WO2012091982A2 - Plug-inducing matter and method of plugging a wellbore - Google Patents
Plug-inducing matter and method of plugging a wellbore Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012091982A2 WO2012091982A2 PCT/US2011/065835 US2011065835W WO2012091982A2 WO 2012091982 A2 WO2012091982 A2 WO 2012091982A2 US 2011065835 W US2011065835 W US 2011065835W WO 2012091982 A2 WO2012091982 A2 WO 2012091982A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- plug
- members
- swellable material
- inducing matter
- wellbore
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 17
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002943 EPDM rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052797 bismuth Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- JCXGWMGPZLAOME-UHFFFAOYSA-N bismuth atom Chemical compound [Bi] JCXGWMGPZLAOME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N phenol group Chemical group C1(=CC=CC=C1)O ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006243 acrylic copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012736 aqueous medium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005601 base polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002825 nitriles Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/1208—Packers; Plugs characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/13—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
Definitions
- plug-inducing matter which includes junk shot comprising members and swellable material substantially covering the members which are configured to swell upon exposure to wellbore fluids.
- Also disclosed is a method of plugging a leaking wellbore including injecting junk shot having members covered by swellable material that is swellable in wellbore fluids into a leaking wellbore, exposing the swellable material to wellbore fluids, and swelling the swellable material.
- FIG. 1 depicts a cross sectional view of a piece of junk shot disclosed herein.
- FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a piece of junk shot disclosed herein.
- FIG. 1 A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
- FIG. 1 plug-inducing matter referred to as junk shot disclosed herein is illustrated at 10.
- the junk shot 10 includes, a member 14 that is covered by a swellable material 18.
- the junk shot 10 illustrated in this embodiment is spherical the invention is not be limited to such a configuration as other shapes are contemplated.
- the member 10 may be bonded to the swellable material 18 at an interface 22 therebetween by an adhesive 26 or other means of generating attachment therebetween.
- the member 14, in embodiments disclosed herein is substantially non- swellable, and may be constructed of phenolic, such as is commonly used for tripping balls in the downhole industry, or other materials such as, iron, lead, bismuth, ceramic and glass. It may be desirable to employ a material for the member 14 that has a density comparable to the density of fluid that the junk shot 10 will be injected within to facilitate placement of the junk shot 10 to the desired location. In other applications it may be desirable to employ members 14 having greater density than a target fluid so that the junk shot 10 will tend to sink therewithin. In a hydrocarbon recovery application, for example, where heavy muds and drilling fluids are employed, using a more dense material such as lead or bismuth for the member 14 can make transporting the junk shot 10 to the location of the leak to be sealed an easier task.
- the fluid in which the swellable material 18 needs to swell influences material selection for the swellable material 18. As such, for applications in which the target fluid is well defined the swellable material 18 can be tailored specifically to that target fluid.
- a material that will swell in either an aqueous or a non-aqueous medium or both is preferred.
- the '507 reference discloses use of a rubber compound based on a base polymer of EPDM (e.g., ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) or Nitrile with an acrylic copolymer added that can volumetrically swell un bonded as much as 250-300% in refined oil or water respectively. Since swelling materials to these levels can weaken the material significantly, using a compound / material that swells when bonded in the range of 5-35% may be more desirable for the swellable material 18 that covers the member 14.
- EPDM e.g., ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber
- a maximum radial dimension 30 of between 3 ⁇ 4 to about 1 1 ⁇ 4 inches for the junk shot 10 may provide the mobility and sealing effect desired. Accordingly, the foregoing maximum radial dimension 30 of the junk shot 10 can well accommodate a maximum radial dimension 34 of the member 14 of between 1 ⁇ 2 to 3 ⁇ 4 of an inch.
- the junk shot 10 can include pieces 38, or chunks, of the swellable material 18 that do not have the member 14 encased therein.
- the pieces 38 can have well defined shapes, such as spherical, cubic, elliptical, etc, or can have random shapes such as may be generated from grinding or tearing the pieces 38 from a larger portion of the swellable material 18.
- Employing a maximum radial dimension 42 of between 1 and 1 1 ⁇ 4 inches for the pieces 38 may maintain a desired distribution of the pieces 38 within the junk shot 10 during transport to assure the pieces 38 aid in plugging a leak.
