Isolation and Filtration Plug for Borehole Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sand screens in the resource recovery and fluid sequestration industries are prone to damage during borehole operations like fracturing, leading to lost time and profitability due to flow cutting and pressure-related issues.
Innovation Solution
An isolation and filtration system with a plug that transitions from a low-permeability first geometry to a high-permeability second geometry, allowing it to be deployed in a borehole and only activate as a filter after operations, minimizing damage and enabling efficient fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sand screen with filtration layer is used in borehole, then fluid filtration is achieved, but the screen is damaged from flow cutting during fracturing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is deployed in the borehole before fracturing operations to establish protection in advance. By positioning the low-permeability plug at the desired location beforehand, the system prevents harmful flow cutting from reaching the filtration media during high-pressure fracturing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug acts as an intermediary element between the fracturing flow and the filtration media. The low-permeability material of the plug intercepts and redirects the high-velocity fracturing flow, preventing direct contact with the sand screen and eliminating flow cutting damage to the filtration layer.
2Reliability
If the plug is deployed in first geometry with low permeability, then borehole isolation during fracturing is achieved, but fluid flow is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The plug transitions from a static low-permeability state during fracturing to a high-permeability state for production. This dynamic transformation allows the same element to serve dual functions: isolating the borehole during operations and enabling fluid flow during production, eliminating the need for separate isolation and filtration components.
Solution Approach 2:
The permeability parameter of the plug is changed from low to high after fracturing operations. By controlling the permeability state of the plug material, the system achieves borehole isolation during high-pressure fracturing and subsequently enables efficient fluid flow during production phases.
3Productivity
If the plug transitions to second geometry with high permeability, then fluid filtration is enabled, but the plug structure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-geometry configuration is pre-established during plug manufacturing. Both the low-permeability and high-permeability geometries are built into the plug structure beforehand, allowing reliable transition between states without requiring complex field modifications or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug undergoes a geometric phase transition from compact low-permeability form to expanded high-permeability form. This phase change enables the plug to transform its physical state and permeability characteristics in response to changing operational requirements, achieving both isolation and filtration functions.
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 system effectively prevents damage to filtration media during fracturing by isolating the borehole during high-pressure operations and activates as a filter only after the process, reducing downtime and maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a volume of material having a first geometry wherein permeability is relatively lower... and a second geometry where permeability is relatively higher
Data Source
AI summary
An isolation and filtration object including a volume of material having a first geometry wherein permeability is relatively lower, the geometry being that of a plug landable on a landing feature and a second geometry where permeability is relatively higher, the second geometry being larger than the first geometry and occupy a flow path in a borehole in which the plug is deployed. An isolation and filtration system including a housing, a plug seat in the housing, and an isolation and filtration object disposable on the plug seat. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and an isolation and filtration system connected to the string. A method for operating a borehole including migrating a plug to a seat in a housing, landing the plug in the seat, differentiating pressure across the plug, and transitioning the plug to the second geometry.