Crown Plug Securement via Radial Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crown plugs used in oil and gas production are difficult to set and can become stuck, requiring excessive force for removal, leading to delays and cost implications in downhole operations due to their complex moving parts and retrieval challenges.
Innovation Solution
A crown plug securement system featuring a clamping arrangement that activates between two configurations, allowing axial movement and then exerting radial force to securely grip the plug within a bore, utilizing a one-piece solid component with a metal-to-metal seal and external activation, eliminating the need for internal moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional crown plugs include latch or dog mechanisms with multiple moving parts, then the crown plug can be secured within the bore, but the crown plug becomes difficult to set and retrieve, requiring excessively large force and causing delays to downhole operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes all internal moving parts (latches, dogs, springs) from the crown plug design. The securing function is achieved purely through the interference fit between the crown plug outer diameter and bore inner diameter, eliminating the complexity of mechanical locking mechanisms while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the securing function from the crown plug body itself by using a dedicated bore configuration with specific geometric features (shoulders, tapered sections) that provide the locking action externally, allowing the crown plug to remain a simple, solid component without internal mechanisms.
2Reliability
If conventional crown plugs include multiple moving parts and complex mechanisms, then the crown plug can be secured within the bore, but the device complexity increases, leading to more components that may independently move and operate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts all moving parts from the crown plug assembly. The crown plug becomes a simple solid component, and the securing mechanism is provided entirely by the bore configuration and interference fit, reducing the system from multiple moving components to a static, reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the securing function into the bore structure itself rather than having separate moving components on the crown plug. The bore's geometric features (shoulders, tapers) provide the locking action, combining the support and securing functions into the stationary bore structure.
3Reliability
If conventional crown plugs become stuck in the bore, then pressure or slickline jarring methods are required to function the crown plug and help with retrieval, but this increases the loss of time and cost implications
Solution Approach 1:
By removing all internal moving parts that can fail or become jammed, the invention eliminates the root cause of stuck plugs. The simple interference fit design with no internal mechanisms means there are no components to seize, ensuring reliable retrieval at any time during the well lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention designs the bore-crown plug interface with geometric features (shoulders, tapered sections) that provide controlled engagement and disengagement characteristics from the outset, preventing the conditions that lead to stuck plugs before they can occur.
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 system enables reliable and efficient securing and retrieval of crown plugs, providing a consistent metal-to-metal seal and reducing the complexity of operations, thereby minimizing delays and costs associated with stuck plugs.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping arrangement exerts sufficient radial force on the outer member to distort the outer member inwardly to grip the crown plug
Data Source
AI summary
A crown plug for a tree of an oil/gas well/wellhead has a securement arrangement for securing the crown plug within the tree. The main body of the crown plug comprises a solid body creating the barrier within the production bore. The solid body creates a robust, strong and reliable barrier. The crown plug is retained within the outer member through inward distortion which secures the crown plug. The securement arrangement arises from an inward radial force that distorts the outer member inwardly to grip a component located within the outer member. The outer member elastically deforms and the outer member returns to a released position once the clamping force is released. Two concentric oppositely arranged tapered surfaces move axially to create the inwardly directed force. The clamping force and the solid body together provide an improved crown plug which is easy and reliable to operate.