Dual String Fluid Management Device for Wellbore Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Annular blowout preventers are ineffective in sealing around two parallel pipes in a wellbore, posing a safety risk due to uncontrollable flow of formation fluid, as the packing element cannot reach between the pipes to provide a seal.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management device with an adjustable seal, comprising flexible rubber segments and a hydraulic piston, which can be activated to seal around two pipes by radially inward movement, preventing fluid flow in the uphole direction by contacting both inner and outer surfaces of the pipes, and can be deactivated to relax from the pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single packing element is used in an annular blowout preventer, then the device can seal around a single pipe, but it cannot seal around two parallel pipes simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The packing element is divided into multiple independent sealing elements (first sealing element, second sealing element, third sealing element) that can independently contact different pipes. Each sealing element can be activated to seal around a specific pipe, allowing the device to handle both single pipe and dual pipe configurations reliably.
2Reliability
If the packing element is designed to reach between two pipes, then sealing might be achieved, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions based on the number and arrangement of pipes. The elements can be activated or deactivated as needed, providing a flexible solution that adapts to different wellbore configurations without requiring a completely different device design.
3Reliability
If the seal is activated to contact the pipes, then fluid flow is prevented, but the seal cannot be deactivated to allow fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are designed to be activatable and deactivatable on demand, allowing periodic switching between sealed and open states. This enables the device to provide pressure containment when needed while allowing fluid flow during normal operations, offering versatile flow control 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
Effectively prevents formation fluid from spewing uncontrollably out of the wellbore by sealing the annular region around two parallel pipes, ensuring the safety of the rig by maintaining pressure containment within the wellbore.
Implementation Method 1
The piston can be shifted hydraulically to adjust the adjustable seal supported thereon
Implementation Method 2
The flexible segments include two oppositely located, relatively long rubber elements and two oppositely located, relatively short rubber elements
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid management device includes a seal and a piston coupled to the seal and movable to an activated position to adjust the seal to an activated state. The seal includes first sealing elements extending radially inward towards a central axis of the fluid management device and second sealing elements extending radially inward towards the central axis, the first and second sealing elements together defining an opening sized to surround first and second pipes disposed within a wellbore containing wellbore fluid. In the activated state, the first sealing elements contact each other within the opening between the first and second pipes and seal against a first inner portion of the first pipe and a second inner portion of the second pipe to close the opening between the first and second pipes and a closed state of the opening prevents the wellbore fluid from exiting the wellbore through the opening.