Universal Wellbore Fishing Tool Using Self-Solidifying Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fishing tools are limited in their ability to latch onto fish with non-standard or damaged neck profiles and those that are awkwardly positioned or oriented in the wellbore, requiring precise knowledge of the fish's characteristics for successful retrieval.

Innovation Solution

A universal fishing tool incorporating a self-solidifying material that transitions from a soft to a hard state, securing the fish within the tool by immersing at least a portion of the fish in the material, allowing for retrieval of fish with non-standard or awkwardly positioned profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fishing tools with fixed grapple mechanisms are used, then fish with standard neck profiles can be securely latched, but fish with non-standard or damaged neck profiles cannot be effectively retrieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to latch onto different fish profilesVSAvoidcomplexity of fishing tool design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fishing tool employs a universal grapple mechanism that can accommodate various fish profiles including standard, nonstandard, and damaged neck profiles through a single device design, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The grapple mechanism utilizes adjustable parameters including movable arms that can change position and configuration to adapt to different fish neck profiles, allowing the same tool to securely latch onto diverse object geometries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional fishing tools require precise knowledge of fish characteristics for selection, then successful retrieval of known fish types is achieved, but operators face delays and reduced efficiency when fish characteristics are unknown or variable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefishing operation efficiencyVSAvoidlack of fish characteristic information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The fishing tool automatically adapts to the fish being retrieved without requiring external information about the fish characteristics. The self-adjusting grapple mechanism performs the assessment and adaptation functions that would otherwise require operator knowledge and decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fishing tool is pre-configured with multiple adjustable grapple positions and configurations that are ready to be deployed based on the actual fish profile encountered, eliminating the need for preliminary selection based on incomplete information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fishing tools are designed for specific fish orientations, then fish in standard positions can be retrieved, but awkwardly positioned or oriented fish cannot be secured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to secure awkwardly positioned fishVSAvoidsimplicity of fishing tool deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grapple mechanism incorporates movable and adjustable components that can dynamically reconfigure to match the orientation and position of the fish, whether standard or awkward, allowing the tool to adapt its geometry to the target object

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances fishing operation efficiency, promotes well accessibility, and minimizes downtime by securing fish with non-standard or awkwardly positioned profiles, improving overall operational success.

Implementation Method 1

a self-solidifying material disposed within a cavity of the housing and configured to transition from a relatively soft state to a relatively hard state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-solidifying: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS12529278B2Universal fishing tool and method of removing a fish from a wellbore

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method of removing a fish from a wellbore comprises attaching a fishing tool to a distal end of a conveyor, the fishing tool comprising a housing and a self-solidifying material disposed within a cavity of the housing and configured to transition from a relatively soft state to a relatively hard state; inserting the fishing tool attached to the conveyor into the wellbore; lowering the fishing tool over the fish in the wellbore to immerse at least a portion of the fish within the self-solidifying material; allowing the self-solidifying material to transition from the relatively soft state to the relatively hard state, thereby securing the fish to the fishing tool; and retracting the fishing tool attached to the conveyor from the wellbore to remove the fish from the wellbore.