Downhole device for data acquisition during hydraulic fracturing operation and method thereof

Abstract

A downhole system including a downhole device for data acquisition during fracing operations is disclosed. It includes a bypass device (102) operatively coupleable to for instance a frac plug (10) and is adapted to allow downhole fluid flow through the bypass device (102) and frac plug (10) but also permits the closure of that path whilst providing at least one second fluid path (120) for fluid communication between at least one data acquisition device (108) provided to detect at least one physical property such as pressure and a region inside the wellbore located uphole of the bypass device (102).

Description

[0001]The present invention relates to devices and processes used in well drilling. More specifically, the invention relates to a downhole device for data acquisition during a hydraulic fracturing operation and a method thereof. Another aspect of the invention relates to a drop device for data acquisition during a hydraulic fracturing operation and a method thereof.INTRODUCTION[0002]In drilling operations for the production of oil and gas deposits, operators strive to maximize both the rate of flow and the overall quantity of hydrocarbon that can be recovered from the subsurface formation or reservoir to the surface. Therefore, various stimulation techniques have been developed and one of the most commercially successful techniques today is hydraulic fracturing, also referred to as “fracking” or “fracing”.[0003]The hydraulic fracturing process involves targeting a portion of the strata surrounding the wellbore and injecting a specialized fluid into the wellbore at pressures sufficie...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]Typically, the second fluid path communication allows fluid communication from an uphole region to a data acquisition device without compromising the frac plug operation for circulating fluid along the first fluid path between an uphole and downhole region in the wellbore until a drop member that is typically selectively introduced into the fluid flow at surface by an operator shuts the first flow path in order to initialize perforation. Preferably, the drop member is a drop ball, dart or the like. Alternatively, the first fluid flow path may be shut by means of a suitably located valve operable from the surface.

[0020]The compatible bypass sub device provides the advantage that it can be retro-fitted to any standard frac plug, minimizing cost and maximize ease of use.

[0021]The data acquisition device may be operatively coupled to said bypass sub device via a data acquisition device carrier housing mountable to said bypass sub device and may be adapted to accommodate said at least one data acquisition device. This provides the advantage that a plurality of data acquisition devices can simply be placed inside a data acquisition device carrier and be replaced according to current specific requirements.

[0022]Furthermore, since the data acquisition device carrier is operatively coupled to the bypass sub such as to provide a direct fluid communication with an uphole wellbore region, no alterations are necessary to the data

Problems solved by technology

Seating of the frac-ball exerts pressure at the end of the sliding sleeve assembly, causing it to slide and open the frac ports.

Once t

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