Swellable Seal Wellbore Plug via Wireline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore sealing systems in the hydrocarbon recovery industry are complex, costly, and difficult to deploy due to their reliance on multiple moving parts and sliding seals, which can lead to potential failure modes.
Innovation Solution
A downhole wellbore plugging system utilizing a mandrel with an anchor and a swellable seal that is deployed via wireline, where the anchor is set and the swellable seal swells upon exposure to downhole conditions to form a seal with the wellbore structures, eliminating the need for complex actuation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex actuation devices with multiple moving parts and sliding seals are used to compress and expand the sealing element, then the sealing capability is achieved, but the device complexity and potential for mechanical failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex actuation device entirely from the system. Instead of using valves, pistons, and actuators to compress and expand the sealing element, the invention extracts the actuation mechanism and replaces it with a simple swellable sealing element that automatically expands upon contact with wellbore fluids or downhole conditions, eliminating multiple moving parts and sliding seals while maintaining sealing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The swellable sealing element is designed to autonomously expand when exposed to wellbore fluids or downhole environmental conditions without requiring external actuation. The material self-activates through absorption of fluids or response to temperature/pressure changes, eliminating the need for complex control systems and reducing mechanical failure points
2Reliability
If traditional axial compression systems with multiple components are used, then sealing engagement is achieved, but the cost and difficulty of deployment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, cost-effective swellable sealing element that can be manufactured at low cost without complex machining or assembly. The device is designed as a single-use plug that is deployed via wireline, set by simple expansion mechanisms, and left in place to permanently seal the wellbore, eliminating the need for expensive, complex reusable actuation systems
3Device complexity
If swellable seal material is used to eliminate complex actuation devices, then device complexity is reduced, but the time required for swelling and sealing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the swelling characteristics of the sealing element by selecting materials and formulations that respond rapidly to downhole conditions. The swellable material is engineered with controlled porosity, hydrophilicity, and cross-linking density to achieve fast expansion rates while maintaining adequate seal integrity, thereby reducing the time penalty associated with swelling
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 allows for a simple, cost-effective, and reliable method to plug downhole wellbores, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and enabling efficient wellbore isolation with adjustable swelling times to accommodate deployment positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a swellable seal disposed at the mandrel being sealable with the downhole wellbore and the mandrel
Implementation Method 2
swelling the swellable seal into contact with another downhole structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for plugging a downhole wellbore including, running an anchor and swellable seal disposed at a mandrel within the downhole wellbore, setting the anchor within the downhole wellbore, releasing the anchor and the swellable seal, and swelling the swellable seal into contact with another downhole structure.