Downhole Bridge Plug Sealing Rings and Backup Rings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downhole bridge plugs face issues with inadequate reinforcement of slip assemblies, leading to potential slippage during pressure application, which reduces drilling efficiency and prolongs the time required to remove the plug from the well bore.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a pair of sealing rings and backup rings with gage rings to enhance grip strength, preventing rotation of the mandrel during drilling or milling, and includes a sealing element with a longitudinal ridge to secure the plug in place, ensuring a fluid-tight seal and efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional downhole bridge plugs are used without enhanced reinforcement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the grip strength of slip assemblies becomes inadequate leading to slippage during pressure application
Solution Approach 1:
The backup ring is divided into multiple segments that can be assembled around the mandrel shaft. Each segment includes reinforcement structures that collectively provide enhanced grip strength to prevent slippage during pressure application, while the segmented design allows for easier assembly and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup ring incorporates composite material construction combining different materials with complementary properties. The composite structure provides both the necessary grip strength to prevent slippage and the structural integrity required for withstanding downhole pressures, resolving the contradiction between strength enhancement and device complexity.
2Productivity
If conventional bridge plugs without anti-rotation features are used, then the device complexity is lower, but the mandrel rotates during drilling reducing drilling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Anti-rotation features are incorporated into the bridge plug design before drilling operations begin. These features, such as keyways or splines on the mandrel, prevent rotation during drilling by engaging with corresponding features in the wellbore or drill string, thereby maintaining drilling efficiency without requiring complex active control systems.
3Reliability
If conventional single sealing element design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but fluid sealing reliability is insufficient under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple sealing elements positioned at different locations along the mandrel shaft. This segmentation provides redundant sealing paths, ensuring that if one sealing element fails or is compromised, other sealing elements maintain the fluid seal, thereby enhancing reliability under high pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-element sealing design provides a cushioning effect against pressure fluctuations and potential sealing failures. By distributing the sealing function across multiple elements, the system compensates for pressure variations and prevents catastrophic sealing failure, maintaining reliability without requiring overly complex active sealing mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid-sealing downhole bridge plugs may include a pair of sealing rings which prevent flow of well fluid through the interface between a mandrel shaft of a mandrel and expansion elements of the downhole bridge plug. An illustrative embodiment of the fluid-sealing downhole bridge plugs includes a mandrel. At least one sealing element may be provided on the mandrel. A first backup ring may be provided on the mandrel on a first side of the at least one sealing element. A second backup ring may be provided on the mandrel on a second side of the at least one sealing element. A first gage ring may be provided on the mandrel in engaging relationship to the first backup ring. A second gage ring may be provided on the mandrel in engaging relationship to the second backup ring. A first ring space may be provided between the at least one sealing element and the first backup ring. A first seal ring may be provided in the first ring space. A second ring space may be provided between the at least one sealing element and the second backup ring. A second seal ring may be provided in the second ring space.