Liner Wiper Plug Anti-Rotation Taper Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liner wiper plug system in the resource recovery industry often experiences rotation issues between the dart and plug, leading to complications and costly delays during drilling operations, as they are not fixed in place, necessitating expensive well intervention measures.
Innovation Solution
A sub with an anti-rotation feature is introduced, featuring a sleeve with a taper that slides between positions and a dart with a tapered section, which locks the plug to the sleeve when exposed to selected pressure, preventing rotation and ensuring secure placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the dart and liner wiper plug are deployed to displace and separate fluids in the tubular, then the cementing operation can be performed, but the dart may rotate relative to the plug causing complications and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered section on the dart and corresponding taper in the sleeve are designed to automatically engage and lock the dart to the sleeve upon insertion, preventing rotation before drilling operations begin. This preliminary locking action ensures the components remain fixed during subsequent cementing and drilling operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If the dart is allowed to move freely in the sleeve, then the system is easier to assemble, but the dart rotates relative to the plug during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation feature is pre-configured into the dart and sleeve design, allowing for simple assembly while automatically establishing the locked position during normal operation. The tapered sections engage naturally when the dart is inserted into the sleeve, providing both ease of assembly and operational stability.
3Device complexity
If no anti-rotation feature is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but rotation of the dart relative to the plug occurs causing costly delays
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered section creates an asymmetric geometry between the dart and sleeve that naturally prevents rotation. The non-uniform shape ensures that the dart can be inserted easily but cannot rotate once the tapered surfaces engage, providing a simple yet effective anti-rotation solution without complex mechanisms.
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 prevents the dart and sleeves from spinning during drilling, allowing for efficient completion of operations without delays or additional interventions, enhancing production efficiency by ensuring the liner wiper plugs are securely locked in place.
Implementation Method 1
The tapered section mating with the taper formed in the inner surface to rotatably lock the plug to the inner surface of the sleeve
Implementation Method 2
The dart is configured to shift the sleeve between the first position and the second position when exposed to a selected pressure in the flowbore
Data Source
AI summary
A sub having an anti-rotation feature for a resource exploration and recovery system includes a tubular having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a flow bore. A sleeve is slideably disposed in the flow bore between a first position and a second position. The sleeve includes an inner surface portion having a taper. A dart including an end portion is disposed in the sleeve. The dart is configured to shift the sleeve between the first position and the second position when exposed to a selected pressure in the flowbore. The end portion includes a tapered section. The tapered section mating with the taper formed in the inner surface to rotatably lock the plug to the inner surface of the sleeve.