Whipstock System Wireless Hydraulic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing whipstock systems in wellbore drilling require hydraulic control lines that are prone to damage and failure, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased costs due to potential malfunctions and the need for real-time monitoring of tool functionality.
Innovation Solution
A whipstock system with an independent hydraulic system controlled wirelessly from the surface or a measurement while drilling (MWD) sub assembly, featuring transmitters and receivers for real-time communication and multiple hydraulic power units that can activate and deactivate tool components like slips and seals, eliminating the need for a hydraulic control line and enhancing system robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic control lines are used to control whipstock tools, then real-time control is achieved, but the system becomes vulnerable to damage and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic control lines from the system by extracting the hydraulic power units and placing them directly on the whipstock tools. This eliminates the vulnerable control line infrastructure while maintaining real-time control capability through wireless communication between the surface control system and the tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hydraulic control line system with an independent hydraulic power unit on each tool that can be controlled wirelessly. This substitution eliminates the need for physical hydraulic connections while maintaining the ability to activate and deactivate tool components.
2Productivity
If hydraulic control lines are used, then tool activation is achieved, but operational costs increase due to potential failures and monitoring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Each whipstock tool is equipped with its own independent hydraulic power unit that can autonomously activate and deactivate tool components based on wireless commands. This self-service capability eliminates the need for continuous monitoring and intervention, reducing operational costs and improving efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hydraulic power units are used for repeated activation, then tool component control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic control system is segmented into multiple independent hydraulic power units, with each unit responsible for specific tool components. This segmentation allows for repeated activation and deactivation of individual components without affecting the entire system, enhancing adaptability while managing complexity through modular design.
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 increases the robustness of the whipstock system by preventing control line failures, allows for real-time monitoring and evaluation of tool functionality, and reduces operational costs by enabling remote activation and deactivation of tool components.
Implementation Method 1
The pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the expansion chamber, wherein transfer of fluid from the reservoir to the expansion chamber activates at least one of the activatable components
Data Source
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AI summary
A whipstock system and methods are disclosed, including a whipstock body, a control unit mounted on or in the whipstock body, the control unit comprising transmitters and receivers operable to receive commands from an external source, activatable components mounted on or in the whipstock body, and a hydraulic system in the whipstock body, the hydraulic system in communication with the control unit, the hydraulic system including at last one hydraulic power unit operable to repeatedly activate and de-activate the activatable components.