Constantly adaptive void elimination system
A method for sealing a borehole, that includes lowering a plug into the borehole, where the plug includes a sealing element, a reservoir that includes a liquid, and a one-way valve connected to the reservoir, causing the sealing element to undergo sealing element expansion, where the sealing element expansion causes the sealing element to make circumferential contact with a casing of the borehole, and where the sealing element expansion causes the sealing element to create a void.
1. A plug for sealing a borehole, comprising:
a sealing element forming a void;
a reservoir adapted to store a liquid;
a one-way valve connecting the reservoir to the void; and
a membrane covering the reservoir and exposed in the borehole,
wherein a borehole pressure causes the membrane to undergo membrane movement.
2. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the membrane movement causes the liquid to move from the reservoir to the void.
3. The plug of claim 2 , wherein the liquid is transported via the one-way valve.
4. The plug of claim 3 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to prevent the liquid from flowing from the void to the reservoir.
5. The plug of claim 2 , wherein the sealing element does not move into the void due to the liquid.
6. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the plug further comprises a gauge ring configured to cause the sealing element to undergo sealing element expansion.
7. The plug of claim 6 , wherein the one-way valve is disposed in the gauge ring.
8. The plug of claim 7 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to allow the liquid to flow from the reservoir to the void.
9. The plug of claim 8 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to prevent the liquid from flowing from the void to the reservoir.
10. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the plug is affixed to an anchoring mechanism.
11. A method for sealing a borehole, comprising:
lowering a plug into the borehole, wherein the plug comprises:
a sealing element;
a reservoir comprising a liquid; and
a one-way valve connected to the reservoir; and
causing the sealing element to undergo sealing element expansion,
wherein the sealing element expansion causes the sealing element to make circumferential contact with a casing of the borehole, and
wherein the sealing element expansion causes the sealing element to create a void.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein after causing the sealing element to undergo the sealing element expansion, the one-way valve connects to the void.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein when the plug experiences borehole pressure, the liquid is moved from the reservoir to the void.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the liquid is transported via the one-way valve.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the one-way valve is configured to prevent the liquid from flowing from the void to the reservoir.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein a membrane covers the reservoir.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the borehole pressure causes the membrane to move the liquid from the reservoir into the void.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sealing element expansion is caused by moving a gauge ring against the sealing element.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the void is formed between the sealing element and the gauge ring.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the one-way valve is disposed in the gauge ring.