What is the bending performance of stainless steel continuous oil pipe in horizontal wells and high-angle wells?

In horizontal wells and high-angle wells, the bending performance of stainless steel continuous oil pipes is crucial. Below is a detailed analysis of its bending performance:

1. Overview of Bending Performance
Stainless steel continuous oil pipes, due to their material properties such as high strength and good toughness, generally have excellent bending performance. This allows them to adapt to complex well conditions in horizontal and high-angle wells, such as curved wellbore trajectories and changing geological conditions.

2. Bending Radius Limitations
Minimum Bending Radius: Stainless steel continuous oil pipes must meet certain minimum bending radius requirements during the bending process. This radius depends on factors such as the pipe material, wall thickness, and diameter. If the bending radius is too small, it may cause plastic deformation or failure of the pipe.

Design Guidelines: To ensure that the oil pipe does not sustain damage during the bending process, corresponding design guidelines are typically developed based on the pipe material and specifications. These guidelines include parameters such as the maximum bending angle and maximum bending stress, to ensure the safety and reliability of the pipe during bending.

3. Analysis of Bending Deformation
Elastic and Plastic Deformation: During the bending process, stainless steel continuous oil pipes may experience elastic or plastic deformation. Elastic deformation refers to the pipe returning to its original shape after bending, while plastic deformation refers to permanent shape changes after bending.

Influencing Factors: The bending deformation of the oil pipe is influenced by various factors, such as the bending radius, bending angle, pipe material, wall thickness, and diameter. Additionally, downhole temperature, pressure, and fluid properties may also impact the bending deformation of the oil pipe.

4. Measures to Improve Bending Performance
Optimize Pipe Design: By optimizing the design parameters of the oil pipe, such as increasing wall thickness, changing materials, or adopting special processing techniques, the bending performance of the oil pipe can be enhanced.

Use of Specialized Tools: In horizontal and high-angle wells, using specialized downhole tools and equipment can help the pipe better adapt to the wellbore trajectory, reducing friction and resistance during the bending process.

Control the Entry Speed: During pipe insertion, controlling the speed can reduce friction and collision between the pipe and the wellbore wall, thereby reducing the risk of bending deformation of the oil pipe.

5. Challenges and Solutions in Practical Applications
Challenges: In horizontal and high-angle wells, oil pipes may encounter more complex well conditions and geological factors, such as stratigraphic changes, faults, and fractures. These factors can lead to damage or failure of the pipe during the bending process.

Solutions: To address these challenges, various measures can be taken, such as strengthening the quality control of the oil pipe, improving the precision and reliability of the downhole insertion technology, and enhancing monitoring and management of the wellbore trajectory.