Well Barrier Integrity Testing via Upper-Side Pressure Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing the integrity of well barriers, particularly permanent and temporary barriers, face challenges such as the need for equipment placement below the barrier, which is not retrievable and can cause fracturing, and the difficulty in accurately verifying sealing integrity without increasing pressure above the primary barrier.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a secondary seal above the primary barrier to create a test chamber, allowing for pressure testing from the upper side without requiring equipment placement below the barrier, using a pressure reducing device to achieve a predetermined test pressure and monitoring for integrity verification, with the option to reuse equipment across different wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If testing equipment is installed below the permanent barrier for pressure testing, then the barrier integrity can be tested from the flow direction, but the testing equipment cannot be retrieved and must be abandoned in the well
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional testing approach by applying pressure from above the barrier instead of from below. The testing equipment remains on the surface while pressure is transmitted through the barrier to the formation, allowing integrity testing without equipment abandonment in the wellbore.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid medium as an intermediary to transmit pressure from the surface through the barrier to the formation. This allows the testing force to be applied indirectly, eliminating the need for physical equipment placement below the barrier while maintaining test effectiveness.
2Reliability
If test pressure exceeds pore pressure in the formation, then adequate sealing can be verified, but fracturing of the formation or well construction may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure application parameters by using a controlled pressure reduction approach. Instead of increasing pressure above the barrier, the system reduces pressure to create a pressure differential that tests sealing integrity while maintaining formation safety through calculated pressure differentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-calculating safe pressure differentials based on formation characteristics. The testing protocol establishes maximum allowable pressure differentials before testing begins, preventing formation fracturing while still enabling adequate sealing verification through controlled pressure reduction.
3Reliability
If pressure testing is conducted from below the barrier, then the test pressure coincides with flow direction, but equipment must be placed in the wellbore and cannot be retrieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the testing direction to apply pressure from above the barrier rather than from below. This reversal maintains the ability to test barrier integrity in the flow direction while eliminating the need for equipment placement in the wellbore, as all testing equipment remains on the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal testing system that can be applied to multiple barriers and well configurations without requiring custom equipment deployment. The surface-based pressure reduction system provides multi-functional capability for testing different barrier types and locations without repeated equipment placement operations.
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 accurate verification of barrier integrity without fracturing risks, allows for retrievable and reusable equipment, and performs pressure testing without pumping well fluids from the surface, addressing the limitations of prior art methods.
Implementation Method 1
reducing the pressure of the test chamber to a predetermined test pressure TP2
Implementation Method 2
monitoring the pressure of the test chamber after the pressure reduction
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing an integrity of a primary barrier arranged in a well includes arranging a first sealing device above the primary barrier in a position axially spaced from the primary barrier in the well, which establishes a test chamber confined by the first sealing device and the primary barrier. The method further includes arranging a second sealing device above the first sealing device in a position axially spaced from the first sealing device in the well, which establishes a further test chamber between the first sealing device and the second sealing device. The method also includes reducing a pressure of the test chamber to a predetermined test pressure, monitoring the pressure of the test chamber and a pressure of the further test chamber after the pressure reduction, and verifying the integrity of the primary barrier if no pressure increases or decreases are detected in the test chamber after the applied pressure reduction.