Wellbore Deflector Surface for Tool Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing downhole operations face challenges in accurately positioning and activating tools due to mechanical orientation and positioning mechanisms prone to failure, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A well component with a deflector surface is introduced to guide guide taps/fingers of a kick over tool away from openings, ensuring correct orientation and positioning by engaging the deflector surface to prevent interference with the opening, thereby minimizing the risk of incorrect activation or tool damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical orientation and positioning mechanisms (guide taps/fingers engaging guiding tracks) are used to position and orient downhole tools, then the tool can be positioned and oriented in the wellbore, but the mechanism is prone to failure leading to incorrect positioning and activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool positioning and orientationVSAvoidpositioning mechanism reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the mechanical guide tap/finger engagement mechanism from the tool design. Instead of using active mechanical guidance, the tool is positioned passively through the deflector surface geometry that naturally guides the tool into correct orientation without mechanical contact points that can fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflector surface acts as an intermediary geometric feature between the tool and the opening. It provides a non-mechanical guidance path that directs the tool away from the opening and into correct positioning without requiring direct mechanical engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the tool is lowered below its operating position and then lifted into position during activation, then the guiding tap can engage the guiding track for orientation, but this complex sequence increases the risk of positioning errors and operational failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool activation sequenceVSAvoidoperation time and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The deflector surface is pre-configured in the well component to automatically guide the tool into correct orientation as it approaches the operating position. This preliminary geometric guidance eliminates the need for complex multi-step positioning sequences involving lowering and lifting operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using an active mechanical guidance system that requires complex activation sequences, the patent uses a passive geometric deflector surface that automatically orients the tool through its shape alone, inverting the approach from active mechanical engagement to passive geometric guidance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11111746B2Wellbore arrangement

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AS

AI summary

A well component having a main bore and a lateral opening from the main bore, the well component further comprising a deflector surface arranged adjacent the lateral opening on an inner wall of the main bore and defining a path configured to guide one or more guide taps/fingers of a downhole tool away from the opening.