The present disclosure relates generally to oilfield technology. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to techniques for activating and/or plugging downhole components.
Wellsite operations are performed to locate and access subsurface targets, such as valuable hydrocarbons. Drilling equipment is positioned at the surface and downhole drilling tools are advanced into the subsurface formation to form wellbores. Once drilled, casing may be inserted into the wellbore and cemented into place to complete the well. Once the well is completed, production tubing may be deployed through the casing and into the wellbore to produce fluid to the surface for capture.
During the wellsite operations, various downhole tools, may be deployed into the earth to perform various procedures, such as measurement, perforation, injection, plugging, etc. Examples of downhole tools are provided in US Patent/Application Nos. 10200024935; U.S. Pat. No. 10,507,433; 20200277837; 20170376775; 20170330947; 20170576775; 20170530947; 20190242222; 20190234189; U.S. Pat. No. 10,309,199; 20190127290; 20190086189; 20190242209; 20180299239; 20180224260; U.S. Pat. No. 9,915,513; 20180038208; U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,822,618; 9,605,937; 20170074078; U.S. Pat. No. 9,581,422; 20170030693; 20160556132; 20160061572; U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,093; 20140033939; U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,267,012; 6,520,089; 20160115753; 20190178045; U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,365,079; 10,844,678; and 10,365,079, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure. These downhole tools may be activated to perform the various procedures. Example procedures are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 11,078,763; 10,858,919; 10,036,236; 10,365,079; 7,409,987; 6,431,269; 3,713,393; 3,024,843; 2022/0145732; 2004/0134667; 20200072029; 20200048996; 20150345922; and 20160115753, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure.
Despite advancements in downhole technology, there remains a need for efficient techniques for reliably activating and/or plugging downhole tools, even in harsh and/or compact downhole environments. The present disclosure is directed at providing such needs.
In at least one aspect, the disclosure relates to a ballistic plug for sealing a wellbore. The ballistic plug comprises plug housing, a sealing element, a flow plug, and a bullet plug. The plug housing is releasably connectable to a downhole tool. The plug housing has a ballistic passage therethrough. The sealing element is positioned about an outer surface of the plug housing. The sealing element is expandable for sealing engagement with a wall of a wellbore whereby an upper portion of the wellbore below the sealing element is isolated from a lower portion of the wellbore above the sealing element. The flow plug is positioned in the plug housing, the flow plug sealingly positioned in the ballistic passage and removable therefrom upon application of pressure into the ballistic passage. The bullet plug is sealingly insertable in the ballistic passage. The bullet plug has a release passage therethrough. The bullet plug comprises a plug body and a fluid pin, the fluid pin removably positionable in the release passage whereby, upon removal of the fluid pin, fluid is permitted to pass through the release passage.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a plugging tool for plugging a wellbore. The plugging tool comprises a plugging housing with a pressure passage therethrough and a plugging assembly. The plugging assembly comprises a ballistic plug and an integrated igniter. The ballistic plug comprises plug housing, a sealing element, a flow plug, and a bullet plug. The plug housing is releasably connectable to a downhole tool. The plug housing has a ballistic passage therethrough. The sealing element is positioned about an outer surface of the plug housing. The sealing element is expandable for sealing engagement with a wall of a wellbore whereby an upper portion of the wellbore below the sealing element is isolated from a lower portion of the wellbore above the sealing element. The flow plug is positioned in the plug housing, the flow plug sealingly positioned in the ballistic passage and removable therefrom upon application of pressure into the ballistic passage. The bullet plug is sealingly insertable in the ballistic passage. The bullet plug has a release passage therethrough. The bullet plug comprises a plug body and a fluid pin, the fluid pin removably positionable in the release passage whereby, upon removal of the fluid pin, fluid is permitted to pass through the release passage. The integrated igniter is positioned in the pressure passage. The integrated igniter comprises a propellant. The propellant is selectively ignitable whereby an ignition fluid is released under pressure through the pressure passage and into the ballistic plug such that the ballistic plug is released from the plugging housing.
