Well Packer Pressure Metering to Reduce Burst and Collapse Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well packer designs struggle to effectively regulate pressures, leading to high burst and collapse pressures that increase the cost and complexity of well tools.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of flow metering devices within the well packer's cylinder, which isolate the setting chamber and regulate internal chamber pressure to reduce burst and collapse pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If well packers use traditional pressure regulation designs, then the structure is simpler, but the burst pressure and collapse pressure are higher
Solution Approach 1:
The setting chamber is isolated from the annulus using setting chamber isolation devices, segmenting the pressure zones. This allows the cylinder to experience reduced differential pressure while the setting chamber maintains necessary pressure for packer setting, thereby reducing burst and collapse pressures without requiring complete redesign of the cylinder
Solution Approach 2:
Setting chamber isolation devices act as intermediaries between the setting chamber and the annulus, controlling pressure transmission. These devices allow pressure to be regulated and transmitted selectively, reducing the burden on the cylinder design while maintaining operational functionality
2Reliability
If well packers are designed for high burst and collapse pressures, then the pressure regulation is more robust, but the cost of cylinder design and manufacturing increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pressure zones through isolation devices, the cylinder only needs to withstand reduced differential pressure, simplifying manufacturing requirements while maintaining reliable pressure regulation through the isolated setting chamber mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameters experienced by the cylinder by introducing isolation devices that control pressure transmission. This allows the cylinder to be manufactured for lower pressure ratings while the overall system maintains reliable pressure regulation capability
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
This solution reduces the burst and collapse pressures experienced by well packer components, thereby lowering the cost of cylinder design and overall well packer maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a first flow metering device and a second flow metering device installed in the cylinder, the first flow metering device and the second flow metering device configured to regulate an internal chamber pressure inside the setting chamber
Implementation Method 2
isolating a setting chamber of the well tool to reduce burst pressure at a cylinder of the well tool
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus for regulating pressure within a well tool. In some aspects, the well tool may include a cylinder, a setting chamber, and a first flow metering device and a second flow metering device installed in the cylinder. The first flow metering device having a first pressure threshold and the second flow metering device having a second pressure threshold may be configured to regulate an internal chamber pressure inside the setting chamber to reduce a collapse pressure or a pressure differential at the cylinder. The first flow metering device may be configured to allow an external pressure greater than a first pressure threshold to enter the setting chamber during a hydrocarbon recovery operation, and the second flow metering device may be configured to allow the internal chamber pressure greater than a second pressure threshold to exit the setting chamber after the hydrocarbon recovery operation.