Two-Part Drilling Tool for Reliable Deep-Well Whipstock Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current designs for deploying whipstock assemblies in wells face issues with unreliable shear values due to combined loading, unsuitability for deep wells, and inefficiencies in constructing multilateral junctions, particularly in terms of trip count and mechanical ratings.
Innovation Solution
A two-part drilling and running tool comprising a smaller assembly connected to a whipstock assembly that functions as a running tool, allowing pressure or flow activation, and a larger bit assembly that forms a combined bit assembly, enabling reliable deployment of whipstock assemblies in deeper wells and reducing trip counts by integrating anchoring assembly setting and milling operations into a single pass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional single-part drilling tools are used, then the deployment process is simpler, but the mechanical ratings are insufficient for deep wells and trip counts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drilling tool is divided into two separate assemblies: a smaller running tool assembly that can be deployed through the whipstock, and a larger bit assembly that remains in the wellbore. This segmentation allows the running tool to have sufficient mechanical strength for deep well deployment while the bit assembly provides the necessary drilling capability, resolving the contradiction between mechanical ratings and device complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple separate trips are used for anchoring and milling operations, then each operation can be optimized independently, but the overall productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anchoring assembly setting operation and the milling operation into a single integrated tool string that can be deployed in one trip. The running tool assembly carries both the anchoring mechanism and the bit assembly, allowing simultaneous or sequential execution of multiple operations without requiring separate trips, thereby improving productivity while managing device complexity through functional integration.
3Reliability
If conventional whipstock deployment methods are used, then the deployment process is straightforward, but reliability is compromised due to combined loading issues
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the running tool assembly from the bit assembly with a controlled disconnect mechanism, the patent eliminates combined loading on the whipstock during deployment. The running tool assembly can be deployed and positioned reliably without the additional mechanical complexities of integrated multi-function tools, maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability through load separation.
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 two-part tool ensures reliable deployment of whipstock assemblies, increases mechanical ratings, allows deeper well deployments, and reduces trip counts by combining anchoring assembly setting and milling operations into a single trip, enhancing efficiency in multilateral well construction.
Implementation Method 1
applying force to the smaller assembly to shear the coupling mechanism
Implementation Method 2
applying fluid pressure to the hydraulically actuated anchoring assembly to set the anchoring assembly in the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a downhole tool, a well system, and a method for forming a well system. The downhole tool, in at least one aspect, includes a two part drilling and running tool, the two part drilling and running tool including a conveyance, a smaller assembly coupled to an end of the conveyance, and a larger bit assembly slidably coupled to the conveyance, the smaller assembly and larger bit assembly configured to slidingly engage one another downhole to form a combined bit assembly. The downhole tool, in accordance with this aspect, further includes a whipstock assembly coupled to the two part drilling and running tool using a coupling mechanism, and a hydraulically actuated anchoring assembly coupled to a downhole end of the whipstock assembly.