Expandable Well Isolation Assembly With External Rigid Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable element isolation assemblies in hydrocarbon wells face limitations in maintaining a seal under high pressure differentials due to deformation, limiting their effective use in isolating well intervals.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rigid support element external to the expandable element, which positions between the expandable element and the wellbore wall during expansion to reinforce and prevent deformation, thereby increasing the differential pressure rating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expandable elements are used to isolate well intervals, then the ability to seal and isolate zones is improved, but the elements deform under high pressure differentials limiting their effective use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a flexible expandable element with a rigid support element to create a composite isolation assembly. The expandable element provides sealing capability while the rigid support element provides structural strength to resist high pressure differentials, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and pressure resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support element acts as an intermediary between the expandable element and the wellbore wall. It transfers and distributes the pressure differential loads, preventing direct deformation of the expandable element while maintaining its sealing function against the wellbore
2Adaptability or versatility
If expandable elements are expanded to isolate well intervals, then zone isolation is achieved, but deformation occurs under high differential pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of flexible expandable element plus rigid support element maintains structural stability under high differential pressure while preserving the adaptability to expand and isolate different well intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the expandable element for adaptation and sealing, and the rigid support element for structural stability. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other
3Strength
If rigid support element is added external to expandable element, then differential pressure rating is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support element serves as a mediating component that can be added to existing expandable element designs without completely redesigning the system. It interfaces with the expandable element and wellbore in a straightforward manner, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while achieving the goal of higher differential pressure rating
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable element isolation assembly and a well interval isolation device utilizing at least a pair of expandable element isolation assemblies to isolate a well interval are disclosed. An expandable element isolation assembly can comprise an expandable element, and at least one rigid support element that is located external to the expandable element and is positionable between at least part of the expandable element and an inner wall of a formation at an open-hole portion of a wellbore in response to expansion of the expandable element. The at least one rigid support element can reinforce the expanded expandable element, such as through physical contact therewith. A retraction mechanism may be provided to retract the at least one rigid support element upon contraction of the expandable element.