Plug Piston Barrier Debris Removal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary plugs for oil and gas wells can cause elastomer barrier fragments to clog or damage downhole equipment due to their inability to effectively remove debris from the fluid flow path.
Innovation Solution
A plug assembly with an elastomer membrane that is ruptured to allow fluid flow, where the ruptured membrane is attached to a sleeve that moves uphole, dragging the membrane out of the fluid flow path and into a pocket area, preventing debris from reaching downhole equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastomer barrier is used to separate water column from drilling fluid, then fluid separation is achieved, but fragmented elastomer barrier pieces can clog or damage downhole equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful fragmented elastomer barrier from the fluid flow path by providing a debris barrier that intercepts and removes the fragments before they can travel downhole to clog or damage equipment. The debris barrier is positioned to capture elastomer pieces as they separate from the water column, preventing their downstream migration.
Solution Approach 2:
The debris barrier acts as an intermediary component between the elastomer barrier separation function and the downhole equipment. It mediates by capturing the harmful fragments generated during the separation process, preventing direct contact between the debris and sensitive downhole equipment.
2Reliability
If a salt plug is used to prevent water flow, then temporary plugging is achieved, but the plug requires dissolution to restore flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by employing a salt plug that changes its physical state from solid to dissolved through contact with water. The salt plug is designed to dissolve at a controlled rate, transforming from a flow-blocking solid structure to dissolved ions, thereby restoring fluid flow without requiring mechanical intervention.
3Ease of operation
If rupture discs are used to allow fluid flow, then flow restoration is achieved, but elastomer barrier fragmentation occurs during rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful elastomer fragmentation that occurs during rupture into a beneficial controlled process. The debris barrier is specifically designed to capture and contain the fragmented pieces, transforming what would be a harmful uncontrolled dispersion of debris into a controlled collection process that prevents downstream contamination.
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
Prevents elastomer membrane debris from clogging or damaging valves and other equipment by ensuring it is removed from the fluid flow path, maintaining operational integrity of downhole tools.
Implementation Method 1
The water then dissolves the salt plug, which then allows fluid to begin flowing through the casing string
Implementation Method 2
An elastomer barrier is provided to separate the water column from the drilling fluid in the casing string uphole of the water column to avoid contaminating the water with drilling fluid
Implementation Method 3
fluid pressure is increased in the casing string until rupture discs in the plug assembly give way
Implementation Method 4
rupture discs in the plug assembly give way
Implementation Method 5
the sleeve is configured to move uphole along the top sub in response to fluid pressure in the fluid channel
Data Source
AI summary
A plug assembly for use in oil and gas wells includes a sleeve having a debris barrier. The plug assembly may have a top sub, a bottom sub, and a middle sub arranged between the top sub and the bottom sub. The middle sub has an interior bore, a valve and a fluid flow channel such that the valve, when opened, allows fluid to flow from an interior bore of the middle sub into the fluid flow channel. The sleeve having the debris barrier is disposed on the middle sub. Fluid flowing in the fluid flow channel moves the sleeve, which moves the debris barrier so that the debris barrier is withdrawn from the fluid flow path through the interior bores of the top sub and the middle sub.