Well Tool Handling System Using Cable Winch and Guide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Well tools with substantial weight or awkward designs pose challenges in lifting and assembling into well strings, complicating the deployment process downhole.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mounting frame releasably coupled to the well string, a cable guide and attachment member on the well tool, and a winch to route a cable from the attachment member through the guide to a pulley on the mounting frame, facilitating the alignment and lifting of the well tool into engagement with the well string.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If well tools with substantial weight are lifted and assembled into the well string, then the well tools can be deployed downhole, but the lifting and assembly process becomes complicated and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A cable attachment member is introduced as an intermediary component between the well tool and the cable system. This attachment member includes a cable guide that routes the cable through a pulley system, enabling the well tool to be lifted and positioned without direct manual handling, thus resolving the contradiction between deployment efficiency and lifting difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting system is segmented into multiple components: the cable attachment member, the pulley system on the mounting frame, and the cable itself. This segmentation allows the heavy well tool to be lifted through a distributed mechanical advantage system rather than requiring direct manual lifting, improving ease of operation while maintaining deployment efficiency
2Ease of manufacture
If well tools are manually handled and assembled, then assembly can be performed, but manual labor increases and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The well tool is equipped with self-contained cable attachment features including a cable guide and attachment member that enable it to be automatically positioned and connected to the well string. This self-service mechanism reduces manual labor and handling complexity while maintaining assembly capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system acts as an intermediary that transfers the lifting and positioning function from manual operation to mechanical automation. The cable attachment member and pulley system work together to enable controlled assembly without direct manual handling, reducing both labor and complexity
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
Enables efficient and safe handling and assembly of heavy or awkward well tools by allowing them to be lifted and aligned with the well string, reducing manual labor and preventing damage during the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
The winch is operable to draw in the cable so as to move the well tool into alignment with and up into engagement with a connector of the well string
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates assembly of well equipment at a wellsite. To help lift certain types of well tools, a mounting frame may be releasably coupled to a well string, e.g. a coiled tubing string. A cable guide and a cable attachment member may be releasably coupled to a well tool which is to be moved into engagement with the well string. A cable may be routed from the cable attachment member, through the cable guide, to a cable mounting feature of the mounting frame, and to a winch. The winch is operable to draw in the cable so as to move the well tool into alignment with and up into engagement with a connector of the well string.