Composite Plugging Agent for Deep Well Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bridge plugging materials exhibit unstable performance and low bearing capacity when used in deep or extra-deep well applications, leading to increased difficulty and cost in handling serious leakage loss during drilling.
Innovation Solution
A plugging agent comprising water, bridging granules, packing granules, and a cementing material with specific weight ratios and granule sizes, mixed with bio-gum and fiber materials to form stable three-dimensional mesh structures for effective plugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional bridge plugging materials are used in deep or extra-deep well applications, then the plugging process can be implemented, but the formation bearing capacity remains low and performance is unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple types of plugging materials (granular materials like quartz sand and barite, flaky materials like mica and vermiculite, fibrous materials like cellulose fiber, and powder materials like bentonite) into a unified plugging slurry system. This composite approach creates synergistic effects where each material type contributes specific properties: granular materials provide bridging and packing, flaky materials enhance packing density, fibrous materials provide structural framework and bracing, and powder materials improve slurry rheology and filtration control. The composite formulation significantly improves both formation bearing capacity and plugging performance stability in deep well applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing multiple slurry composition parameters including the weight ratios of different material components (granular: 30-70%, flaky: 10-30%, fibrous: 5-20%, powder: 5-20%), particle size distributions (coarse: 4-10 mesh, medium: 10-20 mesh, fine: >20 mesh), and slurry physical properties (viscosity, density, filtrate loss). These parameter optimizations enable the plugging slurry to achieve optimal bearing capacity and performance stability under the specific conditions of deep and extra-deep well drilling operations.
2Productivity
If high pressure is used to press plugging slurry to leakage loss positions, then the plugging effect is enhanced, but the difficulty and cost of handling serious leakage loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-formulating the plugging slurry with optimized composite materials and proportions before injection. The slurry is prepared in advance with the correct mix of granular, flaky, fibrous, and powder materials, ensuring that when the slurry reaches the leakage loss positions under pressure, it immediately forms an effective plugging structure without requiring additional adjustments or interventions during the plugging process. This preliminary preparation significantly enhances plugging efficiency while reducing handling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the slurry's rheological parameters (viscosity, yield stress, filtrate loss characteristics) and physical parameters (density, particle size distribution) to enable the slurry to be effectively pumped under pressure to deep well locations and to self-settle and plug efficiently upon reaching the target zone. These parameter optimizations allow high-pressure injection to be performed effectively while maintaining manageable handling characteristics.
3Strength
If multiple types of plugging materials are combined into plugging slurry, then the plugging effect is improved, but the formulation and preparation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by categorizing plugging materials into four distinct functional groups (granular, flaky, fibrous, and powder materials) with clearly defined composition ranges for each group. This segmentation allows formulators to systematically select and combine materials based on their specific functions: granular materials for bridging and packing, flaky materials for enhanced packing density, fibrous materials for structural framework, and powder materials for rheology control. The segmented classification system simplifies the formulation process despite using multiple material types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional plugging slurry system where each material component serves multiple purposes. For example, granular materials provide both bridging at pore throats and packing in pore spaces; flaky materials contribute to both structural framework and filtration control; fibrous materials provide both bracing and linking functions; and powder materials influence both slurry rheology and filtration characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized materials and simplifies the overall formulation approach.
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 plugging agent improves formation bearing capacity, provides efficient and quick plugging performance, and is suitable for shielded temporary plugging against serious leakage loss in wells exceeding 3,000 meters depth, where conventional agents fail.
Implementation Method 1
the bridge plugging materials utilize their volume to form bridges at the throats in fractures (pores)
Implementation Method 2
the granules in different sizes pack up the remaining spaces
Implementation Method 3
the fibrous and flaky plugging materials attain a bracing and linking effect, and thereby brace and link up the packing layer firmly
Implementation Method 4
some of the bridge plugging materials have certain water swelling capability; when those materials are pressed into the formation fractures and form a bridge bedding layer, they are soaked in the liquid in the formation and thereby swell
Implementation Method 5
the drilling fluid may have high filtrate loss easily and form thick filter cakes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of reagents for oil and gas wells, and discloses a plugging agent for improving bearing capacity and a preparation method of the plugging agent, wherein, the plugging agent contains water, bridging granules, packing granules, and a cementing material, and, based on 100 parts by weight of water, the content of the bridging granules is 3-15 parts by weight, the content of the packing granules is 5-23 parts by weight, and the content of the cementing material is 4-11 parts by weight. The plugging agent in the present invention can improve the bearing capacity of the formation during well plugging, is applicable to shielded temporary plugging against serious leakage loss during extra-deep well drilling, has efficient and quick plugging performance, and is especially applicable to plugging against serious leakage loss in a formation where the well depth is greater than 3,000 m and conventional plugging agents can't attain a satisfactory plugging effect.