Wellbore Line Coating Repair System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore line coatings are prone to damage from thermal gradients, abrasive materials, and wellbore fluids, leading to frequent replacement of lines due to coating integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore line coating repair system that cleans, heats, and recoats the line with thermoplastic or thermoset materials using a die to shape and set the coating, allowing for in-line repairs as the line is spooled or unspooled from a reel, either onsite or offsite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wellbore line is used repeatedly in harsh wellbore environments, then the line performs multiple operations, but the coating becomes damaged and integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an in-line coating repair system that recovers the coating integrity of wellbore lines during spooling operations. The system applies repair material to damaged coating sections as the line passes through a die, restoring protective properties without requiring complete line replacement, thereby extending service life while maintaining operational productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The coating repair process is performed preliminarily during spooling operations before the line is returned to service. By repairing coating damage proactively during routine handling rather than waiting for failure, the system maintains coating integrity and prevents operational disruptions
2Reliability
If the coating is repaired by replacing the entire line, then coating integrity is restored, but operational time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies repair material locally to only the damaged portions of the coating during spooling operations. The in-line repair system targets specific damaged sections rather than requiring complete line replacement, restoring coating integrity while minimizing operational disruption and maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The wellbore line undergoes self-repair during routine spooling operations through the in-line coating repair system. The line passes through the repair system as part of normal handling, receiving coating restoration without requiring separate maintenance operations or line replacement
3Reliability
If the coating is repaired offline in a workshop, then coating integrity is restored, but operational downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The in-line coating repair system performs multiple functions during a single spooling operation: it repairs coating damage, shapes the coating to specifications, and prepares the line for immediate reuse. This multi-functional approach restores coating integrity while maintaining operational efficiency without requiring separate repair operations
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 system efficiently maintains coating integrity by repairing damaged coatings in real-time, extending the life of wellbore lines and reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Implementation Method 1
a heating section operable to heat the damaged coating to a temperature at or above a melting point of the thermoplastic material
Implementation Method 2
a die section operable to receive a wellbore line with deposited thermoplastic material and remove excess deposited thermoplastic material
Implementation Method 3
a cooling section operable to cool the deposited thermoplastic material to a temperature below a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material
Implementation Method 4
A wellbore line coating repair system can repair a line coating as the wellbore line is being spooled onto or unspooled from a reel
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies and methods of use are disclosed for repairing the coating of a coated wellbore line. A wellbore line can be cleaned and then coated with a repair material before being pulled through a die to shape the coating and then being pulled through setting section to set the repair material. The repair material can be a thermoplastic material that is set by cooling, or a thermoset material that is set by heating. The wellbore line can be repaired upon exiting a wellbore or being unspooled from a reel.