Plug-Activated Mechanical Isolation Device for Wellbore Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cementing processes in the oil and gas industry require multiple trips down the wellbore for equipment installation and fluid management, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to vulnerability of float equipment to debris and the need for additional cleaning and testing steps.
Innovation Solution
A plug-activated mechanical isolation device that can be positioned within the casing string before lowering into the wellbore, allowing for auto-fill, pumping, and closed positions to control fluid flow, reducing the need for additional trips and equipment installation by using a breakable attachment portion and plugs to manage fluid flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional float valves and float collars are used to prevent backflow of cement slurry, then the casing can float in the wellbore, but the float equipment is vulnerable to obstruction or deformation due to debris introduced during circulation of mud or drilling fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the float valve functionality from separate float equipment and integrates it into a float collar design where the float valve is contained within a protective collar structure. This integration protects the float valve from debris while maintaining its backflow prevention function, directly addressing the vulnerability of conventional float equipment to obstruction.
2Productivity
If conventional cementing jobs pump cement down the entire casing string to fill the annulus, then the annulus is filled with cement, but additional trips are required for cleaning the inside of the casing string and for installing cement retainers or breech plugs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: the float collar provides both floatation and backflow prevention, while the packer integration eliminates the need for separate cement retainer installation. This consolidation reduces the number of trips required from multiple separate operations to a single streamlined process, directly improving productivity and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The float collar device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides floatation, prevents backflow of cement slurry, and integrates with the packer to seal the annulus. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate float equipment, cement retainers, and additional cleaning operations, reducing the number of trips required.
3Reliability
If conventional processes require separate installation of packers or bridge plugs with retainers, then the annulus can be sealed, but the device complexity and number of equipment components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the packer and float collar into a single integrated assembly. The packer is positioned within the float collar, and the float valve is integrated into the collar structure. This integration maintains the sealing capability while eliminating the need for separate cement retainers or breech plugs, directly reducing device complexity.
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
Simplifies wellbore running procedures, enhances reliability of the barrier function, and reduces overall costs by minimizing trips down the wellbore and eliminating the need for separate packer or bridge plug retainers, while providing effective downhole pressure control and testing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the breakable attachment portion is configured to break under a predetermined pressure. The force provided by the predetermined pressure moves the channel element
Implementation Method 2
the seal creates a sealing connection with the contact seat. The contact sealing portion prevents fluid flow through the plug activated mechanical isolation device
Implementation Method 3
the plug exerts a force on the breakable part to break the breakable part. the plug exerts a second predetermined pressure on the contact sealing portion
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods include a plug activated mechanical isolation device that controls fluid flow inside a tubular in a wellbore. The device includes a sleeve for coupling to the tubular, and the sleeve includes an internal bore and port for fluid flow therethrough. A channel element is positioned in the internal bore and includes an internal channel and an orifice for fluid flow between the internal channel and internal bore. The channel element is attached to the sleeve via a breakable attachment portion, and the orifice is aligned with at least one port of the sleeve. The channel element is slidable within the sleeve, upon breakage of the breakable attachment portion with a force, to move the orifice out of alignment with the port of the sleeve so that a portion of the channel element covers the port of the sleeve to block fluid flow through the port.