Deformable Sleeve Wellbore Plug Sealing Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole tools for wellbore isolation, such as frac plugs and packers, require complex internal setting mechanisms and larger sizes to effectively seal wellbore sections, which complicates the sealing process and tool deployment.
Innovation Solution
A sealing assembly with a deformable sleeve that seats a ball, allowing the sleeve walls to deform and contact the wellbore casing, thereby blocking fluid communication through and around the tool, simplifying the sealing process and reducing tool size by eliminating the need for internal setting mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex internal setting mechanisms are used in downhole tools, then reliable wellbore isolation can be achieved, but device complexity and tool size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex internal setting mechanism from the downhole tool by using an externally actuated setting tool that engages with the plug body through external features (such as radial arms or grooves). This extraction of the setting mechanism eliminates internal complexity while maintaining reliable wellbore isolation through the externally controlled setting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary setting tool that acts as a mediator between the surface operation and the downhole plug. This setting tool transfers the setting force and control from the surface to the plug without requiring complex internal mechanisms within the plug itself, thereby simplifying the plug design while ensuring reliable isolation.
2Reliability
If larger tool sizes are used for wellbore sealing, then effective sealing can be achieved, but ease of deployment and access to tight wellbores deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable sealing element that dynamically changes its configuration during deployment. The sealing element is flexible and can be compressed or expanded to adapt to the wellbore diameter, allowing the tool to maintain effective sealing in smaller wellbores without requiring a larger overall tool size. This dynamic adaptability enables deployment in tight wellbores while ensuring reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a flexible sealing element (such as an elastomeric or polymer-based seal) that can deform to conform to the wellbore casing. This flexible sealing mechanism achieves effective sealing in smaller diameters without increasing tool size, thereby improving ease of deployment and access to tight wellbores while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Device complexity
If simple sealing mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing reliability and fluid isolation capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sealing element by utilizing materials with specific elastomeric or polymeric properties that allow the simple sealing mechanism to achieve high reliability. By selecting materials with appropriate durometer, elasticity, and chemical resistance, the simplified sealing design maintains effective fluid isolation without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the sealing element, combining elastomeric or polymeric materials with reinforcing features or multi-layer structures. This composite approach enables the simple sealing mechanism to achieve high reliability and fluid isolation capability through material properties rather than mechanical complexity.
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 deformable sleeve sealing assembly effectively isolates wellbore sections, simplifying the sealing process and allowing for smaller tool sizes, while maintaining reliable fluid isolation by using elastically or plastically deformable materials that maintain the seal even after the ball is unseated.
Implementation Method 1
having deformable walls. When being seated into the sleeve, the ball can deform the walls such that the walls are forced into contact with the inner surface or casing of the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
using elastically or plastically deformable materials that maintain the seal even after the ball is unseated
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore sealing assembly including a downhole device with a sealing sleeve coupled to the uphole end. The downhole device has an internal channel allowing fluid communication through the device that is substantially blocked when a ball is seated in the sleeve. The walls of the sleeve are elastically or plastically deformable, and are shaped to be deformed when the ball is seated. When deformed, the walls are in contact with the wellbore surface substantially blocking fluid communication around the device. Elastically deformable walls of the sleeve may further include a plastically deformable layer on its inner surface that, once deformed by the seating of the ball, keep the elastically deformed walls in contact with the wellbore surface when the ball is not seated.