Actively controlled bailer
A container device for transporting and releasing a plugging material into a well includes a longitudinal chamber for containing the plugging material, the chamber including a tubular wall extending in a longitudinal direction and at least one opening for releasing the plugging material from the chamber; a lower seal extending across the opening and closing the chamber in a closed configuration; a pressure application mechanism provided at an upper portion of the container device for pressurising at least part of the device and expelling the plugging material; and a connector provided at an upper portion of the container device for attaching the container device to an elongate member for lowering into a wellbore.
1. A container device for transporting and releasing a plugging material into a well, the container device comprising:
a longitudinal chamber for containing the plugging material, the chamber comprising a tubular wall extending in a longitudinal direction and at least one opening for releasing the plugging material from the chamber;
a lower seal extending across the opening and closing the chamber in a closed configuration;
an upper seal, wherein the upper seal, the lower seal and part of the tubular wall of the longitudinal chamber are arranged to enclose the plugging material in use;
a pressure application mechanism provided at an upper portion of the container device for pressurising at least part of the device and expelling the plugging material; and
a connector provided at the upper portion of the container device for attaching the container device to an elongate member for lowering into a wellbore,
wherein the pressure application mechanism comprises said upper seal, and further comprises a connection to the lower seal, and wherein the lower seal is connected to a plug configured to be set against a casing or tubular outside the container device.
2. The container device according to claim 1 , wherein the lower seal comprises a plug extending across an inner diameter of the tubular wall of the longitudinal chamber perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chamber, and wherein the lower seal has a mobile sealing connection such that the lower seal is configured to travel along an inner tubular wall while maintaining a sealing connection to the tubular wall.
3. The container device according to claim 2 , further comprising a landing profile arranged to receive the lower seal.
4. The container device according to claim 3 , wherein the lower seal when received in the landing profile, is arranged to open when a predetermined threshold pressure within the container above the lower seal is exceeded.
5. The container device according to claim 3 , wherein the lower seal when received in the landing profile is arranged to be burst by interaction with a lancet provided on a plug set in the well.
6. The container device according to claim 1 , wherein the upper seal comprises a plug extending across an inner diameter of the tubular wall of the longitudinal chamber perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chamber, and wherein the upper seal has a mobile sealing connection such that the upper seal is configured to travel along the tubular wall in the longitudinal direction while maintaining a sealing connection to the tubular wall.
7. The container device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure application mechanism comprises a pump provided above the upper seal and wherein the upper seal is arranged to move away from the pump when a pressure above the upper seal increases above a threshold value.
8. The container device according to claim 1 , wherein said connection has a predetermined maximum extension such that the upper seal has a fixed distance to the plug and travels down the container device when the container device moves to a surface while the plug is set against the casing or tubular.
9. The container device according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure equaliser provided in an upper part of the chamber above the upper seal.
10. The container device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection further comprises a cable providing an electrical, mechanical or hydraulic connection to the plug for activating the plug.
11. The container device according to claim 10 , further comprising a pump and a hydraulic chamber provided in the plug for setting the plug.
12. The container device according to claim 1 , further comprising a check valve provided below the lower seal for preventing inflow of fluids from outside the container device.
13. The container device according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more flapper valves provided below the lower seal for preventing inflow of fluids from outside the container device.
14. The container device according to claim 1 , further comprising a latch provided at a lower part of the container device for latching onto a landing structure.
15. The container device according to claim 1 , further comprising packers or slips provided outside the chamber for connecting to an external tubular or casing.
16. An assembly comprising:
the container device according to claim 1 ; and
a landing packer for receiving the container device.