Fracturing Assembly Latch for Proppant Cleanout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations in hydrocarbon-producing wells face inefficiencies due to proppant accumulation in the wellbore and work strings, requiring additional trips to clean out the proppant, which prolongs the completion process.
Innovation Solution
A fracturing assembly with a sliding sleeve and wellbore securing device allows for the decoupling of the tubular string from the fracturing assembly, enabling the tubular string to be inserted for cleaning, and the use of a latch for removably coupling the assembly, facilitating the removal of proppant accumulation without the need for additional tools or strings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the treating work string is removed and replaced by a clean out work string to remove proppant, then the proppant accumulation is removed, but the overall operation time increases by several days or more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the treating work string and clean out work string into a single integrated work string that can perform both functions. The work string includes a treatable section with collapsible filter screens that can be adjusted between expanded and collapsed states, allowing the same string to both deliver proppant and clean out accumulations without requiring separate strings or additional trips.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter screens are designed to be dynamic rather than static, capable of collapsing and expanding. This dynamic behavior allows the filter screens to transition from an expanded state during proppant delivery to a collapsed state during clean out operations, enabling the work string to adapt its configuration based on the operational phase without requiring physical replacement.
2Reliability
If a clean out work string is used to remove proppant from the wellbore, then the proppant is removed, but additional equipment and tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clean out functionality into the treating work string itself by incorporating adjustable filter screens. This eliminates the need for a separate clean out work string and reduces the number of tools and equipment required, as the same work string performs both treating and clean out functions through the dynamic filter screen mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The work string is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a treating work string for proppant delivery and as a clean out work string for proppant removal. The universal design is achieved through the collapsible filter screens that can be adjusted between expanded and collapsed states, allowing a single piece of equipment to perform multiple functions that traditionally required separate specialized tools.
3Reliability
If the work string is removed and replaced multiple times during the operation, then cleaning can be performed, but the operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic filter screen mechanism allows the work string to adapt its configuration during operation without requiring removal or replacement. The filter screens can be collapsed to allow proppant passage during clean out operations and expanded during treating operations, enabling continuous operation and maintaining high productivity while effectively managing proppant accumulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing the work string to perform both treating and clean out functions without removal or replacement. The dynamic filter screen adjustment allows the operation to continue uninterrupted, switching between proppant delivery and proppant removal modes as needed, thereby maintaining operational efficiency and preventing downtime associated with work string replacements.
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore apparatus positionable within a wellbore with a tubular string includes a fracturing assembly and a latch. The fracturing assembly includes a housing comprising a flowbore formed therein and a port, a flow control device configured to move with respect to the housing to selectively allow fluid communication from the flowbore to an exterior of the housing through the port, and a wellbore securing device configured to secure the fracturing assembly within the wellbore. The latch is configured to removably couple the fracturing assembly to the tubular string.