- the pieces 38 do not include a member 14 may be configured to swell unbonded in the range of 10-100% volumetrically for best results.
Landscapes
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Sealing Material Composition (AREA)
- Glass Compositions (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
- Gasket Seals (AREA)
Abstract
Plug-inducing matter includes junk shot comprising members and swellable material substantially covering the members which are configured to swell upon exposure to wellbore fluids.
Description
PLUG-INDUCING MATTER AND METHOD OF PLUGGING A WELLBORE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 12/981174, filed on December 29, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0001] It is desirable at times to plug tubular systems that are employed to transport fluids. In the downhole industry, for example, operators inject matter referred to as "junk shot" into leaking wellbores to plug the leak. Junk shot is commonly made of ground up tires and metal balls. Although such material often works adequately for its intended purpose, operators are always interested in new devices and methods to improve the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0002] Disclosed herein is plug-inducing matter which includes junk shot comprising members and swellable material substantially covering the members which are configured to swell upon exposure to wellbore fluids.
[0003] Also disclosed is a method of plugging a leaking wellbore including injecting junk shot having members covered by swellable material that is swellable in wellbore fluids into a leaking wellbore, exposing the swellable material to wellbore fluids, and swelling the swellable material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a cross sectional view of a piece of junk shot disclosed herein; and
[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a piece of junk shot disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
[0008] Referring to Figure 1, plug-inducing matter referred to as junk shot disclosed herein is illustrated at 10. The junk shot 10 includes, a member 14 that is covered by a swellable material 18. Although the junk shot 10 illustrated in this embodiment is spherical the invention is not be limited to such a configuration as other shapes are contemplated. Optionally the member 10 may be bonded to the swellable material 18 at an interface 22 therebetween by an adhesive 26 or other means of generating attachment therebetween.
[0009] The member 14, in embodiments disclosed herein is substantially non- swellable, and may be constructed of phenolic, such as is commonly used for tripping balls in the downhole industry, or other materials such as, iron, lead, bismuth, ceramic and glass. It may be desirable to employ a material for the member 14 that has a density comparable to the density of fluid that the junk shot 10 will be injected within to facilitate placement of the junk shot 10 to the desired location. In other applications it may be desirable to employ members 14 having greater density than a target fluid so that the junk shot 10 will tend to sink therewithin. In a hydrocarbon recovery application, for example, where heavy muds and drilling fluids are employed, using a more dense material such as lead or bismuth for the member 14 can make transporting the junk shot 10 to the location of the leak to be sealed an easier task.
[0010] The fluid in which the swellable material 18 needs to swell influences material selection for the swellable material 18. As such, for applications in which the target fluid is well defined the swellable material 18 can be tailored specifically to that target fluid.
Generally, for wellbore fluids such as water, brine, hydrocarbons, drilling mud, or combinations of these a material that will swell in either an aqueous or a non-aqueous medium or both is preferred. Materials disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 2010/0147507, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, meet these specific criteria for use as the swellable material 18. The '507 reference discloses use of a rubber compound based on a base polymer of EPDM (e.g., ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) or Nitrile with an acrylic copolymer added that can volumetrically swell un bonded as much as 250-300% in refined oil or water respectively. Since swelling materials to these levels can weaken the material significantly, using a compound / material that swells when bonded in the range of 5-35% may be more desirable for the swellable material 18 that covers the member 14.
[0011] In addition to the materials employed for the member 14 and the swellable material 18, sizes of the junk shot 10 also influence mobility and sealing effectiveness thereof. In wellbore applications a maximum radial dimension 30 of between ¾ to about 1 ¼
inches for the junk shot 10 may provide the mobility and sealing effect desired. Accordingly, the foregoing maximum radial dimension 30 of the junk shot 10 can well accommodate a maximum radial dimension 34 of the member 14 of between ½ to ¾ of an inch.
