Wireline Hole Finder Orientation for Low-Friction Deviated Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireline logging tools face challenges in deviated wells due to increased friction, sticking issues, and difficulties in navigating through drilling cuttings, leading to delays and increased costs, with existing solutions being complex, heavy, and requiring active operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
A sensor transportation apparatus with wheels that rotate perpendicular to the tool string and a protection structure to prevent side contact with the wellbore, along with a guide device that includes a nose section offset from the longitudinal axis to elevate above the low side of the wellbore, providing stable orientation and reduced friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If wireline logging tools are lowered by gravity alone in deviated wells, then the descent speed is increased, but the tool-string encounters increased friction and gets stuck on wellbore walls and ledges
Solution Approach 1:
A hole finder device acts as an intermediary between the tool-string and the wellbore wall. The device includes a guide section with a leading edge that contacts the wellbore wall, and a roller section with rollers that reduce friction. This intermediary mechanism enables controlled descent by mediating the interaction between gravity-driven motion and wellbore wall contact, preventing sticking while maintaining speed.
2Productivity
If the logging tool is lowered quickly to minimize operational costs, then productivity is improved, but the risk of the tool getting stuck on ledges and obstructions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hole finder device performs preliminary action by preparing the path for the tool-string before it arrives. The guide section with its leading edge creates a guided pathway, and the rollers are positioned to engage with the wellbore wall in advance, creating a low-friction path that allows quick descent without sticking. This preliminary preparation enables high-speed operation while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If existing hole finding devices are used to prevent sticking, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hole finder device is segmented into distinct functional sections: a guide section with a leading edge for contact guidance, and a roller section with multiple rollers for friction reduction. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and lightweight, avoiding the complexity of more comprehensive active control systems.
4Ease of operation
If active operator intervention is used to manage tool-string descent, then control is improved, but the operational time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hole finder device enables self-service operation by automatically controlling the descent of the tool-string through its mechanical design. The guide section and rollers work passively to guide and support the tool-string during descent, eliminating the need for active operator intervention. The device serves itself by using the gravitational force and wellbore geometry to maintain controlled descent without requiring continuous monitoring or adjustment by operators.
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 apparatus enables efficient and controlled descent of wireline logging tools in deviated wells by reducing friction and avoiding obstacles, while maintaining tool orientation and minimizing the risk of sticking, thus reducing operational delays and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The wheels are arranged to rotate about an axis of rotation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate sensor assembly
Implementation Method 2
at least one protection structure which extends longitudinally around the wheel, to thereby prevent a side of the wheel from contacting a wall of the wellbore
Implementation Method 3
a guide device that includes a nose section offset from the longitudinal axis to elevate above the low side of the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a carriage apparatus for carrying a tool string down a wellbore in a wireline logging, and an orientation apparatus and hole finder device for a wireline logging tool string. In some embodiments the carriage includes a protection structure which extends longitudinally around a wheel of the apparatus to thereby prevent a side of the wheel from contacting a wall of the wellbore. In some embodiments an orientation apparatus and hole finder are arranged so that the orientation apparatus orientates the hole finder device in the wellbore so that a tip of a nose section of the hole finder is elevated above a low side of the wellbore by a height and offset from and above a longitudinal axis of the tool string.