Delayed Opening Ported Sub Using Disintegrating Plug

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure actuated sleeves require complex and costly timers or sensors to achieve a time delay for pressure testing, which adds unnecessary complexity and expense.

Innovation Solution

A first rupture disc is set at a lower pressure than the string test pressure to expose a disintegrating plug to well fluids, allowing a second rupture disc to be broken at a lower pressure, enabling a differential pressure to shift the sleeve and open ports without the need for perforation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If timers or sensors are used to operate a ported sleeve with time delay, then the sleeve can be opened at a delayed time, but the device complexity and expense increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime delay for sleeve actuationVSAvoidcomplexity of timers or sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a disintegrating plug made of biodegradable or water-soluble material that automatically breaks down over time to expose the pressure port. This disposable component provides the time delay function without requiring complex timers or sensors, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving time delay and avoiding device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic time delay system (timers or sensors) with a chemical/biological disintegration process. The plug's gradual breakdown through chemical or biological means provides the time delay, substituting a simple mechanical system for a complex one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a rupture disc is set at a higher pressure than string test pressure, then the sleeve is protected from setting pressures, but the sleeve cannot be opened at a lower pressure below test pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from setting pressuresVSAvoidpressure required to open sleeve

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pressure containment system into two separate rupture discs: a first rupture disc set at high pressure to protect the sleeve during testing, and a second rupture disc set at lower pressure to enable controlled opening. This segmentation allows each disc to serve a specific pressure function, resolving the contradiction between protection and controllability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disintegrating plug acts as an intermediary component that controls pressure transmission. When intact, it prevents pressure from reaching the second rupture disc; when disintegrated, it allows pressure to reach the second disc at the appropriate time, enabling the lower pressure opening sequence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stress or pressure

If the first rupture disc is set at lower pressure than string test pressure, then the disintegrating plug is exposed to well fluids, but the sleeve may open unintentionally without the delay mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure to expose plug to fluidsVSAvoidunintentional sleeve opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first rupture disc breaks at lower pressure to initiate the delay sequence by exposing the plug to well fluids. This preliminary action starts the disintegration process while the plug remains intact, preventing premature opening. The system is designed so that sleeve opening requires both the plug disintegration AND the second rupture disc failure, ensuring reliable controlled operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution allows for efficient and cost-effective operation of pressure actuated sleeves, enabling formation access for operations like fracturing and acidizing without the need for perforation, by using a disintegrating plug and a pressure-balanced chamber to move the sleeve at a lower pressure than the test pressure.

Implementation Method 1

A disintegrating plug is first exposed to well fluids during the pressure test of the string. After a time the plug disintegrates sufficiently to allow tubing pressure access to a second rupture disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDisintegration: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

The differential pressure on the piston then shifts the sleeve. The large differential pressure on the piston then shifts the sleeve.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9816350B2Delayed opening pressure actuated ported sub for subterranean use

Publication Date: 2017.11.14 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A ported sub is operated with a pressure actuated shifting sleeve. A first rupture disc is set at a lower pressure than the test pressure for the tubing string that houses the ported sub. The first rupture disc breaks at a lower pressure than the string test pressure to expose well fluids to a disintegrating plug. The plug slowly disintegrates to then expose tubing pressure to a chamber and a second rupture disc with the chamber configured to have no effect on moving the sliding sleeve. When the tubing pressure is then raised to a predetermined pressure below the test pressure for the string, the second disc breaks exposing a piston to tubing pressure on one side and trapped low pressure being the opposite side of the string. The differential moves the sleeve to open a port to let tools be pumped into position without a need to perforate.