Reverse Wiper Plug for Tubing Dope Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing pipe dope from wellbores are inefficient and require extensive rigless intervention, leading to increased costs and time, as they lack a mechanical means for effective dope removal in upper completion sections.
Innovation Solution
Deployment of wiper plugs in a reverse direction, from bottom-up, within the wellbore, utilizing a carrier sub and fluid circulation to propel the wiper plug upward, allowing for effective wiping and removal of excess dope from the tubing system, thereby providing a mechanical alternative to traditional pickle solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional top-down wiper plug deployment is used, then the wiper plug can be easily deployed from surface, but it cannot effectively remove dope from upper completion sections requiring extensive rigless intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional top-down wiper plug deployment by deploying the wiper plug from bottom-up. The wiper plug is installed on a liner hanger assembly at the bottom of the wellbore and then propelled upward through fluid circulation, allowing effective contact with and removal of dope from upper completion sections that cannot be reached by conventional methods.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional pickle solutions are used for dope removal, then chemical cleaning can be achieved, but it requires extensive rigless intervention time and incurs high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical pickle solutions with a mechanical wiper plug system. The wiper plug, equipped with wiping elements, mechanically contacts and removes dope from the tubing interior surface through upward propulsion by fluid circulation, eliminating the need for lengthy chemical cleaning operations and extensive rigless intervention.
3Reliability
If conventional cementing wiper plugs are used, then mechanical separation between fluids is achieved, but they are not configured for bottom-up deployment and dope removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the conventional cementing wiper plug design for a new function and deployment direction. The wiper plug retains its fluid separation capability but is now configured for bottom-up deployment via the liner hanger assembly and is equipped with wiping elements to mechanically remove dope, making it a multi-functional tool that combines cementing plug reliability with dope removal versatility.
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 method reduces rigless intervention time and costs by enabling efficient removal of pipe dope and debris, improving wellbore accessibility and reducing the need for additional cleanout runs, potentially saving up to 150 days of rig time and $32 million annually.
Implementation Method 1
fluid within a tubing-casing annulus that is located between the production casing the first tubing is reverse circulated so that is flows from the tubing-casing annulus into an inside of the first tubing and propels the at least one wiper plug within the first tubing in an uphole direction
Data Source
AI summary
A method of removing dope from a tubing system in a wellbore includes the step of, prior to setting a production packer, reverse circulating fluid within a tubing-casing annulus (TCA) so that is flows from the tubing-casing annulus into a first tubing and propels at least one wiper plug within the first tubing in an uphole direction, thereby wiping the inside of the first tubing and removing excess dope.