Borehole Object Seat with Reversible Pressure Unseating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the resource recovery industry, objects often become stuck in borehole seats due to high pressure differentials during fracturing operations, leading to flow path obstruction and difficulties in unseating them using fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
The object seat design includes a seat host with a seal bore and a seat body having an object receptor, where a seal and release features allow the seat body to be easily separated from the host using a pressure differential in the opposite direction, enabling fluid flow and preventing objects from becoming stuck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If high pressure differentials are applied against the object and seat to contain pressure, then pressure containment is improved, but the object becomes stuck in the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse pressure differentials to unseat the object. After the object becomes stuck during high-pressure containment operations, the system reverses the pressure differential direction to create a pressure gradient that pushes the object off the seat, thereby solving the sticking problem through inverse action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static high-pressure containment state to a dynamic state by applying reverse pressure differentials. This dynamic pressure reversal allows the seat to adapt between containing pressure during operations and releasing the object when needed, preventing permanent sticking.
2Ease of operation
If fluid flow is used to move the object off the seat, then object unseating is improved, but fluid flow is insufficient when the object is stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydraulic pressure differentials applied in reverse to generate sufficient force for unseating stuck objects. By reversing the pressure gradient in the fluid system, adequate force is created to overcome the sticking condition without requiring excessive fluid flow rates.
3Stress or pressure
If the object becomes stuck in the seat, then pressure containment is improved, but flow path through the borehole is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between pressure containment mode and flow restoration mode by reversing pressure differentials. When the object becomes stuck and blocks the flow path, the pressure differential is reversed to eject the object, thereby restoring productivity while maintaining the ability to contain pressure when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent temporarily accepts the stuck condition as a necessary state for pressure containment, then actively discards this state by applying reverse pressure differentials to eject the object and restore flow path, allowing the system to recover productivity after completing the containment operation.
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
This design effectively prevents objects from becoming stuck by allowing easy separation of the seat body from the host using a pressure differential, reestablishing fluid flow and ensuring operational continuity during fracturing and other borehole operations.
Implementation Method 1
moving the seat body along an interface between the seat body and the seat host to create a fluid flow pathway through the seat body and seat host interface
Data Source
AI summary
An object seat including a seat host having a seal bore therein, a seat body dimensioned to be receivable in the seal bore, the seat body having an object receptor. A method for carrying out a pressure operation in a borehole including seating an object on an object receptor of a seat body, the seat body disposed in a seat host, the seat host disposed in the borehole, pressuring against the object, and moving the seat body along an interface between the seat body and the seat host to create a fluid flow pathway through the seat body and seat host interface. A borehole system including a borehole in a formation, an object seat as in any prior embodiment disposed in the borehole.