Wellbore Liner Re-latch Mechanism Using Hydraulic Collet Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore liner systems face challenges in efficiently coupling and releasing tubulars in a wellbore, particularly in maintaining engagement with expandable liners after initial expansion, and require additional profiles for latching, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A coupling tool with a tubular mandrel and collet ring that axially translates between locked and released positions, supported by a releasing piston, allowing hydraulic pressure-activated release and re-engagement, enabling secure coupling and decoupling of tubulars without the need for additional latching profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a setting tool couples to an expandable liner via collets that engage a profile in the liner, then the liner can be radially expanded and set in the wellbore, but the setting tool must be released from the liner after expansion which requires additional release mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic release mechanism where fluid pressure is applied to a piston that moves the collet ring between locked and released positions. This hydraulic system provides a reliable and controlled method for releasing the setting tool from the liner after expansion, eliminating the need for complex mechanical release mechanisms while maintaining operational reliability.
2Reliability
If collets are used to engage the second tubing, then secure coupling is achieved, but the collets must be released which requires translating the collet ring between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic piston system translates fluid pressure into axial motion of the collet ring, providing an easy and controlled release operation. The hydraulic mechanism automatically translates the collet ring between locked and released positions based on fluid pressure application, eliminating the need for complex manual or mechanical release operations while maintaining secure coupling during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet ring is designed to dynamically translate between locked and released positions based on operational requirements. The spring fingers and collet assembly allow for dynamic engagement and disengagement, adapting to the operational state of the wellbore equipment while maintaining secure coupling when needed and enabling easy release when required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional profiles are machined for latching operations, then subsequent operations such as fishing or repositioning can be performed, but the cost and complexity of the liner system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling tool is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a setting tool for initial liner installation and as a fishing/repositioning tool for subsequent operations. The same collet mechanism that secures the liner during setting operations can be reused to grip and manipulate the liner later, eliminating the need for additional specialized profiles or tools and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the functionality of the collet mechanism for multiple uses. Instead of discarding the coupling tool after setting operations, the same collets and coupling mechanism are recovered and reused for fishing and repositioning operations, eliminating the need for additional profiles and reducing overall system cost while maintaining adaptability for subsequent operations.
4Ease of operation
If the collet ring is allowed to retract radially inward for release, then the first tubing can uncouple from the second tubing, but the collets must be supported in the locked position to maintain engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic piston provides active support to the collet ring in the locked position, ensuring reliable engagement during operation. When release is required, the piston moves to allow the collet ring to retract radially inward, enabling easy uncoupling. This hydraulic support system maintains engagement reliability while facilitating easy release when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The collet ring is designed with dynamic capability to transition between supported locked position and unsupported retracted position. The spring fingers provide elastic support that maintains engagement reliability when the collet ring is held outward, while allowing controlled retraction when release is initiated, balancing engagement reliability with ease of uncoupling.
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
The tool facilitates secure anchoring and repositioning of expandable liner hangers, reduces the risk of pre-release errors, and allows for cost savings by eliminating the need for additional latching profiles, while maintaining fluid tight connections and enabling subsequent operations.
Implementation Method 1
A releasing piston is carried in the interior of the mandrel to translate axially between a supporting position supporting the collet ring in the released position and an unsupporting position allowing the collet ring to translate to the locked position. The releasing piston is releasably retained in the unsupporting position until hydraulic pressure is applied against the releasing piston to move the releasing piston to the supporting position.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tool for releaseably coupling a first tubing to a second tubing in a wellbore has a tubular mandrel configured to couple to and be carried into the wellbore by the first tubing. A collet ring is in an interior of the mandrel and has a plurality of collets to engage the second tubing. A releasing piston is carried in the interior of the mandrel to change between supporting the collet ring such that the collets can release from the profile and allowing the collet ring to lock such that the collets are locked in the profile.