Tool Brake for Horizontal Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole tools in horizontal wells experience slippage due to gravitational pull, leading to inaccurate placement and potential cable severance during perforating operations, which can result in incorrect tool location and depth within the wellbore.
Innovation Solution
A tool brake mechanism is introduced, comprising a pad assembly with extendable arms that engage the wellbore casing to prevent slippage by exerting a lateral force, activated simultaneously with the setting of the bridge plug, using a local actuating mechanism like a spring to extend the arms through windows in the tool brake housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tools are deployed in horizontal wells without a brake mechanism, then the tool deployment process is simpler, but the tools experience uncontrolled slippage due to gravitational pull
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly is segmented by adding a separate brake module that can be independently activated. The brake mechanism is divided into discrete components including brake pads, actuating mechanism, and housing, allowing the braking function to be added without redesigning the entire tool assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake mechanism is pre-positioned within the tool assembly and pre-loaded with spring force ready to engage. When deployed, the brake pads are already in position to contact the wellbore casing, eliminating the need for complex real-time positioning control during operation.
2Measurement precision
If a tool brake mechanism is added to prevent slippage, then tool position accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism is self-actuating through a spring-loaded system that automatically engages when the tool is deployed. The spring force naturally pushes the brake pads against the wellbore casing, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems to maintain braking force.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking function is extracted as a separate, modular component that can be added to existing tool assemblies. This allows the brake mechanism to be designed and optimized independently, reducing the complexity increase to minimal additional parts rather than redesigning the entire tool system.
3Force
If the brake arms are extendable through windows in the housing, then the lateral force application is improved, but the housing design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The brake arms transition from a static, fixed-position design to a dynamic, extendable configuration. The arms can move between retracted and extended positions through the housing windows, allowing the lateral force application point to be adjusted based on operational requirements while maintaining a relatively simple housing structure.
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 brake effectively maintains tool position and prevents uncontrolled slippage, ensuring accurate placement and removal of tools, reducing the risk of cable severance and improving operational precision by countering gravitational forces without relying on surface-provided forces.
Implementation Method 1
The pad assembly may include an actuating mechanism, such as, e.g., a spring, to laterally extend the plurality of arms
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of arms may be extended through the plurality of windows to provide a lateral force to a wellbore casing to counter a slippage of the tool string
Data Source
AI summary
A tool brake is provided for use in horizontal wells that is positionable between a setting tool and a setting sleeve in combination with a tool string. Upon activation of the setting tool to set a bridge plug in a well, the normal action of the setting tool causes activation of the tool brake that extends one or more arms from the tool brake to exert pressure against the wellbore casing of the well. The tool brake prevents reverse slippage caused by gravity's pull of the tool string in a horizontal well permitting accurate placement of downhole tools such as perforating guns. Moreover, inadvertent cutting of a cable that retrieves the downhole tools can be prevented such as due to slippage of downhole tools over-lapping the cable before perforating guns are detonated.