Inflatable Wellbore Support Device for Cement Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore cement support tools lack sufficient strength and sealing properties, leading to instability and contamination issues during cement placement and well abandonment procedures, as they cannot effectively withstand the weight of the cement column and prevent fluid mixing.
Innovation Solution
A downhole support device with an inflatable element that applies a biasing force to the wellbore walls, using fluid or fluidized solids to create a cam-like barrier, providing enhanced support and sealing while being easily deployable and removable, with a disconnect mechanism to ensure secure positioning and inflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a wire arrangement support tool is used, then the device can be deployed through drill pipe, but the gripping force is limited and cannot support much cement weight
Solution Approach 1:
The support device transitions from a static wire arrangement to a dynamic inflatable structure that can be deployed and inflated as needed. The inflatable element expands to engage the wellbore wall, providing adjustable gripping force that can support heavy cement columns while maintaining a compact profile during deployment through the drill pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an inflatable element (flexible shell) that can be collapsed for deployment through the drill pipe and then inflated to provide structural support. This flexible shell engages the wellbore wall to create gripping force, solving the limitation of rigid wire arrangements while maintaining deployability.
2Reliability
If a physical barrier is used to hold cement, then cement slumping is prevented, but fluid mixing between cement and wellbore fluid can still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable element acts as a flexible barrier that seals against the wellbore wall, preventing mixing between the cement column and wellbore fluids below. The inflatable nature allows it to conform to the wellbore shape, creating an effective seal that maintains zonal isolation.
3Ease of operation
If a cement support tool is deployed through drill pipe, then the device can be positioned in the wellbore, but the device cannot be easily removed or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable element can be deflated to reduce its profile and gripping force, enabling easy removal or repositioning by simply reducing the inflation pressure. This dynamic control of the support mechanism allows the device to be deployed, positioned, and removed as needed without complex mechanical operations.
4Strength
If a strong barrier is used to support heavy cement, then cement stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic inflation to create a strong support structure from a compact deflated state. The inflatable element, when pressurized, expands to engage the wellbore wall and support heavy cement columns. This pneumatic mechanism provides high support strength with relatively simple device structure compared to mechanical alternatives.
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 inflatable support device ensures a strong, reliable barrier that prevents cement slumping and contamination, allowing for seamless deployment and operation, with the ability to test strength during installation and minimize structural failure risks, thus improving wellbore integrity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an inflatable element which in use is adapted to be selectively connectable to the elongate member string and is further adapted to selectively apply a biasing force in the direction of the wellbore walls, the inflatable element having an inlet for receiving fluid and/or fluidized solids
Implementation Method 2
The inflatable element is then inflated using displacement fluid or cement material pumped down the drill pipe string through the disconnect member
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a downhole support device (100) for use in a wellbore and which is adapted to be run into the wellbore through an elongate member string (2) such as on a string of tubulars, a coiled tubing string or a slickline. The downhole support device comprises an inflatable element (102), which in use is adapted to be selectively connectable to the elongate member string and is further adapted to apply a biasing force in the direction of the wellbore walls. The inflatable element has an inlet (104) for receiving fluid and/or fluidized solids. The support device is further adapted to be selectively disconnectable from the elongate member string.