Wellhead Isolation Tool for Internal Side Port Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

It is impractical to plug side ports on a wellhead once installed, as the interior may be pressurized, making it difficult to block fluid access without external access.

Innovation Solution

An isolation tool with upper and lower seals and a mechanical or hydraulic setting mechanism is used to bridge side ports within the wellhead, allowing for sealing engagement without external access, utilizing a circumferential wedge and threaded or frictional locking mechanisms to ensure a seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plug is inserted into the side port to block fluid access, then fluid flow through the side port is blocked, but the procedure becomes impractical when the wellhead interior is pressurized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid blocking effectivenessVSAvoidside port plugging operability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an isolation tool as an intermediary device that bridges the side port from the interior of the wellhead. This tool includes seals that engage with the wellhead interior wall to block fluid flow, allowing the blocking function to be achieved without external access to the side port valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of approaching the side port from the exterior (conventional method), the invention approaches the blocking function from the interior of the wellhead by lowering the isolation tool through the wellhead bore. This reverses the direction of operation to overcome the pressurization barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If external access to the side port valve is required to block fluid flow, then the blocking operation can be performed, but it becomes impossible when the wellhead is already installed and pressurized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid blocking accessibilityVSAvoidpressure containment integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation tool is nested within the wellhead structure, with the tool's seals engaging against the wellhead interior wall. The tool fits within the existing wellhead geometry, allowing installation from the interior without requiring external disassembly or access to side port valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If the isolation tool uses a mechanical setting mechanism with threaded rod and nut, then precise seal engagement is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal engagement precisionVSAvoidsetting mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the setting mechanism from the permanent structure of the isolation tool, using a separate mechanical setting tool that is run into the wellhead along with the isolation tool. The setting mechanism (threaded rod and nut) is temporarily introduced, performs the sealing function, and is then removed, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If hydraulic pressure is used to set the seal, then the setting operation is simplified, but additional hydraulic equipment and pressure control are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting mechanism complexityVSAvoidhydraulic system implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a hydraulic setting mechanism where hydraulic pressure applied through a hydraulic line moves a piston that forces the seal against the wellhead interior wall. This uses hydraulic principles to achieve seal engagement without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Enables effective blocking of fluid access through side ports from the wellhead interior without external intervention, maintaining pressure integrity and allowing for valve disconnection.

Implementation Method 1

As the lower end of the isolation tool is drawn upwards the lower seal is engaged by a circumferential wedge that forces the lower seal into sealing engagement with the interior wall of the wellhead below the side port as well as the exterior surface of the mandrel.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The upper seal and the lower seal are spaced a sufficient distance apart to allow the mandrel, the upper seal, and the lower seal to bridge a side port within the wellhead.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing engagement: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11732540B2Isolation tool

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 PATRIOT RESEARCH CENTER LLC

AI summary

An isolation tool is provided that includes an upper elastomer, a lower elastomer. The isolation tool when set provides a circumferential flow path between the elastomers. The isolation tool also includes a longitudinal flow path from above the isolation tool to below the isolation tool. The longitudinal flowpath is preferably sufficiently linear that a solid tool may be passed through the longitudinal flowpath from above the isolation tool to below the isolation tool.