Whipstock Tool Assembly for Cementing Below Setting Depth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore drilling systems face challenges in efficiently plugging and abandoning wellbores below the setting depth, particularly when using whipstock assemblies, as they cannot pump cement or fluids to lubricate and clean out debris effectively.
Innovation Solution
A modified whipstock assembly design that incorporates a cement retainer sub and a whipstock tool face, allowing for cement pumping and abandonment of the wellbore below the setting depth, along with packers to isolate sections and facilitate lateral wellbore drilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional whipstock assembly is used to drill a lateral wellbore, then the lateral wellbore can be formed from the primary wellbore, but the wellbore cannot be effectively plugged and abandoned below the setting depth due to inability to pump cement or fluids for cleaning debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the whipstock assembly with a tool assembly that includes cementing capabilities, packers, and cleaning mechanisms into a single integrated downhole tool assembly. This merging allows the whipstock to simultaneously perform lateral wellbore drilling and wellbore plugging/abandonment functions, resolving the contradiction by enabling cement pumping and effective plugging below the setting depth while maintaining the whipstock's primary function of forming the lateral wellbore
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated downhole tool assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a whipstock for guiding lateral wellbore drilling and a plugging system for abandoning the wellbore below the setting depth. The assembly includes components for cement pumping, debris cleaning, and isolation, allowing a single tool to perform multiple functions that previously required separate operations and equipment
2Reliability
If additional trips are made to plug and abandon the wellbore below setting depth, then complete plugging can be achieved, but operational efficiency and time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly is designed to perform plugging and abandonment actions in advance, during the same trip used to install the whipstock for lateral wellbore drilling. The packers are positioned and the cementing system is prepared beforehand, allowing cement to be pumped and debris to be cleaned out during the initial operation, eliminating the need for additional trips to complete the abandonment process
3Reliability
If sections of the wellbore are not isolated before plugging, then cement distribution is difficult to control, but without isolation the plugging effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assembly incorporates packers that segment the wellbore into isolated sections, allowing controlled cement distribution in specific zones below the setting depth. The packers create discrete isolation zones that enable precise cement placement, ensuring effective plugging while maintaining manageable complexity through modular, sequentially deployable isolation components
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
Enables efficient plugging and abandonment of wellbores by isolating sections with cement and allowing lateral wellbore drilling without the need for additional trips, enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The tool assembly includes a first packer and a second packer. The first packer is between the second packer and the downhole end of the whipstock tool face.
Implementation Method 2
The cement sub is configured to flow cement from a surface of the primary wellbore through and downhole of each of the whipstock tool assembly and the tool assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore assembly to plug and abandon a wellbore below a setting depth includes a whipstock assembly configured to drill a lateral wellbore from a primary wellbore formed in a subterranean zone. The wellbore assembly includes a tool assembly connected to the whipstock assembly. The tool assembly is configured to be lowered into the primary wellbore during the same trip as the whipstock assembly. The tool assembly is configured to perform wellbore operations downhole of a casing window from which the whipstock assembly is configured to drill the lateral wellbore before the whipstock assembly drills the lateral wellbore.