Degradable Pipe Plug with Controlled Internal Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing degradable plug devices for oil or gas wells face issues such as uncontrolled corrosion, slow dissolution, and the risk of downstream blockages, as well as limited control over dissolution initiation, leading to increased costs and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A degradable plug device with an outer plug body and inner plug, both made of degradable materials, featuring a chamber with ports for controlled fluid ingress to initiate corrosion or dissolution, and a shear device for controlled release, ensuring quick and controlled dissolution and minimizing downstream blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnesium ball is used to block the well, then the blocking function is achieved, but the corrosion is not readily controllable and may start as soon as it enters the well
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is pre-coated with a protective layer before deployment that prevents corrosion until the coating is removed or degraded. This preliminary protective action ensures the plug remains intact during deployment and positioning, then becomes可控ly degradable when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective coating acts as an intermediary between the degradable plug material and the well environment. This coating mediates the interaction by preventing direct contact between the corrosive environment and the plug material until the coating is removed, enabling controlled degradation timing.
2Reliability
If a downhole dissolvable plug is provided, then the blocking function is achieved, but the dissolving may not be sufficiently quick when required and is dependent on temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The plug design incorporates parameters that can be changed to control dissolution speed, including degradable material composition, protective layer thickness and composition, and structural geometry. These parameters are optimized to achieve rapid controlled dissolution independent of temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is segmented into an inner core and outer protective layer, allowing the degradation process to be controlled sequentially. The protective layer degrades first to expose the inner core, enabling rapid dissolution of the bulk material once initiation occurs.
3Reliability
If a plug is used to block the pipework, then the blocking function is achieved, but the plug may provide a blocking obstacle if it flows downstream between dissolution initiation and completion
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the blocking function from the entire plug structure by using an inner plug within an outer plug body. When dissolution is initiated, the inner plug degrades and is removed, allowing fluid flow to continue while the outer plug body remains in place to maintain the blocking function until fully degraded.
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid controlled degradation mechanism allows the plug to quickly transition from blocked to dissolved state, rushing through the dissolution process before the plug can flow downstream and cause additional blockages.
4Ease of operation
If known systems are used for initiating dissolution, then the dissolution can be initiated, but limited means are provided for initiating dissolution and more options are required
Solution Approach 1:
The plug design incorporates multiple initiation mechanisms that can be universally applied: mechanical degradation through ball impact, chemical degradation through acid exposure, and thermal degradation through heat exposure. This multi-functionality provides versatile options for dissolution initiation depending on well conditions and operational requirements.
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 device allows for rapid and controlled dissolution of the plug, reducing operational risks and costs by enabling precise control over the initiation and completion of the dissolution process, ensuring efficient fluid flow and minimizing unwanted blockages.
Implementation Method 1
initiate corrosion or dissolution of the inner plug from inside the chamber
Implementation Method 2
initiate corrosion or dissolution of the inner plug from inside the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A degradable plug device for a pipe has an outer plug body and an inner plug for preventing fluid flow through the pipe until the inner plug has been removed from the outer plug body. The outer plug body and the inner plug are of a degradable material. The inner plug has a chamber with at least one port to the exterior of the inner plug. The exposed surfaces of the degradable plug have a protective layer thereon. The inner plug is disposable in at least a first position, in which the inner plug prevents the fluid flow through the pipe. The inner plug is adapted to undergo, in use, a degradation initiation operation such that fluid is able to enter the chamber via the at least one port to initiate corrosion or dissolution of the inner plug from inside the chamber.