Composite Sleeve Fracturing Assembly with Teeth Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sleeve fracturing technologies for horizontal, vertical, and directional wells are limited in achieving unlimited staged fracturing without operating the casing string, often requiring re-perforation, well killing, and prolonged operations, with existing devices being complex, labor-intensive, and prone to poor sealing and damage.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve fracturing assembly with a composite sleeve and opening/closing tools featuring teeth-shaped members and spring mechanisms, allowing for selective opening and closing of the sleeve at any fixed position, enabling unlimited staged fracturing by unique engagement between teeth-shaped members, facilitating automatic engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If starting balls of different sizes are used to engage with sealed fitting surfaces, then multi-stage fracturing can be accomplished, but the number of packer stages is limited by the size of the casing string
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the fracturing process into multiple independent stages, each controlled by a separate sleeve that can be opened or closed independently. Each sleeve contains a sandblasting hole that can be selectively activated, allowing unlimited staged fracturing without requiring different sized balls or limiting the number of stages based on casing string dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic control mechanisms (opening and closing tools) that can change the state of each sleeve during the fracturing process. The sleeves can be opened to allow fracturing fluid flow and closed to stop flow, enabling flexible stage control without physical limitations on the number of stages.
2Productivity
If re-perforation and well killing are performed after each stage, then fracturing operations can be completed, but the construction period is prolonged and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables continuous fracturing operations across multiple stages without interrupting the wellbore integrity. The sleeves remain in place and can be opened or closed as needed, eliminating the need to stop operations for re-perforation or well killing between stages, thereby maintaining continuous productive action.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the fracturing system after each stage (which would require re-perforation and well killing), the invention recovers and reuses the same sleeve system for multiple stages. The sleeves are designed to be opened and closed repeatedly, allowing the same hardware to serve multiple fracturing stages without being discarded.
3Adaptability or versatility
If packer staged fracturing methods are used, then multi-stage fracturing can be achieved, but the operations cannot be continuously performed and require re-perforation
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve system serves multiple functions: it acts as a flow control valve, a fracturing stage separator, and a reusable component for multiple stages. Each sleeve can be opened to allow flow and closed to stop flow, providing universal applicability across all fracturing stages without requiring different equipment or interrupting operations.
4Productivity
If double sealed single pressure staged fracturing is used, then fracturing can be performed, but the casing string needs to be dragged and the packer requires multiple sealing, prolonging the construction period
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow control function from the casing string dragging and packer sealing operations. By incorporating opening and closing tools that directly manipulate the sleeves through tooth-shaped member engagement, the system eliminates the need for complex casing string operations and multiple packer sealings, simplifying the overall device complexity.
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
Enables efficient and flexible staged fracturing with unlimited stages by allowing precise control over sleeve opening and closing, reducing operational complexity and duration, and preventing unexpected closure, thus overcoming limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring mechanism disposed between the main body and the second teeth-shaped member
Implementation Method 2
the inner tube is connected to an inner wall of the outer tube via a shear pin
Data Source
AI summary
A sleeve fracturing assembly includes a composite sleeve and an opening tool. The composite sleeve and the opening tool can automatically engage with each other via teeth-shaped members arranged thereon so as to open the composite sleeve. A sleeve fracturing device includes a plurality of composite sleeves and opening tools, wherein each composite sleeve and opening tool can achieve unique engagement. A method of using the sleeve fracturing device is also described.