Benny Williams, Consultant Q2 ALS
Jerson Paez, Q2 ALS
Traditional metal-to-metal seal rings have long struggled with down hole sealing issues due to a functional lack of interchangeability among manufacturers, particulate contamination on the seal face, and a possible designed-in lack of precise control of the sealing angle on mating parts. These issues drive costly interventions and decrease pump performance. The hybrid seal introduces a solution by combining precision machined metal elements with a high-performance, compression molded elastomeric component, forming a dual sealing system that unites structural rigidity with adaptive sealing behavior. A step towards superior sealing integrity under these conditions.
Experiments confirm the hybrid seal’s ability to maintain a leak-free barrier under pressures up to 5000 psi without deformation or degradation. The elastomeric compound, Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR), delivers exceptional hardness, tensile strength, chemical resistance, and gas embolism resistance. Its elastic deformation capacity ensures consistent sealing across repeated stress cycles, pump unseating and flush-back operations.
Due to its technical performance, the hybrid seal offers significant operational advantages, including reduced downtime, extended equipment life, and decreased intervention costs. Research into this technology will continue through field trials and additional experimentations with expanded operating parameters.