Wellbore Occlusion for Pressure Wave Damage Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressure waves generated during wellbore perforation and pressure manipulation can cause damaging effects on tools and equipment, leading to inefficient operations and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating occlusions, such as solid centralizers, gas pockets, or inflatable bladders, between dynamic devices and barrier devices in the wellbore to absorb and reflect pressure waves, minimizing their impact on barrier devices like packers or plugs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pressure manipulation is performed to achieve enhanced fluid flow and debris removal, then productivity is improved, but pressure waves cause damage to tools and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow efficiencyVSAvoidpressure wave damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A sacrificial occlusion device is positioned between the dynamic device (perforating gun) and barrier devices (packers/plugs) to intercept and absorb pressure waves. The occlusion acts as an intermediary that protects critical equipment from direct exposure to damaging pressure waves while allowing the pressure manipulation process to continue for enhanced fluid flow and debris removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial occlusion device converts the harmful pressure waves into a beneficial protective mechanism. By allowing the pressure waves to act upon the occlusion device, the harmful energy is redirected away from critical equipment. The occlusion device absorbs and dissipates the pressure wave energy, transforming what would be damaging force into a protective barrier that extends equipment life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If packers or plugs are positioned to isolate intervals for quicker response, then reliability is improved, but pressure waves cause damage to these barrier devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoidpressure wave damage to barrier devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sacrificial occlusion device serves as a protective intermediary positioned between the dynamic device and the barrier devices (packers or plugs). It intercepts pressure waves before they reach the barrier devices, allowing the barrier devices to maintain their isolation function without direct exposure to damaging pressure waves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The occlusion device is positioned in advance of the barrier devices to provide preemptive protection. Before pressure waves can reach and potentially damage the packers or plugs, the occlusion device is already in place to absorb and dissipate the pressure wave energy, cushioning the barrier devices against harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If solid centralizers or inflatable bladders are used as occlusions, then protection against pressure waves is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure wave damage reductionVSAvoidocclusion device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The occlusion device utilizes changes in physical parameters to achieve protection. Solid centralizers rely on their rigid structural parameters to block and redirect pressure waves. Inflatable bladders utilize parameter changes by remaining deflated during transport and then inflating upon deployment to create the protective occlusion, adapting their physical state to match operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial occlusion device is designed as a temporary, disposable component that protects more expensive, long-lived equipment. The occlusion device is intentionally sacrificed or discarded after its protective function is fulfilled, allowing the use of simpler, less expensive materials that would be inadequate for long-term use but sufficient for temporary protection during pressure manipulation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 use of occlusions effectively reduces the damaging effects of pressure waves on barrier devices, maintaining dynamic underbalance and overbalance conditions while preventing fluid flow in unintended areas, thus enhancing operational efficiency and equipment longevity.

Implementation Method 1

The occlusion absorbs and reduces damaging effects of the pressure waves on the barrier device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure wave absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

presents an obstacle to the pressure waves generated by the dynamic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure wave reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8950487B2Assemblies and methods for minimizing pressure-wave damage

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

An assembly for minimizing damaging effects of pressure waves on devices in a wellbore. The assembly comprises a dynamic device disposed in the wellbore and generating pressure waves during actuation; a barrier device disposed in the wellbore and presenting an obstacle to the pressure waves generated by the dynamic device; and an occlusion disposed in the wellbore between the dynamic device and the barrier device which reduces the damaging effects of the pressure waves on the barrier device.