Wireless Tag Detection in Multistage Completion Tools

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current completion methods for multi-stage fracturing of oil and gas wellbores are limited by the need for progressively larger balls to actuate successive sliding sleeve valves, restricting the number of stages that can be performed.

Innovation Solution

A multipressure cycling completion tool equipped with a wireless sensor and controller, which detects and responds to wireless tags on downhole elements, allowing for the activation and deactivation of expandable anchor rings and sealing elements to engage and open sliding sleeve valves without size differentials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ball-activated sliding sleeve valves with progressively larger balls are used to actuate successive stages, then the valves can be actuated in series, but the number of stages is limited by the lower limit on ball size and flow restriction through ball seats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of fracturing stagesVSAvoidball size differentiation and ball seat sizing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical ball-activated system with a motorized actuation system. The completion tool includes a motor that rotates a spool to move a piston, which in turn actuates the sliding sleeve valves. This eliminates the need for progressively larger balls and ball seats, allowing unlimited stages with identical valve components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the actuation mechanism from passive ball seating to active motorized control. The motor can apply variable torque and control the positioning of the piston, enabling precise control of valve actuation regardless of valve position or size. This parameter change removes the physical constraint of ball size differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If ball seats are sized to allow progressively smaller balls to pass through, then successive valves can be actuated, but flow restriction increases and there is a practical lower limit on ball size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuation sequenceVSAvoidflow capacity through ball seats

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized piston system replaces the ball seating mechanism entirely. The piston can be directly driven by motor torque to open and close valves without requiring flow through a ball seat. This eliminates the flow restriction problem associated with progressively smaller ball seats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If identical sliding sleeve valves are used throughout the wellbore, then device complexity is reduced, but the completion tool must be able to actuate valves at any position without size differentiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve component varietyVSAvoidvalve actuation at different positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized actuation system is universal and can actuate identical valves at any position in the wellbore. The motor and piston mechanism can apply sufficient force to open valves regardless of their depth or position, eliminating the need for size-differentiated valves required by ball-activated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 unlimited stages of fracturing operations by eliminating the need for size-differential ball-activated systems, reducing complexity and increasing operational flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless sensor configured to detect, and optionally identify, a wireless tag associated with a downhole element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless tag detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250163788A1Multistage completion tool

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 TIER 1 ENERGY SOLUTIONS

AI summary

Disclosed examples generally relate to devices and methods for completing a production installation to perform multi-stage treatment of an oil and gas wellbore, such as multi-stage fracturing operations. In at least one example, a multipressure cycling completion tool is provided, for completing a wellbore comprising a plurality of downhole elements, each having a wireless tag, the tool comprising an activation assembly, comprising an activation motor, a transmission, a longitudinally moveable cone, and an expandable anchor ring and sealing element disposed around the cone, wherein the activation motor causes longitudinal movement of the cone, which causes expansion or retraction of the anchor ring and sealing element; a wireless sensor configured to detect, and optionally identify, a wireless tag associated with a downhole element; and a controller operatively connected to the wireless sensor and the activation assembly, and configured to actuate the activation assembly in response to sensing of a wireless tag.