Breakable Ball for Wellbore Zonal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current zonal isolation devices in the oil and gas industry often reduce the flow area significantly after use, necessitating improved solutions for temporary isolation and efficient restoration of fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A breakable ball with a shell and core that can perform wellbore operations such as creating zonal isolation and shifting sliding sleeves, breaking into pieces to restore fluid flow and allow further operations like fracturing or cementing, maintaining a large flow area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional ball is used for zonal isolation, then effective isolation is achieved, but flow area is significantly reduced after use
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is divided into multiple segments or pieces that can separate from each other. When the ball breaks into pieces, the obstruction is reduced, allowing fluid flow to be restored while maintaining the ability to provide effective zonal isolation when intact.
2Reliability
If a ball is used to create zonal isolation, then wellbore intervals are effectively isolated, but subsequent operations are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The ball transitions from a static isolation device to a dynamic device that can change its state. It starts as a complete ball for isolation, then breaks into pieces to allow subsequent operations, providing dynamic adaptability to different operational phases.
3Reliability
If a ball remains intact after use, then isolation is maintained, but fluid flow restoration is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is designed with pre-determined break points or weak structures that allow it to break in a controlled manner. This preliminary design ensures that the ball will break into appropriate pieces at the right time to restore flow while maintaining isolation during the isolation phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use in a wellbore that penetrates a subterranean formation, the system comprising: a wellbore; and a ball, wherein the ball performs one or more wellbore operations, and wherein the ball breaks apart into two or more pieces when a pressure is applied to the ball. A method of performing an operation in a wellbore, the method comprising: introducing a ball into the wellbore; causing or allowing the ball to perform at least one wellbore operation; and causing the ball to break into two or more pieces after performing the at least one wellbore operation. The ball can also perform more than one wellbore operation. The ball can also contain a core.