[0012] Additionally, the junk shot 10 can include pieces 38, or chunks, of the swellable material 18 that do not have the member 14 encased therein. The pieces 38 can have well defined shapes, such as spherical, cubic, elliptical, etc, or can have random shapes such as may be generated from grinding or tearing the pieces 38 from a larger portion of the swellable material 18. Employing a maximum radial dimension 42 of between 1 and 1 ¼ inches for the pieces 38 may maintain a desired distribution of the pieces 38 within the junk shot 10 during transport to assure the pieces 38 aid in plugging a leak. Additionally, since the pieces 38 do not include a member 14 may be configured to swell unbonded in the range of 10-100% volumetrically for best results.
[0013] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
Claims
1. Plug-inducing matter comprising:
junk shot comprising:
members; and
swellable material substantially covering the members being configured to swell upon exposure to wellbore fluids.
2. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein the swellable material is bonded to the members.
3. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein the members vary in size, shape and composition.
4. The junk-shot of claim 1, wherein the members are substantially spherical.
5. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein the members are substantially non-swellable in wellbore fluids.
6. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein the members have densities selected relative to densities of fluids the junk shot will be employed within to facilitate transportation of the junk shot therethrough.
7. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein materials of the members have density that is greater than fluids the junk shot will be transported through.
8. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein the members are from the group consisting of lead, iron, bismuth, phenolic, ceramic and glass.
9. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein the members have maximum radial dimensions that range from one half of an inch to three quarters of an inch.
10. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein maximum radial dimensions of the swellable material before swelling ranges from three quarters of one inch to one and one quarter inches.
11. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1 , wherein the junk shot further comprises pieces of swellable material.
12. The plug-inducing matter of claim 11 , wherein maximum radial dimensions of the pieces ranges from one inch to one and one quarter inches.
13. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein the swellable material volumetrically swells more than 5% upon exposure to wellbore fluids.
14. The plug-inducing matter of claim 1, wherein the swellable material includes ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber.
15. A method of plugging a leaking wellbore comprising;
injecting junk shot having members covered by swellable material that is swellable in wellbore fluids into a leaking wellbore;
exposing the swellable material to wellbore fluids; and
swelling the swellable material.
16. The method of plugging a leaking wellbore of claim 15, further comprising injecting junk shot having pieces of swellable material not encasing members.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US12/981,174 | 2010-12-29 | ||
| US12/981,174 US20120168161A1 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2010-12-29 | Plug-inducing matter and method of plugging a wellbore |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2012091982A2 true WO2012091982A2 (en) | 2012-07-05 |
| WO2012091982A3 WO2012091982A3 (en) | 2012-11-01 |
Family
ID=46379732
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2011/065835 WO2012091982A2 (en) | 2010-12-29 | 2011-12-19 | Plug-inducing matter and method of plugging a wellbore |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20120168161A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2012091982A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9719331B2 (en) | 2012-05-13 | 2017-08-01 | Alexander H. Slocum | Method and apparatus for bringing under control an uncontrolled flow through a flow device |
| NO20210384A1 (en) | 2018-10-31 | 2021-03-23 | Halliburton Energy Services Inc | Integrated Debris Catcher and Plug System |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20050284641A1 (en) * | 2004-06-24 | 2005-12-29 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Controlled variable density fluid for wellbore operations |
| US20090120640A1 (en) * | 2007-11-09 | 2009-05-14 | David Kulakofsky | Methods of Integrating Analysis, Auto-Sealing, and Swellable-Packer Elements for a Reliable Annular Seal |
| WO2010004035A1 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2010-01-14 | Welltec A/S | Sealing arrangement and sealing method |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8276666B2 (en) * | 2007-08-08 | 2012-10-02 | Halliburton Energy Services Inc. | Sealant compositions and methods of use |
-
2010
- 2010-12-29 US US12/981,174 patent/US20120168161A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-12-19 WO PCT/US2011/065835 patent/WO2012091982A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20050284641A1 (en) * | 2004-06-24 | 2005-12-29 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Controlled variable density fluid for wellbore operations |
| US20090120640A1 (en) * | 2007-11-09 | 2009-05-14 | David Kulakofsky | Methods of Integrating Analysis, Auto-Sealing, and Swellable-Packer Elements for a Reliable Annular Seal |
| WO2010004035A1 (en) * | 2008-07-11 | 2010-01-14 | Welltec A/S | Sealing arrangement and sealing method |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2012091982A3 (en) | 2012-11-01 |
| US20120168161A1 (en) | 2012-07-05 |
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