Dissolvable Pump Down Device for Wellbore Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of hydrocarbon reservoirs is often time-consuming, resource-intensive, and costly due to the traditional methods of drilling and pumping liquefied contents through wellbores, which require extensive effort and time.
Innovation Solution
A dissolvable pump down device with an engageable portion and expandable pieces is used, where the expandable pieces expand in response to fluid pressure to propel the device and bottomhole assembly through a wellbore, forming seals with wellbore isolation devices and dissolving after deployment to simplify retrieval and redeployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional drilling and pumping methods are used to develop hydrocarbon reservoirs, then the wellbore can be developed and hydrocarbons can be extracted, but the process becomes time-consuming, resource-intensive, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pump down device from the wellbore after use by allowing it to dissolve naturally or be retrieved via wireline, separating the deployment function from the extraction function. This enables rapid redeployment to new locations without lengthy retrieval operations, directly addressing the time loss issue in traditional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The pump down device utilizes phase changes of fluid (liquid to gas) to generate propulsive force, transforming the extraction mechanism from mechanical pulling to pressure-driven propulsion. This parameter change enables faster, more efficient movement of the bottomhole assembly through the wellbore, improving productivity while reducing time
2Productivity
If extensive drilling and retrieval operations are performed, then the wellbore can be developed, but operational costs and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump down device is designed as a disposable or temporary component that can be deployed, used, and then dissolved or retrieved. This eliminates the need for expensive, durable equipment that requires extensive retrieval and redeployment operations, reducing resource consumption while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for selective discarding of the pump down device through dissolution or controlled abandonment, while recovering the valuable bottomhole assembly. This reduces resource consumption by avoiding repeated retrieval and redeployment of entire systems, addressing the loss of substance issue
3Reliability
If the pump down device remains in the wellbore after use, then structural support is maintained, but retrieval and redeployment become complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The pump down device is extracted from the wellbore through dissolution or wireline retrieval after completing its function. This separation of deployment and permanent installation eliminates retrieval complexity while maintaining reliability during the operational period
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static, permanent installation concept to a dynamic, temporary deployment model. The ability to dissolve or retrieve the device provides flexibility, reducing retrieval complexity while maintaining functional reliability during the active phase
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 method reduces the need for extensive drilling and retrieval by efficiently propelling the assembly through the wellbore, forming multiple seals, and dissolving after use, thereby reducing operational time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
the expandable pieces expand in response to fluid pressure to propel the device and bottomhole assembly through a wellbore
Implementation Method 2
dissolving after deployment to simplify retrieval and redeployment
Data Source
AI summary
Dissolvable pump down devices, dissolvable pump down assemblies, and methods to propel a bottomhole assembly through a lateral section are presented. A dissolvable pump down device includes an engageable portion, and one or more expandable pieces that are initially in a first position before the dissolvable pump down device is deployed in a wellbore, and configured to expand from the first position to a second position in response to a force generated by fluid flow of fluid through the wellbore. A diameter of the expandable pieces while the expandable pieces are in the first position is less than the diameter of the one or more expandable pieces while the one or more expandable pieces are in the second position. The engageable portion and the one or more expandable pieces are configured to dissolve after the dissolvable pump down device is positioned at the desired wellbore location.