Degradable Filter Plug for Proppant Retention in Wellbores
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-stage hydraulic fracturing, effective isolation of previously fractured zones from new zones to be stimulated is challenging, leading to inefficiencies and the need for subsequent cleanup runs due to proppant flowback.
Innovation Solution
The use of filter plugs with a filtration skeleton and degradable material that lodge within wellbore ports, initially plugging the ports during fracturing and later filtering particulate matter, reducing the need for cleanup and keeping proppants in the formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ball and ball seat isolation is used in multi-stage fracturing, then zone isolation is achieved, but proppant flowback occurs requiring cleanup runs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a filter plug with porous structure that allows fluid to pass through while trapping proppant particles. The porous material acts as a physical barrier with pore sizes selected to retain proppant while permitting hydraulic fluid flow, thereby preventing proppant flowback into the wellbore during subsequent fracturing stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter plug serves as an intermediary device between the fractured zone and the wellbore. It mediates the interaction between proppant-laden fracturing fluid and the wellbore environment, allowing the beneficial fluid to pass while blocking the harmful proppant particles that would otherwise flow back and require cleanup operations.
2Loss of substance
If filter plugs are used to prevent proppant flowback, then proppant retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filtration function from the traditional ball and ball seat isolation system. By separating the isolation function (ball and ball seat) from the proppant retention function (filter plug), the system achieves both objectives without requiring a single complex device. The filter plug is a simple component that can be deployed independently to address proppant flowback.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter plug is designed as a disposable component that is deployed into the wellbore to perform its filtration function and then left in place or retrieved. This approach uses a simple, inexpensive component rather than a complex reusable system, reducing overall device complexity while effectively preventing proppant flowback.
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 solution enhances well productivity by maintaining proppants within the fracture zone, reducing cleanup operations, and supporting high flow rates while effectively filtering particulate matter, thereby improving the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a degradable material in contact with the filtration skeleton
Implementation Method 2
allow the filtration skeleton to filter particulate matter as fluid passes there through
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a filter plug, a well system, and a method for fracturing a well system. The filter plug, in one aspect, includes a filtration skeleton. The filter plug according to this aspect further includes a degradable material in contact with the filtration skeleton, the filtration skeleton and degradable material configured to lodge within a port in a wellbore, and thus substantially plug the port when the degradable material remains intact with the filtration skeleton and allow the filtration skeleton to filter particulate matter as fluid passes there through when the degradable material no longer remains intact with the filtration skeleton.