Downhole Plug Drop Tool for Isolation Redeployment

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional plug and perf operations in the downhole drilling and completions industry require significant time and resources due to the need for pumping balls or plugs hundreds of feet downhole for isolation, and bridge plugs do not allow for redeployment of failed perforation guns.

Innovation Solution

A plug drop tool with a body and chamber that houses a plug, allowing selective communication between the chamber and an annulus, enabling the plug to be dropped downhole to engage with an isolation tool for isolation, reducing the distance the plug needs to travel and facilitating redeployment of perforation guns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ball or plug is pumped downhole for isolation, then fluid flow isolation is achieved, but significant time and resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is pre-positioned in a holder at the bottom of the wellbore before perforation operations. This preliminary placement eliminates the need to pump the plug downhole after perforation, significantly reducing operation time while ensuring isolation is ready when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the existing bottom hole assembly and wireline infrastructure to deploy the plug holder and plug. The plug is released and falls into place using gravity and existing wellbore conditions, eliminating the need for additional pumping equipment or complex deployment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a ball or plug is pumped downhole for isolation, then fluid flow isolation is achieved, but significant resources including fluid are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoidfluid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is pre-positioned in a holder at the bottom of the wellbore before perforation operations. This preliminary placement eliminates the need to pump the plug downhole after perforation, significantly reducing operation time while ensuring isolation is ready when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the existing bottom hole assembly and wireline infrastructure to deploy the plug holder and plug. The plug is released and falls into place using gravity and existing wellbore conditions, eliminating the need for additional pumping equipment or complex deployment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If bridge plugs are used for isolation, then isolation is achieved, but redeployment of failed perforation guns is not enabled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoidredeployment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the isolation function (plug) from the perforation function (guns), allowing independent deployment and retrieval. The plug can be set or retrieved without affecting the perforation guns, enabling flexible redeployment if perforation fails

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug holder and plug system allows dynamic adjustment of isolation timing. The plug can be held in position during perforation operations and then released to set isolation afterward, or retrieved if perforation needs to be redone, providing operational flexibility that fixed bridge plugs cannot offer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution significantly reduces the time and resources required for plug and perf operations while maintaining the benefits of ball type frac plugs by allowing the plug to be dropped only a short distance downhole, enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A plug drop tool including a body defining a chamber, a plug initially housed in the chamber, and a member disposed with the body and actuatable for selectively enabling communication between the chamber and an annulus at least partially defined by the body, the plug movable into the annulus when the communication is enabled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9004185B2Downhole plug drop tool

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A plug drop tool, including a body defining a chamber, a plug initially housed in the chamber and a member disposed with the body. The member is actuatable for selectively enabling communication between the chamber and an annulus at least partially defined by the body. The plug is movable into the annulus when the communication is enabled.