Capillary-Actuated Packer for Well Section Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating sections of a subterranean well are inadequate, particularly when wellhead maintenance, replacement, or pressure testing is required, as they lack efficient means to prevent fluid communication between well sections.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bottom hole assembly with a packer settable by pressure in a capillary tube, allowing for the isolation of well sections using a dual pack-off assembly that deploys a wireline and capillary tube, enabling the packer to be inflated or pressure-actuated for effective section isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a packer is set in the wellbore to prevent fluid communication, then isolation of well sections is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wellbore into isolated sections using a packer that segments the continuous fluid path. The packer creates distinct upper and lower sections, allowing independent operation and maintenance of each section while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The packer acts as an intermediary device between the upper and lower wellbore sections. It provides the necessary isolation function while being deployable through the wellbore via wireline, serving as a temporary mediator that can be installed and removed without permanent modification to the well structure.
2Device complexity
If conventional isolation methods are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but fluid communication prevention is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The packer utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic pressure applied through the capillary tube to inflate or actuate the isolation element. This pressure-based mechanism provides reliable sealing and isolation capability while maintaining a relatively simple deployment system that can be operated through fluid pressure control from the surface.
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
This solution effectively isolates upper and lower well sections, facilitating wellhead maintenance, replacement, and pressure testing by preventing fluid communication, while allowing for safe retrieval and deflation of the packer.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary tube (18) connected to the bottom hole assembly (12)
Implementation Method 2
increasing pressure in the capillary tube (18), thereby setting a packer (40) of the bottom hole assembly (12) in the wellbore (14)
Data Source
AI summary
A system can include a bottom hole assembly, a wireline and a capillary tube connected to the bottom hole assembly, and a dual pack-off assembly that seals about the wireline and the capillary tube. A method can include connecting a bottom hole assembly to a wireline and a capillary tube, deploying the bottom hole assembly into a wellbore, and increasing pressure in the capillary tube, thereby setting a packer of the bottom hole assembly. A dual pack-off assembly can include a lubricator connector, pack-offs configured to seal about a capillary tube and a wireline, and pipes connected between the respective pack-offs and the lubricator connector.