Pressure-Responsive Cementing Plug for Refracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The refracking process of older wells is time-consuming and expensive due to the inefficiencies in delivering cement to the original fracturing devices, which often results in uneven cement distribution and reduced well productivity.
Innovation Solution
A cementing plug with a wiper portion and an engagement section featuring a collet or similar mechanism that releases at a selected pressure threshold, allowing for precise cement placement around fracturing devices, ensuring a full annular cement sleeve is formed without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional cementing methods are used in refracking operations, then cement can be delivered to fracturing devices, but the process is time-consuming and results in uneven cement distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The cementing plug is divided into distinct functional segments: a wiper portion for cleaning and an engagement section with release features for precise positioning. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, enabling both fast deployment and uniform cement distribution around fracturing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The cementing plug incorporates automatic pressure-responsive release features that self-regulate cement placement. As cement pressure builds, the release features automatically open at predetermined pressure thresholds, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent, uniform cement distribution without requiring operator timing or judgment.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual cement placement methods are used, then cement can be delivered to fracturing devices, but operational costs increase and consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cementing plug is designed with automatic pressure-responsive release features that self-regulate cement placement without manual intervention. The device automatically positions itself, controls cement flow timing, and ensures proper distribution based on predetermined pressure thresholds, dramatically simplifying the operation while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The release features are engineered to respond to specific pressure parameter thresholds. As cement pressure increases during the operation, the release features automatically activate at predetermined pressure levels, transforming the cementing process from a manual timing operation to an automatic parameter-driven process that is both simpler and faster.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional plug designs are used, then cementing can be performed, but precise cement placement around each fracturing device is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is segmented into a wiper portion and an engagement section with distinct functions. The engagement section contains multiple independent release features that can activate at different pressure thresholds, allowing precise control over cement placement at different locations around fracturing devices without requiring an overly complex overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The release features are designed to be dynamically responsive to pressure changes. They remain closed during normal operation to maintain positioning precision, then automatically open when predetermined pressure thresholds are reached, enabling precise cement placement without requiring complex mechanical control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A cementing plug including a wiper portion, an engagement section attached to the wiper portion, the engagement section including an engagement feature configured to release at a selected threshold pressure related to cement forming an annular structure about a fracturing device.