Thermally Deformable Packer Pressure Relief Voids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thermally deformable annular packers used in oil and gas wells can experience pressure build-up within the sealed region due to trapped fluids, leading to potential deformation or collapse of tubing/casing, especially when the eutectic alloy melts, exacerbating the pressure issue.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating enclosed voids in the end sections and ring sections of the packer, with pressure actuated means to fail at a predetermined pressure, allowing fluid communication and increasing the volume of the sealed region to relieve pressure, and using compressible materials to enhance pressure relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If enclosed voids are incorporated in the packer structure, then pressure relief capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packer is divided into multiple discrete components including end sections with integrated voids, ring sections, and pressure actuated means. This segmentation allows the voids to be incorporated as distinct functional elements within the overall packer assembly, enabling pressure relief without requiring a complete redesign of the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosed voids are pre-formed within the end sections during manufacturing, and the pressure actuated means are pre-installed to block the blind holes. This preliminary preparation ensures that when pressure builds up during operation, the relief mechanism is already in place and can activate immediately without requiring additional components or complex assembly procedures.
2Reliability
If the eutectic alloy melts to seal cracks, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but pressure build-up worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosed voids act as an intermediary chamber between the sealed annular region and the external environment. When the eutectic alloy melts and seals the annular space, any pressure build-up is directed into the voids through the pressure actuated means, preventing direct transmission of pressure to the tubing or casing and thus protecting the well structure while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The eutectic alloy undergoes a phase transition from solid to liquid when heated, enabling it to flow into and seal cracks in the cement. The pressure actuated means respond to the pressure changes caused by this phase transition and volume expansion, opening the blind holes to allow pressure relief while the alloy maintains the seal.
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 solution effectively reduces pressure within the sealed region, preventing damage to the well casing and tubing by increasing the volume and allowing pressure relief before structural failure occurs, thus avoiding costly repairs and ensuring well integrity.
Implementation Method 1
heat the alloy so that it melts and flows into the cracks/gaps
Implementation Method 2
The alloy is then allowed to cool, wherein it expands to form an effective seal
Implementation Method 3
the temperature within the production tubing can fluctuate significantly over time. These temperature fluctuations can cause the diameter of the production tubing to expand and contract
Implementation Method 4
each blind hole comprising an opening in said surface and a void within the end section; and wherein the opening of each blind hole is blocked by a pressure actuated means that is configured to fail when subject to a predetermined pressure such that the enclosed void within the end section can be accessed through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a thermally deformable annular packer with pressure relief means for use in oil and gas wells. The annular packer is formed from a stack of component parts, said parts comprising one or more eutectic alloy based ring sections sandwiched between two end sections. At least one of the annular packer component parts has one or more enclosed voids that are configured to become exposed when the packer is subjected to a predetermined pressure or temperature. The exposure of the enclosed voids serves to increase the effective volume within the sealed region formed by the annular packer in the annulus between two coaxial well casing/tubing. The increase in the effective volume serves to reduce the pressure within the sealed region thus preventing a build-up of pressure that might otherwise have damaged the well casing/tubing.