Degradable Frac Plugs for Wellbore Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of wellbore isolation devices, such as frac plugs, from oil and gas wells is typically a costly and time-consuming process involving milling or drilling, which can damage the well and increase operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
The use of degradable materials for wellbore isolation devices, specifically frac plugs, that degrade over time in the well environment, eliminating the need for mechanical retrieval by allowing the components to dissolve or lose structural integrity, thus falling to the bottom of the well.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wellbore isolation devices are used, then effective zonal isolation is achieved, but costly and time-consuming retrieval operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore isolation device changes its material properties over time through degradation. The material transitions from a structurally intact state providing reliable isolation to a degraded state that allows easy removal. This parameter change in material integrity resolves the contradiction by maintaining isolation effectiveness during operation while enabling simple removal afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention treats the wellbore isolation device as a disposable component that serves its function temporarily and then degrades in place. Rather than designing for permanent installation or complex retrieval, the device is intentionally designed with degradable materials that allow it to be abandoned safely after completing its isolation function, eliminating retrieval operations entirely.
2Reliability
If traditional wellbore isolation devices are used, then effective zonal isolation is achieved, but high operational expenses are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
By designing the isolation device as a disposable component made from degradable materials, the invention eliminates the need for expensive retrieval operations. The device performs its isolation function reliably and then degrades in place, converting a high-cost retrieval process into a low-cost abandonment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The degradable material enables the device to self-remove through natural degradation processes without requiring external retrieval equipment or operations. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for costly mill-out operations and mechanical retrieval systems.
3Ease of operation
If degradable materials are used, then retrieval operations are eliminated, but material strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by making the material properties time-dependent. The degradable material maintains high strength and structural integrity during the operational period when isolation is needed, then progressively degrades after operation completion. This dynamic property change resolves the contradiction between needing strength during use and ease of removal afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with degradable materials that will naturally degrade after serving their function. This preliminary design choice ensures that removal simplicity is built into the material composition from the start, resolving the contradiction between maintaining strength during operation and enabling easy removal afterward.
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 reduces the need for costly and time-consuming retrieval operations, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of well operations by allowing the frac plugs to decompose naturally, thereby simplifying the removal process and minimizing well intervention.
Implementation Method 1
one or more components is composed of a degradable material that degrades in a wellbore environment at a desired time during the performance of a subterranean formation operation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods including introducing a frac plug into a wellbore in a subterranean formation, the frac plug comprising at least a mandrel, slips, and a packer element, wherein at least a portion of the mandrel and/or the slips is composed of a degradable alloy selected from the group consisting of a magnesium alloy, an aluminum alloy, and any combination thereof. The wellbore may be a cased wellbore or an open-hole wellbore, and wherein the slips are frictionally engaged with the casing string or the wellbore wall and the packer element is compressed against the casing or the wellbore wall to set the frac plug. One or more perforations is created within the formation and the formation is hydraulically fractured. The frac plug is at least partially degraded upon contact with an electrolyte in the wellbore before or after beginning production of a hydrocarbon.