Wellbore Annulus Sealing via Hydraulic Intervention Sub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore sealing technologies require multiple trips to install production strings, leading to inefficiencies in time, cost, and manpower, and struggle with maintaining fluidic seals and back pressure control during hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool system with an intervention sub and packer that allows for a one-trip installation of production strings by using hydraulic pressures to seal the annulus and actuate the packer, enabling efficient fluid communication management and reducing the need for multiple entries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple trips are used to install production strings, then reliable sealing can be achieved, but time loss and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intervention sub is pre-configured with a seat and plug assembly that enables sealing functionality to be activated during the same trip as production string installation. The plug can be set in the seat to seal the bore before production commences, eliminating the need for separate sealing operations in subsequent trips.
Solution Approach 2:
The intervention sub serves multiple functions: it provides a sealable bore for plug insertion, enables hydraulic actuation of the packer, and allows for production string installation all within a single operational trip. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate operations.
2Reliability
If multiple trips are used to install production strings, then sealing can be ensured, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is prepared in advance through the pre-installed intervention sub with seat and plug components. This preliminary configuration allows sealing to be executed immediately during the production string installation trip, eliminating delays and increasing overall installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The intervention sub merges the sealing function with the production string installation operation. By combining these previously separate operations into a single integrated process, the system achieves both reliable sealing and improved productivity in one trip.
3Reliability
If hydraulic pressure is applied to seal the annulus, then fluid communication is prevented, but pressure control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug acts as an intermediary element that translates hydraulic pressure into effective sealing. When hydraulic pressure is applied, it acts on the plug which seals against the seat, thereby preventing fluid communication. This intermediary mechanism simplifies pressure control by using a direct mechanical sealing interface rather than complex pressure regulation systems.
4Reliability
If packer is actuated to seal annulus, then fluid communication is blocked, but operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packer is actuated through hydraulic pressure applied through the bore, utilizing fluid pressure to move the packer and seal the annulus. This hydraulic actuation method integrates seamlessly with the existing pressure application system, requiring no additional operational steps beyond the standard pressure application procedure.
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 efficient one-trip installation of production strings, maintains continuous mud seals, and provides back pressure control, reducing operational costs and time while ensuring effective fluid management during hydrocarbon production.
Implementation Method 1
applying a hydraulic pressure through the bore to the plug on the seat to close the ports to fluid communication between the annulus and the bore
Implementation Method 2
applying a second hydraulic pressure through the bore to actuate the packer to substantially prevent fluid communication in the annulus across the packer
Data Source
AI summary
A well system (100) includes a production string (130) adapted to extend from a wellhead (120) to a subterranean zone (110). The production string (130) includes one or more joints of tubing comprising a bore; a seal (150) actuable by a specified pressure in the bore to substantially prevent fluid communication in an annulus (140) between a first portion of a wellbore (115) and a second portion of the wellbore (115), and an intervention sub (200) comprising a body (210) and a plurality of ports (228, 230) adapted to allow fluid communication between the bore and the annulus (140). The annulus is disposed between an exterior surface of the production string (130) and the wellbore (115). The intervention sub (200) further includes a seat (226) adapted to receive a plug (224) from the terranean surface (105) and seal the bore to substantially prevent fluid communication through the ports (228, 230).