In-Situ Dissolvable Plug for Wellbore Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole plugs used in oil and gas fields are difficult to remove and can cause deformation or rupture of casing due to high pressure, leading to inefficiencies and field delays.
Innovation Solution
Development of an in-situ dissolvable plug made of a soft, moldable, and expandable material, such as a polymer composite, that can be easily formed and expanded to fit the wellbore shape and subsequently dissolved when no longer needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-retrievable plugs are used to seal the wellbore, then the sealing function is improved, but the removal process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The plug material undergoes a parameter change from solid to dissolved state through chemical reaction with formation water or injected fluids. The dissolvable plug is designed to maintain its structural integrity during operation but gradually dissolve over time, transforming from a permanent barrier to a temporary one that automatically removes itself, eliminating the need for mechanical drill-out operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical removal system (drill bits, drilling equipment) with a chemical dissolution system. Instead of mechanically breaking down and removing the plug through drilling operations, the plug dissolves chemically through contact with formation water or injected fluids, substituting a complex mechanical removal process with a simpler chemical dissolution process that eliminates equipment needs and reduces time
2Reliability
If high pressure is applied to set the plug, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the casing may deform or rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable plug employs a flexible, moldable material that can deform and conform to irregular wellbore shapes and deformed casing surfaces. This flexibility allows the plug to adapt to casing deformations rather than requiring perfect cylindrical geometry, maintaining sealing effectiveness even when casing is not perfectly straight or circular, thereby reducing the need for excessively high setting pressures that could cause damage
Solution Approach 2:
The plug material exhibits parameter changes in its mechanical properties, transitioning from a soft, moldable state during installation to a more rigid sealed state after setting. This parameter change allows the material to be easily inserted and conform to the wellbore shape under lower pressures, then maintain effective sealing without requiring sustained high pressures that could deform or rupture the casing
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple plug types are purchased for different completion activities, then the functional requirements are met, but inventory complexity and fiscal inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable plug is designed as a universal tool that can perform multiple functions across different completion and production activities. The same basic plug design can be used for bridge plugging, frac plugging, and temporary flow cessation, replacing the need for multiple specialized plug types. This multi-functionality simplifies inventory management while meeting diverse functional requirements through the plug's dissolvable characteristic and various setting mechanisms
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 in-situ dissolvable plug effectively seals the wellbore, can be quickly and reliably removed, and is designed to withstand high temperatures and pressures, addressing the challenges of plug removal and casing deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The cylindrical body is made of dissolvable material... which can be easily formed and expanded to fit the wellbore shape and subsequently dissolved when no longer needed
Data Source
AI summary
The patent application discloses a plug useable for isolating sections of a wellbore. The in-situ dissolvable plug comprises a cylindrical body having a backup piece at least at one end of the cylindrical body, a tube and a cylindrical body. The tube may extend through the cylindrical body and backup piece. The cylindrical body may be made of dissolvable material comprising an external surface, and an inner bore surface formed around the tube. The cylindrical body is soft, moldable, and expandable vertical to the tube to form an in-situ plug at downhole.