Wellbore Hydraulic Line Rectification Protrusions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for maintaining and repairing surface controlled sub-surface safety valves (SCSSVs) face challenges due to clogging and leakage in hydraulic control lines, leading to unintended closure of safety valves, which requires complex and time-consuming processes, resulting in production stoppages and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A wellbore hydraulic line rectification device with a longitudinal rectification line featuring at least three protrusions is fed into the control line to clear obstacles and debris, allowing for in-situ maintenance or repair without the need for additional equipment or well work-over, using a rectification line feeder and straightening mechanism to ensure effective push force and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control line is used to maintain the safety valve open position, then the valve can be controlled from surface, but the control line becomes susceptible to clogging and leakage leading to valve closure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol line integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A rectification line is introduced as an intermediary component that runs parallel to the control line. This rectification line serves as a backup pathway that can deliver hydraulic pressure to the safety valve when the control line becomes blocked or leaks, thereby maintaining valve operation reliability while preserving surface control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter by switching from single-line control to dual-line configuration. The rectification line is initially dormant but can be activated by changing the hydraulic pressure parameters through the feeder mechanism, providing an alternative pressure delivery path when the control line parameters deteriorate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of repair

If complex repair processes are used to fix control line failures, then the control line can be repaired, but production stoppages and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol line repairabilityVSAvoidproduction downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rectification line is pre-installed and positioned within the control line pathway before any failure occurs. This preliminary preparation allows for immediate activation of the backup line when control line failures are detected, eliminating the need for complex repair procedures and associated production stoppages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service capability through the rectification line feeder, which can automatically or manually feed the rectification line into position when needed. This self-service mechanism enables rapid response to control line failures without requiring external intervention or complex repair operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 enables the effective removal of debris and maintenance of hydraulic lines, preventing failures and reducing production losses and capital expenditures by allowing for quick and efficient rectification of control lines, even in long and wound configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a cross section of the first rectification line has at least three protrusions arranged to slide along an inner surface of the hydraulic line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3615766B1Wellbore hydraulic line in-situ rectification system and method
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 WELLMEND AS
  • EP3615766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3615766B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3615766B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wellbore hydraulic line rectification device (1) arranged to rectify a hydraulic line (50) in-situ, the rectification device (1) comprises; - a rectification line feeder (10), - a longitudinal first rectification line (20), wherein the rectification line feeder (10) is arranged to feed the first rectification line (20) longitudinally into the hydraulic line (50), - wherein a cross section (CS) of the first rectification line (20) has at least three protrusions (21a, 21b, 21c) arranged to slide along an inner surface of the hydraulic line (50).