Inflatable borehole plug

Abstract

An inflatable borehole plug assembly comprising two or more inflatable bags operatively associated with one another, wherein inflation of the inflatable bags results in the formation of the plug.

1 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly comprising two or more inflatable bags operatively associated with one another, each of the two or more inflatable bags including a pressurized can located therein, wherein the pressurized can contains an inflating substance to inflate the inflatable bag, and wherein inflation of the inflatable bags results in the formation of the plug. 
     
     
         2 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 1  wherein each pressurized can includes a valve that is actuated to release the inflating substance. 
     
     
         3 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the inflating substance is a volatisable liquid. 
     
     
         4 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the inflating substance comprises a hydrocarbon gas or hydrocarbon gas blend, a carrier and an emulsifier. 
     
     
         5 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the pressure in the pressurized can is between 150 and 1000 kPa. 
     
     
         6 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the two or more inflatable bags are operatively associated with one another such that the inflation of the inflatable bags actuates at the same time. 
     
     
         7 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the two or more inflatable bags are operatively associated with one another such that the two or more inflatable bags are retained at the same depth in a borehole as one another 
     
     
         8 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the two or more inflatable bags are retained in physical proximity to one another by retaining devices. 
     
     
         9 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the one or more retaining devices include one or more rubber bands, adhesive taps, string, rope, sleeves, pouches, tubes or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . An inflatable borehole plug assembly according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the two or more inflatable bags is provided with one or more attachment portions adapted to facilitate the lowering of the assembly into a borehole.