Degradable Frac Plug Delivery for Predictable Downhole Dissolution
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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 and flowable sensors that dissolve predictably within a predetermined time frame, promoting complete dissolution and monitoring operational conditions using sensors.
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, time, and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the removal function from complex milling operations and integrates it into the frac plug design itself through degradable materials that dissolve completely in wellbore fluids, eliminating the need for separate milling equipment while ensuring complete removal
Solution Approach 2:
The frac plug performs its own removal function through degradable materials that automatically dissolve and disintegrate in the wellbore environment, eliminating the need for external milling equipment and operations
2Productivity
If degradable frac plugs are used without chemical additives, then dissolution occurs over time, but dissolution timing is unpredictable and fragments may remain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the wellbore environment by introducing chemical additives that accelerate and control the dissolution rate of the degradable frac plug materials, transforming the dissolution process from slow and unpredictable to fast and predictable
Solution Approach 2:
Chemical additives serve as intermediaries between the degradable frac plug materials and the wellbore fluids, facilitating controlled and accelerated dissolution by mediating the chemical reaction rate
3Reliability
If degradable delivery devices are inserted into cavities of degradable downhole tools, then complete dissolution is facilitated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The degradable delivery devices are nested within the cavities of the degradable downhole tools, with the delivery devices being smaller components that fit inside larger tool structures, allowing integrated dissolution without requiring separate complex systems
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 without the need for milling operations, reducing delays and costs, and ensuring smooth well completion by using degradable delivery devices with chemical additives and sensors.
Implementation Method 1
Each degradable delivery device is designed to dissolve in the wellbore fluid to release the chemical additives and/or flowable sensors contained therein to promote the complete dissolution of the degradable downhole tool
Implementation Method 2
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.