Whipstock Anchor Interlock for Pressure-Triggered Slip Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing whipstock assemblies for casing exit operations in the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries are less than optimally efficient due to various conditions encountered during the process.
Innovation Solution
A casing exit assembly comprising a whipstock with a mill, an initiation sensor, a drive, and an anchor with a ramp and a slip mechanism, where a pressure sensor triggers a tensile load to release an interlock, allowing the slip to be set using a drive plate, enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional whipstock assembly is used for casing exit operations, then the basic function of directing the mill is achieved, but the operational efficiency is reduced due to manual or less controlled slip setting processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical slip setting with an automated electromechanical system. The drive assembly includes a motor-driven mechanism that automatically positions and sets the slip based on sensor input, eliminating the need for manual operation and improving both efficiency and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect the position and status of the slip and mill, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment and precise control of the slip setting process, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
2Productivity
If the slip mechanism is made more controllable through automation, then operational efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The drive assembly combines the motor, gear mechanism, and slip positioning functions into a single integrated unit. The sensor system integrates position detection with the control circuitry, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall structure despite the added automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive assembly serves multiple functions: it positions the slip, sets the mill angle, and responds to sensor feedback. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving automation.
3Manufacturing precision
If an initiation sensor is added to detect pressure changes, then the precision of casing exit operations is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The initiation sensor automatically detects pressure changes and triggers the mill operation without requiring manual intervention or complex control logic. The sensor system serves itself by directly interfacing with the control circuitry to initiate the drilling operation when specific pressure thresholds are reached, minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure parameter changes as the trigger mechanism for initiating mill operation. By monitoring pressure thresholds and using these changes to automatically start the drilling process, the system achieves precise control without requiring complex sensor arrays or control algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A casing exit assembly, including a whipstock, a mill releasably attached to the whipstock, the mill including an initiation sensor and a drive, and an anchor attached to the whipstock, the anchor including a housing with a ramp, a slip disposed to move radially of the housing upon axially transitioning on the ramp, and an interlock operably attached to the driver. A method for managing a casing exit, including running the casing exit assembly to a target location in a borehole, sensing a pressure within or around the assembly, imposing a tensile load on the interlock, releasing the interlock, moving the slip with a drive plate of the interlock, and setting the slip. A borehole system, including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string disposed in the borehole, and a casing exit assembly, disposed within or as a part of the string.