Expandable Bladder and Skirt System for Oil Well Blowout Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for plugging oil wells after a blowout, such as drilling relief wells, are complex, time-consuming, and often unsuccessful due to high pressure and subsurface conditions, with existing mud densities being insufficient to stem the flow effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hollow drill string with a connecting device, fastening rings, and impermeable balloons or skirts that expand to fill with oil and plug the well by sliding down the drill string, using a beveled stop and recess mechanism to secure the system and prevent further oil entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional relief well drilling methods are used to plug blowouts, then the well can be plugged, but the process is complex, time-consuming, and often unsuccessful due to high pressure and subsurface conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The plugging system is divided into multiple functional segments: a drill string with windows for oil production, a connecting device with fastening rings for secure attachment, and impermeable balloons or skirts for actual plugging. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving reliability while simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed and assembled in advance with all necessary components (drill string, connecting device, fastening rings, balloons/skirts) prepared before a blowout occurs. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly and reduces response time, addressing the time-consuming nature of traditional relief well drilling.
2Reliability
If traditional relief well drilling methods are used, then the well can be plugged, but the process takes a long time and is not reliable under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The plugging system is pre-assembled and ready for immediate deployment. The drill string, connecting device, fastening rings, and impermeable balloons or skirts are all prepared in advance, allowing rapid deployment upon blowout detection without the time-consuming process of traditional relief well drilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles by lowering the drill string into the well and utilizing fluid pressure differentials to expand the impermeable balloons or skirts against the well wall. This hydraulic expansion mechanism provides reliable plugging under high pressure conditions faster than mechanical drilling methods.
3Reliability
If existing mud densities are used to stem the flow, then the well can be plugged, but the mud density is insufficient to effectively stem the flow under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on mud density parameters, the system changes the approach by using expandable impermeable balloons or skirts that physically block the flow path. The expansion of these components is driven by internal pressure differentials, making the plugging effectiveness independent of mud density and capable of withstanding high well pressures.
4Productivity
If a simple plugging mechanism is used, then the process is faster and simpler, but the mechanism must effectively prevent further oil entry under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic expansion of impermeable balloons or skirts driven by internal pressure differentials to achieve rapid deployment and reliable sealing. The pressure differential between the well interior and the balloons/skirts causes them to expand automatically upon contact with the well wall, providing both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs composite construction combining the drill string structure with impermeable balloon or skirt materials that are both flexible enough to expand under pressure and rigid enough to maintain their sealing shape. This composite approach enables simple deployment while ensuring effective pressure containment.
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 system effectively plugs the oil well by expanding to cover the well opening, preventing further oil flow and allowing for potential oil production through opened windows in the drill string, offering a faster and more reliable solution than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
A balloon (502) may be lowered into a well (300) such that the balloon (502) is past a lower most point (304) of the well (300)... the balloon (502) may be opened to allow the balloon (502) to fill with oil (303)... the expanded balloon (502) is allowed to plug the well (300)
Implementation Method 2
The expanded skirt (114) is allowed to funnel oil (303) into the balloon (502) via a gap (240) between the inner ring (110i) and the drill string (102)
Data Source
AI summary
A system for plugging an oil well after a blowout comprises a hollow drill string. A connecting device is loosely situated around the string. The connecting device has an upper surface, a side surface and a lower surface having a recess. An inflatable bladder comprises an impermeable material. A skirt has a plurality of rods, each of which are pivotally connected to the lower surface. The first fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the bladder to transition from an unfilled state to a filled state. A second fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the skirt to transition from a closed position to an open position. A stop having a beveled edge is secured to the drill string. The recess is configured to allow the connecting device to mate with the stop beveled edge.