Actively controlled bailer

Abstract

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 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An assembly comprising:
 a container device configured to transport and release a plugging material into a well, the container device, 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; 
 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; 
   a first vibration assembly, wherein the first vibration assembly comprises one or more vibration elements, and said vibration elements are mechanically coupled to the container device; and   a landing packer for receiving the container device.   
     
     
         22 . The assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the landing packer comprises a check valve and a sealing mechanism for sealing the landing packer against a casing or tubular. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the container device comprises a latch provided at a lower part of the container device arranged to engage with the landing packer. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising said elongate member for lowering the container device into a wellbore, the elongate member being one of: a wireline, coiled tubing and a drill pipe. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the elongate member comprises a cable for providing communication and/or power to the container device. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the container device comprises a hose. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the hose is provided within another tubular, which defines an annulus between said tubulars. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein a wireline tractor is provided beneath said lower seal. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the vibration elements are configured to generate an oscillating radial displacement of the plugging material within the container device. 
     
     
         30 . The assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the elongate member is configured to rotate around the longitudinal axis of said elongate member to induce circumferential flow in the plugging material within the container device. 
     
     
         31 . The assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein each vibration element comprises an annulus circumferentially around the container device. 
     
     
         32 . The assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein the vibration elements are provided within the annulus defined by said tubulars. 
     
     
         33 . The assembly according to  claim 29 , wherein the oscillating radial displacement of the vibration elements in the vibration assembly and/or rotation of the elongate member is configured in frequency and power to induce flow within the plugging material to remove entrapped air. 
     
     
         34 . The assembly according to  claim 21 , wherein the container device comprises a second vibration assembly, and wherein the second vibration assembly comprises one or more further vibration elements. 
     
     
         35 . The assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein the second vibration assembly and the first vibration assembly are the same, and wherein said vibration assembly is mechanically coupled to a tubular in which said container device is provided. 
     
     
         36 . The assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein the second vibration assembly is provided longitudinally proximal to a circumferential opening generated in the tubular, such that the second vibration assembly is contiguous to said tubular. 
     
     
         37 . The assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein each vibration element comprises an annulus, wherein the annulus abuts the inside circumferential edge of the tubular. 
     
     
         38 . The assembly according to  claim 34 , wherein the vibration elements are deployed with an extendable member integrated on the container device, wherein the extendable member is configured to deploy the vibration elements to the tubular. 
     
     
         39 . The assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein a wireline tractor is provided beneath said lower seal.