Degradable Plug for Automatic Wellbore Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole tools face challenges in temporarily blocking fluid flow in wellbore systems without the need for manual intervention, which is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A degradable plug made of reactive materials is used, which can be positioned within the downhole assembly to form a fluid and pressure tight seal, and triggered to degrade chemically, allowing for automatic removal and reblocking of fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual removal method is used for blocking fluid flow, then the blocking can be reliably established, but the operational cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a degradable plug made from biodegradable materials that automatically decomposes after serving its temporary blocking function. This disposable approach eliminates the need for manual retrieval operations, significantly reducing operational time and costs while maintaining reliable fluid flow blocking during the required period.
Solution Approach 2:
The degradable plug autonomously performs its own removal function through natural degradation processes triggered by exposure to wellbore conditions such as water, chemicals, or biological environments. This self-service mechanism eliminates dependency on manual intervention for plug removal, addressing both reliability and time efficiency requirements.
2Productivity
If a degradable plug is used to block fluid flow, then manual intervention is eliminated reducing cost and time, but the plug must reliably degrade at the appropriate time
Solution Approach 1:
The degradable plug incorporates materials with specific degradation parameters that can be tailored to degrade under predetermined conditions such as exposure to water, specific chemicals, temperature ranges, or pH levels. By controlling these parameters, the plug reliably degrades at the appropriate time after deployment, ensuring both productivity improvement and degradation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is constructed from composite materials combining biodegradable polymers, natural fibers, or reactive metals with controlled degradation rates. These composite materials provide both the structural integrity needed for reliable fluid blocking and the controlled degradation properties needed for automatic removal at the appropriate time.
3Extent of automation
If reactive materials are used for the degradable plug, then automatic degradation is enabled, but the material selection becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes commercially available biodegradable materials such as starch-based polymers, cellulose, natural fibers, and reactive metals that are well-understood and readily obtainable. These materials enable automatic degradation through exposure to common wellbore conditions, achieving high automation while keeping material selection and processing relatively simple and cost-effective.
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 degradable plug effectively and automatically controls fluid flow, reducing operational costs and time by eliminating the need for manual removal and replacement, ensuring efficient wellbore operations.
Implementation Method 1
triggered to degrade chemically
Implementation Method 2
degrade chemically, allowing for automatic removal
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole assembly is disclosed. The downhole assembly includes a tube disposed in a wellbore, and a shroud coupled to and disposed around the circumference of the tube to form an annulus between an inner surface of the shroud and an outer surface of the tube. The downhole assembly further includes a flow control device disposed in the annulus, and a degradable plug disposed in the annulus and positioned to prevent fluid flow between the annulus and the tube.