System and method for use of pressure actuated collapsing capsules suspended in a thermally expanding fluid in a subterranean containment space

Abstract

Systems and methods for use of pressure actuated collapsing capsules suspended in a thermally expanding fluid in a subterranean containment space are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system comprises a subterranean pressured fluid receiving containment space located in a wellbore of a subterranean well and a pressured operating fluid filling at least a portion of the containment space. The pressured operating fluid comprises a mixture of substantially incompressible liquid and pressure actuated collapsing capsules. At least a portion of the pressure actuated collapsing capsules implode as pressure in the containment space exceeds a predetermined limit.

1 . A system comprising:
 a subterranean pressured fluid receiving containment space located in a wellbore of a subterranean well; and   a pressured operating fluid filling at least a portion of the containment space and comprising a mixture of substantially incompressible liquid and pressure actuated collapsing capsules wherein at least a portion of the pressure actuated collapsing capsules implode as pressure in the containment space exceeds a predetermined limit.   
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pressured fluid receiving containment space is an expandable bladder of a downhole packer. 
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pressured fluid receiving containment space is an annulus space between a drilled wellbore and a casing string. 
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pressured fluid receiving containment space is an annulus space between a plurality of casing strings. 
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure actuated collapsing capsules are hollow and encased in a frangible material. 
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the pressure actuated collapsing capsules are of substantially fixed volume and at least partially gas-filled. 
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the frangible material is one of glass, ceramic, polymer, metal or pozzolan. 
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the pressure actuated collapsing capsules are microspheres. 
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the microspheres have a substantially uniform collapse pressure. 
   
   
       10 . The system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the microspheres have a collapse pressure within 1000 psi of one another. 
   
   
       11 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the microspheres have a non-uniform collapse pressure. 
   
   
       12 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the microspheres have at least two different collapse pressures. 
   
   
       13 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the difference in collapse pressure of a plurality of the microspheres is at least 1000 psi. 
   
   
       14 . A method comprising:
 defining a subterranean pressured fluid receiving containment space in a wellbore of a subterranean well; and   filling at least a portion of the containment space with a pressured operating fluid comprising a mixture of substantially incompressible liquid and pressure actuated collapsing capsules wherein at least a portion of the pressure actuated collapsing capsules implode as pressure in the containment space exceeds a predetermined limit.   
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the pressured fluid receiving containment space is an expandable bladder of a downhole packer. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the pressured fluid receiving containment space is an annulus space between a drilled wellbore and a casing string. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the pressured fluid receiving containment space is an annulus space between a plurality of casing strings. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the pressure actuated collapsing capsules are hollow and encased in a frangible material. 
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the pressure actuated collapsing capsules are of substantially fixed volume and at least partially gas-filled. 
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the frangible material is one of glass, ceramic, polymer, metal or pozzolan. 
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the pressure actuated collapsing capsules are microspheres. 
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the microspheres have a substantially uniform collapse pressure. 
   
   
       23 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the microspheres have a collapse: pressure within 1000 psi of one another. 
   
   
       24 . The method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the microspheres have a non-uniform collapse pressure 
   
   
       25 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the microspheres have at least two different collapse pressures. 
   
   
       26 . The method as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the difference in collapse pressure of a plurality of the microspheres is at least 1000 psi. 
   
   
       27 . An system comprising:
 a subterranean pressured fluid receiving containment space located in a wellbore of a subterranean well; and   a pressure take-up means for establishing an upper-pressure limit with a pressured operating fluid filling at least a portion of the containment space and comprising a mixture of substantially incompressible liquid and pressure actuated collapsing capsules wherein at least a portion of the pressure actuated collapsing capsules implode as pressure in the containment space approaches the upper-pressure limit.   
   
   
       28 . The system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the pressured fluid receiving containment space is one of either an expandable bladder of a downhole packer or an annulus space between a plurality of casing strings.