Patent ID: 10808520

Abstract:
A test plug is proposed for inspecting the integrity of a cement plug or other barrier in an abandoned oil and/or gas production wellbore as well as its own sealing performance. The test plug employs a pair of expandable seals for sealing off an annular space between the seals, the plug and surrounding inner surface of the wellbore. Furthermore, it employs a pump for pumping fluid through a fluid channel traversing the plug into or from an intermediate wellbore section between the plug and the barrier. Valves are provided for closing the fluid channel after the pressure in the intermediate wellbore section has reached a selected level. Pressure gauges monitor a pressure in the intermediate wellbore section and in the annular space during a selected period of time. The monitored pressure is stored in a memory device and/or transmitted to a barrier and seal integrity monitoring display at the earth surface.