Fibre-Reinforced Tubular Positioning Shell for Wellbore Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of tubulars in wellbores is complicated by variations in wellbore direction, making it difficult to achieve stable and accurate cementing, as existing solutions do not effectively address the need for adaptable and secure alignment in diverse drilling orientations.
Innovation Solution
A fibre-reinforced composite shell with a customizable external shape and structural reinforcement is applied to the tubulars, featuring a bearing surface and injection ports for bonding agents, allowing for temporary fastening and subsequent integration to form a positioning member that can be curved, helical, or spiral, enhancing alignment and stability within the borehole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional positioning methods are used in wellbores with varying directions, then the drilling process can proceed, but the alignment and stable positioning of tubulars cannot be achieved to a satisfactory standard
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is designed with a flexible composite structure that can dynamically adapt to varying wellbore directions. The shell and strengthening members are configured to flex and conform to the specific geometry of the wellbore, allowing the tubular to maintain precise positioning regardless of directional changes during drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member utilizes composite materials that combine the properties of different materials to achieve both precision and adaptability. The composite construction allows the positioning member to maintain its shape for accurate positioning while simultaneously flexing to accommodate wellbore direction variations, resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid positioning structure is used to ensure stable positioning, then alignment precision improves, but the structure cannot adapt to variations in wellbore direction
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member transitions from a purely rigid structure to a dynamic composite structure that can adjust its configuration. The shell and strengthening members are designed to maintain structural integrity for stable positioning while allowing controlled deformation to adapt to wellbore geometry variations, simultaneously achieving stability and adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a customizable positioning member is applied to achieve precise alignment in various orientations, then positioning accuracy improves, but the complexity of the positioning structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member employs composite materials that inherently provide both the customization needed for various orientations and the structural integrity for precise alignment. The composite construction allows complex geometries to be achieved without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity, as the material itself provides the necessary strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member incorporates curved and spiral configurations that can be molded into the composite structure. These curved forms provide adaptability to various wellbore orientations while maintaining a unified, relatively simple overall structure, avoiding the need for multiple complex rigid components.
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 solution enables precise and stable positioning of tubulars in wellbores, facilitating effective cementing and improving the alignment of tubulars in various drilling orientations, thereby enhancing the overall drilling process by providing a durable and adaptable solution for wellbore stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
The shell may be bonded to an external surface of a tubular. Bonding agents may be introduced into a void between the tubular and the shell by injection through the at least one inlet.
Implementation Method 2
The resin material is a hardening resin optionally including curing agents and curing modifiers. The resin may be self-curing, or provided in two components which harden when brought together.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A positioning member (11) for a tubular (10) is formed using a prefabricated fibre-reinforced resin shell (1) positioned upon a surface of the tubular and bonded to provide a protrusion upon the surface of the tubular. In a disclosed method a fibre-reinforced resin shell (1) is secured to an external surface of a tubular (10) thereby enclosing a cavity between the shell (1) and the surface of the tubular (10); a bonding agent is introduced through inlet ports (5) in a surface of the fibre- reinforced resin shell (1) to fill a cavity between the shell (1) and the surface of the tubular (10), and the bonding agent is cured.