In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of plugging a wellbore, comprising: connecting a plugging tool to a downhole end of a downhole tool, the plugging tool comprising a plugging housing, an igniter, a propellant, and a plugging assembly, the plugging assembly comprising and a ballistic plug, a plug housing, a sealing element, and a flow plug; positioning the downhole tool in a wellbore; sealing the wellbore by expanding the sealing element into sealing engagement with a wall of the wellbore; and releasing the ballistic plug from the downhole tool and into the wellbore by igniting the propellant with the igniter such that fluid under pressure is applied to the plugging assembly and releases the plugging assembly from the plugging tool.
In at least one aspect, the disclosure relates to a ballistic plug comprising a plug housing; a sealing element; and a flow plug.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a plugging tool comprising a plugging housing; a plugging assembly comprising an integrated igniter; and the ballistic plug.
In yet another aspect, the disclosure relates to a downhole tool comprising a downhole component; and the plugging tool for plugging a wellbore.
Finally, the disclosure relates to a method of plugging a wellbore comprising providing the downhole tool with the plugging tool; positioning the downhole tool in a wellbore; and deploying the ballistic plug into a sealed position against a wall of a wellbore by activating the plugging tool.
The disclosure also relates to the ballistic plug, the plugging tool, the downhole tool, and/or the method of plugging a wellbore as described herein.
In at least one aspect, the disclosure relates to a setting tool for setting a downhole component of a downhole tool. The setting tool comprises a setting housing; a setting assembly; and an integrated igniter. The integrated igniter has an internal propellant or an external propellant.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a downhole tool comprising a downhole component; and a setting tool with an integrated igniter for setting the downhole component. The downhole component may comprise a plug assembly.
In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of activating a setting tool of a downhole tool. The method comprises positioning an integrated igniter into a setting tool; positioning the setting tool about the downhole tool; positioning the downhole tool in a wellbore; and triggering the integrated igniter to ignite a propellant in the setting tool.
Finally, in another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of setting a downhole component of a downhole tool. The method comprises positioning an integrated igniter into a setting tool; positioning the setting tool about a plug assembly of the downhole tool; positioning the downhole tool in a wellbore; and deploying a plug of the plug assembly by activating the setting tool with the integrated igniter.
In at least one aspect, the present disclosure also relates to an igniter for activating a downhole component of a downhole tool. The igniter comprises an igniter housing; a switch assembly; and a propellant. The switch assembly may comprise a single or dual switch. The propellant may be positioned outside of or within the igniter housing.
In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a downhole tool comprising a downhole component, and an igniter for activating the downhole component. The igniter comprises an igniter housing; a switch assembly; and a propellant. The igniter may be an integrated igniter positioned within the downhole component, or a remote igniter positioned outside the downhole component.
The downhole tool may be a setting tool. The setting tool may be activated by inserting the igniter into the setting tool; deploying the setting tool with the integrated igniter into the wellbore; triggering the integrated igniter by passing a trigger signal from a surface unit to the switch assembly such that the switch assembly ignites the propellant to release a gas into the setting tool with sufficient force to advance a piston in the setting tool and deploy a plug assembly.
Finally, in another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of activating a downhole component of a downhole tool, such as a release tool, a setting tool, or other downhole component. The method comprises positioning the igniter about the downhole tool; positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore; and triggering the igniter.
This Summary is not intended to be limiting and should be read in light of the entire disclosure including text, claims and figures herein.
So that the above recited features and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. The appended drawings illustrate example embodiments and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features, and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
The description that follows includes exemplary apparatus, methods, techniques, and/or instruction sequences that embody techniques of the present subject matter. However, it is understood that the described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
This disclosure relates to a setting tool for setting downhole components of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore at a wellsite. The setting tool may include an integrated activator (e.g., integrated igniter) and a setting assembly. The integrated activator may be triggered to activate the setting tool, and cause the setting assembly to set (e.g., shift, alter, drive, deploy, move, etc.) a downhole component. For example, the integrated activator may be triggered from the surface to ignite a propellant within the setting tool which drives a piston to deploy a plug assembly, thereby anchoring the downhole tool in the wellbore.
