Dissolvable Sealing Joint for Multilateral Well Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilateral well systems face challenges with junction sealing between parent and secondary wellbores, leading to potential closure, collapse, and inadequate zone isolation, which complicates reentry and production flow.
Innovation Solution
A dissolvable sealing joint system using a junction subassembly with a fluid port and no-go shoulder, made from dissolvable materials like metals or organic polymers, is used to seal the junction and allow isolation fluid to fill the annulus, ensuring a secure seal that can be easily removed after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent sealing structure is used at the wellbore junction, then the seal reliability is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of reentry increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dissolvable bridge plug made from biodegradable or chemically soluble materials that provides temporary sealing during the critical junction sealing operation, then automatically dissolves after serving its purpose. This disposable approach eliminates the need for complex permanent sealing structures while maintaining reliability during the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system utilizes materials that change their physical or chemical parameters over time - specifically, materials that transition from a solid sealing state to a dissolved state through controlled chemical reactions or biodegradation. This parameter change allows the same structure to provide both reliable sealing and automatic removal, resolving the contradiction between permanence and reentry capability.
2Reliability
If a complex permanent seal is installed at the junction, then zone isolation is improved, but the ease of operation and reentry capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable bridge plug serves as a temporary but effective zone isolation barrier during the sealing operation, then automatically disappears after serving its function. This eliminates the need for complex permanent isolation structures that would hinder future reentry operations, while still providing adequate isolation during the critical phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the sealing action preliminarily during the initial junction creation, using the dissolvable plug to establish the seal. The plug is designed to remain in place long enough to complete the sealing operation and then dissolve, having already accomplished its primary function of enabling zone isolation when needed.
3Strength
If a rigid sealing structure is used at the junction, then the seal strength is improved, but the risk of wellbore collapse under stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable bridge plug functions as a flexible, compliant sealing element that can deform and adapt to wellbore irregularities and stress conditions rather than resisting them rigidly. This flexibility allows the plug to maintain seal integrity while accommodating wellbore movement and pressure changes, reducing the risk of collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing material undergoes parameter changes that allow it to transition from a compliant state during installation to an effective seal, and finally to a dissolved state. This dynamic behavior enables the seal to adapt to stress conditions without requiring rigid structural support that could precipitate wellbore collapse.
4Reliability
If a permanent junction seal is installed, then production flow control is improved, but the productivity for future operations decreases due to reentry complications
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable bridge plug provides temporary flow control and sealing during the initial production setup, then automatically dissolves to restore full access to the wellbore. This eliminates the need for complex permanent sealing mechanisms that would complicate future operations, thereby maintaining high productivity for subsequent interventions while still enabling initial production control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the dissolvable plug after it has served its purpose of enabling initial sealing and flow control. By automatically removing the sealing structure through dissolution, the system recovers full wellbore accessibility for future operations without requiring additional intervention to remove permanent sealing components.
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 system effectively reduces the risk of wellbore closure and sand intrusion, enabling reliable zone isolation and facilitating reentry by providing a secure and removable sealing solution.
Implementation Method 1
the junction subassembly is comprised of a dissolvable material
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a dissolvable sealing joint system that can be used in an improved method of sealing a multi-lateral well junction. The sealing joint system is comprised of a dissolvable junction subassembly that can be easily removed after a sealing operation is conducted. A tapered end of the dissolvable junction subassembly is inserted in a liner of a secondary wellbore, and a seal located about the tapered end is sealed against the top of the liner and a no-go shoulder of dissolvable junction subassembly. Once a seal is established, an isolation fluid is pumped into the junction area via a fluid port located in the dissolvable junction subassembly. A method of isolating a wellbore junction is also presented.