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, fully secured casing string to a dynamic configuration where the upper portion can move freely while the lower portion remains fixed. This dynamic design enables the casing string to adapt between two states: mobile for cement distribution and stable for bonding, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the casing string is reciprocated to improve cement distribution, then cement placement is improved, but hydrostatic pressure loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecement distribution effectivenessVSAvoidhydrostatic pressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The casing string is reciprocated in a periodic motion pattern during cement placement operations. This periodic reciprocation creates pressure variations that drive cement slurry flow and improve distribution effectiveness while maintaining overall hydrostatic pressure balance, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the entire casing string is reciprocated to prevent hydrostatic pressure loss, then pressure stability is improved, but the massive weight impedes movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrostatic pressure stabilityVSAvoidcasing string weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The casing string is segmented into a movable upper portion and a fixed lower portion. Only the lighter upper portion needs to be reciprocated to maintain hydrostatic pressure stability, rather than moving the entire heavy casing string. This segmentation dramatically reduces the weight that must be moved while still achieving the reliability goal of pressure stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower, heavier portion of the casing string is extracted from the movement system and secured to the wellbore. This extraction eliminates the need to move the massive weight of the entire casing string, while the remaining upper portion is sufficient to maintain hydrostatic pressure stability through reciprocation, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Area of stationary object

If centralizers are used to space the casing string from the wellbore wall, then annular space is improved, but cement slurry flow underneath the casing string is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveannular spaceVSAvoidcement slurry flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on static centralizers to maintain annular space, the system uses dynamic reciprocation of the casing string to actively manage cement slurry flow. The reciprocating motion creates pressure variations that force cement slurry to flow underneath the casing string, compensating for the space-reducing effect of centralizers and maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10550648B2Apparatus for reciprocation and rotation of a conveyance string in a wellbore

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 SLURRY SOLUTIONS

AI summary

A telescopic tool is located intermediate a conveyance string and permits an uphole portion to be manipulated through reciprocation and rotation regardless of the fixed nature of a downhole portion. In embodiments, tools uphole of telescopic joint can be actuated by casing manipulation to aid in placement of cement. In other embodiments, such as during running into the wellbore, the tool can be selectively actuated to cause the uphole casing string to lock to, and rotate, the casing string located downhole.