CA3037438A1 - System, method, and sleeve, for cladding an underground wellbore passage - Google Patents
System, method, and sleeve, for cladding an underground wellbore passage Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA3037438A1 CA3037438A1 CA3037438A CA3037438A CA3037438A1 CA 3037438 A1 CA3037438 A1 CA 3037438A1 CA 3037438 A CA3037438 A CA 3037438A CA 3037438 A CA3037438 A CA 3037438A CA 3037438 A1 CA3037438 A1 CA 3037438A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sleeve
- stretching device
- wellbore
- cladding
- elastic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 22
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 22
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000008961 swelling Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000247 superabsorbent polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010755 BS 2869 Class G Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 2
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium sulfate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000010428 baryte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052601 baryte Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000440 bentonite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000278 bentonite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SVPXDRXYRYOSEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N bentoquatam Chemical compound O.O=[Si]=O.O=[Al]O[Al]=O SVPXDRXYRYOSEX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011405 expansive cement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 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
- E21B29/00—Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming of pipes in boreholes or wells; Reconditioning of well casings while in the ground
- E21B29/10—Reconditioning of well casings, e.g. straightening
-
- 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
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/128—Packers; Plugs with a member expanded radially by axial pressure
-
- 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
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Pipe Accessories (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
Abstract
An inner surface of an underground wellbore or wellbore tubular is cladded by an elastic sleeve (1), which is placed by: - lowering the elastic sleeve (1) into the wellbore which sleeve is releasably connected to a stretching device (4) arranged within the sleeve (1) and stretched by the stretching device (4) in longitudinal direction thereby reducing its largest outer width such that it is less than the smallest width of the inner surface surrounding the elastic sleeve (1); - releasing the sleeve (1) from the stretching device (4) thereby enlarging the outer width of the sleeve (1) and cladding the sleeve (1) against the inner surface.
Description
SYSTEM, METHOD, AND SLEEVE, FOR CLADDING AN UNDERGROUND
WELLBORE PASSAGE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and system for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage. The invention further relates to a sleeve for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage.
BACKGROUND
US 2011/0297400 discloses an inflatable packer for use in wellbores to isolate specific wellbore regions.
The inflatable packer has an expandable bladder which is expanded, e.g. inflated, into sealing engagement with a surrounding surface inside the wellbore (such as the wellbore wall surface). The expandable bladder is pre-manufactured with a radially enlarged section relative to the axial ends of the expandable bladder when the bladder is in relaxed state. The radially enlarged section offers a reduction in required expansion ratio that is required to transition the packer into sealing engagement with the surrounding surface by inflating. Inflating can be accomplished by excersising an axial force along the packer.
The packer of US 2011/0297400 is not suitable for some applications, as it requires continuous energizing to maintain the packer into sealing engagement with the surrounding surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, the method comprising:
- providing an elastic sleeve comprising a stretching
WELLBORE PASSAGE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and system for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage. The invention further relates to a sleeve for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage.
BACKGROUND
US 2011/0297400 discloses an inflatable packer for use in wellbores to isolate specific wellbore regions.
The inflatable packer has an expandable bladder which is expanded, e.g. inflated, into sealing engagement with a surrounding surface inside the wellbore (such as the wellbore wall surface). The expandable bladder is pre-manufactured with a radially enlarged section relative to the axial ends of the expandable bladder when the bladder is in relaxed state. The radially enlarged section offers a reduction in required expansion ratio that is required to transition the packer into sealing engagement with the surrounding surface by inflating. Inflating can be accomplished by excersising an axial force along the packer.
