Through Tubing Bridge Plug Compression Assembly for Large Expansion Ratios
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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 struggle to isolate pressure between zones in wells requiring larger expansion ratios.
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 cement curing and pressure isolation in wells with larger expansion ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional through tubing bridge plugs are used, then they can provide pressure isolation and anchoring, but they are limited to small expansion ratios and cannot effectively anchor for cement curing
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge plug is divided into distinct functional segments: an anchor assembly with multiple arms that can independently engage the casing, a packing assembly with sealing elements, and an actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve both large expansion ratios and reliable anchoring for cement curing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor assembly employs movable arms that can transition between a retracted position during insertion and an extended position for anchoring. The packing elements are designed to expand radially from a compressed running state to an expanded sealing state. This dynamic capability enables the bridge plug to accommodate large expansion ratios while maintaining effective anchoring throughout the cement curing process
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bridge plug is designed for large expansion ratios, then it can be used in wells requiring larger expansion, but anchoring effectiveness for cement curing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor arms are designed to engage the casing wall before the packing elements fully expand. This preliminary anchoring action secures the bridge plug in position prior to the expansion process, ensuring that the plug remains stationary throughout the cement curing duration even when designed for large expansion ratios
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge plug utilizes composite construction with different materials optimized for specific functions: hard wear-resistant materials for anchor arm contact surfaces, flexible elastomeric materials for packing elements that can expand significantly, and strong structural materials for the body. This composite approach enables large expansion ratios while maintaining anchoring effectiveness for extended cement curing periods
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 cement curing in wells with larger expansion ratios, providing a reliable sealing and gripping mechanism for through tubing bridge plugs.
Implementation Method 1
a compression assembly having a plurality link arm assemblies, each including a short arm pivotably mounted to a long arm
Implementation Method 2
The anti extrusion assembly includes a base member and a plurality of petals rotatably mounted to pins of the base member
Implementation Method 3
The anti extrusion assembly has a running configuration in which the petals are substantially perpendicular to the base member and nested relative to one another and an operating configuration in which the petals are rotated
Implementation Method 4
The packing assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally compressible packing elements
Implementation Method 5
radially expanding a packing assembly disposed about the actuation rod and between the compression assemblies by longitudinally compressing the packing assembly with the compression assemblies to establish the sealing engagement with the casing string
Data Source
AI summary
A compression assembly (500) for actuating packing elements of a through tubing bridge plug in a casing string of a wellbore. The compression assembly (500) includes a support assembly (502) and an anti extrusion assembly (504). The support assembly (502) has a running configuration in which link arm assemblies are substantially longitudinally oriented and an operating configuration in which short arms (514) are pivoted relative to long arms (520) of link arm assemblies such that the short arms (514) form a support platform. The anti extrusion assembly (504) is operably associated with the support assembly (502). The anti extrusion assembly (504) has a running configuration in which petals (536) are substantially perpendicular to a base member (534) and nested relative to one another and an operating configuration in which the petals (536) are radially outwardly disposed substantially filling gaps between the short arms (514).