Through-Tubing Plug With Foam Wipers to Reduce Jamming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore plugs are prone to jamming in completion tubing, lack flexibility for secure landing, and fail to control fluid losses, posing risks and increasing operational costs during workover operations.
Innovation Solution
A through-tubing plug with an outer and inner mandrel, a plug core, and foam wipers that can align ports for fluid flow, allowing secure landing and minimizing jamming, while using shearable devices for actuation and flexible wipers for cleaning and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing rigid plug designs are used, then structural strength is maintained, but the plug is prone to jamming in completion tubing during displacement and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is divided into multiple segments including an outer mandrel, inner mandrel, and foam wiper segments that can flex independently. This segmentation allows the plug to bend and conform to the completion tubing geometry, preventing jamming while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected mandrel system.
Solution Approach 2:
Foam wipers are incorporated as flexible elements that can deform to navigate the completion tubing interior. These flexible foam components allow the plug to adapt to tubing bends and irregularities, significantly reducing jamming risks during displacement and landing operations.
2Reliability
If existing plug designs are used, then basic sealing is achieved, but the plug cannot be securely attached to landing receptors to control fluid losses
Solution Approach 1:
The plug incorporates pre-configured attachment mechanisms including landing profiles and engagement features that are prepared in advance to interface with landing receptors. This preliminary configuration ensures secure attachment when the plug reaches the landing zone, enabling effective control of fluid losses without requiring additional operational steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing plug designs are used, then simple structure is maintained, but the plug cannot be adapted for different conveyance methods (slickline, wireline, coiled tubing) and plug and abandonment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The plug design incorporates universal features including multiple conveyance attachment points, adaptable landing profiles, and configurable port systems that enable the same basic plug structure to be used with slickline, wireline, and coiled tubing conveyance methods. The modular design allows adaptation for different operations including plug and abandonment without requiring complete redesign, thereby achieving versatility while controlling complexity.
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 plug minimizes jamming risks, controls fluid losses, and optimizes workover operations by reducing time and costs, facilitating safe and efficient wellbore sealing and abandonment.
Implementation Method 1
one or more sets of wipers made of a foam material and secured to the outer mandrel distal to the plug core; wherein the inner mandrel is movable between an unactuated state
Implementation Method 2
a plug core provided on the outer mandrel and providing a landing profile sealingly engageable with a landing receptor provided within completion tubing
Data Source
AI summary
A through-tubing plug includes an outer mandrel defining a first uphole port and a first downhole port, an inner mandrel received within the outer mandrel and defining a second uphole port and a second downhole port, a plug core provided on the outer mandrel and providing a landing profile sealingly engageable with a landing receptor provided within completion tubing extended into a wellbore, and one or more sets of wipers made of a foam material and secured to the outer mandrel distal to the plug core. The inner mandrel is movable between an unactuated state, where the first and second uphole ports are misaligned and the first and second downhole ports are misaligned, and an actuated state, where the first and second uphole ports are aligned and the first and second downhole ports are aligned to thereby allow fluid flow through the through-tubing plug.