The packer of US 2011/0297400 is not suitable for some applications, as it requires continuous energizing to maintain the packer into sealing engagement with the surrounding surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, the method comprising:
- providing an elastic sleeve comprising a stretching
2 device within the sleeve which stretching device is connected to opposite ends of the sleeve;
- inducing the stretching device to stretch the sleeve in a longitudinal direction, thereby reducing its largest outer width such that it is less than the smallest width of the inner surface;
- lowering the stretching device and the stretched sleeve into the wellbore passage;
- releasing the sleeve from the stretching device thereby enlarging the outer width of the sleeve and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is furthermore provided an elastic sleeve for cladding a inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, the sleeve having a larger outer width than the width of the inner surface and being:
- connectable to a stretching device within the sleeve and to be longitudinally stretched by the stretching device thereby reducing its outer width such that it is less than the width of the inner surface; and - releasable from the stretching device after lowering with the stretching device in stretched condition into the wellbore passage, thereby enlarging its outer width and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
The underground wellbore passage may be formed by the wellbore itself, or by a wellbore tubular arranged within the wellbore.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, comprising an elastic sleeve as defined above and a stretching device arranged within the sleeve, which stretching device is releasably connected to opposite ends of the sleeve.
- inducing the stretching device to stretch the sleeve in a longitudinal direction, thereby reducing its largest outer width such that it is less than the smallest width of the inner surface;
- lowering the stretching device and the stretched sleeve into the wellbore passage;
- releasing the sleeve from the stretching device thereby enlarging the outer width of the sleeve and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is furthermore provided an elastic sleeve for cladding a inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, the sleeve having a larger outer width than the width of the inner surface and being:
- connectable to a stretching device within the sleeve and to be longitudinally stretched by the stretching device thereby reducing its outer width such that it is less than the width of the inner surface; and - releasable from the stretching device after lowering with the stretching device in stretched condition into the wellbore passage, thereby enlarging its outer width and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
The underground wellbore passage may be formed by the wellbore itself, or by a wellbore tubular arranged within the wellbore.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, comprising an elastic sleeve as defined above and a stretching device arranged within the sleeve, which stretching device is releasably connected to opposite ends of the sleeve.
3 These and other features, embodiments and advantages of the method and system according to the invention are described in the accompanying claims, abstract and the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which description reference numerals are used which refer to corresponding reference numerals that are depicted in the drawings.
Objects and other features depicted in the figures and/or described in this specification, abstract and/or claims may be combined in different ways by a person skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 schematically shows a longitudinal section A-A through a system for cladding an underground wellbore passage;
Fig. 2 schematically shows a top view of the system of Fig. 1 in the longitudinal direction;
Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the system of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 schematically shows a longigudinal section of a wellbore after cladding with the system of Fig. 1;
and Fig. 5 schematically shows the same view on the wellbore after inserting a cement slurry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPICTED EMBODIMENTS
An inner surface of an underground wellbore passage (which can be the wellbore itself or a wellbore tubular) is cladded by an elastic sleeve, which is placed by:
- lowering the elastic sleeve into the wellbore which sleeve is releasably connected to a stretching device arranged within the sleeve and stretched by the stretching device in longitudinal direction thereby
Objects and other features depicted in the figures and/or described in this specification, abstract and/or claims may be combined in different ways by a person skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 schematically shows a longitudinal section A-A through a system for cladding an underground wellbore passage;
Fig. 2 schematically shows a top view of the system of Fig. 1 in the longitudinal direction;
Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the system of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 schematically shows a longigudinal section of a wellbore after cladding with the system of Fig. 1;
and Fig. 5 schematically shows the same view on the wellbore after inserting a cement slurry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPICTED EMBODIMENTS
An inner surface of an underground wellbore passage (which can be the wellbore itself or a wellbore tubular) is cladded by an elastic sleeve, which is placed by:
- lowering the elastic sleeve into the wellbore which sleeve is releasably connected to a stretching device arranged within the sleeve and stretched by the stretching device in longitudinal direction thereby
4 reducing its largest outer width such that it is less than the smallest width of the inner surface surrounding the elastic sleeve; and - releasing the sleeve from the stretching device thereby enlarging the outer width of the sleeve and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
When detached from the stretching device, the elastic sleeve has an outer width that exceeds the inner width of the inner surface of the wellbore passage in a location where cladding is desired.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show an elastic sleeve 1, as example, which has end sections 1A, 1B in which tensioning rods 2 are embedded at regular circumferential intervals. The tensioning rods 2 are configured to be coupled to a stretching device 4. The sleeve 1 is stretchable by longitudinal expansion of the stretching device.
