Wiper Barrier Plug Assemblies

Abstract

A wiper barrier plug assembly can include a wiper plug, an expandable plug, and a trigger device that includes a first housing part, a second housing part, and a mechanical trigger, where the wiper plug, the expandable plug, and the trigger device are mechanically coupled together, where the mechanical trigger is disposed between and maintains a separated position of the first housing part and the second housing part relative to each other when the trigger device is in a default trigger device position, where the mechanical trigger is configured to break when the trigger device converts to an actuated state, where the first housing part and the second housing part, when the trigger device is in the actuated state, are configured to move to a collapsed position relative to each other to operate the expandable plug from a default expandable plug position to an expanded position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wiper barrier plug assembly comprising:
 a wiper plug comprising a wiper plug body and a plurality of wipers extending from the wiper plug body, wherein the plurality of wipers is configured to contact an inner surface of a casing string disposed in a wellbore;   an expandable plug; and   a trigger device comprising a first housing part, a second housing part, and a mechanical trigger, wherein the wiper plug, the expandable plug, and the trigger device are mechanically coupled together, wherein the mechanical trigger is disposed between and maintains a separated position of the first housing part and the second housing part relative to each other when the trigger device is in a default trigger device position, wherein the mechanical trigger is configured to break when the trigger device converts to an actuated state, wherein the first housing part and the second housing part, when the trigger device is in the actuated state, are configured to move to a collapsed position relative to each other to operate the expandable plug from a default expandable plug position to an expanded position, and wherein the expandable plug, when in the expanded position, is configured to abut against an inner surface of the casing string and to prevent the expandable plug from moving relative to the casing string.   
     
     
         2 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is coupled to the wiper plug, and wherein the second housing part is coupled to the expandable plug. 
     
     
         3 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger device is configured to break when the wiper plug runs into an immovable object within the casing string, wherein the expandable plug applies a downward force toward the wiper plug upon impact of the wiper plug against the immovable object that breaks the trigger device, and wherein the expandable plug operates into the expanded position when the second housing part moves to the collapsed position relative to the first housing part. 
     
     
         4 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger device comprises a shear pin. 
     
     
         5 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger device comprises a rupture plate. 
     
     
         6 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger device comprises a shear ring. 
     
     
         7 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger device has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is disposed in the first housing part, and wherein the second end is disposed in the second housing part. 
     
     
         8 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing part has a first outer shape that complements a second outer shape of the second housing part. 
     
     
         9 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first outer shape of the first housing part comprises a cylindrical protrusion, and wherein the second outer shape of the second housing part comprises a cylindrical recess. 
     
     
         10 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable plug comprises a cast iron bridge plug. 
     
     
         11 . The wiper barrier plug assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable plug comprises a composite plug. 
     
     
         12 . A system for preparing a casing string in a wellbore for cement, the system comprising:
 a landing assembly disposed at a distal end of the casing string, wherein the landing assembly provides a channel for a first fluid to flow from a cavity of the casing string toward the surface through an annulus formed between an outer surface of the casing string and a wellbore wall;   a bottom plug affixed to an inner surface of the casing string above the landing assembly, wherein the bottom plug has a flow path that traverses therethrough and through which the first fluid flows; and   a wiper barrier plug assembly disposed in the cavity of the casing string, wherein the wiper barrier plug assembly comprises:
 a wiper plug comprising a wiper plug body and a plurality of wipers, wherein the wiper plug provides a barrier between a first fluid disposed below the wiper plug and a second fluid disposed above the wiper plug; 
 an expandable plug operable from a default position to an expanded position; and 
 a trigger device comprising a first housing part, a second housing part, and a mechanical trigger, wherein the wiper plug, the expandable plug, and the trigger device are mechanically coupled together, wherein the mechanical trigger is disposed between and maintains a separated position of the first housing part and the second housing part relative to each other when the trigger device is in a default trigger device position, wherein the mechanical trigger breaks when the trigger device converts to an actuated state, wherein the first housing part and the second housing part, when the trigger device is in the actuated state, move to a collapsed position relative to each other to operate the expandable plug from the default expandable plug position to the expanded position, wherein the expandable plug, when in the expanded position, is configured to abut against the inner surface of the casing string prevents the expandable plug from moving relative to the casing string. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first fluid comprises a cement slurry, and wherein the second fluid comprises displacement fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the expandable plug, when in the expanded position, allows the cement slurry to cure in the annulus while preventing the displacement fluid from contaminating the cement slurry. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger device is configured to break when the wiper plug runs into the bottom plug, wherein the expandable plug applies a downward force toward the wiper plug upon impact of the wiper plug against the bottom plug that breaks the trigger device, and wherein the expandable plug operates into the expanded position when the second housing part moves to the collapsed position relative to the first housing part. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second fluid flowing down the wellbore within the casing string applies the downward force on the wiper plug. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the expandable plug, when in the expanded position, creates a seal against the casing string. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the expandable plug creates a pressure barrier within the casing string when in the expanded position. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 pumping equipment configured to pump the second fluid downhole; and   pressure sensing equipment configured to detect a pressure spike through the second fluid at a surface, wherein the pumping equipment is shut down when the pressure spike is detected.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the trigger device of the wiper barrier plug assembly further comprises a back-up trigger that is configured to operate the expandable plug from the default expandable plug position to the expanded position when the mechanical trigger fails to break or when the collapsed position of the first housing part and the second housing part relative to each other fails to actuate the expandable plug.