Annular Isolation Device for Wellbore Strengthening via Hydraulic Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore strengthening methods face challenges in effectively increasing hydraulic and hydrostatic pressure to create and extend fractures in downhole formations, as they rely on surface-based pumps which may not efficiently distribute wellbore strengthening materials into existing fractures or create new ones.
Innovation Solution
The deployment of an annular isolation device that generates hydraulic pulses by periodically sealing and unsealing the annular region between the wellbore and the conveyance, using loss circulation materials like walnut shells or graphite, to create intense pressure pulses that inject materials into fractures, thereby enhancing fracture extension and creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If surface-based pumps are used to inject wellbore strengthening materials, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the effectiveness of increasing hydraulic pressure and distributing materials into fractures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The annular isolation device periodically seals and unseals the annular region to generate hydraulic pulses. This periodic action creates intense pressure spikes that effectively distribute wellbore strengthening materials into existing fractures and create new fractures, resolving the contradiction between equipment simplicity and material distribution effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static surface-based pumping to dynamic downhole pulse generation. The annular isolation device creates moving pressure fronts that propagate through the wellbore, enhancing material distribution into fractures compared to steady-state surface pumping.
2Productivity
If annular isolation device is deployed to generate hydraulic pulses, then the material injection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular isolation device utilizes the existing drilling conveyance and annular space as part of its structure. It seals against the wellbore wall using the available geometry, and uses the pumping system already present to generate its pressure pulses, thereby reducing the need for additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular isolation device serves multiple functions: it isolates the annular region, generates hydraulic pulses, and distributes wellbore strengthening materials. By combining these functions into a single device deployed in the annular space, the system achieves high productivity without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
3Strength
If hydraulic pulses are used to inject materials into fractures, then the fracture extension is enhanced, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic sealing and unsealing of the annular isolation device creates pulsed pressure waves that are more energy-efficient than continuous high-pressure pumping. The pulses propagate through the wellbore and into fractures, delivering the necessary energy to extend fractures and set materials while allowing energy dissipation during the unsealing phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively increases wellbore pressure, allowing for the efficient injection of loss circulation materials into fractures, enhancing their size and number, and improving the wellbore's ability to sustain hydraulic pressure, thus strengthening the wellbore.
Implementation Method 1
activating the annular isolation device to reduce fluid flow in the zone generates a hydraulic pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Methods to perform wellbore strengthening, methods to pulse hydraulic fracture a downhole formation, and wellbore strengthening systems are disclosed. A method to perform wellbore strengthening includes deploying an annular isolation device in a wellbore of a well. The method also includes pumping a fluid carrying a loss circulation material through a conveyance into a zone of an annular region of a wellbore. The method further includes activating the annular isolation device to reduce fluid flow in the zone. The method further includes generating a hydraulic pulse to form one or more fractures. The method further includes injecting a loss circulation material into the one or more fractures.