Variable Guide Bushing for Well Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for replacing electric submersible pumps (ESPs) in wells are time-consuming and risky, as they require retrieving the entire tubing string, and standard bore protectors cannot be used with alternatively deployed ESPs due to interference with the cable hanger sealing surface, leading to potential damage during transitions in wellbore diameters.

Innovation Solution

A guide and protection bushing assembly is designed to be mounted in the well production system, featuring a body with a central axis, expanding inner passage, and engaging surfaces for intervention members and production systems, which centralizes and protects ESP strings during deployment and retrieval, preventing damage to the cable hanger sealing surface by guiding the ESP string through diameter transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a standard bore protector is used to protect the well production system during ESP deployment, then protection is provided, but it interferes with landing the cable hanger in its designated location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of well production systemVSAvoidlanding of cable hanger

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guide and protection bushing assembly as an intermediary component between the bore protector and the cable hanger. This assembly includes a guide section with a reduced inner diameter that directs the cable hanger to its correct landing position, while the protection bushing shields the sealing surface. The intermediary structure resolves the conflict by providing both protection and guidance functionality simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide and protection bushing assembly is divided into distinct functional sections: a guide section with reduced inner diameter for directing the cable hanger, and a protection bushing section for shielding the sealing surface. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively without interfering with the other operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the ESP string transitions from larger bore to smaller diameter bore to reach the cable hanger, then deployment is enabled, but the ESP string may get hung up, be damaged, or damage the well production system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment of ESP stringVSAvoidintegrity of ESP string and well production system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide section of the bushing assembly features a tapered or curved transition zone that smoothly guides the ESP string from the larger bore to the smaller diameter bore. This curved geometry eliminates sharp angles that could cause the ESP string to hang up or become damaged during the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection bushing is positioned beforehand to shield the sealing surface and guide the ESP string through the diameter transition. This pre-positioned protective structure prevents potential damage before it can occur during the deployment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the cable hanger sealing surface is exposed during ESP deployment, then landing is enabled, but scratches to the sealing surface compromise the integrity of the production barrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding of cable hangerVSAvoidscratches to sealing surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protection bushing acts as an intermediary barrier between the ESP string components and the cable hanger sealing surface. It allows the cable hanger to be landed and positioned correctly while preventing direct contact between potentially damaging ESP string elements and the delicate sealing surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection bushing is installed in advance to shield the sealing surface before the ESP string is deployed. This pre-positioned protective element prevents scratches and damage during the entire deployment and landing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9752391B2Variable guide and protection bushing for well conveyance

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A guide and protection bushing assembly is mountable in a well production system (e.g., a subsea tree) having an intervention member (e.g., a blowout preventer). The assembly guides a string of components to a cable hanger sealing surface disposed in the production system without damaging the sealing surface. The assembly includes a body having a first end engaging an intervention member, a second end engaging the production system, an outer surface, and an inner through passage that expands radially at the first end to form a funnel shape. In some embodiments, the assembly may further include rollers, leaf springs, or a protective sleeve coupled to biasing members, a plurality of centering disks having a plurality of flexible flaps separated by spacers, and/or centering devices with fins separated by spacers. In some embodiments, the assembly may further include a hydraulically actuated plurality of rams, a piston with a plurality of protective elements, a plurality of nozzle jets, and/or a plurality of bladders.