The setting tool may be a downhole component used to set one or more other downhole components. The combination of multiple downhole components formed into one assembly (e.g., a tool string) is referred to as a ‘downhole tool.’ The downhole tool may be a modular assembly including various combinations of multiple downhole components, such as a cable release, a collar locator, weight bars, a perforating tool (gun), a release tool, a setting tool, a plugging tool, an electronics hub, etc. One or more downhole components may be included in a single housing, or in separate housings of the downhole tool. The downhole components may be operatively (e.g., electrically and/or mechanically) connected together. One or more of the downhole components may operate separately or in concert.
The integrated igniter may be positioned within (e.g., integrated into) the setting tool to enable pre-assembly of the setting tool with the integrated activator therein, to provide close proximity of the integrated igniter to the setting assembly for efficient use therewith, to enable quick connection/disconnection of the setting tool and the integrated activator with the downhole tool, to provide a compact structure for use in restricted downhole spaces, etc. The integrated igniter may also be removably positioned within the setting tool to enable repair, replacement, and/or reuse of various integrated activators (e.g., igniters). The integrated igniter may be replaced with the same integrated igniter, or another type of integrated activator. This configuration may be used to provide a unitary setting tool (with the integrated igniter pre-assembled therein) connectable to the downhole tool for use therewith.
The setting tool may be coupled to various downhole components (e.g., a plug assembly) for activation thereof. The setting tool may also be provided with various configurations, such as various types of igniters or other activators (e.g., a single use, dual use, etc.) and various configurations of propellants (e.g., internal or external to the igniter, disc shaped, cylindrically shaped, etc.).
The present disclosure seeks to include one or more of the following features, among others: interchangeability with various tools, reduction in downtime, reduction in lost equipment, reliability, ballistic activation, operability in harsh downhole conditions, ease of manufacture and assembly, ability to couple to or integrate with existing components, operability with components of other tools for use therewith, reduction in cost, increased efficiency, elimination of redundant components, flexibility of use, ability to change configurations to match operational needs, ability to provide one or more activations, time savings, efficient operation, low maintenance costs, compact design, replaceable and/or disposable components, etc.
The surface equipment 102a includes a conveyance reel 106, and a surface unit 108. The surface equipment 102a may include a wellhead 107 (and other surface components) positioned about the top of the wellbore 104. The conveyance reel 106 may be a spool rotationally mounted at the surface. The conveyance reel 106 supports a conveyance 110 as it is deployed into the wellbore 104. A pulley 112 may optionally be provided to support the conveyance 110 about the wellbore 104 as schematically shown. In the example of
The downhole equipment 102b comprises the downhole tool 101 positioned in the wellbore 104 and supported therein by the conveyance 110. The wellbore 104 may have a casing 114 therein to line a surface of the wellbore 104. The downhole tool 101 may be deployed through the casing and into an open portion of the wellbore 104 via the conveyance 110 for performing downhole operations. The downhole tool 101 is provided with various downhole components 116 for performing such downhole operations.
The downhole components 116 as shown are used to perform various downhole operations. The cable head 116a may operatively connect the downhole tool 101 to the conveyance 110. The weight bars 116b may be provided to add weight to the downhole tool 101. The collar locator 116c may be used to locate portions of the casing 114, or other items along the wellbore 104. As schematically shown, the perforating tool 116d may be used to launch shaped charges to form perforations 109 along the wall of the wellbore 104. Examples of perforating tools are provided in US Patent/Application Nos. 10,036,236; 20200072029; and 20200048996, previously incorporated herein.
One or more setting tools 103 and/or integrated igniters 105 (or other integrated activators) may be positioned in various locations about the downhole tool 101 for use with various of the downhole components 116. In the example shown, the integrated igniter 105 is an ignition device positioned in an integrated configuration within the setting tool 103 for igniting a propellant 119, thereby activating the setting tool 103 to deploy the plug assembly 116e as is described further herein.
The setting tool 103 and/or the integrated igniter 105 may be communicatively coupled by a communication link 118 to the surface to receive signals therefrom. In the example shown in
While
As also shown in
The setting assembly 217 includes a drive assembly 223a and a deployment assembly 223b. The drive assembly 223a includes a propellant chamber rod 225a, a drive piston 225b, and a drive end 225c. The propellant chamber rod 225a is a tubular member concentrically positioned within the integrated thread adapter 215a. The propellant chamber rod 225a has a propellant chamber 225d therein shaped to receive the integrated igniter 105. The integrated igniter 105 may be removably positioned in the setting tool 103, and may be replaceable for multiple use operation with the setting tool 103 as is described further herein.
