Dissolvable Frac Plug Adapter for Dynamic Temperature Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dissolvable frac plugs designed based on static downhole ambient temperature measurements under fluid-free conditions fail to provide satisfactory sealing and dissolution performance during hydraulic fracturing operations due to the difference between static and dynamic downhole temperatures under fluid-containing conditions, leading to increased costs and operational risks with real-time optical fiber detection methods.
Innovation Solution
A dissolvable frac plug adapter equipped with a temperature acquisition and recording apparatus that measures and records dynamic downhole ambient temperature during pumping, facilitating the design and fabrication of ideal dissolvable frac plugs for horizontal wells by ensuring accurate material selection and operation in various regions with low cost and convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time optical fiber detection technology is used to measure dynamic downhole temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature measurement function from the complex optical fiber detection system and integrates it into a simple adapter body that can be easily attached to the frac plug. The adapter contains a temperature sensor that directly measures the dynamic downhole temperature during pumping operations, eliminating the need for complex optical fiber infrastructure while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable, low-cost temperature sensor integrated into the adapter body that is discarded after use, replacing the expensive and complex optical fiber detection system. This approach achieves accurate dynamic temperature measurement without the high cost and complexity of real-time optical fiber detection infrastructure.
2Ease of manufacture
If dissolvable frac plug is designed based on static downhole ambient temperature, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but sealing and dissolution performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of the dynamic downhole temperature during pumping operations before the fracturing operation. This preliminary action provides accurate temperature data that is used to design the dissolvable frac plug with appropriate material selection and dissolution characteristics, ensuring both sealing performance during pumping and reliable dissolution after fracturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the dynamic downhole temperature measured during pumping operations is used to guide the design and material selection of the dissolvable frac plug. This feedback mechanism ensures that the plug performance is optimized based on actual downhole conditions rather than static assumptions, improving both sealing and dissolution performance.
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
The adapter allows for accurate measurement of dynamic downhole temperatures, ensuring the dissolvable frac plug maintains sealing until fracturing is complete and dissolves efficiently afterward, reducing operational risks and costs by providing a basis for region-specific plug design.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature acquisition and recording apparatus configured to acquire and record an ambient temperature at which the adapter body is located
Implementation Method 2
the dissolvable frac plug is dissolvable in the well, which reduces or eliminates the need for drill out after the fracturing operation
Implementation Method 3
A higher downhole ambient temperature expedites dissolution of the dissolvable frac plug, and vice versa
Data Source
AI summary
A dissolvable frac plug adapter includes an adapter body and a temperature acquisition and recording apparatus, where the temperature acquisition and recording apparatus is fixed in the adapter body. The adapter body is configured to connect a setting tool and a dissolvable frac plug. The temperature acquisition and recording apparatus is configured to acquire and record an ambient temperature at which the adapter body is located. A method for measuring a dynamic downhole temperature using the dissolvable frac plug adapter and a method for fabricating a dissolvable frac plug using the dissolvable frac plug adapter are provided to measure the dynamic downhole ambient temperature during pumping of the dissolvable frac plug, which features convenient operation and low cost, provides a basis for material selection and design of an ideal dissolvable frac plug for a region, and facilitates fabrication of the ideal dissolvable frac plug for the region.