Treatment Plug Anchoring and Sealing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anchoring and sealing systems for tubular systems in industries like completion and carbon dioxide sequestration lack efficient methods for positional fixation and sealing, requiring improvements in anchoring and sealing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A treatment plug with movable slips that radially engage to anchor and a deformable metal seal that compresses for sealing, allowing for longitudinal movement and compression to secure the plug within a structure, enhancing positional retention and sealing efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing anchoring and sealing systems are used, then the system can positionally fix tubulars and seal them, but the system lacks efficiency and requires pre-drilling operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring and sealing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the anchoring function (via slips) and sealing function (via deformable metal seal) into a single integrated treatment plug assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate anchoring and sealing operations, improving efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment plug is designed to be run into the wellbore in a compressed state and then expanded in-place to simultaneously achieve anchoring and sealing. This preliminary preparation allows the system to avoid pre-drilling operations and perform both functions in a single deployment action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If a large bore dimension is required, then the treatment plug can accommodate high loads, but the anchoring and sealing mechanisms become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidanchoring and sealing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment plug utilizes parameter changes through the expansion of the deformable metal seal from a compressed state during running to an expanded state during sealing. This allows the seal to achieve high load-bearing capacity and large bore dimension without requiring complex pre-assembled structures, as the complexity is resolved through the expansion mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, pre-assembled structure to a dynamic system where the slips and seal expand in-place within the wellbore. This dynamic approach allows the treatment plug to achieve its full load-bearing capacity and bore dimension only when needed, simplifying the running configuration while maintaining strength when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If deformable metal seals are used, then effective sealing loads are maintained, but the seal requires longitudinal compression to function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing efficacyVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment plug design allows the deformable metal seal to self-compress and self-seal when the plug is expanded in the wellbore. The expansion mechanism automatically applies the necessary longitudinal compression to the seal, eliminating the need for separate compression operations and maintaining simplicity in the deployment process while ensuring reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 treatment plug achieves robust anchoring and sealing with a large bore dimension, supporting high loads without the need for pre-drilling, and maintaining effective sealing loads through the use of metal slips and deformable metal seals, allowing for efficient operation in tubular systems.

Implementation Method 1

at least one seal having a deformable metal member configured to radially deform into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal compression of the deformable metal member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

at least two slips movably engaged with one another to cause the at least two slips to move radially into engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal movement between the at least two slips

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8985228B2Treatment plug and method of anchoring and sealing the same to a structure

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A treatment plug includes, an anchor runnable and settable within a structure having, at least two slips movably engaged with one another to cause the at least two slips to move radially into engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal movement between the at least two slips. The treatment plug also has at least one seal having a deformable metal member configured to radially deform into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal compression of the deformable metal member, and a seat that is sealingly receptive to a plug.