Solid Sealing Elements for Wellbore Isolation Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of wellbore isolation devices after completion of hydrocarbon production operations is traditionally a costly and time-consuming process, involving milling or drilling out the device and subsequent mechanical retrieval.
Innovation Solution
The use of solid sealing elements made of metal or plastic in wellbore isolation devices, which provide a shorter axial seal, increased frictional engagement, and resistance to creep or flow, allowing for easier deployment and retrieval by plastically deforming into the wellbore casing, thus reducing the need for complex retrieval operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional elastomeric or rubber sealing elements are used, then the device can be easily manufactured and installed, but the retrieval operation becomes complex and time-consuming requiring milling or drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastomeric/rubber to solid metal or plastic materials. This parameter change enables the sealing element to be plastically deformed into engagement with the wellbore casing, creating a secure seal that can be retrieved by simply pulling the device out without requiring milling or drilling operations.
2Loss of time
If solid sealing elements made of metal or plastic are used, then retrieval becomes easier and faster, but the device requires plastically deforming into the wellbore casing which may increase installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the solid sealing element in a compressed or compact state within the device body. During installation, the sealing element is released and plastically deforms into engagement with the wellbore casing. This preliminary configuration simplifies the overall process by preparing the sealing mechanism in advance, reducing installation complexity despite the plastic deformation requirement.
3Length of moving object
If solid sealing elements are used to provide shorter axial seal, then the device length is reduced, but the material must resist creep or flow under elevated temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by selecting solid materials such as metal or plastic that combine the properties of structural integrity, resistance to creep and flow under elevated temperatures and pressures, and plastic deformability for sealing engagement. These composite material properties enable the sealing element to maintain reliability in harsh wellbore environments while providing a compact, short axial seal.
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 solid sealing elements enable faster and more efficient deployment and retrieval of wellbore isolation devices, reducing operational costs and time, while maintaining a reliable seal across elevated temperatures and pressures.
Implementation Method 1
one or more solid sealing elements disposed about the mandrel and plastically deformable to seal against an inner wall of a casing or an inner wall of a wellbore
Implementation Method 2
The sealing engagement of the solid sealing elements against a casing, for example, may also serve as a slip for the wellbore isolation device since setting the solid sealing elements may result in indentation into the inner wall of the casing, and thereby increasing the frictional engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
An example wellbore isolation device includes a mandrel and one or more solid sealing elements disposed about the mandrel and plastically deformable to seal against an inner wall of a casing or an inner wall of a wellbore. A slip wedge is disposed about the mandrel on a first axial end of the one or more solid sealing elements, and a radial shoulder positioned on the mandrel at a second axial end of the one or more sealing elements. At least the slip wedge applies a compressive force on the one or more solid sealing elements and thereby plastically deforms the one or more solid sealing elements into sealing engagement with the inner wall of the casing or the wellbore.