Explosive Sever Seal Mechanism for Wellbore Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In well applications, rapidly severing and sealing tubing strings to prevent contamination and fluid escape is challenging, especially in environments where quick and effective sealing of hydrocarbon-based fluids is difficult to achieve.
Innovation Solution
A sever and seal mechanism is integrated into the tubing, comprising an internal explosive charge for severing and an external explosive charge for collapsing and sealing the severed ends, allowing simultaneous or nearly simultaneous detonation to achieve rapid severance and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional severing methods are used, then the tubing string can be severed, but rapid sealing of the severed ends is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive system is segmented into two distinct charges: an internal explosive charge for severing the tubing and an external explosive charge for sealing the severed ends. This segmentation allows each charge to be optimized for its specific function, enabling rapid severing while ensuring reliable sealing through coordinated detonation.
Solution Approach 2:
The external explosive charge is positioned and prepared in advance around the tubing, ready to immediately seal the severed ends upon detonation of the internal charge. This preliminary positioning ensures that sealing action follows severing without delay, achieving both rapid severing and reliable sealing.
2Productivity
If rapid severing is achieved, then the tubing string is quickly cut, but sealing the severed ends to prevent fluid escape becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive force that causes severing is also utilized for sealing. The external explosive charge converts the harmful effect of rapid cutting into a beneficial sealing action by collapsing the tubing ends inward, preventing fluid escape and contamination while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The severing and sealing functions are merged into a single coordinated explosive system. The internal and external charges are synchronized to detonate in sequence, combining the severing action with immediate sealing action, thus achieving both high productivity and prevention of harmful fluid release.
3Speed
If an explosive charge is used for severing, then rapid cutting is achieved, but additional complexity is required to seal the severed ends
Solution Approach 1:
The explosive system serves multiple functions: the internal charge severs the tubing while the external charge seals the severed ends. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified explosive mechanism design, reducing the need for separate complex sealing devices and maintaining simplicity despite the dual function requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal explosive charge is nested within the tubing, while the external explosive charge is positioned around the tubing. This nested arrangement allows both charges to be integrated into a compact configuration, minimizing device complexity while enabling both severing and sealing functions to be achieved through coordinated detonation.
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 mechanism effectively severs and seals the tubing, preventing fluid flow by collapsing the severed ends with controlled force, ensuring immediate and reliable containment of fluids in wellbore environments.
Implementation Method 1
The internal explosive charge is of sufficient size to sever the tubing upon detonation
Implementation Method 2
the external explosive charge is sized and oriented to collapse and seal at least one of the severed ends of the tubing which are formed upon detonation of the internal explosive charge
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates severing and sealing of a tubing, such as a tubing string located in a wellbore. The tubing is combined with a mechanism constructed to sever and seal the tubing. The mechanism comprises an internal explosive charge and an external explosive charge mounted inside and outside the tubing, respectively. The internal explosive charge is of sufficient size to sever the tubing upon detonation. Additionally, the external explosive charge is sized and oriented to collapse and seal at least one of the severed ends of the tubing once those severed ends are formed via detonation of the internal explosive charge.