Method for launching a cleaning element

Abstract

A deformable cleaning element is encased within soluble packaging to maintain deformation. The deformed cleaning element is launched into the bore of a drill pipe/conduit or tubular. Contact with fluids within the bore dissolves the soluble packaging allowing the cleaning element to expand to its original shape.

We claim: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for deforming a cleaning element for launching it into a pipe, the apparatus comprising:
 a device for mechanically deforming the cleaning element; and   soluble packaging that encases the deformed cleaning element to maintain deformation.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the soluble packaging is in the form of a film. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the soluble packaging is in the form of a rigid container. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solubility of the soluble packaging is optimised for the temperature of the well fluid. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the deformed cleaning element is sealed within a watertight container. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the watertight container sealing the deformed cleaning element comprises at least one seal and/or at least one endcap. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the watertight container contains a moisture absorbing device. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the moisture absorbing device is integrated within the watertight container. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaning element for cleaning a pipe, the cleaning element comprising a resilient material adapted to be deformed from an expanded resting configuration having a first dimension to a second deformed configuration having a second dimension smaller than the first dimension, the cleaning element being encased with a packaging to maintain deformation of the cleaning element in the deformed configuration, wherein the packaging is soluble. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaning element as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the packaging is soluble in water. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning element as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the packaging is soluble in drilling fluid.