Wellbore Sleeve Assembly With Protected Treatment Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sleeve assemblies in wellbore completion operations are susceptible to damage and contamination of inset members in the ports, leading to potential fluid leakage and failure, which can be difficult to detect until operations commence, necessitating replacement of the entire casing string.

Innovation Solution

A sleeve assembly design that protects inset members by housing them within a protection pocket when in the closed position, using annular seals and overhangs to shield them from wellbore fluids and debris, and employing frangible or dissolvable materials that only activate at a predetermined pressure threshold to allow fluid communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inset members are exposed in the ports during run-in-hole operations, then fluid communication can be established when needed, but the inset members are susceptible to damage and contamination from wellbore fluids and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrity of inset membersVSAvoiddamage and contamination from wellbore environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The port structure is segmented into multiple regions: an exposed region allowing fluid communication and a protected region housing the inset members. The sleeve assembly includes a protection pocket that physically separates and protects the inset members from the harsh wellbore environment while allowing functional exposure when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inset members are pre-positioned and protected within the port structure before the sleeve assembly is deployed. The protection pocket is prepared in advance to shield the inset members during run-in-hole operations, preventing damage before it can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the sleeve is kept in closed position to protect inset members, then reliability is improved, but fluid communication with the formation cannot be established

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of inset membersVSAvoidfluid communication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The port is divided into protected and exposed regions, allowing the inset members to remain protected while still enabling fluid communication through the exposed region when the sleeve is in the open position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protection pocket acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the need to protect inset members and the need to enable fluid communication. It allows the sleeve to move between closed and open positions without exposing the inset members to damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If burst discs or plugs are used to maintain pressure, then fluid pressure can be maintained, but they are susceptible to premature rupture or shattering from wellbore conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid pressure maintenanceVSAvoidpremature failure of pressure maintenance components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure maintenance function is segmented from the exposed port region and placed within the protected region where inset members are housed. This separation allows pressure maintenance components to be shielded from wellbore conditions that could cause premature failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protection pocket is prepared in advance to shield pressure maintenance components during deployment, preventing premature exposure to wellbore conditions that could trigger early rupture or shattering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If inset members are removed with threshold bore pressure, then fluid communication is enabled, but the inset members are exposed to irregular wellbore surfaces during run-in-hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid communication activationVSAvoidexposure to wellbore irregularities

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inset members are positioned in a protected region that is spatially separated from the exposed port region. This segmentation allows the inset members to remain protected during run-in-hole operations even when threshold pressure is reached and fluid communication is activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protection pocket serves as an intermediary structure that allows fluid communication to be activated through pressure threshold mechanisms while keeping the inset members shielded from direct exposure to wellbore irregularities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 the reliability and integrity of fluid treatment ports by preventing premature damage to inset members, ensuring reliable fluid communication and reducing the risk of leakage, while allowing controlled fluid flow only when the required pressure is reached.

Implementation Method 1

employing frangible or dissolvable materials that only activate at a predetermined pressure threshold to allow fluid communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture Mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

employing frangible or dissolvable materials that only activate at a predetermined pressure threshold to allow fluid communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 4

increasing fluid pressure in the completion string to a threshold pressure to burst inset members disposed in the one or more treatment ports

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure Increase: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS12577851B2Wellbore flow control valve and method

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CO

AI summary

Assemblies and methods are provided for a sleeve assembly for controlling communication with a downhole formation having a sleeve housing with one or more flow ports slidably retaining a sleeve, the sleeve having one or more treatment ports. The sleeve is configured to slide between an uphole closed position, in which the one or more flow ports are blocked by the sleeve, and a downhole open position in which the one or more flow ports are at least partially aligned with the one or more treatment ports. The one or more treatment ports may have inset members.