Temporary Seal for Wellbore Casing with Segmented Breakdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a temporary seal within a wellbore casing that can be broken at weak points to allow subsequent cementing operations and other downhole activities without impeding fluid flow, as horizontal wells require efficient sealing and unsealing mechanisms to optimize productivity and reduce costs.
Innovation Solution
A temporary seal configured to break at predetermined pressure thresholds, allowing a first portion to remain on a seal seat while a second portion travels downhole, followed by cement pumping and a wiper plug to clean the casing, with the seal dissolving to expose the full bore diameter for further operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the casing is filled with fluid to reach the reservoir, then the buoyancy is reduced and drag increases, but if the casing is not filled with fluid, then the temporary seal cannot be maintained and cement cannot be pumped
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary seal is segmented into multiple portions with varying thicknesses, creating weak points that allow controlled breakdown. The seal is divided into a first portion that remains on the seal seat and a second portion that travels downhole, enabling the seal to provide initial containment while allowing eventual fluid circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary seal utilizes parameter changes in material properties, transitioning from a solid sealing state to a dissolvable state. The seal is configured to dissolve under specific conditions (temperature, solvent, flow), changing its physical state from intact to broken down, allowing the system to transition from sealed to open state.
2Device complexity
If the temporary seal is made with uniform thickness, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot break at predetermined weak points to allow fluid circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary seal incorporates local quality variations through non-uniform thickness distribution. Specific regions of the seal have reduced thickness to create weak points that will fail first under pressure, while other regions maintain sufficient thickness to provide sealing force. This localized variation in geometry enables controlled breakdown at predetermined locations.
3Reliability
If the temporary seal remains intact, then fluid flow is blocked for containment, but it impedes subsequent cementing operations and downhole activities
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary seal transitions from a static sealing structure to a dynamic system that changes state over time. Initially, the seal provides static containment of fluid. Subsequently, under controlled conditions (pressure increase, exposure to solvent or temperature changes), the seal dynamically breaks down and dissolves, transforming from an obstacle to fluid flow into a facilitator of subsequent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary seal is designed as a disposable component with limited service life. It performs its containment function temporarily during specific operations (casing installation, cementing preparation) and then is intentionally destroyed through dissolution. The seal is made of materials that can be broken down by temperature, solvent, or flow, allowing it to be discarded after serving its purpose.
4Ease of operation
If pressure is increased to break the temporary seal, then the seal is disengaged to allow fluid flow, but excessive pressure may damage the casing or equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure release mechanism is segmented through the non-uniform thickness design of the temporary seal. Instead of requiring uniform high pressure to break the entire seal at once, the varying thickness creates multiple weak points that fail at different pressure thresholds. This segmentation allows progressive breakdown of the seal, distributing the pressure requirement over time and preventing sudden catastrophic failure that could damage casing or equipment.
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
Enables controlled and efficient sealing and unsealing of the wellbore casing, facilitating cement placement and debris removal, thereby optimizing wellbore operations and reducing operational costs by ensuring unobstructed fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
The temporary seal may be comprised of dissolvable or other materials that may disappear under the influence of temperature, solvent, flow or combination
Implementation Method 2
The wipers may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the inner diameter of the casing while moving through the casing
Implementation Method 3
The cement may cure and remaining portions of the temporary seal may dissolve
Data Source
AI summary
A temporary seal may be configured to be initially positioned on a seal seat within casing, and be configured to be broken or disengaged by increasing the pressure within the inner diameter of the casing past a pressure threshold. Subsequent to the temporary seal being broken, a first portion of the temporary seal may remain on the seal seat while a second portion of the temporary seal may travel downhole through a landing collar. Then, cement may be pumped within the casing, followed by a wiper plug. The wiper plug may pass the seal seat, and be locked in place on the landing collar. The cement may cure and remaining portions of the temporary seal may dissolve.