Through Tubing Bridge Plug Anchor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional through tubing bridge plugs are limited to wells with small expansion ratios and cannot anchor effectively for cement curing, and they are not suitable for wells requiring large expansion ratios between the sealing and running configurations.
Innovation Solution
A through tubing bridge plug with an actuation rod, anchor assembly, compression assemblies, and packing assembly that expands radially to establish a gripping and sealing engagement with the casing, allowing for longitudinal movement to actuate the anchor and compress the packing assembly for sealing, and a method involving oscillatory movement of a downhole power unit to deploy the bridge plug.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional through tubing bridge plugs are used, then they can provide basic pressure isolation, but they are limited to wells with small expansion ratios and cannot anchor effectively for cement curing
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge plug is divided into separate functional components: an anchor assembly with slip arms for gripping the casing, compression assemblies with support arms and anti-extrusion assemblies for compressing packing elements, and packing elements for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to achieve both high expansion ratio capability and reliable anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge plug employs dynamic components including hingeable slip arms that can rotate from a longitudinal running configuration to a radial gripping configuration, and compression assemblies with rotatable support arms that transition from a compressed running state to an expanded sealing state. This dynamic behavior enables the bridge plug to adapt to large expansion ratios while maintaining reliable anchoring through the hinge mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bridge plug is designed for large expansion ratio, then it can be installed in wells requiring large expansion, but the anchoring capability for cement curing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor assembly is pre-configured with slip arms that can be rotated into a gripping position before the compression and sealing operations. This preliminary anchoring action ensures that the bridge plug is securely held in the casing before the packing elements are compressed and the cement is poured, guaranteeing sufficient anchoring duration for the cement curing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge plug utilizes composite structural elements combining rigid components (slip arms, support arms, anti-extrusion assemblies) with flexible elements (packing elements). This composite design allows the rigid components to provide stable anchoring and structural support while the flexible packing elements accommodate large expansion ratios and provide effective sealing.
3Reliability
If compression assemblies are added to compress packing elements, then sealing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: the support arms provide both structural support and the compression force, the anti-extrusion assemblies prevent packing element extrusion while allowing compression, and the hinge connections enable controlled radial expansion. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression assembly is designed to be self-actuating through the hinge mechanism and spring-loaded components that automatically compress the packing elements when the bridge plug is set in the gripping configuration. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external compression devices or complex control systems, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable sealing.
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
Enables effective pressure isolation and anchoring within the casing for cement curing in wells with large expansion ratios, providing a controlled and uniform deformation of packing elements for reliable sealing.
Implementation Method 1
providing a controlled and uniform deformation of packing elements for reliable sealing
Implementation Method 2
actuate the anchor assembly establishing the gripping engagement with the casing string
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor assembly (400) for anchoring a downhole tool in a wellbore tubular. The anchor assembly (400) includes a plurality of slip arm assemblies each having first and second arms (412, 414) hingeably coupled together. The first and second arms (412, 414) each have teeth (418, 426) on one end. A first sleeve (402) is rotatably associated with each of the first arms (412) and a second sleeve (404) is rotatably associated with each of the second arms (414) such that the anchor assembly (400) has a running configuration in which the slip arm assemblies are substantially longitudinally oriented and an operating configuration in which the first and second arms (412, 414) of each slip arm assembly form an acute angle relative to one another such that the teeth (418, 426) of the first and second arms (412, 414) define the radially outermost portion of the anchor assembly (100).