In the shown embodiment, the stretching device 4 comprises two flanges 7,8 longigudinally spaced from each other and between which the sleeve can be configured. These flanges 7,8 are provided with longitudinal slots 5 distributed around the circumference and radially accessible. The tensioning rods 2 are configured with heads 6 at their distal ends relative to the sleeve 1. The tensioning rods 2 are held in the longitudinal slots 5 with the heads 6 preventing slipping of the tensioning rods 2 through the slots in longitudinal direction. The flanges 7,8 are longitudinally moved away from each other to stretch the sleeve 1 by creating longitudinal tension.
It can also be seen that the outer diameter of the flanges is smaller than the outer diameter of a middle section of the sleeve. When the tension rods 2 are inserted in the slots 5, the tension rods 2 are preferably pushed radially inward whereby elastically deforming the sleeve beween the middle section of the sleeve and the end sections 1A and 1B. This way, when the stretching device 4 is released, for instance by
When detached from the stretching device, the elastic sleeve has an outer width that exceeds the inner width of the inner surface of the wellbore passage in a location where cladding is desired.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show an elastic sleeve 1, as example, which has end sections 1A, 1B in which tensioning rods 2 are embedded at regular circumferential intervals. The tensioning rods 2 are configured to be coupled to a stretching device 4. The sleeve 1 is stretchable by longitudinal expansion of the stretching device.
In the shown embodiment, the stretching device 4 comprises two flanges 7,8 longigudinally spaced from each other and between which the sleeve can be configured. These flanges 7,8 are provided with longitudinal slots 5 distributed around the circumference and radially accessible. The tensioning rods 2 are configured with heads 6 at their distal ends relative to the sleeve 1. The tensioning rods 2 are held in the longitudinal slots 5 with the heads 6 preventing slipping of the tensioning rods 2 through the slots in longitudinal direction. The flanges 7,8 are longitudinally moved away from each other to stretch the sleeve 1 by creating longitudinal tension.
It can also be seen that the outer diameter of the flanges is smaller than the outer diameter of a middle section of the sleeve. When the tension rods 2 are inserted in the slots 5, the tension rods 2 are preferably pushed radially inward whereby elastically deforming the sleeve beween the middle section of the sleeve and the end sections 1A and 1B. This way, when the stretching device 4 is released, for instance by
5 reducing the longitudinal spacing between the flanges 7 and 8, the elastic force which is directed radially outward will cause the tensioning rods 2 to automatically slide out of the slots 5 in radial direction. This way, the stretching device 4 may automatically detach from the sleeve 1 upon releasing the longitudinal tension.
In stretched state the tension rods 2 may be kept in place by virtue of friction between the heads 6 and the flanges 7, 8. Suitably, some recesses may be provided on the flanges 7, 8 for retaining the heads 6.
About halfway between each pair of tensioning rods 2, a V-shaped groove 3 may be present to mitigate formation of ridges in between the rods 2 during stretching of the sleeve 1. A V-shaped groove may be arranged in each interval of each end section.
The sleeve may comprise an elastic elastomer and a swelling agent that induces the elastomer to swell upon contact with water and/or another wellbore fluid. The swelling agent may be a water absorbing agent such as a super absorbent polymer or a hygroscopic salt which is dispersed in the elastic elastomer as an array of finely divided solid particles. For example, the sleeve 1 may be made of a rubber or other elastomeric material and comprise an additive that swells upon contact with water or another well fluid as described in Patent Application Publications US 2007/056735 Al and/or US
2016/0040038 Al (both incorporated herein by reference) to generate a self-healing elastomer lining. An objective of the use of a self-healing elastomer sleeve
In stretched state the tension rods 2 may be kept in place by virtue of friction between the heads 6 and the flanges 7, 8. Suitably, some recesses may be provided on the flanges 7, 8 for retaining the heads 6.
About halfway between each pair of tensioning rods 2, a V-shaped groove 3 may be present to mitigate formation of ridges in between the rods 2 during stretching of the sleeve 1. A V-shaped groove may be arranged in each interval of each end section.
