Bypass Flapper Plug Assembly for High-Pressure Seat Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the drilling and completion industry, plug systems used for blocking flow passages in borehole tubing often result in objects becoming stuck during high-pressure differential operations, such as fracing, which inhibits production flow.
Innovation Solution
A plug system comprising a housing, a movably disposed member with a seat receptive to an object, and a flapper connected to the member that allows fluid to bypass the object when seated, preventing the object from becoming stuck by isolating it from high pressures and enabling fluid flow in the opposite direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high differential pressure is applied across the object and seat during fracing operations, then the fracing operation can be performed effectively, but the object becomes stuck in the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flow path into two separate paths: a primary flow path through the object and seat, and a bypass flow path around the object. The bypass configuration includes a bypass seat and bypass flapper that create an alternative route for fluid when the object is seated, preventing the object from being forced into the seat by high differential pressure while still allowing the fracing operation to proceed
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass flapper acts as an intermediary element that opens to allow fluid to flow through the bypass path when the object is seated on the seat. This intermediary mechanism relieves the differential pressure that would otherwise cause the object to become stuck, while not interfering with the primary fracing operation
2Stability of the object's composition
If the object is allowed to become stuck in the seat during high pressure operations, then the object remains securely positioned, but production flow is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flapper is designed to be dynamic, automatically opening when the object is seated on the seat and allowing fluid to flow through the bypass path. This dynamic response ensures that the object remains stable in its seated position during fracing operations while simultaneously enabling production flow through the bypass configuration, eliminating the trade-off between stability and productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A plug system including a housing, a member movably disposed in the housing, a seat disposed at the member, the seat receptive to an object, and a flapper connected to the member and closable onto the member when the member is shifted by the object.