Bridge Plug Multiple Sealing Elements Spacer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bridge plugs with single sealing elements often fail to form effective seals in open-hole environments due to irregular or rough surfaces, leading to leakage and increased operational costs and time for remediation.
Innovation Solution
A bridge plug design featuring multiple sealing elements spaced apart by a spacer, allowing for multiple seals to be formed in a single run, reducing the risk of encountering irregular surfaces and increasing the sealed surface area to withstand differential pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sealing element is used in the bridge plug, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of zonal isolation deteriorates due to potential seal failure on irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge plug is divided into multiple sealing elements (first sealing element and second sealing element) spaced apart by a spacer, rather than using a single sealing element. This segmentation allows each sealing element to independently contact the wellbore surface at different locations, increasing the probability that at least one will form an effective seal even when surfaces are irregular or rough.
2Reliability
If multiple sealing elements are used to increase sealing reliability, then the reliability of zonal isolation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second sealing elements. The spacer maintains a defined distance between the sealing elements, ensuring they contact the wellbore surface at different locations while keeping the overall structure integrated and manageable. This intermediary element facilitates the multi-sealing function without requiring complex independent positioning mechanisms for each sealing element.
3Reliability
If the sealing element contacts irregular surfaces, then the sealing surface area is reduced, but using multiple sealing elements increases the total sealing surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The total sealing surface area is distributed across multiple sealing elements spaced at different locations along the bridge plug. Even if one sealing element encounters an irregular surface and achieves reduced contact area, the other sealing elements can compensate by forming seals at their respective locations, collectively providing sufficient total sealing surface area for reliable zonal isolation.
4Reliability
If a single sealing element fails to seal properly, then remediation operations are required, but multiple sealing elements reduce the need for remediation
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge plug is equipped with multiple sealing elements as a preventive measure before any seal failure can occur. This redundant sealing capability cushions against the possibility of one sealing element failing to seal properly due to irregular surfaces, debris, or gaps, thereby preventing the need for time-consuming remediation operations and reducing operational time loss.
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 multiple sealing elements provide redundancy and a larger sealing surface area, enhancing the reliability of zonal isolation and reducing the likelihood of seal failure, enabling successful cement plug formation even in challenging wellbore conditions.
Implementation Method 1
These sealing elements expand to contact an adjacent surface, resulting in a seal at the interface of the adjacent sealing surface
Data Source
AI summary
Included are bridge plugs and methods and systems for the use and deployment of the bridge plugs. An example bridge plug comprises a first sealing element, a second sealing element, and a spacer; wherein the spacer is disposed between the first sealing element and the second sealing element; wherein the first sealing element and the second sealing element are not adjacent to one another.