Conditional Occlusion Release Device for Wellbores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current occlusion release devices in wellbores lack the ability to selectively release occlusions based on specific wellbore conditions, such as time, pressure, and temperature, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs in completion operations like plug and perforation.
Innovation Solution
An integrated controller within an occlusion release device compares downhole conditions to predetermined release conditions and activates a displacement mechanism to release a frac ball from a retaining mechanism when these conditions are met, allowing for precise and timed deployment of the occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an occlusion release device is deployed in a wellbore, then the occlusion can be released to facilitate production operations, but the device cannot selectively release the occlusion based on specific wellbore conditions such as time, pressure, and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device. The occlusion release device integrates the occlusion retaining mechanism, multiple sensors (pressure, temperature, time-based), and control logic into one unified tool. This merging allows the device to monitor and respond to multiple wellbore conditions simultaneously without requiring separate devices for each function, thereby achieving selective release capability while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with multi-functionality to perform various operations: it can retain the occlusion, monitor pressure conditions, monitor temperature conditions, track time-based conditions, and release the occlusion based on any of these conditions. This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple wellbore scenarios and completion operation requirements, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Loss of time
If the occlusion is released immediately upon deployment, then the operation time is minimized, but the occlusion cannot be selectively deployed based on predetermined wellbore conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured with predetermined release conditions (specific pressure thresholds, temperature ranges, and time intervals) before deployment into the wellbore. The control logic is pre-programmed to automatically compare real-time sensor readings against these predetermined conditions and trigger occlusion release when conditions are met. This preliminary setup enables conditional release capability while maintaining rapid response time, as the decision logic is already in place and requires no additional operational steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The occlusion release device is designed to autonomously monitor wellbore conditions and make its own decision to release the occlusion based on sensor inputs. The integrated control system automatically compares pressure, temperature, and time data against predetermined thresholds and triggers release without requiring external intervention or manual monitoring. This self-service capability reduces operational time by eliminating the need for continuous human oversight while maintaining adaptive conditional release based on actual wellbore conditions.
3Productivity
If manual monitoring and deployment of occlusion is used, then the operational flexibility is maintained, but the operation time and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates real-time feedback through multiple sensors that continuously monitor pressure, temperature, and time conditions in the wellbore. This feedback is fed to the integrated control system, which automatically compares current conditions against predetermined thresholds and triggers occlusion release when conditions are satisfied. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual monitoring, significantly reducing operation time and improving productivity by enabling automated, condition-based deployment decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including an occlusion retaining mechanism; an integrated controller configured to compare a plurality of downhole conditions to a plurality of predetermined release conditions and release an occlusion from the occlusion retaining mechanism in response to the plurality of downhole conditions satisfying the plurality of predetermined release conditions. In another aspect, a method for isolating a portion of a wellbore is disclosed, including deploying a frac plug in the wellbore; setting the frac plug in the wellbore; deploying a frac ball release tool in the wellbore; selectively retaining a frac ball within the frac ball release tool; releasing the frac ball in response to a plurality of downhole conditions satisfying a plurality of predetermined release conditions.