Shape Deforming Wellbore Seal for Leak Path Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing technologies in wellbores face challenges in effectively sealing leak paths through inner wall surfaces, as they often restrict access and are not easily removable, limiting further downhole operations.

Innovation Solution

A sealing device comprising a tubular member, an expandable element, and a shape-deforming sealing element that changes shape in response to temperature or fluid pressure, allowing it to be securely attached to the wellbore inner wall surface for leak path sealing and then removed, with optional support sleeves for mechanical backup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional packers or sealing elements are used to seal leak paths, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but access to the region below the isolated section is restricted and the device is difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidaccess to downhole region

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is divided into multiple separable components: a mandrel, an expandable element, and a shape-deforming sealing element. This segmentation allows the mandrel and expandable element to be removed after deployment, leaving only the sealing element in place, thereby maintaining access to the downhole region while ensuring effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mandrel and expandable element are extracted from the wellbore after the sealing element has been deployed and set. This extraction removes the temporary deployment structure, leaving only the functional sealing element, thus restoring full access to the region below the seal while maintaining sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional packers are used to seal leak paths, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the bore geometry is limited and further downhole operations are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidbore geometry flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mandrel and expandable element serve as temporary, disposable deployment structures that are removed after use. This allows the wellbore to return to its full geometric capacity for subsequent operations, while the sealing element remains as a permanent, thin-profile component that does not restrict future operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the sealing device remains in place permanently, then sealing reliability is maintained, but the wellbore diameter is restricted for further operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidwellbore diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mandrel and expandable element are extracted from the wellbore after deployment, removing the bulk of the device volume. Only the thin sealing element remains, which maintains sealing reliability while minimizing impact on wellbore diameter and allowing full access for subsequent operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution provides a reliable and accessible seal for leak paths, allowing for unrestricted wellbore diameter and enabling further downhole operations by leaving only the shape-deforming sealing element in place, which remains effective after the expandable element is removed.

Implementation Method 1

a shape deforming sealing element. Expansion or inflation of the expandable element moves the shape deforming sealing element from its run-in shape to its set shape. A stimulus, such as a change in temperature, acts upon the shape deforming sealing element facilitating the shape deforming sealing element changing shape.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory effect: Shape Memory Polymer

Implementation Method 2

Expansion or inflation of the expandable element moves the shape deforming sealing element from its run-in shape to its set shape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic expansion: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8955606B2Sealing devices for sealing inner wall surfaces of a wellbore and methods of installing same in a wellbore

Publication Date: 2015.02.17 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

Sealing devices for use in a wellbore to seal a leak path through an inner wall surface of the wellbore comprise a mandrel, an expandable element, and a shape deforming sealing element. Expansion or inflation of the expandable element moves the shape deforming sealing element from its run-in shape to its set shape. A stimulus, such as a change in temperature, acts upon the shape deforming sealing element facilitating the shape deforming sealing element changing shape. Removal of the stimulus causes the shape deforming sealing element to remain in the set shape. Thereafter, the mandrel and expandable element can be removed to leave only the shape deforming sealing element within the wellbore to seal the leak path.