The sleeve may comprise an elastic elastomer and a swelling agent that induces the elastomer to swell upon contact with water and/or another wellbore fluid. The swelling agent may be a water absorbing agent such as a super absorbent polymer or a hygroscopic salt which is dispersed in the elastic elastomer as an array of finely divided solid particles. For example, the sleeve 1 may be made of a rubber or other elastomeric material and comprise an additive that swells upon contact with water or another well fluid as described in Patent Application Publications US 2007/056735 Al and/or US
2016/0040038 Al (both incorporated herein by reference) to generate a self-healing elastomer lining. An objective of the use of a self-healing elastomer sleeve
6 1 is to seal any micro-annuli and/or other leak paths on a cement casing interface directly after placing a cement plug inside the steel casing, liner or pipe. Any leak paths that may subsequently occur during the life of a well, e.g. induced by temperature or pressure changes, will be restored by the self-healing properties of the elastomer sleeve 1. The elastomer sleeve 1 may swell in the presence of oil, water, brine and/or water condensed from an wet natural gas phase.
Before running into a wellbore the elastomeric sleeve 1 according to the invention is longitudinally stretched by a mechanical stretching tool 4 that pulls the opposite sets of rods 2 in longitudinal direction away from each other. The increase in length of the sleeve 1 causes a significant decrease in its Outer Diameter (OD). The stretched elastomer sleeve 1 can be Run Into Hole (RIH) to the desired downhole location within the wellbore. At the required downhole location the tension is released by longitudinal contraction of the stretching tool 4, which reduces the distance between the opposite sets of rods 2 thereby inducing the elastomer sleeve 1 to radially re-expand and regain its original length and Outer Diameter (OD), thereby creating a clad on the inner surface of the surrounding casing, liner, pipe or the formation.
As the tension is released the elastomer sleeve 1 detaches from the stretching device 4, after which the stretching device 4 may be withdrawn from the elastomer sleeve 1 and optionally retrieved from the wellbore 10 as shown in Fig. 4. The elastomer sleeve 1 stays behind in the wellbore.
The sleeve may be cladded against the inner surface of an uncased wellbore section or of a well casing, liner or other well tubular. The sleeve may suitably be
Before running into a wellbore the elastomeric sleeve 1 according to the invention is longitudinally stretched by a mechanical stretching tool 4 that pulls the opposite sets of rods 2 in longitudinal direction away from each other. The increase in length of the sleeve 1 causes a significant decrease in its Outer Diameter (OD). The stretched elastomer sleeve 1 can be Run Into Hole (RIH) to the desired downhole location within the wellbore. At the required downhole location the tension is released by longitudinal contraction of the stretching tool 4, which reduces the distance between the opposite sets of rods 2 thereby inducing the elastomer sleeve 1 to radially re-expand and regain its original length and Outer Diameter (OD), thereby creating a clad on the inner surface of the surrounding casing, liner, pipe or the formation.
As the tension is released the elastomer sleeve 1 detaches from the stretching device 4, after which the stretching device 4 may be withdrawn from the elastomer sleeve 1 and optionally retrieved from the wellbore 10 as shown in Fig. 4. The elastomer sleeve 1 stays behind in the wellbore.
The sleeve may be cladded against the inner surface of an uncased wellbore section or of a well casing, liner or other well tubular. The sleeve may suitably be
7 configured to swell upon contact with water and/or another wellbore fluid.
The wellbore 10 may be a wellbore of an abandoned oil and/or gas production well and after cladding the sleeve 1 against the inner surface 8, a cement slurry 12 may be inserted into the sleeve 1 and allowed to harden to plug the wellbore. This is schematically illustrated in Fig. 5. The sleeve 1 may be induced to swell and thereby seal any micro-annuli between the cement plug and the inner surface.
The self-healing elastomer sleeve 1 allows the use of ordinary (low cost) Portland class G cement slurries to provide long-term zonal-isolation. Other types of cement or well bore plugging materials, for example bentonite, barite or resins, may also be used.