As shown in
Referring back to
The drive end 225c is also positioned within the integrated thread adapter 215a downhole from the propellant chamber rod 225a and the drive piston 225b. The drive end 225c is connected to a downhole end of the propellant chamber rod 225a to define a bottom of the propellant chamber 225d and to act as a downhole stop for movement of the drive piston 225b. As shown in the blowup detail of
The vented end 229b may be perforated to allow fluid pressure in the propellant chamber rod 225a to pass from the propellant chamber 225d, past the vent portion 229a, and to the drive piston 225b. Machine pathways may be defined along the vented end 229b to manipulate the flow of fluid through the propellant chamber 225d. The vented end 229b may be shaped and/or provided with helical grooves, thereby providing helical venting (or fluid flow) which allows the fluid to flow along a helical path as it passes through the propellant chamber 225d.
The deployment assembly 223b includes a deployment rod 226a and a deployment end 226b. The deployment rod 226a is a tubular member concentrically positioned within the outer chamber 215b. The deployment rod 226a includes a deployment chamber 226c and a fluid chamber 226d. The deployment chamber 226c may be connected between the drive end 225c and the fluid chamber 226d. The fluid chamber 226d may be connected (e.g., by threads) between the deployment chamber 226c and the deployment end 226b.
The deployment chamber 226c may be in fluid communication with the drive assembly 223a and the fluid chamber 226d to transfer fluid pressure therebetween. Fluid pressure received in the deployment chamber 226c may be applied to the fluid chamber 226d. The fluid chamber 226d may have a fluid cavity 244 with a fluid (e.g., gas) therein. Fluid pressure from the deployment chamber 226c may be reduced by the fluid in the fluid cavity 244, thereby cushioning movement of the setting assembly 217.
The deployment end 226b is slidably positioned within the outer chamber 215b. The deployment end 226b is also connected to a downhole end of the fluid chamber 226d and is movable therewith. The deployment end 226b includes a mandrel 230a and a slider 230b. The mandrel 230a is connected at one end to the fluid chamber 226d and at an opposite end to the plug assembly 116e. The mandrel end 230a has a stepped outer surface shaped to receive the slider 230b thereon. The mandrel 230a has an outer surface shaped to slidingly engage an inner surface of the outer chamber 215b.
The deployment end 226b extends from the downhole end of the setting tool 103 and is connected to the plug assembly 116e. The plug assembly 116e includes a plug base 235a, a plug tube 235b, and a plug 235c. The plug base 235a may be positioned adjacent a downhole end of the setting tool 103 adjacent the deployment end 226b. The plug tube 235b may extend through the plug base 235a for connection with the deployment end 226b. The plug tube 235b may be connected to the mandrel 230a. The fluid pressure may be transferred from the fluid cavity 244 through the mandrel 230a and to the plug tube 235b.
The plug 235c may be positioned about the plug base 235a with the plug tube 235b extending therethrough. The plug 235c may have a flexible surface that is expandable for gripping engagement with the wall of the wellbore 104 (
As schematically shown in
As shown in
While not shown, it will be appreciated that the setting tool 103 could also be coupled to other downhole components for activation. It will also be appreciated that, while the descriptions herein refer to certain uphole and downhole positions, such positions may optionally be reversed.
The propellants 419a, 419b may be positionable in the integrated igniter 105 and/or in the setting tool 103. The propellant 419a, 419b may be a combustible (e.g., an explosive) material ignitable by the switch assembly 234 to generate the desired pressure. In this example, the integrated igniter 105 uses propellant 419a, 419b, as an activator for generated a pressurized gas used to drive the setting assembly 217 (see, e.g.,
The bulkhead 554a is a cylindrical member with threads thereon for threaded connection to the downhole component 116 (e.g., the perforating tool 116d of
The switch assembly 534 is supported within the igniter housing 532. The switch assembly 534 includes an insulator 556a, a plunger 556b, a plunger plug 556c, a single igniter plug 556d, wires 556e, and a single addressable switch 556f. The insulator 556a is a tubular, spring-loaded member connected to the bulkhead 554a. The insulator 556a is made of a non-conductive material to prevent electrical contact between the bulkhead 554a and the switch assembly 534. The plunger 556b is positioned in the insulator 556a and extends therefrom for connection to the plunger plug 556c.
