Wellbore Debris Traps for Sand Control Integrity Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilled wells face issues with debris and sand control failures, leading to reduced efficiency and potential well loss due to inadequate filtration systems and sand control integrity verification, especially in offshore environments where formation sand and proppant can cause equipment damage and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
The development of tools such as the Washpipe Debris Trap, Debris Trap In-Line Filter, Marine Riser Reversing Tool, and Bi-Directional Chamber Trap that integrate into existing well systems to facilitate continuous filtration, debris removal, and sand control integrity monitoring, allowing for the passive removal of debris, fluid shearing, pressure monitoring, and fluid properties management, while enabling the diversion of fluid flow for continuous operation and inspection without reconfiguration or dedicated operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional circulation filtration systems are used, then fluid cleanliness is improved, but system complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtration function from complex traditional circulation systems and implements it through simple in-line filters that can be easily installed in drill pipe or hose. The filter elements are removable and replaceable without requiring complex system disassembly, thereby maintaining fluid cleanliness while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration system is designed to be self-contained with self-cleaning or self-replacing filter elements. The simple in-line filters can be quickly swapped by operators without requiring specialized maintenance personnel or complex operational procedures, enabling the system to maintain itself with minimal external intervention.
2Reliability
If sand control screens and gravel packing are used, then formation sand control is improved, but risk of tool placement failure and integrity breach increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs deployable debris traps and filters that are installed in advance before sand control operations begin. These preliminary filtration measures capture debris and prevent it from reaching sand control screens and tools, thereby protecting the integrity of sand control equipment and reducing the risk of tool placement failures before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates protective debris traps and filtration elements that act as a cushion or barrier against potential debris-related failures. By capturing harmful particles beforehand, the system protects vulnerable sand control components from damage, reducing the consequences of potential integrity breaches without affecting the primary sand control function.
3Productivity
If proppant placement operations are conducted, then well productivity is improved, but risk of crossover port erosion and proppant leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces debris traps and filtration systems as intermediary components between the proppant placement operation and the crossover ports. These intermediaries capture and retain debris and excessive proppant particles, preventing them from eroding crossover ports or leaking into the annulus, thereby protecting the integrity of critical components while allowing productive proppant placement to proceed.
4Productivity
If formation sand production occurs, then natural flow is maintained, but equipment damage and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts harmful formation sand particles from the produced fluid stream using in-line filters and debris traps. These filtration devices selectively remove sand and debris while allowing the majority of the produced fluid to flow naturally, thereby maintaining natural flow productivity while eliminating the harmful effects of formation sand on equipment and operational efficiency.
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
These tools enhance the efficiency of well operations by ensuring the integrity of sand control systems, reducing the risk of equipment damage, and enabling early detection of sand control breaches, thereby minimizing costs and preventing well losses.
Implementation Method 1
filtering mediums with direction preferred fluid check devices to permit filtering and flow in multiple directions
Implementation Method 2
a reversing tool positioned in the workstring, the reversing tool having a body with a bottom end and a top end, a first channel in fluid communication with the conduit at the top end and the annulus at the bottom end, and a second channel in fluid communication with the annulus at the top end and the conduit at the bottom end
Implementation Method 3
a debris trap positioned in the workstring, the debris trap having an upper assembly, a lower assembly, and a chamber formed between the upper assembly and the lower assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for handling contaminants in a wellbore or riser. A washpipe debris trap (WPDT) traps contaminants traveling up a wellbore from a downhole location, and the WPDT may serve as an indicator for a breached screen in a downhole location. A marine riser reversing tool (MRRT) may reverse the flow of fluid between a workstring conduit and an annulus between the workstring and the wellbore such that fluid rises to the wellhead with greater velocity. A bi-directional chamber trap (BDCT) may be utilized in a wellbore operation to remove contaminants from a fluid.