Wellbore Junction Wireless Energy Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the oil and gas industry, establishing reliable electrical power and communication signals between lateral and main wellbores is challenging due to the need to maintain pressure barriers and the complexity of deploying cables through junctions between wellbore components, which often results in incomplete sealing and reduced efficiency in hydrocarbon production.

Innovation Solution

A multilateral wellbore system utilizing a unitary junction assembly with deformable conduits and cavity resonators for wireless energy transfer mechanisms, allowing for capacitive coupling between wellbores without physical connectors, enhancing signal propagation and minimizing debris-related sealing issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cables are deployed through junctions between wellbore components to establish electrical power and communication signals, then connectivity between main and lateral wellbores is achieved, but pressure barrier integrity is compromised and sealing reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure barrier integrityVSAvoidcable deployment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cable connections with electromagnetic field-based wireless energy transfer mechanisms. Capacitive coupling plates generate electric fields that transmit power and communication signals without physical cable connections, eliminating the need for cables to breach pressure barriers while maintaining connectivity between main and lateral wellbores.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces capacitive coupling plates as intermediary elements that enable energy and signal transfer across the junction without direct cable connections. These plates act as mediators that transmit electromagnetic fields through the wellbore junction assembly, maintaining pressure barrier integrity while establishing communication and power links.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If separate installation trips are used for equipment in main and lateral wellbores, then equipment can be installed independently, but installation time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment installation easeVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the installation processes of main and lateral wellbore equipment by using a single tripping operation. The wireless energy transfer system allows equipment to be installed simultaneously in both wellbores through one coordinated trip, eliminating the need for separate installation trips while maintaining independent equipment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If wet connections are made at wellbore junctions, then electrical connectivity is established, but sealing reliability and production efficiency deteriorate due to debris and incomplete sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidhydrocarbon production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical wet connections with electromagnetic field-based capacitive coupling. This substitution eliminates the sealing problems associated with wet connections, as the capacitive plates transfer energy wirelessly without requiring direct fluid-tight connections, thereby preventing debris-related sealing failures and maintaining production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficient and reliable transmission of power and communication signals to both main and lateral wellbores, improving hydrocarbon production efficiency by eliminating the need for wet connections and reducing sealing issues, while maintaining pressure integrity.

Implementation Method 1

electrical power and communications signals to be established in both a lateral wellbore and a main wellbore utilizing capacitive coupling via a unitary multilateral junction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS11203926B2Energy transfer mechanism for wellbore junction assembly

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A unitary multilateral junction for deployment in a wellbore, wherein the multilateral junction permits electrical power and communications signals to be established in both a lateral wellbore and a main wellbore utilizing capacitive coupling and a cavity resonator. The unitary junction assembly generally includes a conduit with a first upper aperture, a first lower aperture and a second lower aperture where the first lower aperture is defined at the distal end of a primary passageway extending from a conduit junction and a second lower aperture defined at the distal end of a lateral passageway extending from the conduit junction. A lower wireless energy transfer mechanism in the form of a capacitive coupler is positioned along at least one of the passageways between the distal end of the passageway and the junction. A cavity resonator is adjacent the capacitive coupler to enhance the electric field signal of the capacitive coupler.