Solidified Fluid Barrier for Wellhead Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wellhead barriers face challenges such as high pressure and volume requirements, potential leakage, and time-consuming installation and removal processes, making them unsuitable for all scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A solidified fluid barrier is formed by injecting a wellhead sealing composition comprising water, cyclodextrin, and an azaarene into the wellhead, which undergoes a phase transition from liquid to solid upon heating, providing an additional barrier between well contents and the atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fluid barriers are used, then wellhead barrier function is provided, but high pressures and large volumes of liquid are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of a slurry composition from liquid to solid state to form a solidified barrier. The slurry is pumped into the wellhead in liquid form and then solidifies to create the barrier, eliminating the need for large volumes of liquid while maintaining barrier functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the barrier material from liquid to solid through phase transition. This parameter change allows the barrier to maintain its shape and position without requiring large volumes or high pressures, while still providing effective wellhead isolation.
2Reliability
If traditional fluid barriers are used, then wellhead barrier function is provided, but uncontrolled fluid leakage or damage to well structure may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The phase transition from liquid to solid creates a rigid, stable barrier that maintains well integrity. The solidified state prevents uncontrolled fluid leakage and eliminates the risk of damage to well structure that can occur with traditional liquid barriers under high pressure.
3Reliability
If traditional mechanical barriers are used, then wellhead barrier function is provided, but installation and removal are time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic pumping to deliver the slurry composition through existing wellhead flow lines to the target location. This allows rapid installation without complex mechanical assembly, and the slurry can be easily pumped out or allowed to melt for removal, significantly reducing downtime compared to traditional mechanical barriers.
4Reliability
If additional barrier is required, then well integrity and safety are improved, but traditional methods are not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The slurry composition system can serve multiple functions: it can be pumped through existing flow lines, solidify to form a barrier, and later be removed by melting or pumping. This multi-functionality makes it adaptable to various wellhead configurations and scenarios where traditional barriers are not feasible, while maintaining well integrity and safety.
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 solidified fluid barrier effectively maintains well integrity and safety, is easy to install, reduces downtime, and can be easily removed by transitioning back to a liquid state.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid composition will undergo a phase transition from liquid to solid
Implementation Method 2
the fluid composition will undergo a phase transition from liquid to solid, such as by host-guest interactions and/or crystallization
Implementation Method 3
Heating the composition may include, but may not be limited to, chemical reactions, external conductive heating, or utilizing electromagnets to generate an oscillating field
Implementation Method 4
utilizing electromagnets to generate an oscillating field affecting magnetic nanoparticles in the fluid composition
Implementation Method 5
The re-transition fluid composition may subsequently be removed from the wellhead cavity through injection of a displacement fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein are directed to a method for forming a solidified fluid barrier in a wellhead including: injecting a wellhead sealing composition into a first flow line, a second flow line, a crown valve, or combinations thereof of the wellhead, the wellhead including at least a wellbore casing, a master valve, a fluid chamber, a first wing valve, a second wing valve, and a crown valve; pumping the wellhead sealing composition including a cyclodextrin, water, and an azaarene into the fluid chamber of the wellhead; and heating the wellhead sealing composition to solidify the wellhead sealing composition in the fluid chamber. Further embodiments herein are directed to a wellhead for a subsurface well including a wellbore casing, a master valve, a fluid chamber including a solidified fluid barrier including alpha-cyclodextrin, water, and 4-methylpyridine, a first wing valve, a second wing valve, and a crown valve.