Pressure Activation Device Technology For Downhole Applications

A common problem in oil and gas drilling, completion and production is the failure of proper activation on downhole tools. These failures can result in lost productivity, safety issues, and significant cost to fix the problem. As wells continue to be drilled deeper, encountering higher pressures and temperatures, it is more critical than ever for correct tool activation.

Pressure Activation Device (PAD) technology has been developed as an alternative to wireline activation, mechanical manipulation, and shear pins. Wireline activation requires that a wireline be run into the well, connected, and actuated. Mechanical manipulation (turn to the right, sit down and pick up the tubing string) can be effective, but is limited in scope and application use. Shear pins can present a problem due to inaccuracy. PAD technology uses applied pressure to burst a highly engineered metal disc located in a tool to “do work”. This work could be opening a port in a tool that causes the tool to perform its function. The work could be to “turn off” the tool as well. There are many different reasons for doing work downhole, and PAD technology can be adapted to meet those applications.