Well Plugging via Explosive Pipe Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well plugging methods face challenges in forming a reliable fluid-tight plug, particularly in annuli between pipe bodies, due to old precipitated mud and uneven density, leading to potential sagging of the plugging material and inadequate sealing.
Innovation Solution
The method involves detonating explosive charges to expand the diameter of pipe bodies, creating a stable base for fluidized plugging material, which can be assisted by cutting tools to form holes and flushing tools to clean the area, ensuring better adhesion and distribution of the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mechanical cutting is used to remove pipe bodies before plugging, then the pipe bodies can be removed, but the process is very time-consuming and difficult to ensure good adhesion of plugging material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting with explosive charges to remove pipe bodies. The explosive charges are placed inside the pipe bodies and detonated to fragment and eject the pipe sections, eliminating the need for time-consuming mechanical cutting and milled steel removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of explosive material from solid to gas during detonation. The explosive charges undergo rapid chemical reaction transforming solid explosive material into high-pressure gas that fragments and ejects the pipe bodies, providing a rapid alternative to mechanical removal.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe bodies are removed by mechanical cutting, then the pipe bodies can be taken out, but it is difficult to ensure good adhesion and homogeneity of plugging material due to old precipitated mud and remnants of milled steel pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cutting with explosive removal to eliminate remnants of milled steel pipes that interfere with plugging material adhesion. The explosive fragmentation completely removes pipe body sections without leaving behind cut edges or metal shavings that would compromise the bonding surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of explosive fragmentation into a beneficial cleaning action. The explosive detonation not only removes pipe bodies but also clears away old precipitated mud and contaminants from the wellbore surface, creating a clean substrate that enhances plugging material adhesion and homogeneity.
3Reliability
If the well is flushed and purged before plugging, then the plugging material distribution can be improved, but it is still difficult to form a good base for fluidized plugging material in annuli filled with old precipitated mud of varying density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful presence of old precipitated mud into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. The explosive detonation creates high-velocity gas flow and shock waves that forcefully eject and clear away accumulated mud and contaminants from the wellbore and annuli, creating a clean, stable base for the fluidized plugging material without requiring complex flushing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of explosive material to generate high-pressure gas that physically clears the wellbore. The rapid expansion of gas during detonation creates sufficient force to eject precipitated mud and contaminants, providing an effective cleaning action that simplifies the overall plugging process.
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 enhances the density and homogeneity of the plug, providing a reliable fluid-tight seal across the well cross-section by creating a stable base for the plugging material, even in areas with precipitated mud, and allows for efficient sealing of annuli.
Implementation Method 1
detonating one or more of said explosive charges so as to extend the diameter of one or more of said pipe bodies
Implementation Method 2
by means of one or more explosive charges which are to be detonated so as to expand a diameter of one or more of said pipe bodies
Data Source
AI summary
A method is for plugging a well wherein the well, at least along a longitudinal section to be plugged, is provided with one or more pipe bodies forming a radial boundary between the well and a surrounding formation. The method includes (D), lowering a flow-through string into the well and, by the flow-through string, supplying a fluidized plugging material along the longitudinal section in the well, and at least within the innermost of said one or more pipe bodies in the well. The method, before step (D), also comprises (A), lowering one or more explosive charges into the well and onto the longitudinal section to be plugged, and detonating one or more of said explosive charges so as to extend the diameter of one or more of said pipe bodies at one or more places along the longitudinal section to be plugged. A system is for plugging a well.