Degradable Seal Multi-Actuating Downhole Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole tool arrangements in hydraulic fracturing operations require a mechanism to actuate multiple times effectively, ensuring reliable opening and closing of fluid communication ports to manage fluid flow efficiently, while existing solutions face challenges in maintaining sealing integrity and durability under varying downhole conditions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-acting downhole tool arrangement featuring a tubular and a pressure-responsive sliding member with degradable seals that allow axial movement, enabling multiple actuations by exposing seals to specific conditions (fluid, thermal, or electrical) to degrade and control fluid communication, ensuring reliable port opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sliding member is used to open/close fluid communication ports in hydraulic fracturing operations, then the tool can control fluid flow effectively, but the sealing integrity deteriorates under varying downhole conditions after multiple actuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing degradable seals that change their physical properties in response to specific downhole conditions (temperature, pressure, chemical exposure). The seals transition from a sealed state to a degraded state, enabling multiple actuations. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the sealing integrity to be maintained initially and then deliberately changed to enable subsequent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using seals that can dynamically transition between sealed and degraded states based on downhole conditions. The sliding member can be actuated multiple times as the seals dynamically respond to environmental factors, allowing the tool to adapt to varying downhole conditions while maintaining reliability across multiple cycles.
2Productivity
If degradable seals are used to enable multiple actuations, then the tool can perform multiple operations, but the complexity of managing seal degradation conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing seals that automatically degrade in response to specific downhole conditions without requiring external control mechanisms. The seals self-regulate their degradation based on environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, or chemical exposure, thereby enabling multiple actuations while minimizing the complexity of managing seal degradation.
3Productivity
If the sliding member is actuated multiple times, then the tool can perform multiple fracturing operations, but maintaining sealing integrity becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using degradable seals that change their parameters in response to downhole conditions. The seals are designed to maintain integrity during initial operations and then deliberately degrade to enable subsequent actuations, allowing multiple fracturing operations while managing sealing integrity through controlled parameter changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using seals that can dynamically transition between sealed and degraded states. This dynamic behavior allows the tool to perform multiple fracturing operations while adapting the sealing characteristics to the specific operational phase, thereby maintaining reliability across multiple actuations.
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 solution enables multiple actuations of the downhole tool, maintaining sealing integrity and controlling fluid flow effectively, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of hydraulic fracturing operations by using degradable seals that adapt to downhole conditions.
Implementation Method 1
degradable seals that allow axial movement, enabling multiple actuations by exposing seals to specific conditions (fluid, thermal, or electrical) to degrade
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-acting downhole tool arrangement (100), (400), (500) includes a tubular (102) and an actuatable sliding member (104), (404), (504) radially disposed relative to the tubular (102) in a radial sealing relationship. The tubular (102) and the member (104), (404), (504) are arranged relative to one another in a non-slidable first configuration. The sliding member (104), (404), (504) and the tubular (102) cooperate to define a chamber 116 therebetween. At least a pair of seals (108), (110), (410), (446) delimits the chamber (116). A first one (110), (446) of the pair of seals is a degradable seal. Upon actuation of the sliding member (104), (404), (504), the sliding member (104), (404), (504) slides in a first direction relative to the tubular (102) to a second configuration where the degradable seal (110), (446) is exposed to a condition that degrades the degradable seal (110), (446). Degradation of the degradable seal (110), (446) opens a passage to the chamber (116) such that fluid enters the chamber (116) and urges the sliding member (104), (404), (504), in a second direction relative to the first direction, to a third configuration.