The plunger 556b may be an electrical connector for connecting the switch assembly 534 to other portions of the downhole tool 101 for communication therewith. For example, the plunger 556b may extend through the bulkhead 554a for electrical connection to the perforating tool 116d (
The plunger plug 556c is an electrical connector supported in the igniter 505. The plunger plug 556c is electrically connectable to the plunger 556b at one end, and to the single igniter plug 556d by the wires 556e at the other end. The wires 556e may include a ground wire 556e1 and a surface link wire 556e2. The ground wire 556e1 may be coupled to the bulkhead 554a. The surface link wire 556e2 may be electrically connected to the plunger 556b.
The single igniter plug 556d is an electrical connector supported in the igniter 505. The single igniter plug 556d is electrically connected to the addressable switch 556f by a plug contact 558. In this version, the addressable switch 556f is a single switch and the plug contact 558 is a single contact. The single addressable switch 556f is electrically connected with the surface unit 108 via the single igniter plug 556d, the wires 556e, and the plunger 556b (which is in communication with the surface unit 108 as described herein).
The single addressable switch 556f is also electrically connected with the propellant 119 via the plug contact 558. The propellant 119 is also positioned within the igniter housing 532. The propellant 119 is shown as a tubular member supported within the nose cone 554c and extendable therethrough. The propellant 119 may include one or more individual power packs of combustible material ignitable by an electrical charge applied by the addressable switch 556f. The single addressable switch 556f may be used for a single ignition of the integrated igniter 505.
In this version, the dual switch assembly 634 includes the same plunger 556b, and wires 556e (as shown in
The plunger plug 654c is an insulated feed thru supported in the igniter portions 554b. The switch housing 659, the plunger plug 654c, the dual igniter plug 656d, and the wires 556e are also supported in the igniter portions 554b. This switch housing 659 may enclose and/or support one or more components of the switch assembly 634 (e.g., plugs 656d and wires 556e) for easy removal and replacement after use or as needed.
The plunger plug 654c electrically connects the plunger 556b to the dual igniter plug 656d. The dual igniter plug 656d is electrically connected to the dual plug contact 658b and to the dual addressable switch 656f. The dual addressable switch 656f is connected to the propellant 119 by the dual plug contacts 658b. The addressable switch 656f has dual contacts 658b for redundant contact with the propellant 119. The dual addressable switch 656f may be used for a dual ignition of the integrated igniter 505. As demonstrated by this example, one or more contacts 558, 658b may be used to provide redundant electrical connection with the propellant 119 to further assure ignition.
Like the integrated igniters 505 of
In this version, the igniter housing 752 includes a bulkhead 754a and igniter portions 754b. The igniter portions 754b are similar to the igniter portions 554b of
The switch assembly 734 is positioned within the igniter portions 754b, and includes the same addressable switch 556f, single contact 558, and wires 556e of the switch assembly 534 of
This version may also employ locking means (e.g., a locking or screw or support) about the external propellant 119. This version is provided with a locking ring 764 positioned at a downhole end of the igniter portions 754b. The propellant 719 is secured to the igniter housing 752 by the locking ring 764, and extends from an end of the igniter housing 752 for insertion into the downhole tool (e.g., into propellant chamber 225d of the setting tool 103 (see, e.g., FIG. 2C)).
The locking ring 764 may be used to secure the propellant 719 to the igniter 105. The locking ring 764 is a ring-shaped member including a housing portion 766a and a nose portion 766b extending downhole therefrom. The housing portion 766a may be threaded for connection to the igniter portions 754b. The housing portion 766a may also have a hole to receive the nose feedthru 762b therethrough.
