Downhole Isolation Sleeve and Sacrificial Plug Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole isolation tools face difficulties in allowing fluid flow circulation around the tool during deployment and in closing fluid flow circulation ports after anchoring/sealing, leading to inefficiencies in wellbore operations.
Innovation Solution
An improved downhole isolation tool with fluid flow ports that allow circulation during deployment, a sacrificial plug member to prevent flow until anchoring, and an isolation sleeve that hydraulically closes the ports, followed by sacrificial plug rupture to reestablish flow after anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fluid flow ports are provided to allow circulation around the tool during deployment, then ease of operation is improved, but the tool cannot provide secure sealing after anchoring/sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation sleeve is designed to transition from an initial position (allowing fluid flow through ports during deployment) to a final position (blocking fluid flow after anchoring). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the tool to provide different flow control functions at different operational stages, resolving the contradiction between needing open circulation during deployment and secure sealing after anchoring.
2Reliability
If the isolation sleeve is moved to block fluid flow ports after anchoring, then sealing reliability is improved, but fluid flow cannot be reestablished without additional intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial plug member is designed to be ruptured by normal operational forces (such as pressure differentials or mechanical stress during wellbore operations) to automatically reestablish fluid flow through the tool. This self-rupturing mechanism eliminates the need for additional intervention tools or operations, allowing the system to service itself by transitioning from a sealed state back to a flowing state when operational conditions require it.
3Reliability
If a ball pressure system is used to set anchoring/sealing subassembly, then reliability of anchoring is improved, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball pressure system is completely removed from the tool design. Instead of using a ball pressure system to set the anchoring/sealing subassembly, the invention uses alternative mechanisms (such as mechanical expansion elements or hydraulic actuators integrated into the tool body) that eliminate the need for separate ball valves and pressure systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining anchoring reliability.
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 fluid circulation during tool deployment, secure sealing after anchoring, and efficient fluid flow reestablishment without requiring additional interventions, enhancing wellbore operation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the sacrificial plug member is configured to be ruptured at a point in time after setting the anchoring/sealing subassembly to reestablish fluid flow through the downhole isolation tool
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic closure
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a downhole isolation tool, a well system, and a method. The downhole isolation tool, in one aspect, includes an outer housing, the outer housing having a fluid passageway extending along a length thereof, an outer housing exterior surface, and an outer housing interior surface, as well as one or more fluid flow ports connecting the fluid passageway and the outer housing exterior surface. The downhole isolation tool, in one aspect, further includes an isolation sleeve positioned within the fluid passageway, the isolation sleeve configured to shift between an open state and a closed state covering the one or more fluid flow ports and obstructing fluid flow between the fluid passageway and the outer housing exterior surface, as well as a sacrificial plug member fluidly coupled with the fluid passageway, the sacrificial plug member configured to seal fluid flow through the fluid passageway.