NEW DOWNHOLE ELECTROMECHANICAL SERVICE TOOL ADVANCEMENTS PROVIDE INCREASED INTEGRITY IN HP/HT ENVIRONMENTS

Hostile downhole environments have presented challenging conditions for electrical systems. The combined challenges of high temperatures, high pressures, corrosive fluids, high duty cycles, and complex operations critically stress individual component integrity, and thus, negatively affect the overall system reliability. The introduction of new battery-powered electro-mechanical downhole service tools has added cased-hole functionality to slickline intervention methods. These tools include an electro mechanical actuator that is capable of generating high but controllable axial forces at the point of application without relying on surface mechanical manipulations or explosive devices. Since the self-powered actuator has capability to operate independently of surface machinery, it enables reduction of the surface footprint for more efficient logistical management.

This paper will discuss a new actuator, its use to set/retrieve various pressure containment devices in the wellbore, how it eliminates most of the logistical special safety considerations inherent to explosive actuators, and how it can support operational integrity in high-pressure/high-temperature conditions. The paper will also describe the control logic, power management, and power delivery methods used to develop the functional electro-mechanical actuator. An environmental test program that represents real wellbore conditions was used to validate the reliability improvements, and this program will also be outlined. The results of the test program will be provided.

The commercial availability of certain high temperature components, especially custom hybrid devices, promotes quantum improvements in reliability. New tools incorporating the reliability enhancements are being introduced.

The innovative concepts in electro-mechanical service tools are compatible with conventional slickline intervention methods, and therefore, can provide a practical alternative for explosive setting tools and hydrostatic setting tools.