Sealing Tool Debris Capture Cavities for Reliable Wellbore Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole pressure-testing operations in hydrocarbon exploration and production are hindered by sand and debris contamination, leading to unreliable sealing and costly delays in debris removal and tool retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A sealing tool comprising a prong assembly and a plug assembly with cavities designed to capture debris, where the prong penetrates to seal equalization holes and the plug has a cavity to retain debris, facilitating reliable sealing and retrieval by maximizing debris capacity within the tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing tools are used in debris-laden wellbores, then sealing operations can be performed, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to sand and debris interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes debris from the wellbore environment by incorporating a bailing mechanism that actively captures and removes sand and debris from the wellbore before sealing operations, preventing debris interference with the sealing process
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies beforehand cushioning by providing a protective barrier and debris capture system that prevents debris from interfering with sealing operations before they occur, ensuring reliable sealing even in debris-laden environments
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bailing operations are performed to remove debris, then debris interference is reduced, but operational time increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the bailing operation with the sealing tool deployment by integrating debris capture and removal capabilities into the sealing tool itself, allowing both debris removal and sealing to be accomplished in a single operational sequence rather than separate steps
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by capturing and removing debris before the sealing operation begins, using a pre-deployed bailing mechanism that clears the wellbore environment in advance, ensuring sealing reliability without requiring separate post-deployment bailing operations
3Reliability
If plug removal is delayed due to contamination, then sealing reliability is maintained, but productivity decreases due to extended operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies self-service by designing a plug with integrated retrieval features that allow the plug to be easily caught and removed by fishing tools through substantial portions of the plug that extend beyond the tubing, enabling rapid plug retrieval without complex removal operations or extended delays
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing tool for sealing a tubing string at a predetermined location, the sealing tool having a prong assembly and a plug assembly, each of which includes a cavity configured to capture and retain debris, and the plug assembly including at least one equalization hole for fluid communication through the plug when unobstructed by the prong.