Degradable Frac Plug Delivery for Predictable Downhole Dissolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional frac plugs in oil and gas operations face challenges with unpredictable dissolution times due to varying wellbore fluid conditions, leading to delays, equipment damage, and operational inefficiencies, including undissolved fragments interfering with wellbore equipment.
Innovation Solution
Degradable downhole tools, such as frac plugs, are combined with degradable delivery devices containing chemical additives that enhance dissolution and flowable sensors to monitor operational conditions, ensuring predictable dissolution within a predetermined time window, eliminating the need for complex milling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional milling operations are used to remove frac plugs, then complete removal is achieved, but additional equipment and time are required, increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the removal function from complex milling operations and integrates it into the frac plug itself through degradable materials that dissolve in wellbore fluids, eliminating the need for separate milling equipment while achieving complete removal
Solution Approach 2:
The frac plug performs its own removal by dissolving in contact with wellbore fluids, making the system self-service by eliminating the need for external milling equipment and operations
2Ease of operation
If degradable frac plugs are used without chemical additives, then dissolution occurs over time, but dissolution timing is unpredictable due to varying wellbore fluid conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the wellbore environment by introducing chemical additives that modify fluid composition, thereby controlling and predicting the dissolution rate and timing of the frac plug with greater reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Chemical additives serve as intermediaries between the wellbore fluids and the frac plug material, mediating the dissolution process to achieve predictable timing by controlling the chemical reaction rate
3Productivity
If degradable frac plugs dissolve too soon, then dissolution timing is accelerated, but fluid isolation is lost leading to equipment damage and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The invention precisely controls dissolution parameters by adjusting chemical additive concentration and type, enabling optimization of dissolution speed to achieve complete dissolution at the optimal time without premature dissolution that would compromise fluid isolation
4Reliability
If degradable frac plugs dissolve too late, then complete dissolution is achieved, but hydrocarbon production is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes dissolution parameters by controlling chemical additive properties to achieve complete dissolution within a predictable time window that balances thorough degradation with timely production commencement
5Quantity of substance
If partial dissolution occurs, then some material remains undissolved, but fragments interfere with wellbore equipment operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the dissolution parameters by introducing chemical additives that accelerate and complete the dissolution process, ensuring 100% degradation of the frac plug material to eliminate harmful fragments while maximizing dissolved material
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 complete and predictable dissolution of frac plugs, reducing delays and costs by avoiding milling operations and minimizing equipment interference, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Certain embodiments of the degradable delivery devices contain one or more chemical additives that, when released into the wellbore fluid, enhance or promote the dissolution of the degradable downhole tool
Implementation Method 2
one or more flowable sensors that, as is or upon release from the degradable delivery device, measure operational conditions of the treated reservoir section (e.g., pressure, temperature, pH, etc.) within the wellbore to monitor a downhole tool dissolution treatment
Data Source
AI summary
Degradable downhole tools, including degradable frac plugs, for use in combination with degradable delivery devices. Certain degradable delivery device embodiments contain one or more chemical additives that promote the complete dissolution of the degradable downhole tool. Certain degradable delivery device embodiments additionally or alternatively contain flowable sensors designed to measure operational conditions (e.g., pressure, temperature, pH, among others) within the wellbore to monitor the dissolution treatment and wellbore conditions. Certain degradable delivery device embodiments may be inserted into cavities of the degradable downhole tool prior to the tool being deployed in the wellbore and/or flowed into position near the deployed degradable downhole tool. As such, the disclosed embodiments enable the complete dissolution of the degradable downhole tool in a predicable time window, obviating the need for complex and expensive milling operations and undesirable delays during oil and gas well completion.