Magnetorheological Cement Plug in Casing Annulus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cementing techniques face challenges in establishing reliable plugs in annular regions between casings due to issues like contamination, slumping, and the need for costly and time-consuming methods to access these areas, leading to incomplete or ineffective barriers.
Innovation Solution
A method using a magnetorheological cementitious slurry that is perforated into the annular region and exposed to a magnetic field to consolidate without a base device, forming a stable plug with defined boundaries, allowing for efficient filling and minimizing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cementing techniques are used to establish a plug in an annular region, then the plug can provide a barrier function, but the plug is subject to contamination, slumping, and requires costly casing removal or specialized equipment to access the annular region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical access methods (casing removal, specialized entry equipment) with a chemical/dispersive approach. A dispersant is injected into the annular region to break up cement aggregates and enable fluid cement to penetrate and fill the space, eliminating the need for mechanical casing modification or complex entry devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dispersant as an intermediary substance between the cement and the annular region environment. This dispersant mediates the interaction by reducing cement aggregate stability, allowing the cement slurry to disperse and fill the annular space effectively without requiring direct mechanical access.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fluid column is used to form a base for a cement plug, then the plug can be supported, but the cement may be contaminated by fluid losses or inflow, causing channelling and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fluid column support system with a chemical stabilization approach. A dispersant is used to control cement aggregate stability, allowing the cement to set in place without relying on a fluid column base, thereby eliminating fluid-cement interaction that causes contamination and channelling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the cement slurry by introducing a dispersant. This modifies the cement's flow and setting characteristics, enabling it to maintain position and resist channelling without requiring a supporting fluid column, thus avoiding fluid contamination issues.
3Ease of operation
If the annular region is accessed by cutting and pulling casing, then physical access is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and risks casing sticking or breaking into smaller pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical casing cutting and removal operations with a chemical dispersal method. By injecting a dispersant to break up cement aggregates and enable fluid cement penetration, the method achieves annular region access without any mechanical cutting, pulling, or physical casing modification, eliminating time-consuming operations and associated risks.
4Strength
If a mechanical plug is set as a base for cement slurry, then the slurry can be supported, but the plug may not provide adequate bonding or may require additional base devices in the annular region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical plug base systems with a chemical bonding approach. A dispersant is used to optimize cement slurry properties and ensure proper adhesion to the annular region surfaces, eliminating the need for mechanical plug bases or additional base devices while achieving adequate bonding strength.
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
This method ensures a higher quality cement plug with improved bonding and reduced contamination, providing a reliable barrier without the need for extensive casing removal or specialized equipment, thus enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
inducing a magnetic field for affecting the physical properties of the magnetorheological cementitious slurry
Implementation Method 2
impeding the mobility of the magnetorheological cementitious slurry in the annular region by exposing it to the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A cement plug is for plugging an annular region between a first casing and a second casing in a well. A method includes: perforating the first casing to open a flow path to the annular region; providing a magnetorheological cementitious slurry; inducing a magnetic field for affecting the physical properties of the magnetorheological cementitious slurry and for defining a lower boundary for the cement plug; feeding the magnetorheological cementitious slurry into the annular region through a perforation in the first casing; and impeding the mobility of the magnetorheological cementitious slurry in the annular region by exposing it to the magnetic field such that the magnetorheological cementitious slurry may consolidate substantially at the lower boundary without the need for a base device in the annular region.