Dissolvable Plug for Stuck Tripping Ball Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tripping balls in the drilling and completion industry often become stuck in downhole seats, requiring costly and time-consuming removal methods, such as drilling, due to inadequate dislodging mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A plug with an outer surface configured to dissolve upon exposure to a target environment, reducing friction and allowing dislodgment from the seat through corrosion or dimensional changes, enabling efficient removal without damaging the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tripping ball is dropped to seat in a downhole ball seat and create a seal, then the seal is created for pressure containment, but the ball becomes stuck to the seat preventing removal by circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a dissolvable material for the tripping ball that changes its physical properties upon exposure to downhole conditions. The ball is made from a material that dissolves or degrades over time, transforming from a solid sealing element into a removable state, thereby enabling easy retrieval without drilling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the permanent sealing function from the ball itself by using a dissolvable material. The ball performs its sealing function temporarily and then automatically dissolves, extracting the need for mechanical removal operations and eliminating the stuck ball problem
2Ease of operation
If drilling methods are used to remove a stuck ball, then the ball can be removed from the wellbore, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The tripping ball is designed with self-service characteristics by incorporating a dissolvable material that automatically degrades upon exposure to downhole conditions. The ball removes itself from the seat through dissolution without requiring external intervention such as drilling operations, thereby eliminating time loss and reducing operational costs
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 plug's dissolvable design facilitates easy removal from the wellbore without the need for costly drilling, ensuring operational efficiency and minimizing wellbore interference.
Implementation Method 1
at least the outer surface of the plug is configured to dissolve upon exposure to a target environment
Data Source
AI summary
A method of unplugging a seat, including dissolving at least a surface of a plug seated against the seat, and unseating the plug from the seat.