Swelling Plug for Side Pocket Mandrel Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side pocket mandrels in subterranean wells often become damaged or unusable due to flow-cut ports, and existing dummy valve solutions are not completely reliable, as their sealing and latching mechanisms can be compromised during installation.
Innovation Solution
A plugging device with a swellable seal material is used, which swells after installation to prevent fluid transfer through the port, eliminating the need for mechanical actuation and providing a self-healing seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dummy valve with mechanical sealing and latching mechanisms is used to plug the side pocket, then the port can be sealed, but the seal can be cut or damaged during installation and the mechanism is not completely reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sealing and latching system with a swelling plug that uses chemical/physical swelling of elastomeric material to create the seal. The plug contains swellable elastomeric material that expands upon contact with well fluids, eliminating the need for mechanical actuators, seals, and latching mechanisms while providing reliable plugging of the side pocket port
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and volume of the elastomeric material through swelling. The swellable plug material increases in volume upon contact with well fluids (water, oil, or gas), transforming from a compact installation state to an expanded sealed state, thereby creating effective contact with the port walls without mechanical actuation
2Reliability
If a swelling plug is used to plug the side pocket, then the seal is more reliable and self-healing, but the plug volume increases after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a phase transition or state change in the elastomeric material through swelling. The swellable plug material undergoes a volumetric expansion when exposed to well fluids, transitioning from a dense compact form during installation to an expanded sealed form in place, providing reliable sealing while accommodating the volume change within the confined side pocket space
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 swellable seal material effectively prevents fluid transfer and ensures reliable plugging of side pocket mandrels, even if the seal is cut or damaged during installation, offering a more reliable solution than traditional mechanical actuation methods.
Implementation Method 1
The seal material swells at least after installation of the plugging device in the side pocket to thereby prevent fluid transfer through the port
Data Source
AI summary
Plugging a side pocket mandrel using a swelling plug. A system for plugging a port in a side pocket of a mandrel in a subterranean well includes a plugging device installed in the side pocket of the mandrel, the plugging device including a swellable seal material, whereby the seal material swells at least after installation of the plugging device in the side pocket to thereby prevent fluid transfer through the port. A method of plugging a port in a side pocket of a mandrel in a subterranean well includes the steps of: providing the plugging device with a swellable seal material; installing the plugging device in the side pocket; and the seal material swelling in the side pocket, thereby preventing fluid transfer through the port.