Systems and methods for flow reduction or isolation in a wellbore

Abstract

Fluid flow reduction or cessation in a wellbore or pipe may be provided. A body member may be longitudinally translated through a wellbore or pipe. The body member may have an external wall facing an internal wall of the wellbore or pipe. The body member may have an internal flow path configured to facilitate communication of fluid within the wellbore or pipe through the body member. A braking force may be applied to the body member to slow and stop translation of the body member through the wellbore or pipe. A first fluidic seal may be provided between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the wellbore or pipe. The first fluidic seal may restrict fluid within the wellbore from being communicated between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the wellbore or pipe. A second fluidic seal may be provided restricting fluid within the wellbore or pipe from being communicated through the internal flow path of the body member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus configured to provide wellbore isolation, the apparatus comprising:
 a body member configured to translate longitudinally through a wellbore, the body member having an external wall facing an internal wall of the wellbore when the body member is within the wellbore, the body member having an internal flow path configured to facilitate communication of fluid within the wellbore through the body member;   an external sealing element disposed proximate to the external wall of the body member, the external sealing element being configured to provide a first fluidic seal between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the wellbore, the first fluidic seal restricting fluid within the wellbore from being communicated between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the wellbore; and   an internal sealing element disposed proximate to the internal flow path of the body member, the internal sealing element being configured to actuate between an opened position and a closed position, while in the open position the internal sealing element being configured to allow communication of fluid within the wellbore through the internal flow path of the body member, while in the closed position the internal sealing element being configured to provide a second fluidic seal restricting fluid within the wellbore from being communicated through the internal flow path of the body member.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a braking element disposed proximate to the external wall of the body member, the braking element being configured to slow and stop translation of the body member through the wellbore by providing a braking force to the body member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the braking force is provided by applying friction to the internal wall of the wellbore. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the braking element includes one of more of a slip with teeth configured to provide the braking force responsive to contacting the internal wall of the wellbore, a band configured to provide the braking force by expanding to contact the internal wall of the wellbore, or a rough surface configured to provide the braking force responsive to contacting the internal wall of the wellbore. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the braking force is provided to the body member responsive to the body member reaching a first depth within the wellbore. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the braking force is provided to the body member responsive to the body member experiencing a first fluid pressure within the wellbore. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the external sealing element includes one or both of an elastomer packer or a sintered metal sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the braking element and the external sealing element form a singular element. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a hold-down element disposed proximate to the external wall of the body member, the hold-down element being configured to hold the body member in place within the wellbore by providing a holding force to the body member. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the external sealing element is configured to provide the first fluidic seal responsive to the body member ceasing to translate within the wellbore. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sealing element includes one or more of a linear shutter, a radial shutter, an axial shutter, a telescoping closure, or a flapper. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sealing element is configured to provide the second fluidic seal responsive to the first fluidic seal being provided. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sealing element is configured to reduce a size of the internal flow path. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sealing element includes a curved circular disc having a diameter greater than an internal diameter of the body member. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sealing element includes a curved oval disc having a length greater than an internal diameter of the body member. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sealing element includes a plurality of baffles. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to control one or more components of the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to control the external sealing element to cause the external sealing element to provide the first fluidic seal. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to control the internal sealing element to cause the internal sealing element to provide the second fluidic seal. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to control the braking element to cause the braking element to slow and/or stop translation of the body member through the wellbore. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors disposed proximate to the body member, individual ones of the one or more sensors being configured to provide one or more of (1) a depth signal conveying information associated with a depth of the body member within the wellbore, (2) a pressure signal conveying information associated with a pressure of fluid within the wellbore proximate to the body member, or (3) a temperature signal associated with a temperature of fluid within the wellbore proximate to the body member. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more weight elements disposed proximate to the body member, a given weight element being configured to decrease a buoyancy of the body member such that the body member falls with gravity within the wellbore and against a flow of fluid within the wellbore. 
     
     
         23 . A method for providing wellbore isolation, the method comprising:
 longitudinally translating a body member through a wellbore, the body member having an external wall facing an internal wall of the wellbore when the body member is within the wellbore, the body member having an internal flow path configured to facilitate communication of fluid within the wellbore through the body member;   applying a braking force to the body member to slow and stop translation of the body member through the wellbore;   providing a first fluidic seal between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the wellbore, the first fluidic seal restricting fluid within the wellbore from being communicated between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the wellbore; and   providing a second fluidic seal restricting fluid within the wellbore from being communicated through the internal flow path of the body member.   
     
     
         24 . An apparatus configured to control fluid flow within a pipe, the apparatus comprising:
 a body member configured to translate longitudinally through the pipe, the body member having an external wall facing an internal wall of the pipe when the body member is within the pipe, the body member having an internal flow path configured to facilitate communication of fluid within the pipe through the body member;   an external sealing element disposed proximate to the external wall of the body member, the external sealing element being configured to provide a first fluidic seal between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the pipe, the first fluidic seal restricting fluid within the pipe from being communicated between the external wall of the body member and the internal wall of the pipe; and   an internal sealing element disposed proximate to the internal flow path of the body member, the internal sealing element being configured to actuate between an opened position and a closed position, while in the open position the internal sealing element being configured to allow communication of fluid within the pipe through the internal flow path of the body member, while in the closed position the internal sealing element being configured to provide a second fluidic seal restricting fluid within the pipe from being communicated through the internal flow path of the body member.