Dissolvable Polymer Well Isolation Barrier Debris Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary well isolation devices often leave debris after removal, complicating well completion and increasing costs, especially in horizontal wells where barriers may not fall to the bottom, requiring additional components for debris capture.
Innovation Solution
A temporary well isolation device with a self-contained cavity containing a chemical material that, when exposed to a fluid, causes the device's body to corrode, dissolve, or degrade, allowing for complete removal without leaving debris, using mechanisms like pressure pulses, temperature changes, or chemical exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If frangible or degrading material barriers are used to allow removal without tooling, then the barrier can be removed from the production string, but debris is still left behind that restricts the casing inner diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier body material is changed from conventional frangible materials to a dissolvable polymer material that completely dissolves in formation fluids, changing the physical-chemical parameters of the material to eliminate debris formation while maintaining ease of removal
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier is designed as a temporary disposable component made of dissolvable polymer material that serves its isolation function and then completely dissolves away, eliminating the need for debris capture components and subsequent removal operations
2Ease of operation
If degrading material barriers are used to break down over time, then the barrier removes itself, but additional specialized components are needed to catch the debris
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier material is changed to a dissolvable polymer that completely dissolves in formation fluids, changing the degradation mechanism from mechanical breakdown to chemical dissolution, which eliminates debris and removes the need for capture components
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable polymer material is extracted from the barrier body, allowing the barrier to completely dissolve and be removed from the wellbore without leaving any solid debris that would require capture components
3Ease of operation
If pressure events are used to activate shear or burst mechanisms, then the barrier can be pushed or pumped to the bottom of the wellbore, but in horizontal wells the barrier may not fall to the bottom and requires catchers
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier material is changed to a dissolvable polymer that completely dissolves in formation fluids, changing the disposal mechanism from mechanical transport to chemical dissolution, which eliminates debris and removes the need for catchers in horizontal wells
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 device ensures minimal debris formation and efficient wellbore restoration by fully dissolving or degrading, reducing the need for additional components and simplifying the completion process.
Implementation Method 1
the chemical material causes the body of the temporary well isolation device to at least partially corrode, dissolve, and/or degrade
Implementation Method 2
the chemical material causes the body of the temporary well isolation device to at least partially corrode, dissolve, and/or degrade
Data Source
AI summary
A temporary well isolation device which has an axial passage that comprises a temporary housing having an internal cavity containing a chemical material and a temporary barrier or plug member that can be actuated by an external mechanism to allow fluid to flow into the internal chamber and contact the chemical material in the internal chamber. When the chemical material is exposed to fluid, the chemical material causes the temporary housing to corrode, dissolve, and/or degrade.