Frangible Body Testing Assembly for Wellbore Annular Seal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing the integrity of wellbore cement seals are costly and complex, particularly when using cement bond logs, which can incur significant expenses and lost rig time.
Innovation Solution
A testing assembly comprising a frangible body and a tool body, where the frangible body forms an encapsulated bore that aligns with a passageway, allowing direct testing of the hydraulic annular seal of a casing without the need for cement bond logs, by creating a passageway between the cavity and the exterior surface when the frangible body is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cement bond logs are used to test wellbore cement seal integrity, then reliable seal integrity testing is achieved, but significant cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential testing function from complex cement bond logs by using a simple frangible body with a cavity that can be drilled through. The tool body provides a passageway to the annular seal, allowing direct testing without requiring complex logging equipment. This extraction of the core testing function reduces complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible body is designed as a disposable, inexpensive component that can be easily drilled through. After serving its purpose of providing a test passageway, it is discarded along with the tool body. This approach replaces expensive, complex cement bond logs with cheap, single-use testing assemblies, significantly reducing cost and complexity.
2Reliability
If traditional cement bond logs are used to test wellbore cement seal integrity, then reliable seal integrity testing is achieved, but significant cost increase occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The testing assembly uses inexpensive, disposable components including the frangible body and tool body that can be manufactured at low cost. These replace expensive cement bond log services, reducing testing costs to a fraction of the original price while maintaining reliable seal integrity assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential testing capability from expensive cement bond logs, eliminating unnecessary complex equipment and services. By using a simple drillable frangible body with a tool body passageway, the solution achieves reliable testing at a fraction of the cost.
3Reliability
If traditional cement bond logs are used to test wellbore cement seal integrity, then comprehensive seal testing is achieved, but lost rig time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable frangible body and tool body assembly can be quickly installed and tested, then discarded after use. This rapid deployment and single-use nature eliminates the time-consuming processes of traditional cement bond logs, significantly reducing rig time loss while maintaining comprehensive seal testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible body is designed to be quickly drilled through, allowing rapid transition from installation to testing. This rushing through of the frangible body structure enables fast seal integrity assessment, skipping the lengthy procedures required by traditional cement bond logs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for testing a wellbore, and to an apparatus and method to efficiently and effectively test the annular seal of a tubular string positioned within a wellbore. More specifically, the cement seal between a casing string and a wellbore is tested to assure there is no contamination of groundwater or between different geologic formations. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a testing assembly comprising a frangible body and a tool body, the tool body providing a passageway to the annular seal when the frangible body is drilled out. In one particular embodiment, the frangible body initially forms an encapsulated bore that aligns with the passageway.