Degradable Polycrystalline Diamond Grip for Temporary Wellbore Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current equipment used in geologic environments for operations such as drilling, cementing, and fracturing lacks components that can effectively degrade to facilitate operations like unblocking passages or anchoring without causing long-term damage or interference.
Innovation Solution
Development of degradable materials and components, including metal matrix composites and elastomeric parts, that can withstand operational conditions and degrade at a controlled rate to allow for temporary anchoring or passage unblocking, utilizing degradable alloys and hard materials like tungsten carbide and polycrystalline diamonds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If degradable materials are used for temporary anchoring, then the component can facilitate operations and degrade to avoid long-term interference, but the component may lack the strength and durability needed for withstanding operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The grip component uses a composite structure combining a degradable material matrix (such as metal alloy or polymer) with embedded hard non-degradable particles (tungsten carbide, polycrystalline diamond). This composite structure allows the grip to maintain high strength and wear resistance during operation while the degradable matrix gradually dissolves over time, enabling temporary anchoring functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If degradable materials are used to unblock passages, then passages can be cleared after operations, but the materials must withstand high pressure and temperature conditions during fracturing and cementing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The degradable material is engineered to undergo parameter changes in response to environmental conditions. The material remains stable at high temperatures and pressures during fracturing and cementing operations, then undergoes controlled degradation when exposed to specific downhole fluids or chemical triggers, transforming from a stable anchoring state to a dissolving state that clears passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip component uses a composite structure combining a degradable material matrix (such as metal alloy or polymer) with embedded hard non-degradable particles (tungsten carbide, polycrystalline diamond). This composite structure allows the grip to maintain high strength and wear resistance during operation while the degradable matrix gradually dissolves over time, enabling temporary anchoring functionality.
3Reliability
If non-degradable materials are used for anchoring, then the component provides reliable and durable anchoring, but the component causes long-term interference and damage in geologic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is designed as a temporary, disposable component made primarily of degradable materials that perform its anchoring function reliably during the needed operation period, then degrade and dissolve to eliminate long-term interference. The component is engineered to be sufficiently durable for its intended service life but then self-destruct to avoid environmental damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The degradable material is engineered to undergo parameter changes in response to environmental conditions. The material remains stable at high temperatures and pressures during fracturing and cementing operations, then undergoes controlled degradation when exposed to specific downhole fluids or chemical triggers, transforming from a stable anchoring state to a dissolving state that clears passages.
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
Enables efficient and temporary anchoring in geologic environments, facilitating operations like fracturing and cementing while ensuring components degrade at a controlled rate to avoid long-term interference or damage, improving operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate at least partially formed from a material degradable upon exposure to a downhole fluid
Implementation Method 2
an elastomer member, wherein the elastomer member is swellable or inflatable
Data Source
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AI summary
A component can include a degradable portion that is degradable in an aqueous environment; and a non-degradable portion that is not degradable in the aqueous environment where the non-degradable portion can include polycrystalline diamond.