The nose feedthru 762b extends into the nose portion 766b for connection to the switch assembly 734. The nose portion 766b has a nose receptacle 768 for receivingly supporting the propellant 719 therein. Upon triggering of the switch assembly 734, a signal passes from the switch assembly 734 via the nose feedthru 762b to ignite the propellant 719, thereby activating the downhole component (e.g., activating setting tool 103 to deploy the plug assembly 116e).
While specific configurations of the setting tool and the integrated igniter integrated therewith are shown, it will be appreciated that various configurations of the integrated igniter and the setting tool may be provided. It will also be appreciated that each of the igniters described herein may include one or more features of the other igniters described herein. For example, one or more wires, connectors, contacts, propellants, portions of housings, shapes of components, etc. can be provided.
The method 800a involves 880 positioning an integrated igniter into the setting tool, 882 positioning the setting tool with the integrated igniter about the downhole tool and 883 positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore. The integrated igniter comprises an igniter housing, a switch assembly, and a propellant. The method further involves 884a triggering the integrated igniter to ignite a propellant in the setting tool. The 884a triggering may involve igniting the propellant by sending the trigger signal from the surface to the switch assembly of the integrated igniter, releasing a pressurized fluid by exploding the propellant with the switch assembly, driving a drive piston with the pressurized fluid, and driving a plug piston by transferring movement of the drive piston to the plug piston. The method 800a may also involve 888 retracting the downhole tool with the integrated igniter from the wellbore, 890 replacing the propellant and portions of the integrated igniter, and 892 repeating the method.
The method 800b of setting a downhole component of a downhole tool may involve 880 positioning an integrated igniter into a setting tool, 882 positioning the setting tool with the integrated igniter about a plug assembly of the downhole tool, 883 positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore, and 884b deploying a plug of the plug assembly against a wall of the wellbore by activating the setting tool with the integrated igniter. The integrated igniter comprises an igniter housing, a switch assembly, and a propellant. The 884b activating may involve igniting a propellant of the integrated igniter by sending a trigger signal from the surface to a switch assembly of the integrated igniter, releasing a pressurized gas by exploding the propellant with the switch assembly, driving a drive piston with the pressurized gas, and driving a plug piston connected to the downhole component by transferring movement of the drive piston to the plug piston. The method 800b may also involve 888 retracting the downhole tool with the integrated igniter from the wellbore, 890 replacing the propellant and portions of the integrated igniter, and 892 repeating the method.
Part or all of the methods 800a,b may be performed in various orders, and part or all may be repeated.
This disclosure relates to a plugging tool for plugging a wellbore. The plugging tool may be part of a downhole tool deployed into the wellbore to perform downhole operations, such as perforating. The plugging tool may be positioned along the downhole tool for deploying a plug to seal off a portion of the wellbore. The plugging tool may include a plugging housing, a plugging assembly, and a ballistic plug. The plugging assembly may include an activator, such as the integrated igniter, that may be triggered to deploy the ballistic plug. For example, the integrated igniter may be triggered from the surface to ignite a propellant charge within the plugging tool which increases pressure, thereby causing a sealing element on the ballistic plug to expand and seal a portion of the wellbore.
The plugging tool and/or the ballistic plug may be provided with features to facilitate operation. For example, the ballistic plug may be detachable from the plugging housing. The increased pressure resulting from the ignited propellant charge may also be used to detach the ballistic plug from the downhole tool. In another example, a bullet plug and/or a flow plug may be positioned about a ballistic passage in the ballistic plug to selectively permit fluid flow through the ballistic plug. The increased pressure from the ignited propellant may also be used to release a bullet plug into the ballistic plug to block the ballistic passage and/or to release a flow plug from the ballistic passage. In yet another example, the plugging tool may be connected to other downhole components (in place of the ballistic plug) for activation thereof.
The present disclosure seeks to include one or more of the following features, among others: interchangeability with various tools, reduction in downtime, reduction in lost equipment, reliability, ballistic activation, operability in harsh downhole conditions, ease of manufacture and assembly, ability to couple to or integrate with existing components, operability with components of other tools for use therewith, reduction in cost, increased efficiency, elimination of redundant components, flexibility of use, ability to change configurations to match operational needs, ability to provide one or more activations, time savings, efficient operation, low maintenance costs, compact design, replaceable and/or disposable components, etc.
