Vibration-Inducing Casing Shoe for Horizontal Wellbore Cementing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cementing of wellbores, particularly in horizontal sections, is challenging due to high frictional forces causing casing string sticking, slow running, and uneven cement distribution, which can result in incomplete bonding and reduced casing string extension depth.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving a casing string with a vibration-inducing mechanism, such as a turbine rotor, that vibrates radially when fluid is pumped through, reducing frictional drag and ensuring even cement distribution by forcing a curable fluid cement mixture into an annulus between the casing and the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the casing string is run into the wellbore without rotation or reciprocation, then threaded connections between segments are protected from damage, but frictional forces cause casing string sticking and inability to reach designed depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the casing string during cementing operations. The vibration is generated by a vibration-inducing mechanism (such as an unbalanced weight or eccentric mass) that rotates with the cementing head, creating radial vibrations of the casing string. This vibration reduces frictional forces between the casing string and wellbore wall, enabling the casing to be run to greater depths without sticking, while the threaded connections remain protected as no rotation or reciprocation of the casing string itself occurs.
2Force
If the casing string lies along the bottom of the horizontal well bore, then frictional forces are reduced during running, but fluid cement mixture cannot be evenly distributed around the casing string
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration-inducing mechanism creates radial vibrations of the casing string during cementing, which disrupts the boundary layer of cement slurry around the casing and promotes more uniform distribution of the cement mixture in the annulus. This vibration effect occurs regardless of whether the casing is at the bottom of the wellbore or centralized, thereby achieving even cement distribution without requiring the casing to be in a specific position that would reduce running friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces centralizers as intermediary devices that position the casing string in the center of the wellbore during cementing operations. These centralizers have blades or fins that contact the wellbore wall and push the casing toward the center, creating a more uniform annulus for cement distribution. The centralizers work in conjunction with the vibration mechanism to ensure even cement placement around the casing string.
3Manufacturing precision
If centralizers are spaced along the casing string to centralize the casing, then cement distribution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration-inducing mechanism provides an alternative or supplement to traditional centralizers. By creating radial vibrations of the casing string during cementing, the vibration promotes even cement distribution without requiring complex centralizer systems. This reduces device complexity while achieving the same cement placement evenness that would otherwise require multiple spaced centralizers.
4Productivity
If the casing string is rotated or reciprocated during running, then frictional drag is reduced and running speed increases, but threaded connections between segments may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration-inducing mechanism creates high-frequency radial vibrations of the casing string that reduce frictional forces between the casing and wellbore wall. This vibration effect allows the casing to be run at faster speeds without requiring rotation or reciprocation of the casing string itself, thereby maintaining threaded connection integrity while improving running productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of cementing a well bore with vibration of a casing string as a fluid cement mixture is forced into the annulus between the casing string and the well bore as a curable fluid cement mixture is pumped through the casing string. A casing shoe and/or a casing collar have a vibration-inducing mechanism for vibrating the shoe casing radially in response to the flow of fluid through the casing.