Thrust-Propelled Well Torpedo for Horizontal Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for deploying devices into hydrocarbon wells, such as wireline systems, face challenges in accessing horizontal wellbores due to gravity limitations and wireline damage from friction, limiting the depth and range of device deployment.

Innovation Solution

The development of a thrust-propelled well torpedo (TPWT) system that uses a fiber optic umbilical for communication and propulsion, allowing devices to be deployed deep into wellbores through thrust-based propulsion, with a dissolvable body and jet-pump engine for enhanced thrust and reduced friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireline systems are used to deploy devices into wellbores, then devices can be deployed, but the wireline suffers damage from friction and gravity limitations prevent access to horizontal wellbores

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice deployment reliabilityVSAvoidwireline friction damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional wireline mechanical system with a self-propelled torpedo system that uses a jet engine to generate thrust. This substitution eliminates the friction-based mechanical wireline system, allowing devices to be deployed into horizontal wellbores without wireline damage from friction or gravity limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The torpedo system is self-propelled with an integrated jet engine that provides its own propulsion independent of external wireline systems. The torpedo carries its own power source and propulsion mechanism, enabling autonomous deployment through the wellbore without relying on external mechanical assistance that causes friction damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If wireline systems are used for device deployment, then devices can be deployed, but the depth and range of deployment are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice deployment capabilityVSAvoiddeployment depth and range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gravity-dependent wireline system with a thrust-based jet-propelled torpedo system. This mechanical substitution enables unlimited deployment depth and range by eliminating gravity limitations and reducing friction effects, allowing the torpedo to travel through vertical and horizontal wellbore sections without wireline damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The torpedo system provides dynamic propulsion through its jet engine, enabling adjustable speed and direction control during deployment. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying wellbore geometries including vertical, horizontal, and angled sections, extending deployment range beyond the static limitations of wireline systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If traditional deployment systems are used, then devices can be deployed, but retrieval operations are required and cost-effective efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment efficiencyVSAvoidretrieval operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable torpedo system that is deployed once and then dissolves or is abandoned in the wellbore. This eliminates the need for complex retrieval operations, improving deployment efficiency and productivity while reducing time loss associated with retrieving and reusing equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The torpedo system is designed to be discarded after use rather than retrieved. The dissolvable body or abandonment strategy eliminates the time-consuming retrieval operation, allowing the system to be deployed efficiently once and then naturally dissipated or left in the wellbore, thereby improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 efficient and cost-effective deployment of sensors and other devices into hydrocarbon wells, including horizontal sections, with reduced need for retrieval operations and minimized wireline damage, extending the range and reliability of device placement.

Implementation Method 1

a jet-pump engine adapted to combust solid propellant to generate thrust to propel advancement of the torpedo in the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

the torpedo includes a dissolvable body adapted to dissolve in the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Data Source

PatentEP3948154B1Subterranean well torpedo system

Publication Date: 2023.12.13 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

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AI summary

Provided in some embodiments is a well torpedo system that includes a torpedo adapted to be advanced in a wellbore of a subterranean well. The torpedo including an integrated spool adapted to hold a fiber-optic (FQ) umbilical including a FO line adapted to couple to a surface component, and an engine adapted to combust solid propellant to generate thrust to propel advancement of the torpedo in the wellbore.