Degradable Friction Ring Anchors for Complete Plug Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fracturing plugs with anchoring slips made of hard materials like wickers and inserts fail to disintegrate completely, leading to imperfect removal and potential production inhibition after fracturing.
Innovation Solution
A modular plug design utilizing radial expansion and disintegrating friction rings that rely on friction forces to anchor during fracturing, made from controlled electrolytic materials or similar degradable substances, ensuring complete removal post-treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard materials like wickers and hardened inserts are used for anchoring slips, then sufficient grip to withstand high differential pressures is achieved, but the plugs fail to disintegrate completely and require removal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is divided into two distinct functional segments: anchoring components (friction rings) made of disintegrating material and structural components (seal, body) made of non-disintegrating material. This segmentation allows the anchoring function to be performed by temporary friction rings that can be completely removed, while the structural integrity is maintained by the permanent seal and body portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the anchoring components are changed from permanent hard materials to controlled electrolytic materials that disintegrate under specific downhole conditions. This parameter change allows the friction rings to provide necessary anchoring strength during treatment and then completely dissolve, eliminating the need for removal operations and preventing production inhibition.
2Reliability
If non-disintegrating hard materials are used for anchoring, then the plug can withstand fracking pressures, but incomplete removal inhibits subsequent production
Solution Approach 1:
The friction rings are designed as disposable anchoring elements made of controlled electrolytic materials that disintegrate after serving their anchoring purpose. These temporary anchoring components provide reliable pressure withstanding during the fracturing operation and then completely disappear, ensuring no obstruction to subsequent production without requiring active removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The material composition of anchoring rings is changed to controlled electrolytic materials with specific disintegration properties. This parameter change enables the rings to maintain structural integrity and provide reliable anchoring during high-pressure fracturing operations, then completely disintegrate under downhole conditions to eliminate any potential production inhibition.
3Ease of manufacture
If disintegrating materials are used for friction rings, then complete removal is achieved, but the ability to withstand high differential pressures during fracking is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The plug system is segmented into disintegrating friction rings for anchoring and non-disintegrating seal/body components for structural support. This segmentation allows the friction rings to be made of lighter disintegrating materials optimized for complete removal, while the overall plug strength is maintained by the permanent structural components that do not disintegrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug employs composite construction combining controlled electrolytic materials (disintegrating) for friction rings with non-disintegrating materials for the seal and body. This composite approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific function: the disintegrating rings provide anchoring and complete removal, while the non-disintegrating structural components provide the necessary strength to withstand high differential pressures during the entire operation.
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 plug design effectively withstands differential pressures during fracturing and subsequently disintegrates, facilitating smooth production by ensuring complete removal of fracturing barriers, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
controlled electrolytic materials or similar degradable substances
Implementation Method 2
anchoring rings rely on friction forces to resist differential pressures during fracking
Data Source
AI summary
A disintegrating plug features anchoring with friction rings that are expanded during the setting to contact the tubular. The design is modular and can integrate as many friction rings as needed to fixate the plug against the anticipated treating pressures from above when a ball is landed on the seat of the plug. The friction rings can be standalone or integrated with an adjacent ramp for the next friction ring. The friction rings are made from a disintegrating material along with other parts of the plug so that when the treating procedure is completed the plugs will substantially disappear to facilitate subsequent production. A fracking application is contemplated.