Method for fabricating a compressible object to be used in a wellbore

• Main Authors: GUPTA, RAMESH, SPIECKER, P MATTHEW, PEIFFER, DENNIS G, CARSTENSEN, BARBARA, LUTON, MICHAEL J, POLIZZOTTI, RICHARD S, POKUTYLOWICZ, NORMAN M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 30.09.2011
• Subjects: ADHESIVES; CHEMISTRY; DYES; EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FORELSEWHERE; METALLURGY; MINING; MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS; MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS; NATURAL RESINS; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS; PAINTS; POLISHES

Disclosed is a method for fabricating a compressible object such as the one that may be used in a wellbore. The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Selecting a depth range and/or corresponding pressure range in a wellbore at which a compressible object is to be utilised. Step 1 (above) further includes the steps of i) Selecting an architecture for the compressible object based on a model, the architecture comprising a hollow shell defining an enclosed interior region; ii) Selecting a wall material for the shell of the compressible object, the wall material consisting of material having an elastic tensile strength of at least 10,000 psi (68.9 Mpa); and iii) Selecting an interior pressure for the compressible object that is about equal to the lower limit of the pressure range. Step 2: Numerically modelling the compressibility of the compressible object and balancing the compressibility of the compressible object with the corresponding pressure range of the selected depth using the model. Step 3: Selecting a design for the compressible object such that the compressible object begins compression at or near the selected depth range. Step 4: Forming the compressible object with an interior region of the hollow shell. The interior region of the hollow shell is pressurised to the selected internal pressure. The selected pressure is such that the wall material and internal pressure provide a non-linear compressibility of the object in response to changes in external pressure that does not cause the wall material to exceed the maximum elastic strain of the wall material.