Single-Trip Well Plugging Tool with Resettable Packers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for plugging and abandoning oil or gas wells are time-consuming and costly, often requiring multiple downhole trips and the use of a drilling rig, especially when casing is left in place, which complicates the process and increases expenses.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a coiled tubing system and a downhole tool with resettable packers and a perforating gun allows for the creation of a cement plug in a single trip, eliminating the need for multiple tools and rig-based operations by perforating the casing and pumping cement through a flow-through assembly to seal the borehole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple downhole tools and trips are used to plug the well, then the plugging operation can be performed with conventional equipment, but the operation becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple downhole tools (perforating gun, packers, cement injection system) into a single integrated downhole tool assembly. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate trips to the wellbore, as all plugging operations can be performed in one deployment. The tool string integrates the perforating gun for creating flow paths, packers for isolating zones, and cement injection system for creating the plug, thereby reducing operational time while maintaining reliable plugging completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole tool assembly is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple plugging operations simultaneously. The same tool string can perforate casing, set packers, inject cement, and create flow barriers all in one deployment. This universal tool design eliminates the need for specialized equipment for each specific plugging task, reducing both time and cost while ensuring reliable operation completion.
2Reliability
If a drilling rig is used to perform plugging operations, then the operations can be conducted with sufficient equipment capability, but the operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential plugging functions from the complex drilling rig system and consolidates them into a specialized downhole tool assembly that can be deployed using simpler, less expensive equipment. By taking out only the necessary functions (perforation, packing, cement injection) and combining them in a single deployable unit, the system eliminates the need for expensive drilling rig operations while maintaining sufficient capability to perform reliable plugging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole tool assembly is designed as a cost-effective, single-use or limited-use system that eliminates the need for expensive drilling rig deployment. The tool string is optimized for one-time deployment to complete the plugging operation, and can be retrieved or abandoned with the cement plug. This approach trades the high cost of drilling rig usage for a more economical specialized tool system that achieves the same plugging reliability at lower operational cost.
3Reliability
If multiple trips downhole are made with different tools, then each specific plugging task can be performed with appropriate equipment, but the overall process becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate downhole tools into a single integrated tool string that performs all necessary plugging functions. Instead of deploying a perforating gun in one trip, packers in another, and cement injection equipment in a third trip, all these functions are combined in one deployable assembly. This merging reduces the number of tools from multiple separate devices to a single multi-functional tool string, simplifying the overall process while maintaining the ability to complete each specific plugging task reliably.
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 approach reduces the time and cost associated with well plugging by enabling a single trip downhole, eliminating the need for a drilling rig, and streamlining the process to seal the well effectively, thereby reducing operational expenses and enhancing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a perforating gun operable to perforate the casing
Implementation Method 2
an upper resettable packer and a lower resettable packer
Implementation Method 3
pumping a cement slurry through the flow-through assembly and into the cased well via the perforations in the casing at the second location to create a plug
Data Source
AI summary
A plugging system for plugging a cased well in a single trip downhole. The plugging system may include a tool string positionable within the cased well and including a bore and a downhole tool coupled to the tool string. The downhole tool may include a first perforating gun, an upper resettable packer, a lower resettable packer, and a flow-through assembly. The first perforating gun may be operable to perforate the casing of the cased well. When the downhole tool is positioned in the cased well, the upper resettable packer may be uphole of the first perforating gun. When the downhole tool is positioned in the cased well, the lower resettable packer may be downhole of the first perforating gun. The flow-through assembly may be positioned between the upper resettable packer and the lower resettable packer and operable to flow fluids into a bore of the cased well.