Dissolvable Wiper Plug Elements for Wellbore Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing a cased wellbore for stimulation operations require additional wellbore intervention, such as tubing conveyed perforation, to reestablish fluid flow through stimulation tools after pressure testing, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool with a valve and ball seat mechanism that uses a dissolvable plug element to restrict fluid flow initially, allowing pressure testing, and then dissolves to increase fluid communication between the wellbore casing and formation without additional intervention, facilitating stimulation operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball seat is used to restrict fluid flow for pressure testing, then wellbore casing integrity can be tested, but additional wellbore intervention is required to reestablish fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The ball seat is designed as a disposable component that is abandoned in the wellbore after serving its purpose of pressure testing. This eliminates the need for complex retrieval operations or additional intervention to reestablish fluid flow, as the ball seat remains in place and does not obstruct stimulation fluid injection
Solution Approach 2:
The ball seat is installed and used for pressure testing before the stimulation operation. This preliminary action of testing and then abandoning the ball seat ensures casing integrity is verified while avoiding the need for subsequent intervention operations to remove or bypass the restriction device
2Productivity
If traditional ball seats are abandoned in the wellbore, then fluid flow is reestablished, but debris may accumulate in the valve bore
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper member is designed to be extracted from the plug element as it dissolves. The wiper member remains in the valve bore to perform its cleaning function, while the dissolving plug element is removed through dissolution, separating the cleaning function from the plugging function
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper member acts as an intermediary component that facilitates the cleaning of debris from the valve bore. It is attached to the plug element during deployment and then remains behind to perform the cleaning function, mediating between the plug element's dissolution and the valve's cleanliness
3Device complexity
If a dissolvable plug element is used, then additional intervention is eliminated, but the plug element material must dissolve over time
Solution Approach 1:
The plug element is made from materials with controlled dissolution rates that can be adjusted by changing material composition, size, and environmental exposure. This allows optimization of the dissolution time to match the operational timeline, ensuring the plug dissolves completely before stimulation operations begin
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 preparation of the wellbore for stimulation without additional intervention, ensuring the wellbore casing integrity and increasing fluid communication for effective stimulation operations, reducing operational complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The plug element then dissolves or disintegrates over time thereby increasing fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore casing through the valve
Implementation Method 2
the plug element wipes away debris within the bore of the valve
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for preparing a wellbore casing for stimulation operations comprise the steps of cementing a wellbore casing in a wellbore, the wellbore casing having a downhole tool comprising a valve and an apparatus for restricting fluid flow through the valve, such as a ball seat, disposed above the valve. Actuation of the valve opens the valve to establish fluid communication between the wellbore casing and the formation. A plug element is disposed on a seat of the ball seat and a casing pressure test is performed. The plug element then dissolves or disintegrates over time increasing fluid communication between the wellbore casing and the formation, thereby preparing the wellbore casing for stimulation operations without additional wellbore intervention after the casing pressure test. In certain embodiments, during or after dissolution of the plug element, clean-out of the bore of the valve is performed by the plug element.