Cup Packers for Zonal Isolation in Open Hole Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore treatment methods for hydraulic fracturing lack effective zonal isolation, leading to inefficient fluid distribution and unwanted fluid loss, particularly in non-vertical wellbores.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a tubing string with strategically positioned ports and sliding sleeves, combined with cup packers that expand radially to create isolated annular segments, allowing for selective fluid injection and isolation of specific wellbore zones without the need for perforating the wellbore wall or setting slips, enabling precise control over fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional packers (inflatable, swell, or solid body) are used for zonal isolation, then zonal isolation can be achieved, but the device complexity and operational limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is divided into multiple isolated zones using multiple cup packers positioned at different locations along the tubing string. Each cup packer creates a discrete sealed segment, allowing independent treatment of each zone while simplifying the overall system architecture through modular repetition of the packer-port-sleeve unit
Solution Approach 2:
Each zone between cup packers is equipped with dedicated ports and sliding sleeves that can be independently controlled. This allows selective fluid injection into specific zones based on local treatment requirements, with each zone having its own flow control mechanism rather than requiring a complex centralized control system
2Productivity
If multiple zones are treated simultaneously, then productivity increases, but fluid distribution control and isolation precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically controllable sliding sleeves that can be moved between closed and open positions to selectively activate or deactivate ports. This dynamic control allows flexible treatment sequences where zones can be treated individually or simultaneously based on operational requirements, maintaining precise fluid distribution control while enabling high productivity through parallel treatment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment process can be conducted in periodic sequences where sliding sleeves are opened and closed in predetermined patterns. Balls are dropped sequentially to open different zones at different times, allowing systematic treatment of multiple zones while maintaining precise control over fluid distribution to each zone during its active treatment period
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-vertical wellbore sections are treated, then adaptability increases, but fluid loss and isolation effectiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Cup packers are deployed and sealed in non-vertical wellbore sections before treatment operations begin. The packers are positioned and sealed in advance to create reliable isolation barriers that can withstand the gravitational and pressure conditions of inclined wellbores, preventing fluid loss to unwanted zones before the treatment process starts
Solution Approach 2:
The cup packers act as intermediary sealing elements between the treatment fluid and the wellbore formation. These packers create a mechanical barrier that mediates the interaction between injected fluids and formation, preventing unwanted fluid loss while allowing controlled fluid entry into targeted zones through the port-sleeve mechanism
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 approach allows for efficient hydraulic fracturing by isolating specific zones, reducing fluid loss, and enabling precise control over fluid distribution, thereby enhancing the stimulation of hydrocarbon formations.
Implementation Method 1
The cup packer is expanded radially outward to seal against the wellbore wall in the uncased, non-vertical section of the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
a first sleeve positioned relative to the first port, the first sleeve being moveable relative to the first port between a closed port position and a position permitting fluid flow through the first port from the tubing string inner bore
Implementation Method 3
Pressure may then be provided from the surface to the desired hydrocarbon formation in order to open a fissure or crack in the hydrocarbon formation
Data Source
AI summary
Zone isolation is a leading concern for operators that wish to fluidly treat a well. Typically in an open hole packers hydraulically actuated solid body packers have been are deployed at particular intervals along the wellbore to provide zonal isolation of various formations or portions of a formation. By isolating the various zones valves may be selectively opened or closed to treat a particular zone independently of the remainder of the well. In an improvement over the past procedures a cup style packer that is particularly useful in open hole may now be used.