The plugging housing 915 may be a tubular member with a pressure passage 927a therethrough. The plugging housing 915 may be threadedly connected at one end to the perforation tool 116d, and secured at another end to the ballistic plug 911. The plugging assembly 921 is positioned in the pressure passage 927a.
As shown in
As shown in
The plugging assembly 921 includes the integrated igniter 105, a power charge 931, and a bullet plug 933. The integrated igniter 105 may be any of the igniters described herein (e.g., 505, 605, 705 of
The power charge 931 may be an ignitable material or device, such as the propellant charges 419a,b of
The bullet plug 933 may be a cylindrical member slidably positionable in the pressure passage 927a. The bullet plug 933 may have seals along its outer periphery to facilitate sliding movement along the pressure passage 927a. The bullet plug 933 may also have one or more indentations 935 extending therein. These indentations 935 may be shaped to receive shear pins 937a therein to support the bullet plug 933 within the pressure passage 927a.
The shear pins 937a may be positioned in pin receptacles 939a in the plugging housing 915 and extend into the indentation 935 of the bullet plug 933 as shown in
The ballistic plug 911 may include a plug housing 941, a sealing element 943, and a flow plug 945. The plug housing 941 may be a ceramic member with teeth 939 along an outer surface thereof. The plug housing 941 has a tapered downhole end 941b and a tubular uphole end 941a. The tubular uphole end 941a is shaped to slidingly receive a downhole end of the plugging housing 915. The plug housing 941 has a ballistic passage 927b extending from the tubular uphole end 941a and through the downhole end 941b of the plug housing 941. The ballistic passage 927b is in fluid communication with the pressure passage 927a such that pressure from the pressure passage 927a passes into the ballistic passage 927b.
Shear pins 937b extend through pin receptacles 939b in the tubular uphole end 941a and into a downhole end of the plugging housing 915. The shear pins 937b secure the ballistic plug 911 to the plugging housing 915. Upon activation, the pressure from the pressure passage 927a passes into the ballistic passage 927b and shears the shear pins 937b. As shown in
Referring back to
Referring back to
As also shown in
Once the ballistic plug 911 is secured in the wellbore 104, the bullet plug 945 seals the ballistic passage 927b and prevents fluid flow between the isolated portions 104a,b of the wellbore 104. In order to allow fluid flow between these isolated portions 104a,b, a release passage 949 in the bullet plug 945 may be opened. The release passage 949 extends through the bullet plug 945 to define a pathway for fluid flow through the ballistic passage 927b. A removable fluid pin 951 is positionable in the release passage 949 to block fluid flow through the release passage 949 which also prevents fluid flow through the ballistic passage 927b.
The removable fluid pin 951 may be made of a plastic, or rubber material capable of sealing the release passage 949. The removable fluid pin 951 is shaped for insertion into a mated receptacle in the bullet plug 945. The removable fluid pin 951 may be removed by adjusting pressures in the wellbore 104. By creating a pressure differential between the portions 104a,b of the wellbore 104, the fluid pin 951 may be force out of the release passage 949 as shown in
As shown in
While
Part or all of the method may be performed in any order and repeated as desired.
One or more portions of the method may be performed as desired.
While the embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible. For example, various combinations of one or more of the features and/or methods provided herein may be used.
Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. For example, while certain tools and components are provided herein, it will be appreciated that various configurations (e.g., shape, order, orientation, etc.) of the tools and components herein may be used. While the figures herein depict a specific configuration or orientation, these may vary. First and second are not intended to limit the number or order.
Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claim(s) herein, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional invention is reserved. Although a very narrow claim may be presented herein, it should be recognized the scope of this invention is much broader than presented by the claim(s). Broader claims may be submitted in an application that claims the benefit of priority from this application.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/195,551 filed by Applicant on Jun. 1, 2021 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/195,540 filed by Applicant on Jul. 16, 2021, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure. Applicant also filed U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 63/195,521 and 63/222,578 on Jun. 1, 2021, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US22/31848 | 6/1/2022 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63222578 | Jul 2021 | US | |
63195540 | Jun 2021 | US |