Wireline Casing Test Tool With Wet Shoe Seat Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for pressure testing casing in subterranean wells using a plug can result in the plug becoming stuck or presetting prematurely, leading to delays and increased costs due to the need for drilling out the stuck plug.
Innovation Solution
A wireline conveyed casing test tool with a distal end that forms a seal with the wet shoe sub, featuring a graduated diameter to complement the seat of the wet shoe sub, ensuring proper placement and preventing premature setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plug is pumped downhole from the surface to isolate the wet shoe for casing testing, then the wet shoe can be isolated for pressure testing, but the plug may become stuck or preset prematurely, requiring additional drilling operations and causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
A release mechanism acts as an intermediary between the plug and the setting mechanism, allowing the plug to be deployed downhole without immediate setting. The plug can be released from the setting mechanism after reaching the desired depth, enabling reliable placement while preventing premature presetting that would cause operational delays
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is prepared with a release mechanism attached before deployment. This preliminary configuration allows the plug to be conveyed downhole on a wireline or coiled tubing string and then released at the target depth, ensuring accurate placement without premature setting that would require costly drilling operations
2Ease of operation
If a plug is pumped downhole to isolate the wet shoe, then casing testing can be performed, but the plug may become stuck before reaching the desired depth, requiring coil unit deployment and drilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism serves as an intermediary that simplifies deployment by allowing the plug to be conveyed easily downhole, then released at the target depth. This eliminates the complexity of retrieving a stuck plug with coil units and drilling equipment, as the plug can be reliably positioned and released without becoming stuck
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism allows the plug to be extracted from its conveyed state and deployed independently at the desired depth. This extraction capability prevents the plug from becoming stuck during deployment, eliminating the need for complex retrieval operations involving coil units and drilling equipment
3Reliability
If a plug is used to isolate the wet shoe for casing testing, then the testing objective can be achieved, but significant time and money are lost when the plug presets or becomes stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is pre-configured with a release mechanism that enables controlled deployment and release at the target depth. This preliminary preparation ensures the plug reaches the desired location without premature setting, allowing reliable casing testing while preventing the time losses associated with retrieving stuck plugs
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism acts as an intermediary that decouples the deployment process from the setting process. This allows the plug to be conveyed downhole and released at the target depth without premature setting, ensuring reliable casing testing while eliminating the project delays caused by stuck plugs
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
The tool effectively isolates the wet shoe for hydraulic fracturing and perforation without the risk of plug sticking, reducing downtime and costs associated with stuck plugs.
Implementation Method 1
the distal end is configured to complement the seat of the wet shoe sub so that the distal end is configured to form a seal with the seat when the distal end abuts against the seat of the wet shoe sub
Data Source
AI summary
A wireline conveyed casing test tool may include a body having a maximum diameter and a distal end, where the distal end comprises a graduated diameter that increases to the maximum diameter, wherein the maximum diameter is configured to be larger than a seat diameter of a seat of a wet shoe sub, wherein the maximum diameter is configured to be smaller than a cavity diameter of the wet shoe sub, and where the distal end is configured to complement the seat of the wet shoe sub so that the distal end is configured to form a seal with the seat when the distal end abuts against the seat of the wet shoe sub.