Well Hole Cleaning Tool Negative Pressure Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oil and gas drilling industry faces challenges in efficiently removing unwanted liquids and solids, such as sand, water, and fracking compounds, from drill holes, which requires dedicated pumps and extensive setup, leading to time-consuming operations and potential equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A well hole cleaning tool comprising a drive motor, splined connector housing, drive shaft housing, flow housing, thrust bearings, and a tubing tail pipe, which creates negative pressure to extract sediment and fluids when rotated, allowing for efficient removal of debris without sticking the work string and using less water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate dedicated pump is used to remove unwanted liquids and solids from the drill hole, then the removal function is achieved, but the operation becomes time-consuming and requires extensive setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pumping function with the drill string itself by integrating a motor and pump assembly that can be run through the wellbore on the drill string. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated pumps and their extensive setup, allowing well hole cleaning to be performed during active drilling operations without time-consuming positioning and setup of external pumping equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill string is given multiple functions: it serves both for drilling operations and for well hole cleaning. The motor-pump assembly integrated on the drill string enables the drill string to perform both drilling and fluid/solids removal functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated pumping equipment and reducing operational time.
2Reliability
If a separate dedicated pump is used for well hole cleaning, then solids and liquids can be removed, but equipment damage may occur and drilling activities must be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the cleaning function with the drill string operations, the system enables simultaneous drilling and well hole cleaning. The motor-pump assembly runs on the drill string, allowing continuous drilling activities while removing unwanted solids and liquids, thus preventing equipment damage from accumulated debris and maintaining drilling productivity without stopping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous drilling operations while simultaneously performing well hole cleaning. The motor-pump assembly operates concurrently with drilling, continuously removing solids and liquids as they are generated, preventing equipment damage and eliminating the need to stop drilling activities for separate cleaning operations.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional pumping methods are used, then fluids can be removed, but a great deal of time is required to position and operate the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The motor-pump assembly is self-contained and can be deployed through the wellbore on the drill string without requiring external positioning equipment. The system serves itself by being integrated on the drill string, eliminating the need for separate positioning and setup operations, and can be deployed quickly to perform fluid removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and deployment functions are merged with the existing drill string infrastructure. The motor-pump assembly travels on the drill string, utilizing the same positioning mechanism already in place for drilling operations, thereby eliminating the time required to position separate dedicated pumping equipment.
4Reliability
If more water is used for well hole cleaning, then solids can be flushed out more effectively, but liquid usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a hydraulic pump assembly integrated on the drill string to create controlled fluid flow for removing solids. The pump generates sufficient pressure to effectively flush out solids and liquids from the wellbore using optimized fluid volumes, reducing the need for excessive water usage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through controlled hydraulic action.
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 tool effectively withdraws sediment and fluids from well holes, reducing downtime and equipment damage, enabling quicker resumption of drilling activities with minimal liquid usage and preventing sticking issues in oil and gas wells.
Implementation Method 1
the drive motor is rotated in a first direction necessitating rotation of the drive shaft which creates a negative pressure above the sediment and fluids in the well hole thereby forcing them up into the tubing tail pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A well hole cleaning tool includes a plurality of tubular subcomponents arranged in a string-like fashion, having a plurality of flapper valves disposed above a notched collar, a wash pipe shoe, a bit and a mill. An upper stabilizer is disposed above a lower stabilizer which in turn is disposed above a sand screen. When in operation, the tool creates a vacuum at the lower end which facilitates flow of debris and waste water upward and out of the well hole.