Coded Dart Actuation for Selective Hydraulic Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well completion systems face challenges in efficiently stimulating multiple production zones in a wellbore, as existing technologies lack a reliable method for selective and sequential fluid communication between the wellbore and the formation, leading to inefficient stimulation processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tubular string with sliding sleeve valves having coded engagement profiles and flow transportable darts with coded collet fingers, allowing for selective actuation of sliding sleeves to enable fluid communication between the wellbore and specific production zones, facilitating controlled stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sliding sleeve valves are used for selective fluid communication, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple valves and actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is divided into multiple discrete zones, each with its own sliding sleeve valve. This segmentation allows independent stimulation of each production zone, improving overall productivity by enabling targeted treatment of specific formations while managing complexity through modular valve units.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding sleeve valves are pre-installed and positioned within the tubular string during well completion. This preliminary action allows the valves to be in place before stimulation operations begin, enabling immediate selective fluid communication when needed and improving productivity without adding operational complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If coded engagement profiles are used for selective actuation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to coded sequences and matching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Each sliding sleeve valve has a unique asymmetric coded engagement profile with specific groove patterns, while the dart has corresponding asymmetric keyed protrusions. This asymmetry ensures that only darts with matching codes can actuate specific valves, providing precise selective actuation through geometric compatibility rather than complex electronic or mechanical coding systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The coded engagement profile acts as an intermediary mechanism between the dart and sliding sleeve valve. The coded grooves and keys serve as a mechanical language that enables selective communication between actuation tools and target valves, achieving precise control without requiring complex external control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple darts with different coded sequences are used, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases due to sequential dart deployment
Solution Approach 1:
A single multi-coded dart is designed with multiple keyed protrusions, each corresponding to different sliding sleeve valves. This universal dart can actuate multiple valves in one deployment, providing adaptability to stimulate different zone combinations while reducing the number of dart deployments needed and minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple actuation functions are merged into a single dart by combining multiple coded sequences on one tool. This allows simultaneous or sequential actuation of multiple sliding sleeve valves during one continuous operation, improving adaptability while eliminating the time penalty of multiple separate dart deployments.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a string disposed in a wellbore, a first valve coupled to the string, the first valve including a sleeve having an engagement profile with a first coded sequence, a second valve coupled to the string, the second valve including a sleeve having an engagement profile with a second coded sequence that differs from the first coded sequence of the first valve, and a first dart flow transportable through the string, the first dart including a collet finger having a first coded sequence configured to restrict the collet finger from matingly engaging the engagement profile of the first valve while permitting the collet finger to engage the engagement profile of the second valve, wherein the first dart actuates the sleeve of the second valve between first and second positions in response to the collet finger of the first dart matingly engaging the engagement profile of the second valve.