Wellbore Cutting Motor With Access Bore for Reaming Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of drilling and reaming wellbores for accessing sub-surface hydrocarbon formations is time-consuming due to repeated cycles of drilling and reaming steps, particularly the 'trip out' and 'run in' processes associated with removing and reinserting drill strings and reamer shoes, which hinder efficient wellbore access and casing installation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a motor having a stator and rotor spaced radially outward from the axis of rotation, featuring an access bore that allows unobstructed passage for further objects, such as drill bits or reamer shoes, to reduce the need for frequent removal and reinsertion, and is driven by drilling fluid to enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor and reamer shoe are positioned at the lower end of casing with sacrificial components, then the necessity for trip out process is removed, but the time taken for drilling through the motor and reamer shoe increases overall operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is divided into two radial zones: an inner region with the rotor and stator, and an outer region with the access bore. This segmentation allows the drilling fluid to flow through the access bore and directly reach the sacrificial reamer shoe components without having to drill through the entire motor structure, thereby reducing the time required while maintaining the elimination of trip out operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The access bore acts as an intermediary channel that allows drilling fluid to reach the sacrificial reamer shoe components more efficiently. Instead of drilling through solid motor components, the fluid flows through this dedicated passage to erode and remove the sacrificial material, significantly reducing the time required for this operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drilling and reaming operations are performed in repeated cycles with removal and reinsertion of drill strings and reamer shoes, then each operation can be performed separately, but the overall process becomes time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The motor combines multiple functions into a single device: it provides rotational power for drilling, houses sacrificial reamer shoe components for wellbore reaming, and includes an access bore for efficient fluid flow. This merging allows drilling and reaming operations to be performed in sequence without removing the motor, significantly improving productivity while maintaining operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor serves multiple purposes: it acts as a drilling motor, a reamer driver, and a flow conduit. The sacrificial reamer shoe components enable the same apparatus to perform both drilling and reaming functions, making the system universal and eliminating the need for separate trip out operations between different drilling and reaming stages.
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 significantly reduces the time and cost associated with drilling and reaming operations by allowing continuous operation without the need for frequent removal of motor and reamer shoe components, improving the efficiency of wellbore access and casing installation.
Implementation Method 1
the motor being driven by drilling fluid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An apparatus (5) for cutting a wellbor (1) is disclosed, the apparatus (5) comprising a motor provided with a stator (13) and a rotor (11), the rotor (11) being connected to to a cutting structure (7) so as to drive the cutting structure (7) in use, wherein the stator (13) and rotor (11) are spaced radially outwardly of the axis of rotation of the rotor (11) such that at least one of the stator (13) and the rotor (11) is formed with an access bore (15) that extends through the motor to a position adjacent the cutting structure (7) and through which, in use, a further object (17) can be inserted, without obstruction from the stator (13) and rotor (11). Examples of the cutting structure include a drill bit, a reaming shoe, or a coring tool operative to cut a sample core for subsequent analysis.