Tool String Wheel Orientation Locking for Deviated Well Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technologies face challenges in maintaining a known orientation of tool strings within a bore while transporting them down a wellbore, especially in deviated wells, due to the lack of control over the descent and angular orientation of the tool string.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a body with wheels mounted to rotate relative to the body, an adjustment mechanism to set the angular orientation of the device relative to an adjacent tool string section, and a locking mechanism to lock this orientation, ensuring the tool string is oriented correctly within the bore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the tool string is lowered under gravity alone, then the deployment speed is fast, but the control over descent and angular orientation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireline as an intermediary between the surface operator and the tool string. The wireline provides both mechanical support to control descent speed and orientation, and electrical communication to transmit orientation data and control commands, thus maintaining both fast deployment and operational control
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tool string is lowered in deviated wells, then the tool string can reach target zones, but friction against the wellbore wall prevents descent to desired depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive gravitational descent mechanism with an active wireline-driven system. The wireline can apply controlled forces to overcome friction in deviated wells, using mechanical tension and electrical control to propel and position the tool string against gravitational and frictional forces
3Device complexity
If the tool string is oriented randomly, then deployment is simple, but the angular orientation cannot be maintained at desired positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where sensors on the tool string continuously measure angular orientation and transmit this data via the wireline to the surface. The surface controller uses this feedback to adjust wireline tension and guide the tool string to the desired angular orientation, maintaining precision while keeping the overall system relatively simple
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 device effectively maintains the desired angular orientation of the tool string within the bore, reducing friction and ensuring the tool string can descend to the target depth, even in deviated wells, thereby reducing operational delays and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The friction or drag of the tool-string against the wellbore wall can prevent to tool descending to the desired depth
Implementation Method 2
The tool string is then lowered into the wellbore and descends under gravity to the target depth of the wellbore well
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transporting a tool string down a bore comprises a body with a connection at one or both ends for in-line connection in a tool string, and a pair of wheels mounted to rotate relative to the body on a rotational axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis. The device defines an outer form configured to orient the device in the bore during use so that a radial extremity of the wheels contacts a low side of a wall of the bore. The device further comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to provide for an angular orientation of the outer form of the device relative to an adjacent tool string section to be set, and a locking mechanism configured to lock the angular orientation relative to the adjacent tool string section so that the outer form of the device orients the device and adjacent tool string section in the bore.