Expanding Skirts for Oil Well Blowout Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for plugging oil wells after a blowout are inefficient and often unsuccessful, particularly due to the complexity and time required for drilling a relief well, and the challenge of stemming the flow of oil and gas under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hollow drill string with a connecting device and impermeable skirts that expand to plug the well, utilizing a beveled stop and fastening rings to funnel oil into the skirts, which then expand to seal the well, allowing the system to be pulled upwards to cover the well opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional relief well methods are used to plug a blowout, then the well can be sealed, but the process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The plugging system is divided into separate functional components: a drill string with expanding skirts, a connecting device with fastening rings, and a beveled stop. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability in stopping blowouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The drill string is pre-equipped with expanding impermeable skirts and fastening rings before being lowered into the well. The beveled stop is pre-positioned on the drill string. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex in-situ assembly operations during the emergency blowout response, reducing both time and complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional relief well methods are used to plug a blowout, then the well can be sealed, but the process takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string is pre-equipped with expanding impermeable skirts and fastening rings before being lowered into the well. The beveled stop is pre-positioned on the drill string. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex in-situ assembly operations during the emergency blowout response, reducing both time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The impermeable skirts are designed to expand dynamically when oil or gas enters them during the blowout event. This dynamic expansion allows the system to adapt to pressure changes and automatically seal the well without requiring time-consuming manual intervention or complex control systems.
3Reliability
If impermeable skirts are used to seal the well, then the flow of oil and gas is stopped, but the system must handle high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the pressure parameter itself to achieve sealing. When oil or gas enters the impermeable skirts during a blowout, the pressure causes the skirts to expand radially, increasing their sealing contact with the well wall. This pressure-driven expansion mechanism allows the system to handle high pressure conditions while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The impermeable skirts are constructed as flexible membranes that can expand and contract in response to pressure changes. This flexibility allows the skirts to conform to the well wall and maintain seal integrity under high pressure conditions, preventing leakage while accommodating pressure variations.
4Ease of operation
If a connecting device with fastening rings is used, then the skirts can be controlled to expand, but the device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening rings are designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the operational state. When the drill string is lowered into the well, the beveled stop engages with the connecting device to automatically secure the skirts in the expanded position. This self-securing mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems or manual operations, simplifying the overall device while maintaining ease of operation.
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 system effectively stops the flow of oil and gas from the well by expanding impermeable skirts to seal the well, providing a rapid and potentially more reliable solution compared to traditional relief well methods.
Implementation Method 1
A first skirt (108) and a second skirt (114) are pivotally connected to the inner ring (110i) and outer ring (110o), respectively, such that the first skirt (108) and the second skirt (114) may be opened or closed much like an umbrella. The first skirt (108) and the second skirt (114) may be made of an impermeable material such as rubber or synthetic fiber.
Implementation Method 2
A stop having a beveled edge is secured to the drill string (102) adjacent the first portion (103B). The bottom surface (140) of the inner ring (110i) has a recess (140R) that is complimentary to the beveled surface (112B) of the stop (112).
Data Source
AI summary
A system for plugging an oil well comprises a hollow drill string. A connecting device having an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface having a recess is loosely situated around the drill string. A first skirt has a plurality of first rods that are each pivotally connected to the upper surface. A second skirt has a plurality of second rods that are each pivotally connected to the lower surface. A first fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the first skirt to transition from a closed position to an open position. A second fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the second skirt to transition from a closed position to an open position. A stop having a beveled edge is secured to the drill string. The recess is configured to allow the connecting device to mate with the stop's beveled edge.