Disintegrating On Demand Plug for Wellbore Passage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plugs used in wellbore operations often require prolonged waiting periods for degradation, which wastes valuable production time, as they are not easily removable once their purpose is fulfilled.
Innovation Solution
A plug formed from disintegrating on demand (DOD) material that can be selectively broken apart using an ignition device activated by a signal, allowing for immediate removal without waiting for degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plug is formed from degradable material and allowed to dissolve over time, then the plug can be removed without mechanical intervention, but valuable production time is wasted due to the prolonged waiting period
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is prepared with embedded ignition devices and DOD material in advance, so that when removal is needed, the material can immediately disintegrate upon receiving an ignition signal, eliminating the need to wait for natural degradation while maintaining ease of removal
Solution Approach 2:
The plug material's stability parameter is changed from slow natural degradation to rapid on-demand disintegration by introducing DOD material that responds to ignition signals, allowing the system to transition from time-dependent removal to signal-dependent removal
2Device complexity
If a plug is formed from degradable material, then mechanical removal equipment is not needed, but the plug cannot be removed immediately when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The plug contains its own ignition devices and DOD material, enabling it to self-destruct on demand without requiring external mechanical removal equipment, while allowing immediate removal when the ignition signal is received
3Ease of operation
If a ball is pressured through a ball seat and allowed to fall to a toe of the borehole, then the tubular can be re-opened, but the ball cannot be retrieved or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical gravity-based ball system is replaced with a controllable DOD plug system that uses chemical/thermal ignition to achieve plug removal, allowing the plug to be destroyed in place rather than falling to the borehole toe, thereby enabling retrieval and repositioning capabilities
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
Enables rapid opening of tubular passages by detonating the DOD material upon command, reducing downtime and enhancing operational efficiency in resource recovery and exploration systems.
Implementation Method 1
the DOD material selectively breaks apart when exposed to an ignition source
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A tubular includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a passage. A plug is arranged in the tubular blocking the passage. The plug is formed from a disintegrating on demand (DOD) material. An ignition device is coupled to the plug. An excitation mechanism is selectively operatively associated with the ignition device. The excitation mechanism selectively activates the ignition device to break apart the plug.