Launches Dissolvable Bridge Plug for Intervention-Free Multistage Fracturing

Landrill has launched its Dissolvable Bridge Plug series, a new-generation intervention-free wellbore isolation tool designed for multistage fracturing in horizontal wells. After the fracturing operation is complete, the tool autonomously dissolves in the downhole environment—eliminating the need for milling, fishing, or wiper trips—and the wellbore directly restores to full bore.

Solving the Bottleneck of Conventional Plugs

Traditionally, retrievable bridge plugs and composite bridge plugs have been the primary tools for zonal isolation. While these tools offer stable isolation performance, they share an unavoidable drawback: after the treatment is completed, a second intervention must be made to mill or fish them out. Once complications arise—such as wellbore scaling, sand burial, or rubber element aging and adhesion—complex accidents such as plug release failure, milling obstruction, and fishing failure readily occur, significantly driving up operational costs and timelines.

The Dissolvable Bridge Plug from Landrill abandons the traditional “isolate-then-remove” operation mode. Using a special dissolvable alloy material, the tool leverages downhole temperature and the electrolyte environment of formation water to initiate electrochemical reactions, autonomously corroding, pulverizing, and gradually dissolving away. Throughout the process, there is no residual bulk tool and no risk of fish.

Core Material & Technical Parameters

The Dissolvable Bridge Plug is integrally formed from magnesium-based dissolvable alloy + degradable fluoro-rubber sealing materials. The entire tool string contains no non-dissolvable components such as cast iron or hardened steel. Standard technical parameters:

1. Temperature rating:​ 80°C – 170°C (high-temperature variants up to 200°C).
2. Pressure rating:​ 30 MPa – 70 MPa (maximum up to 90 MPa).
3. Dissolution period:​ approximately 5–10 days in conventional formation water.
4. Accelerated dissolution media:​ 3%–5% KCl solution, 0.5%–1% weak organic acid flowback fluid.
5. Setting initiation pressure:​ 16–25 MPa.
6. Shear/release force:​ 26–32 MPa.
7. Compatible casing:​ 5.5″ (139.7 mm), 7″ (177.8 mm).
8. Final state after dissolution:​ fine powder, particles ≤ 2 mm, fully removable with flowback fluid.

Dissolution rate is dynamically influenced by the downhole environment. Higher formation temperature and higher water salinity accelerate electrochemical reaction; low-temperature, heavy crude oil, and low-salinity wellbores extend the dissolution period up to 12–18 days.

tructural Composition

Unlike conventional plugs with complex metal hard structures, all core components of the Dissolvable Bridge Plug are degradable:

1. Dissolvable alloy center tube:​ primary load-bearing structure with uniform stress distribution.
2. Dissolvable cone assembly:​ drives slip expansion during setting, fully decomposes after use.
3. Dissolvable alloy slip group:​ hard-engagement teeth anchor firmly to casing wall.
4. Degradable polymer rubber element:​ radially expands under axial compression for zonal sealing
5. Dissolvable release pin:​ shears at rated pressure for precise disconnect

Dual-Mechanism Working Principle

Mechanical setting:​ The tool string is conveyed via wireline or hydraulic pump-down to the target depth. At 16 MPa, the setting mechanism triggers. At 18–25 MPa, the cone advances, slips expand and bite the casing wall, and the rubber element compresses to seal the zone. At 26–30 MPa, the release pin shears, separating the running tool. The set plug holds up to 70 MPa differential pressure.

Electrochemical self-dissolution:​ The magnesium-based alloy forms dense micro-galvanic cells with chloride ions and electrolytes in formation water, undergoing uniform corrosion. The plug gradually disintegrates into fine particles and powder, which are completely removed with flowback fluid—restoring the wellbore to its original full-bore state without any manual workover intervention.

Standardized Field Procedure

1. Assembly:​ Match plug model to casing size; install with centralizer; verify seals and pins
2. Running:​ Hydraulic pump-down in horizontal sections; run-in speed 20–30 m/min
3. Depth correction & setting:​ Magnetic locator for depth positioning; stage pressurization; soak 3–5 min
4. Multistage fracturing:​ Ball drop and fracturing per stage according to the well plan
5. Soak & flowback:​ Shut-in for 5–10 days post-fracturing; flowback and circulate; well ready for production
6. Eliminates workover intervention:​ No milling, fishing, or wiper trips—drastically reducing well construction time
7. Prevents downhole complexity:​ No cutting accumulation, sticking, or tool loss risks
8. Protects casing integrity:​ No mechanical milling avoids casing wall wear, scratches, or deformation
9. Full-bore restoration:​ Wellbore remains at complete clearance for subsequent well interventions
10. Enhanced operational continuity:​ Multistage fracturing can proceed consecutively, ideal for large-scale horizontal well development

Operational Advantages

About US

Landrill Oil Tools is a professional manufacturer of downhole drilling and completion tools. The company supplies a comprehensive range of completion equipment to oil and gas operators, with a commitment to quality, reliability, and customer service.

Media Contact:  [Jessie]

Email: [energy@landrilltools.com]

Website: [http://www.landrilloiltools.com]