Application of the self-healing elastomer sleeve 1 mitigates use of complex and expensive cement slurries comprising cement expansion additives to enhance zonal isolation. Known complex expanding cement slurries still don't give a 100% seal in all circumstances neither do they have self-healing properties.
Experiments showed that the sealing performance of the self-cladding sleeve 1 in combination with a simple and cheap Portland class G is superior to known complex and expansive cement systems as measured in the Wells R&D
Full scale Plugging and Abandonment (P&A) testing setup described in the Example provided below.
Recent field data show that a number of wells after placement of abandonment plugs have pressure build up at surface. In general this problem is attributed to the failure of cement due to either poor cement job during the primary cement job or generation of micro annuli during the curing or life time of a well. Micro annuli can be formed during curing of the cement
The wellbore 10 may be a wellbore of an abandoned oil and/or gas production well and after cladding the sleeve 1 against the inner surface 8, a cement slurry 12 may be inserted into the sleeve 1 and allowed to harden to plug the wellbore. This is schematically illustrated in Fig. 5. The sleeve 1 may be induced to swell and thereby seal any micro-annuli between the cement plug and the inner surface.
The self-healing elastomer sleeve 1 allows the use of ordinary (low cost) Portland class G cement slurries to provide long-term zonal-isolation. Other types of cement or well bore plugging materials, for example bentonite, barite or resins, may also be used.
Application of the self-healing elastomer sleeve 1 mitigates use of complex and expensive cement slurries comprising cement expansion additives to enhance zonal isolation. Known complex expanding cement slurries still don't give a 100% seal in all circumstances neither do they have self-healing properties.
Experiments showed that the sealing performance of the self-cladding sleeve 1 in combination with a simple and cheap Portland class G is superior to known complex and expansive cement systems as measured in the Wells R&D
Full scale Plugging and Abandonment (P&A) testing setup described in the Example provided below.
Recent field data show that a number of wells after placement of abandonment plugs have pressure build up at surface. In general this problem is attributed to the failure of cement due to either poor cement job during the primary cement job or generation of micro annuli during the curing or life time of a well. Micro annuli can be formed during curing of the cement
8 (shrinkage) or due temperature, pressure cycles in a well. This may result in de-bonding of the cement from the casing. The current invention provides a self-healing sleeve 1 that adequately closes any micro annuli between the cement and the casing.
EXAMPLE
An experiment has been performed by stretching a tubular sleeve 1 with an initial Outer Diameter of 15 cm up to 60%, which generated a significant width decrease that matched calculations. The stretched sleeve 1 was then inserted into a full size Plugging &
Abandonment (P&A) testing pipe with an Internal Diameter of 15 cm (6 inch). The stretching tool was subsequently retracted such that the sleeve 1 was also retracted and induced to regain its original diameter.
A zonal-isolation test was performed on the sample.
Sealing was proven after filling the interior of the sleeve 1 with a conventional Portland class G cement up to a pressure differential of 20 bar dP using nitrogen.
At 30 bar dP a leak was initiated, which leak was cured due to the self-healing effect of the sleeve 1.
It will be understood that the method, system and/or any products according to present invention are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified, combined and/or practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein.
Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below.
EXAMPLE
An experiment has been performed by stretching a tubular sleeve 1 with an initial Outer Diameter of 15 cm up to 60%, which generated a significant width decrease that matched calculations. The stretched sleeve 1 was then inserted into a full size Plugging &
Abandonment (P&A) testing pipe with an Internal Diameter of 15 cm (6 inch). The stretching tool was subsequently retracted such that the sleeve 1 was also retracted and induced to regain its original diameter.
A zonal-isolation test was performed on the sample.
Sealing was proven after filling the interior of the sleeve 1 with a conventional Portland class G cement up to a pressure differential of 20 bar dP using nitrogen.
At 30 bar dP a leak was initiated, which leak was cured due to the self-healing effect of the sleeve 1.
It will be understood that the method, system and/or any products according to present invention are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified, combined and/or practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein.
Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below.
9 It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined and/or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
While any methods, systems and/or products embodying the invention are described in terms of "comprising," "containing," or "including" various described features and/or steps, they can also "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the various described features and steps.
