Split Elastomer Packer for Dynamic Wireline Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure control equipment (PCE) seals around cables or tubing in high-pressure wells are prone to leaks due to interaction or breakdown, necessitating an improved sealing method.
Innovation Solution
A packer design featuring a split elastomer cylinder with contact pressure features and energizing rings that compress radially to enhance sealing around cables, reducing wear and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal is formed around a cable or tubing in high-pressure wells, then the seal prevents well contents from escaping, but the seal is prone to leaks due to interaction with the cable or tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric cylinder is divided into two separable halves that can be assembled around the cable or tubing. This segmentation allows the seal to be installed without disconnecting the cable, ensuring continuous monitoring while maintaining seal integrity and preventing leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner surface of the elastomeric cylinder incorporates a wear-resistant coating specifically at the cable contact region. This local quality enhancement protects the seal from degradation due to cable interaction, maintaining reliability without requiring the entire seal structure to be overly robust.
2Productivity
If the cable or tubing moves at high speed through the seal, then wireline operations can be performed efficiently, but the seal is more likely to leak due to dynamic interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The seal design accommodates high-speed cable movement through dynamic clearance gaps between the elastomeric cylinder and the cable. The elastomeric material's inherent flexibility allows it to dynamically adapt to cable motion while maintaining sealing effectiveness, enabling efficient wireline operations without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric cylinder incorporates a wear-resistant coating that changes the surface properties at the cable contact interface. This parameter change reduces friction and wear during high-speed movement, allowing the seal to maintain integrity under dynamic conditions while supporting productive wireline operations.
3Reliability
If the seal structure is made robust to prevent leaks, then reliability improves, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the elastomeric cylinder into two halves simplifies the installation process and reduces the complexity of assembling a robust seal. The segmented design allows for easier positioning and securing of the seal around the cable without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, maintaining reliability while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Applying wear-resistant coating only to the inner surface that contacts the cable provides enhanced reliability at the critical leakage point without adding complexity to the entire seal structure. This localized enhancement maintains simplicity while ensuring leak prevention where it is most needed.
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 design improves sealing efficacy by increasing radial contact pressure and distributing load evenly, thereby minimizing well content leakage during wireline operations.
Implementation Method 1
A packer design featuring a split elastomer cylinder with contact pressure features and energizing rings that compress radially to enhance sealing around cables
Implementation Method 2
increasing radial contact pressure and distributing load evenly
Data Source
AI summary
A packer includes a cylinder of elastomer including: two flat ends, a longitudinal axis, an opening formed along the longitudinal axis, the opening configured to accommodate a cable, and at least one contact pressure feature running around a circumference of the cylinder. The cylinder is split perpendicular to the flat ends into two halves.