Concentric Electrical Wet Connect Flushing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrical connections in production strings for oil and gas wells face issues with trapped wellbore fluids reducing insulation resistance and promoting corrosion, especially during repeated disconnect and reconnect operations, which hampers reliable high-voltage power transfer and tool functionality.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an electrical wet connect tool with a concentric resilient electrical connector and a fluid flow path that flushes out trapped wellbore fluids using a flushing fluid, providing insulation and corrosion protection, and allowing for multiple connection and disconnection cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If repeated disconnect and reconnect operations are performed on electrical connections in production strings, then operational flexibility and maintenance capability are improved, but insulation resistance decreases and corrosion is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by flushing the electrical connection with flushing fluid before the disconnect and reconnect operations are completed. The flushing fluid is introduced through a flushing passage to remove trapped wellbore fluids from the electrical connection chamber prior to final connection, preventing insulation resistance degradation and corrosion from occurring in the first place during repeated operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flushing fluid as an intermediary substance to mediate between the electrical connection components and the trapped wellbore fluids. The flushing fluid enters through a flushing passage, displaces the harmful trapped wellbore fluids from the electrical connection chamber, and carries them out through an exit passage, thereby protecting the electrical connection during repeated disconnect and reconnect operations.
2Device complexity
If trapped wellbore fluids remain in the electrical connection chamber, then device complexity is reduced, but corrosion is promoted and insulation resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the harmful trapped wellbore fluids from the electrical connection chamber through a flushing passage. The flushing fluid enters the chamber, extracts or displaces the trapped wellbore fluids, and carries them out through an exit passage, thereby eliminating the corrosion-promoting factor while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing fluid serves as an intermediary that facilitates the removal of trapped wellbore fluids without requiring complex mechanical pumping systems. The flushing fluid flows through the flushing passage, displaces the trapped wellbore fluids, and carries them out through the exit passage, providing a simple yet effective corrosion prevention mechanism.
3Device complexity
If trapped wellbore fluids remain in the electrical connection chamber, then device complexity is reduced, but insulation resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes trapped wellbore fluids from the electrical connection chamber through a flushing passage, extracting the harmful substance that degrades insulation resistance. The flushing fluid enters through the flushing passage, displaces the trapped wellbore fluids, and carries them out through the exit passage, thereby maintaining simple device structure while improving insulation resistance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing fluid acts as an intermediary that protects the electrical connection by displacing trapped wellbore fluids. This simple fluid-based mechanism maintains insulation resistance without requiring complex mechanical systems, achieving both structural simplicity and electrical reliability.
4Reliability
If flushing fluid is introduced to remove trapped wellbore fluids, then insulation resistance is maintained and corrosion is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing passage serves multiple functions: it introduces flushing fluid to remove trapped wellbore fluids, maintains insulation resistance, and prevents corrosion. The exit passage also serves dual purposes by carrying out trapped wellbore fluids and allowing flushing fluid to flow through the electrical connection chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing fluid serves as a multi-functional intermediary that performs several protective roles simultaneously. It removes trapped wellbore fluids, maintains insulation resistance, and prevents corrosion, all through a single fluid-based mechanism that adds minimal structural complexity compared to multiple separate mechanical systems.
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 effectively maintains insulation resistance and prevents corrosion, ensuring reliable electrical connections and power transfer even after multiple disconnect and reconnect operations, enhancing the longevity and efficiency of downhole tools.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid flow path can flush the electrical connection with a flushing fluid to remove trapped wellbore fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool for coupling an electrical connection in the wellbore comprising a locator sub and a receptacle sub. The locator sub can be conveyed into the wellbore with a workstring. The receptacle sub can be coupled to a lower completion with at least one downhole tool. Workstring manipulation can insert the locator sub into the receptacle sub to provide an electrical connection between a resilient connector on the locator sub and ring connector within the receptacle sub. A fluid source fluidically connected to the electrical connection can flush out trapped wellbore fluids via a fluid pathway. The electrical connection can electrically couple to a control system at surface to the at least one downhole tool.