Window Mill and Whipstock Connector Single-Trip Casing Window

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Solution Overview

Problem

The drilling and completion industry faces inefficiencies in forming casing windows due to the need for multiple trips into the well bore, which increases time and cost.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a window mill connected to a whipstock connector, allowing axial loading to perform well bore operations, including cutting a casing window in a single trip by supporting tools like brushes, scrapers, and bridge plugs, with a mechanism that withstands high push-pull and rotational forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple trips into the well bore are used to perform well bore operations, then each operation can be performed with dedicated tools, but the time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation completionVSAvoidtrip time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple well bore operations into a single trip by integrating multiple tools on one drillstring. The drillstring includes a window mill for cutting casing, a bridge plug for sealing, and a scraper for cleaning, all operable simultaneously or sequentially in one deployment. This merging of operations directly resolves the contradiction by eliminating multiple trips while ensuring reliable completion of all required operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drillstring is designed as a universal system that can perform multiple functions: cutting windows in casing, setting bridge plugs, cleaning well bore surfaces, and mapping casing integrity. This multi-functional design allows a single tool assembly to replace what previously required separate trips with dedicated tools for each operation, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tools are run into the well bore for different operations, then comprehensive well bore preparation is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation capabilityVSAvoidtool string complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex multi-functional drillstring is divided into modular segments that can be independently designed, manufactured, and assembled. Each segment performs a specific function (window mill section, bridge plug section, scraper section) but can be combined into a single integrated tool string. This segmentation allows comprehensive operation capability while managing device complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs nested tool design where smaller functional components are housed within or attached to larger structural elements of the drillstring. For example, bridge plugs and scrapers are positioned along the drillstring body, and tools can be nested within one another during deployment. This nesting approach consolidates multiple tools into a compact configuration, reducing apparent complexity while maintaining full operational versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11702888B2Window mill and whipstock connector for a resource exploration and recovery system

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method of performing a well bore operation in a well bore includes connecting a window mill to a whipstock connector forming a tubular section, supporting a tool below the whipstock connector, running the window mill, the whipstock connector, and the tool into the well bore, and axially loading the tool to perform the well bore operation.