Wellbore Debris Cleanout Assembly with Selective Window Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore cleaning tools face challenges in efficiently confirming the amount of debris collected and effectively removing it from the debris chamber, leading to potential rig time inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A cleanout arrangement with a one-piece mandrel and surrounding boot, featuring a selectively openable window for debris removal, allows for efficient debris collection and fluid drainage using a filter screen, enabling quick confirmation of debris removal post-cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the debris chamber is sealed during cleaning operations, then debris collection efficiency is improved, but debris removal time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is segmented with removable cover portions that can be detached to provide access to the debris chamber. This segmentation allows the chamber to remain sealed during cleaning operations while enabling quick access for debris removal by simply removing the cover portions, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining seal integrity for efficient collection and enabling rapid access for removal.
2Ease of operation
If the cleanout assembly includes removable covers, then ease of debris removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portions are designed as separate, removable components that can be easily detached from the boot to expose the debris chamber. This extraction of the sealing function into removable covers simplifies the debris removal operation while maintaining the sealed chamber during cleaning, and the modular design actually reduces overall complexity compared to a fully integrated sealed structure.
3Productivity
If fluid circulation ports are opened during removal, then debris capture efficiency is improved, but fluid loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid circulation ports are designed to be dynamically opened during the tool's removal from the wellbore, allowing debris-laden fluid to enter the debris chamber. The ports are then closed before the tool is pulled out, preventing fluid loss. This dynamic operation sequence optimizes both debris capture and fluid retention by timing the port opening to coincide with the removal phase when debris is being brought to the surface.
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 enhances the efficiency of debris collection and removal, reducing rig time by allowing for easy access and extraction of debris from the debris chamber, thereby improving the overall wellbore cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid is drained away from the captured debris by a filter screen
Data Source
AI summary
A cleanout assembly for removal of debris from a debris chamber in a wellbore cleaning tool. The cleanout assembly includes a mandrel, a boot radially surrounding the mandrel and a debris chamber defined radially between the mandrel and the boot. The boot has one or more windows therein to permit debris to be cleaned out of the debris chamber. A cover is disposed within the debris chamber and is movable within the debris chamber between a first position, wherein the one or more windows are blocked by the cover, and a second position, wherein the one or more windows are not blocked by the cover