Case Study Customized Bridge Plug Suspends High-Pressure, High-H2S Well
SIMextra retrievable bridge plug suspends well in extreme environment.
Retrievable bridge plug
The SIMextra™ retrievable bridge plug is a gas-tight, full-expansion plug for temporary well plugging. Through its unique sealing element and barrel slip design, the SIMextra plug enables trouble-free conveyance, reliable retrieval every time, and an expansion range not previously achievable with conventional sealing technology. Based on patented segmented-ring technology, the seal and slips design enables setting the SIMextra plug anywhere in the completion where a V0-rated barrier is needed, without requiring a nipple profile.
The SIMextra plug can be set using any conventional setting tool and any conveyance method available. The full-circumferential-contact slips achieve high anchoring force with significantly reduced tubing stress in comparison with conventional designs. As a result, the plug is well suited for applications with high differential pressure or thin-walled tubing. The plug’s segmented-ring sealing element expands without undergoing any elastic or plastic deformation, raising the individual sealing elements to the tubing and creating a full-expansion debris- and damage-tolerant seal. During retrieval, the sealing element’s positive retraction mechanism pulls the individual seal segments away from the tubing and against the tool chassis, where they nest tightly at less than the gauge diameter for conveyance out of the well. The low-profile, low-stress elastomer design also eliminates potential retrieval issues with gas decompression and permanent setting. With an integrated junk catcher, the SIMextra plug offers simple, single-run equalization and retrieval and incorporates a mechanical fail-safe that prevents slips retraction before equalization is initiated.