Viscosity-Setting Fluid Plugs for Downhole Perforation Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for temporarily isolating the uphole and downhole portions of a hydrocarbon well casing conduit are time-consuming and expensive, requiring the removal and reinstallation of downhole assemblies and discrete sealing devices, which complicates the construction and operation of hydrocarbon wells.
Innovation Solution
The use of fluid plugs formed by increasing the viscosity of a sealing fluid within the casing conduit, which retains sealing devices on perforations, thereby providing effective fluid isolation and reducing leakage, and automatically breaks to facilitate removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete downhole sealing devices are used to isolate uphole and downhole portions of the casing conduit, then fluid isolation is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive due to required removal and reinstallation of downhole assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a fluid plug (hydrodynamic element) instead of solid mechanical sealing devices to achieve fluid isolation. The fluid plug is injected through the casing conduit, sets in place to seal the perforation, and can be easily removed by pumping it out, eliminating the need for mechanical removal and reinstallation of downhole assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid plug changes its physical parameters (viscosity, density) through chemical setting reactions after injection. This parameter change allows the fluid to transition from a pumpable state to a sealed state, providing reliable isolation while maintaining ease of removal by reversing or continuing the chemical process.
2Reliability
If discrete downhole sealing devices are deployed to seal perforations, then fluid communication is blocked, but device complexity increases due to multiple components and installation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical sealing devices with a simple fluid-based solution. The fluid plug is pumped through the existing wellbore infrastructure, sets to seal the perforation, and provides reliable isolation without requiring mechanical components, downhole assemblies, or complex installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from complex mechanical devices and implements it through a simple fluid that is injected, sets, and provides sealing. This extraction simplifies the overall system while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If traditional sealing devices are used, then fluid flow is restricted, but operational costs increase due to frequent reinstallation for repeated sealing and stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid plug system allows for easy removal and reinstallation by simply pumping the fluid out and injecting new fluid when needed. This hydraulic approach eliminates the need for expensive mechanical removal operations, making repeated sealing and stimulation operations cost-effective while maintaining reliable fluid flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid plug can be discarded (pumped out) and recovered (re-injected) multiple times without permanent installation. This allows for repeated sealing and stimulation operations at low cost, as the fluid can be easily removed when stimulation is complete and reinstalled if needed again in the future.
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
This method enhances fluid isolation efficiency, reduces operational costs by simplifying the process of sealing and unsealing the well, and allows for repeated sealing and stimulation of the subterranean formation without the need for frequent device reinstallation.
Implementation Method 1
generating a fluid plug within the perforated section of the production casing by increasing a viscosity of the sealing fluid
Implementation Method 2
the fluid plug resists fluid flow through the perforated section of the production casing
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid plugs as downhole sealing devices and methods include providing a stimulating fluid to a casing conduit that is defined by the production casing to stimulate a portion of a subterranean formation within which the production casing extends. The methods further may include providing a sealing fluid to the casing conduit, providing a sealing device to the casing conduit, and flowing the sealing fluid and the sealing device to a perforated section of the production casing. The methods further may include locating the sealing device on a perforation, generating a fluid plug within the perforated section of the production casing by increasing a viscosity of the sealing fluid, and retaining the sealing device proximate the perforation with the fluid plug.