Modifiable Three Position Sleeve for Selective Reservoir Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current downhole equipment in the resource recovery industry lacks an efficient method for selectively switching between various stimulation operations and production modes within the same wellbore, limiting flexibility and efficiency in reservoir management.

Innovation Solution

A downhole tool with a stimulation sleeve and a production sleeve, each receptive to respective inserts, allows for configurable operation by using breakable members and hydraulic pressure to expose or cover ports, enabling seamless transition between stimulation and production phases based on formation parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single downhole equipment is used for both stimulation and production operations, then equipment versatility is improved, but the complexity of switching between operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment versatilityVSAvoidswitching mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The downhole equipment is divided into separate functional modules: a stimulation sleeve with stimulation ports and a production sleeve with production ports. Each sleeve can be independently configured and activated, allowing the system to perform different operations without requiring a complex integrated switching mechanism. This modular segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining versatility through multiple specialized components rather than one complex multi-functional component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool assembly is designed to perform multiple functions through its dual-sleeve architecture. The same basic tool structure can accommodate both stimulation operations (via the stimulation sleeve) and production operations (via the production sleeve), making the equipment universally applicable to different operational phases without requiring entirely different equipment for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple stimulation options are accommodated in a single wellbore, then operational efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of selective switching between operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidselective switching ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stimulation sleeve and production sleeve are designed with dynamic control capabilities, allowing operators to selectively activate or deactivate specific sleeves or ports based on operational requirements. This dynamic control enables efficient multi-stage operations while maintaining ease of switching through simple activation/deactivation mechanisms rather than complex reconfiguration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeves are pre-configured with specific stimulation or production functionality before deployment. This preliminary configuration allows for efficient multi-stage operations because the switching between operations is achieved by simply activating pre-prepared configurations rather than performing complex setup procedures during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If production filters are used to capture solids, then production quality is improved, but the restriction of production flow increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction qualityVSAvoidproduction flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The production sleeve incorporates filter elements at specific locations where solids capture is needed, rather than applying filtration throughout the entire production path. This localized filtration approach maintains high production quality by capturing solids where they pose the greatest risk while minimizing the overall flow restriction that would result from comprehensive filtration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables flexible and efficient performance of stimulation and production operations within a single wellbore, accommodating different stimulation options like propped fractures and matrix acidizing, while ensuring unrestricted production and solids capture, thereby optimizing resource recovery.

Implementation Method 1

using breakable members and hydraulic pressure to expose or cover ports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11434720B2Modifiable three position sleeve for selective reservoir stimulation and production

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A downhole tool and method of use. The downhole tool includes a stimulation sleeve receptive to a stimulation insert, and a production sleeve receptive to a production insert. A formation parameter of the reservoir is obtained. The tool is assembled to include the stimulation sleeve and the production sleeve, which are configured based on the formation parameter. The tool is run downhole into a wellbore to perform a stimulation operation via the stimulation sleeve and a production operation via the production sleeve.