Wireline Casing Test Tool for Wet Shoe Isolation Without Stuck Plugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for isolating a wet shoe sub in a wellbore are prone to issues such as plug presetting or sticking, leading to delays and increased costs due to the need for drilling out the preset plug, which disrupts the fracturing operation.
Innovation Solution
A wireline conveyed casing test tool is used to isolate the wet shoe sub by releasing a tool assembly that forms a seal with the seat of the wet shoe sub, allowing for pressure testing and perforation without the need for a traditional plug, thereby avoiding plug-related delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plug is pumped downhole from the surface to isolate the wet shoe, then the wet shoe can be isolated for casing testing, but the plug may preset or become stuck before reaching the desired depth, causing delays and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the isolation function from the traditional plug system by using a wireline-conveyed isolation tool that can be deployed independently without being pumped through the entire wellbore from surface. This eliminates the risk of plug presetting or sticking during conveyance while maintaining the isolation capability for casing testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireline-conveyed isolation tool acts as an intermediary device between the wireline and the wet shoe isolation point. It provides a reliable connection and isolation mechanism that can be precisely positioned and deployed without the hazards associated with pumped plugs, thereby improving reliability without time loss.
2Reliability
If a plug is used to isolate the wet shoe, then the casing can be pressure tested, but the plug setting process may become stuck requiring coil unit intervention to drill out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic plug setting mechanism from the isolation system and replaces it with a wireline-conveyed tool that sets isolation without the complex setting process that leads to stuck plugs. This extraction eliminates the need for coil units and drilling intervention, reducing device complexity while maintaining isolation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireline-conveyed isolation tool is designed as a disposable or single-use device that performs its isolation function and then can be retrieved or abandoned without requiring complex recovery operations. This eliminates the need for expensive coil units and drilling intervention equipment, reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If a traditional plug system is used for wet shoe isolation, then the casing test can be performed, but the process requires significant time and cost for plug retrieval or drilling out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the isolation function from the traditional plug system and implements it through a wireline-conveyed tool that can be precisely positioned and deployed without the time-consuming plug pumping, setting, and potential retrieval processes. This maintains isolation effectiveness while eliminating time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireline-conveyed isolation tool is deployed and positioned at the desired location before any isolation or testing operations begin. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for subsequent plug retrieval or drilling operations, reducing both time and cost while maintaining isolation effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for isolating a wet shoe sub in a horizontal section of a wellbore may include inserting a wireline tool assembly to the horizontal section of the wellbore, where the wireline tool assembly includes a wireline conveyed casing test tool. The method may also include releasing the wireline conveyed casing test tool from a remainder of the wireline tool assembly within the horizontal section of the wellbore. The method may further include perforating, using a gun string and after confirming that the wireline conveyed casing test tool is lodged against a seat of the wet shoe sub to create a seal with the seat of the wet shoe sub, a portion of the horizontal section of the wellbore upstream from the wet shoe sub after the wireline conveyed casing test tool is lodged against the seat of the wet shoe sub.