Pressure-Triggered Degradable Component for Downhole Tool Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The drilling and completion industry faces challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively removing downhole tools from boreholes, as existing methods like drilling, milling, or tripping are time-consuming and expensive.

Innovation Solution

A downhole tool with a pressure-triggered degradable-on-command component composed of energetic material, which moves within a housing to initiate a triggering mechanism upon external pressure, igniting the material for controlled degradation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional removal methods (drilling, milling, or tripping) are used to remove downhole tools, then the tools can be removed from the borehole, but the process is time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval efficiencyVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The component changes its physical state from solid to degraded state by altering material properties through chemical reaction. The energetic material transitions from a stable solid structure to a degraded state, enabling the component to break down and be removed without mechanical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical removal systems (drilling, milling, tripping) with a chemical degradation system. Instead of using mechanical forces to remove the component, an energetic material undergoes chemical reaction to degrade the component structure, eliminating the need for complex mechanical removal equipment and operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If traditional removal methods (drilling, milling, or tripping) are used to remove downhole tools, then the tools can be removed from the borehole, but the process is expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval efficiencyVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The downhole component is designed as a disposable element that degrades after use. The energetic material provides a cost-effective solution by enabling the component to self-destruct chemically rather than requiring expensive retrieval operations. This disposable approach eliminates the need for costly removal equipment and operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the removal function from the system by incorporating an energetic material that enables self-degradation. Instead of requiring external removal systems, the component itself contains the means for its own elimination through chemical reaction, simplifying the overall system and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the degradable component is activated by external pressure, then the component degrades and can be removed, but the trigger mechanism must be reliably activated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation simplicityVSAvoidtrigger activation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The component activates itself through exposure to external pressure without requiring external control systems. The pressure-sensitive trigger mechanism automatically initiates the degradation process when the predetermined pressure condition is met, eliminating the need for external activation systems and reducing points of failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure-sensitive trigger mechanism acts as an intermediary between the external pressure and the energetic material. It translates the physical pressure into the chemical activation needed to initiate degradation, providing a reliable and simple activation method that responds directly to the presence of pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables efficient and cost-effective removal of downhole tools by utilizing pressure to activate the degradable component, reducing operational time and expenses associated with traditional removal methods.

Implementation Method 1

a degradable-on-command component composed of an energetic material... igniting the energetic material of the degradable-on-command component... degrading the degradable-on-command component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10227839B2Pressure-triggered degradable-on-command component of a downhole tool and method

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A downhole tool including a housing, a first portion of a trigger mechanism disposed in the housing, a degradable-on-command component movably disposed within the housing, a second portion of the trigger mechanism disposed in the component, the component being configured to positionally respond to an external input to dispose the first portion and second portion in operational contact with one another resulting in an initiation of degradation of the degradable-on-command component. A method for removing a component of a downhole tool.