Well Plugging via Explosive Tubular Perforation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for well abandonment are costly and time-consuming due to the need for multiple steps and equipment, such as a full-size rig, and often require the removal of entire tubulars, which is not economically feasible for wells at the end of their life or for temporary purposes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves detonating explosive charges within the tubulars to remove, fragment, and cut sections around the well circumference, exposing the formation or cement, and then filling the area with a sealing material to form plugs, reducing the need for a rig and simplifying the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional methods are used to plug a well, then the well can be effectively sealed, but the process is costly and time-consuming due to the need for a full-size rig and multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the well plugging process into discrete modular stages: (1) deploying a plug assembly via wireline or coiled tubing without requiring a rig, (2) using explosive charges to perforate the tubular at the target depth, (3) injecting sealing material through the perforations to create the plug, and (4) setting the plug assembly. This segmentation allows each function to be performed independently with specialized tools, eliminating the need for expensive full-size rigs and multiple complex operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential plugging function from the complex traditional rig-based system. By removing the requirement for a full-size rig and isolating the core plugging operations into a deployable plug assembly that can be delivered via wireline or coiled tubing, the process achieves effective well sealing with significantly reduced equipment, time, and cost requirements.
2Reliability
If traditional methods are used to plug a well, then the well can be adequately sealed, but the process requires multiple steps and equipment making it time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The plug assembly is pre-configured with the explosive charge, sealing material, and setting mechanisms before deployment. The explosive charge is positioned in advance to perforate the tubular at the exact target depth, and the sealing material is pre-loaded in the containment structure. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site assembly and multiple sequential operations, allowing the plugging function to be executed rapidly in a single deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated plug assembly: the explosive charge for perforation, the sealing material for plugging, and the setting mechanism for securing the plug are all combined in one deployable unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate equipment deployments and operational steps, dramatically reducing the time required to complete the plugging operation while maintaining effective well sealing.
3Reliability
If entire tubulars are removed from the well, then the well can be properly prepared for plugging, but this is not economically feasible for wells at the end of their life
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing entire tubulars from the well, the invention applies the plugging function locally at the specific depth where the well barrier is needed. The explosive charge perforates the tubular only at the target depth, and the sealing material is injected only at that location to form a localized plug. This local approach maintains the necessary well barrier integrity while avoiding the expensive and time-consuming operation of removing entire tubulars, making the process economically feasible for wells at the end of their life.
4Productivity
If explosive charges are used to perforate tubulars and sealant is pumped through perforations, then the well can be plugged around the bottom end of tubing, but this requires precise positioning and control
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical positioning and control systems with a simplified approach: the explosive charge is positioned on the plug assembly at a known offset from the setting point, and when detonated, it automatically creates the perforation at the correct depth. The sealing material is then injected through the perforation using pressure-driven flow rather than complex mechanical injection systems. This substitution of mechanical precision requirements with explosive timing and pressure control simplifies the overall system while maintaining the required positioning accuracy.
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 significantly reduces the number of steps and equipment required, ensuring effective sealing of the well with improved bonding of the sealant to the formation, thereby reducing costs and time while ensuring proper abandonment.
Implementation Method 1
detonating explosive charges within the tubulars to remove, fragment, and cut sections around the well circumference
Data Source
AI summary
A method of plugging a well extending into a hydrocarbon bearing formation fascilitates temporary or permanent abandonment of the well. The method includes detonating one or more explosive charges within a tubular or tubulars extending through the well in order to remove, fragment and or cut one or more sections of the tubulars around the entire circumference of the well to expose the surrounding formation or cement. The well is then filled in the region of the exposed surrounding formation or cement with a sealing material so as to form one or more plugs within the well to seal the well.