Wireline Extension System for Horizontal Wellbore Tool Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for providing power and data communication to downhole tools in horizontal wellbores are costly, unreliable, and complex, often failing to efficiently operate and position tools due to increased friction, which existing adaptations like E-coil tubing and wireline well tractors cannot adequately address.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireline extension system using 'wet connects' with plug-in sockets for electrical power and signal transmission, allowing for reliable connection and repositioning of downhole tools within horizontal wellbores by extending the wireline with a secondary wireline and adjusting tubing lengths to maintain communication and power through a vertical leg, enabling tools to be moved along the horizontal leg without losing electronic communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing adaptations like E-coil tubing and wireline well tractors are used to operate downhole tools in horizontal wellbores, then the tools can be positioned in horizontal legs, but the system becomes very expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The wireline system is segmented into a primary wireline for vertical deployment and a secondary wireline extension for horizontal leg navigation. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to operate tools in horizontal wellbores
Solution Approach 2:
A secondary wireline acts as an intermediary between the primary wireline and the downhole tools in the horizontal leg. This intermediary wireline enables communication and power transmission to tools positioned in horizontal sections without requiring complex specialized equipment, thereby reducing system cost and deployment time
2Reliability
If downhole tools are lowered into horizontal wellbores using conventional wirelines, then power and communication can be provided, but the tools stop at the heel due to increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The wireline system is made dynamic by allowing the secondary wireline to be deployed and retrieved as needed. The wireline extension can be dynamically adjusted to push tools through the heel section and into the horizontal leg, overcoming friction forces that would otherwise prevent tool positioning while maintaining continuous power and communication transmission
3Ease of operation
If wireline extensions are used to push tools into horizontal legs, then tools can be positioned deeper, but maintaining electronic communication becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary wireline is nested within the primary wireline system, with the secondary wireline contained within the tubing string while the primary wireline extends through it. This nested configuration allows the secondary wireline to push tools into the horizontal leg while the primary wireline maintains continuous electrical connection to surface equipment, ensuring uninterrupted power and communication transmission throughout the operation
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 provides a more reliable, cost-effective, and simpler method for powering and communicating with downhole tools in horizontal wellbores, allowing for efficient operation and repositioning within the wellbore without losing electronic communication, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of horizontal well operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first (or lower) wet connect is provided for connecting the wireline to a downhole tool or package of downhole tools, and a second (or upper) wet connect is provided for connecting the wireline extension to a primary wireline
Data Source
AI summary
A wireline extension assembly includes a first tubing string housing a wireline extension electrically interconnecting wet connects at the upper and lower ends of the first string, with the lower wet connect being electrically connected to a downhole tool. The assembly is pushed into the horizontal leg of a deviated wellbore by forming a second tubing string extending upward from the upper end of the first string, thereby positioning the tool within the horizontal leg while leaving the upper wet connect disposed within the vertical leg. A primary wireline is then run from a surface wireline unit into the upper string and connected to the upper wet connect, thus providing electrical power, data communication, and/or other facilities to the tool. The tool can be repositioned within the horizontal leg by withdrawing the primary wireline, removing or upper string tubing sections, and then reinstalling the primary wireline.