Expandable Wellbore Sealing Cage for Irregular Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment for sealing off sections in earth formations is ineffective for irregularly formed holes, such as those with varying diameters or non-round shapes due to erosion or rock breakouts, and can only be applied once without the ability to introduce additional sealing apparatuses without a conveying pipe.
Innovation Solution
A sealing apparatus comprising elongate members connected by moveable intermediate links that can expand to form a cage-like structure, allowing for deployment in collapsed form through existing tubing, with an inflatable bag or bellows for sealing against the wall, enabling multiple deployments and adaptation to various geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional open hole packer is used to seal off a section drilled into an earth formation, then the sealing function is achieved in nicely formed holes, but the apparatus cannot seal off irregularly formed holes with varying diameters or non-round shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into multiple elongate members (at least three) that can independently adjust their positions. Each elongate member can move radially relative to the others, allowing the structure to adapt to irregular hole geometries while maintaining sealing contact with the formation wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate links connecting the elongate members are designed to be movable, transitioning between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic structure allows the apparatus to change its configuration from a rigid circular shape to an adaptive form that conforms to irregular hole shapes, ensuring reliable sealing in various geometries.
2Reliability
If a conventional sealing apparatus is deployed, then a single sealing operation is performed, but further apparatuses cannot be introduced through the already placed apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed with a collapsible structure where elongate members can be positioned close together to reduce the overall outer diameter. This nested configuration allows the apparatus to be passed through existing tubing and through previously deployed apparatuses, enabling multiple sealing operations in the same well without requiring conveyance through complex piping systems.
3Reliability
If the apparatus is designed with a large outer diameter to provide sufficient sealing contact area, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the apparatus cannot be introduced through existing tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus transitions between two states: a collapsed state with reduced outer diameter for introduction through tubing, and an expanded state with increased outer diameter for effective sealing. The movable intermediate links enable this transformation, allowing the sealing surface area to be sufficiently large when deployed while maintaining a compact profile during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the sealing structure into multiple elongate members connected by intermediate links, the apparatus can expand radially to provide sufficient sealing contact area while maintaining a compact collapsed profile. The segmented structure allows independent movement of each member to achieve both compact storage and effective sealing surfaces.
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 apparatus provides reliable sealing in any geometry, allows for further apparatuses to be introduced, and maintains sealing pressure with a high collapse resistance, enabling efficient sealing of multiple sections without the need for a conveying pipe.
Implementation Method 1
each link being moveable relative to the elongate members it is attached to from an unlocked position to a locked position
Implementation Method 2
the locking member is formed by a groove or ridge extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate members
Implementation Method 3
an inflatable bag or bellows is arranged at the outer diameter of the apparatus to form a sealing member against the wall in the section drilled into the earth formation
Implementation Method 4
they will provide the apparatus with a minimum collapse strength of the deployed device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for sealing off a part of a wall (5) in a section (6) drilled into an earth formation and to be placed in such section (6), where said apparatus comprises elongate members (1) arranged along a closed curve, where adjacent elongate members (1) are connected via intermediate links (2), each link (2) being moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position. The invention further relates to a method for applying such an apparatus comprising the steps of:—positioning an apparatus in collapsed configuration in a section (6) drilled into an earth formation with a the wall (5) to be sealed off;—expanding a net or cage in the apparatus, which net or cage is formed by elongate members (1) connected by intermediate links (2);—expanding a flexible member (3) arranged at an outer diameter of the apparatus to seal against the wall (5).