Wireline Plug Seal Design to Reduce Y-Tool Wireline Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireline plugs for Y-tools damage the outer surface of wirelines due to frictional forces when logging tools are raised and lowered in the wellbore, hindering production logging data acquisition below pumping arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The development of wireline plugs with an elongated body and an elongated seal, formed from polymers or elastomers, that provide a partial or complete fluid seal between the wireline and the plug, reducing frictional damage by equalizing pressure and minimizing seal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional wireline plug is used to seal the second branch of the Y-tool, then fluid integrity is maintained, but the outer surface of the wireline is damaged due to frictional forces during logging tool movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the seal from conventional rigid or semi-rigid material to a compliant material with specific durometer hardness (20-70 Shore A). This parameter change allows the seal to deform and conform to the wireline surface, reducing frictional forces and preventing surface damage while maintaining fluid seal integrity during wireline movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction for the wireline plug, combining a rigid elongated body (providing structural support and sealing force) with a compliant elongated seal element (providing low-friction contact with the wireline). This composite approach allows the plug to simultaneously maintain fluid integrity and protect the wireline surface from damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the elongated seal is made entirely from polymer or elastomer to reduce friction, then wireline surface damage is minimized, but pressure equalization and fluid seal effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the seal portion of the wireline plug compliant (polymers or elastomers with 20-70 Shore A durometer), while the elongated body remains rigid. This localized compliance ensures low-friction contact with the wireline at the seal interface, while the rigid body maintains the structural integrity and pressure equalization capabilities of the overall plug assembly.
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 solution effectively reduces damage to the wireline surface, allowing seamless logging operations without compromising fluid integrity and pressure equalization.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated seal can be formed from a polymer, an elastomer, or at least a first section of the elongated seal can be formed from a polymer and at least a second section of the elongated seal can be formed from an elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
Wireline plugs for use in a Y-tool. In some embodiments, the wireline plug can include an elongated body defining a bore therethrough. A first end of the elongated body can include an outer surface configured to serve as a fishing neck and a second end configured to connect to a downhole tool. The wireline plug can include an elongated seal defining a bore therethrough disposed within a portion of the bore defined by the elongated body. The elongated seal can be configured to provide an at least partial fluid seal between an inner surface of the bore defined by the elongated body and an outer surface of a wireline when disposed within the bore defined by the elongated seal. The elongated seal can be formed from a polymer, an elastomer, or a combination of a polymer and an elastomer.