All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values.
Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee.
Moreover, the indefinite articles "a" or "an", as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces.
If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be cited herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.
While any methods, systems and/or products embodying the invention are described in terms of "comprising," "containing," or "including" various described features and/or steps, they can also "consist essentially of" or "consist of" the various described features and steps.
All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values.
Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee.
Moreover, the indefinite articles "a" or "an", as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces.
If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be cited herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.
Claims (21)
1. A method for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, the method comprising:
- providing an elastic sleeve having a stretching device arranged within the sleeve which stretching device is connected to opposite ends of the sleeve;
- inducing the stretching device to stretch the sleeve in a longitudinal direction, thereby reducing its largest outer width such that it is less than the smallest width of the inner surface;
- lowering the stretching device and the stretched sleeve into the wellbore passage;
- releasing the sleeve from the stretching device thereby enlarging the outer width of the sleeve and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
- providing an elastic sleeve having a stretching device arranged within the sleeve which stretching device is connected to opposite ends of the sleeve;
- inducing the stretching device to stretch the sleeve in a longitudinal direction, thereby reducing its largest outer width such that it is less than the smallest width of the inner surface;
- lowering the stretching device and the stretched sleeve into the wellbore passage;
- releasing the sleeve from the stretching device thereby enlarging the outer width of the sleeve and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
2. The method of claim 1, whereby releasing the sleeve from the stretching device comprises detaching the sleeve from the stretching device.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising, after releasing the sleeve from the stretching device:
- withdrawing the stretching device from the sleeve.
- withdrawing the stretching device from the sleeve.
4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein underground wellbore passage is an uncased wellbore section or a well casing, liner or other wellbore tubular, whereby the sleeve is cladded against the inner surface of said uncased wellbore section or well casing, liner or other wellbore tubular section.
5. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve is configured to swell upon contact with a wellbore fluid.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein wellbore fluid comprises water and the sleeve comprises an elastic elastomer and a water-absorbing swelling agent.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the water-absorbing swelling agent is a hygroscopic salt or a super absorbent polymer.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the hygroscopic salt is dispersed in the elastic elastomer as an array of finely divided solid particles.
9. The method of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the wellbore is a wellbore of an abandoned oil and/or gas production well and, after cladding the inner surface with the sleeve, a well bore plugging material is inserted into the sleeve and allowed to harden and form a plug to plug the wellbore whereby the sleeve forms a swellable sealing layer between the plug and the inner surface.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the swelable sealing layer is induced to swell and thereby seal any micro-annuli between the plug and the inner surface.
11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the well bore plugging material comprises of a cement slurry, whereby the resulting plug is a cement plug.
12. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein providing said elastic sleeve comprises:
- arranging a stretching device within the sleeve; and - connecting the stretching device to opposite ends of the sleeve.
- arranging a stretching device within the sleeve; and - connecting the stretching device to opposite ends of the sleeve.
13. The method of ony one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve has end sections in which tensioning rods are embedded at regular circumferential intervals, which tensioning rods are configured to be coupled to the stretching device and to longitudinally stretch the sleeve in response to longitudinal expansion of the stretching device.
14. An elastic sleeve for cladding a inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, the sleeve having a larger outer width than the width of the inner surface and being:
- connectable to a stretching device within the sleeve and to be longitudinally stretched by the stretching device thereby reducing its outer width such that it is less than the width of the inner surface; and - releasable from the stretching device after lowering with the stretching device in stretched condition into the wellbore passage, thereby enlarging its outer width and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
- connectable to a stretching device within the sleeve and to be longitudinally stretched by the stretching device thereby reducing its outer width such that it is less than the width of the inner surface; and - releasable from the stretching device after lowering with the stretching device in stretched condition into the wellbore passage, thereby enlarging its outer width and cladding the sleeve against the inner surface.
15. The sleeve of claim 14, wherein the sleeve comprises an elastic elastomer and a swelling agent that induces the elastomer to swell upon contact with a wellbore fluid.
