Wellbore Identification via Reactive Coatings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately re-entering specific lateral wellbores in multilateral wellbores is challenging due to difficulties in identifying the correct lateral wellbore, often relying on pressure signals that are difficult to interpret.
Innovation Solution
A well system and method that involves coating the inner surfaces of the casing and liners in the wellbores with unique reactive materials. A corrosive fluid is discharged into the wellbore, reacting with these materials to generate a reacted solution that is analyzed to determine the location of the downhole tool within the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pressure signals are used to identify lateral wellbores, then the identification process can be performed without additional materials, but the accuracy and interpretability of lateral wellbore identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by coating the inner surfaces of specific lateral wellbores with unique reactive materials that differ from one lateral to another. This creates distinct local characteristics (different reaction products) at different locations within the wellbore system, enabling precise identification of which lateral has been entered by analyzing the specific reaction product generated at that location.
2Measurement precision
If reactive materials are coated on inner surfaces of casing and liners, then the accuracy of lateral wellbore identification improves, but the complexity of the wellbore system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameter of the wellbore inner surfaces through coating with different reactive materials. Each lateral wellbore is characterized by a unique chemical parameter (specific reactive material), which transforms the identification problem from a mechanical/physical measurement task into a chemical analysis task, thereby achieving high-precision identification.
3Loss of information
If corrosive fluid is discharged to react with reactive materials, then positive indication of downhole tool location is achieved, but the risk of harmful chemical reactions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful corrosive fluid into a beneficial identification tool. The corrosive fluid, which could be damaging, is instead used to generate unique reaction products that serve as positive indicators of location. The harmful chemical reaction is transformed into a useful analytical process where the reaction product becomes information-bearing evidence of which lateral wellbore has been entered.
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 approach provides a positive indication of the location of the downhole tool within the wellbore, enhancing the accuracy of re-entry into specific lateral wellbores and reducing the risk of applying inappropriate stimulation treatments.
Implementation Method 1
A corrosive fluid is discharged into the wellbore, reacting with these materials to generate a reacted solution that is analyzed to determine the location of the downhole tool within the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A well system includes a service rig positioned above a wellbore including a primary wellbore and a lateral wellbore extending from the primary wellbore, a string of casing lining a portion of the primary wellbore and having an inner surface coated with a first reactive material, a liner lining a portion of the lateral wellbore and having an inner surface coated with a second reactive material, a downhole tool conveyable into the wellbore to discharge a corrosive fluid reactable with the reactive materials and generate a reacted solution including a reaction product indicative of the first or second reactive material, and a fluid analyzer to analyze the reacted solution and identify the reaction product entrained in the reacted solution, wherein identifying the reaction product with the fluid analyzer provides a positive indication of a location of the downhole tool within the wellbore.