Unidirectional Cementing Baskets for High Hydrostatic Load Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cement baskets are limited in their ability to support high hydrostatic loads and often require multiple stages and tools for effective cementing, especially in well construction where primary cement jobs may fail to fill the annulus adequately.
Innovation Solution
The use of unidirectional rigid cement (URC) baskets with flapper valves that allow one-way flow, enabling efficient cementing operations by supporting a higher hydrostatic load and reducing the need for multiple stage cementing tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flexible cement baskets are used, then the baskets can adapt to non-uniform annuli through radial expansion/contraction, but they cannot support high hydrostatic loads from heavy cement columns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a hybrid structure where the support ring provides static rigid support for hydrostatic loads, while the barrier and petals provide dynamic flexibility to adapt to non-uniform annuli. This dynamic combination resolves the contradiction by assigning different mechanical properties to different components based on their functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cement basket uses composite construction combining rigid materials (for the support ring and collar) with flexible materials (for the barrier and petals). This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously achieve high strength for load bearing and flexibility for adaptation to varying annular geometries.
2Reliability
If conventional cement baskets are used for top jobs, then they can hold cement in low-differential pressure applications, but they require multiple stages and tools when primary cementing fails
Solution Approach 1:
The cement basket is segmented into functional components (collar, support ring, barrier, petals) with the support ring providing primary structural integrity and the barrier providing cement containment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling reliable single-stage top jobs.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier acts as an intermediary element between the rigid support ring and the cement slurry, providing a flexible interface that can adapt to annular irregularities while maintaining cement containment. This intermediary structure enables reliable cement holding without requiring multiple cementing stages.
3Ease of operation
If conventional flexible cement baskets are used, then they can pass through non-uniform annuli, but they cannot maintain structural integrity under heavy cement column loads
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier and petals are designed as flexible elements that can dynamically adjust to non-uniform annuli during installation, while the rigid support ring maintains structural integrity under load. This dynamic design allows easy passage through irregular annuli while maintaining stability under heavy cement columns.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier is constructed as a flexible element that can conform to irregular annular geometries, enabling easy passage through non-uniform annuli. This flexible shell works in conjunction with the rigid support ring to maintain overall structural integrity while accommodating annular variations.
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
URC baskets effectively hold a heavier cement column, reduce well construction complexity, minimize rig time, and enhance well integrity by allowing simplified cementing operations with reduced equipment requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A flapper valve or other one way valve may be disposed in each opening formed through the support ring to limit flow through the support ring in a direction from the downhole side of the body to the uphole side of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool includes a support ring having an annular-shaped body, a thickness measured between an uphole side of the body and an opposite downhole side of the body, an extension distance measured between an inner diameter of the body and an outer diameter of the body, and one or more openings formed through the thickness of the body. A one-way valve is disposed in each opening formed through the support ring to limit flow through the support ring in a direction from the downhole side of the body to the uphole side of the body.