16. The sleeve of claim 15, wherein the wellbore fluid is water and the swelling agent is a water-absorbing swelling agent.
17. The sleeve of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the stretching device is detachable from the sleeve when the sleeve is in released condition.
18. The sleeve of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the stretching device is arranged within the sleeve and connected to opposite ends of the sleeve.
19. The sleeve of claim 18, wherein the sleeve has end sections in which tensioning rods are embedded at regular circumferential intervals, which tensioning rods are configured to be coupled to the stretching device and to longitudinally stretch the sleeve in response to longitudinal expansion of the stretching device, and wherein a V-shaped groove is arranged in each interval of each end section.
20. A system for cladding an inner surface of an underground wellbore passage, comprising an elastic sleeve according to any one of claims 14 to 17 and a stretching device arranged within the sleeve, which stretching device is releasably connected to opposite ends of the sleeve.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the sleeve has end sections in which tensioning rods are embedded at regular circumferential intervals, which tensioning rods are configured to be coupled to the stretching device and to longitudinally stretch the sleeve in response to longitudinal expansion of the stretching device, and wherein a V-shaped groove is arranged in each interval of each end section.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP16190803.3 | 2016-09-27 | ||
EP16190803 | 2016-09-27 | ||
PCT/EP2017/074182 WO2018060117A1 (en) | 2016-09-27 | 2017-09-25 | System, method, and sleeve, for cladding an underground wellbore passage |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA3037438A1 true CA3037438A1 (en) | 2018-04-05 |
Family
ID=57003444
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA3037438A Abandoned CA3037438A1 (en) | 2016-09-27 | 2017-09-25 | System, method, and sleeve, for cladding an underground wellbore passage |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20190211642A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3519666A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2017337283B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3037438A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018060117A1 (en) |
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---|---|---|---|---|
JP7061016B2 (en) | 2018-05-18 | 2022-04-27 | シェルルブリカンツジャパン株式会社 | Reciprocating compressor oil |
CA3098963A1 (en) | 2018-06-13 | 2019-12-19 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Method of preparing a wellbore tubular comprising an elastomer sleeve |
EP4185764A1 (en) | 2020-07-24 | 2023-05-31 | Ruma Products B.V. | Downhole seal and method of setting a downhole seal |
US20220356774A1 (en) * | 2021-05-06 | 2022-11-10 | Downhole Emerging Technologies, LLC | Extreme Temperature Isolation Packer and Deployment System |
WO2023080909A1 (en) * | 2021-11-05 | 2023-05-11 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Carbon-swellable sealing element |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7228915B2 (en) * | 2001-01-26 | 2007-06-12 | E2Tech Limited | Device and method to seal boreholes |
BRPI0413004B1 (en) | 2003-07-29 | 2016-04-19 | Shell Int Research | system and method for sealing a space in a wellbore formed in a terrestrial formation |
GB0413042D0 (en) * | 2004-06-11 | 2004-07-14 | Petrowell Ltd | Sealing system |
US8020294B2 (en) | 2008-09-03 | 2011-09-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method of constructing an expandable packer |
US9109425B2 (en) * | 2012-08-17 | 2015-08-18 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Removable fracturing plug of particulate material housed in a sheath set by relative end movement of the sheath |
US9447662B2 (en) * | 2013-03-04 | 2016-09-20 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Abandonment and containment system for gas wells |
EP2978811B1 (en) | 2013-03-25 | 2017-06-07 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Coating composition and method |
-
2017
- 2017-09-25 US US16/336,433 patent/US20190211642A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-09-25 CA CA3037438A patent/CA3037438A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2017-09-25 AU AU2017337283A patent/AU2017337283B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2017-09-25 EP EP17778243.0A patent/EP3519666A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-09-25 WO PCT/EP2017/074182 patent/WO2018060117A1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP3519666A1 (en) | 2019-08-07 |
US20190211642A1 (en) | 2019-07-11 |
WO2018060117A1 (en) | 2018-04-05 |
AU2017337283B2 (en) | 2020-01-02 |
AU2017337283A1 (en) | 2019-04-04 |
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