Multi-zone Fracturing Completion Sleeve Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well completion techniques for multi-zone wells face challenges such as sand interference, excessive fluid consumption, and high costs due to sand jet perforating, and limitations in the number of zones that can be fractured effectively, as well as the cost and reliability issues with sliding sleeve assemblies and packers.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore completion system with a housing and sleeve that can be moved between open and closed positions, using a shearable device to retain the sleeve in a closed position and an expandable device to maintain it in an open position, allowing for selective fracturing of multiple zones without the need for extensive perforation or ball-based systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sand jet perforating is used to create openings through casing and formation, then perforation effectiveness is improved, but sand interference in the wellbore increases and excessive fluid consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes sand from the wellbore annulus using a sand removal device that circulates fluid through the annulus to lift and remove sand particles. This eliminates the harmful sand interference generated by sand jet perforating while maintaining the perforation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a fluid intermediary that serves dual purposes: it carries the sand particles out of the wellbore during sand removal operations, and later serves as the fracturing fluid medium. This intermediary fluid bridges the gap between sand removal and fracturing operations, reducing the need for additional fluids.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If sand is cleaned from the wellbore after sand jet perforating, then sand interference is reduced, but processing time increases significantly for multi-zone wells
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs sand removal as a preliminary action immediately following sand jet perforating, before fracturing operations begin. The sand removal device is deployed and operates to clear the annulus of sand particles, establishing a clean wellbore environment before the fracturing fluid is pumped in, thereby eliminating the need for separate sand cleaning operations between zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the sand removal function with the fracturing operation by using the same fluid circulation system and wellbore access. The sand removal device and fracturing equipment share common infrastructure, allowing sand removal to be integrated into the overall treatment process rather than being a separate, time-consuming operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sliding sleeve assemblies and packers are used for multi-zone fracturing, then zone isolation capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the wellbore into multiple treatable zones using simple mechanical isolators that can be set and unset independently. Each zone can be isolated by deploying an isolator device that creates a physical barrier in the annulus, allowing sequential treatment of multiple zones without requiring complex sliding sleeve assemblies or packers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable or single-use isolating elements that are deployed into the wellbore, perform their isolation function during a specific treatment window, and are then removed or abandoned. These simple, inexpensive isolators replace expensive, complex sliding sleeves and packers, reducing overall device complexity and cost while maintaining zone isolation capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If extensive perforation is performed to access multiple zones, then zone accessibility is improved, but sand generation and fluid consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating perforations only in the specific zone that requires treatment at each stage, rather than extensively perforating all zones beforehand. The sand jet perforating device is positioned and activated locally at the target zone, and the fracturing fluid is directed specifically to that zone through controlled annular flow, minimizing unnecessary fluid consumption and sand generation in non-target zones.
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 and cost-effective fracturing of multiple zones by reducing sand interference, minimizing fluid consumption, and maintaining a larger inner diameter, thus reducing operational time and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a shearable device to retain the sleeve in a closed position
Implementation Method 2
an expandable device to maintain it in an open position
Implementation Method 3
The packing element is adapted to provide a seal between the bottom hole assembly and the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore completion is disclosed. The wellbore completion comprises a casing assembly comprising a plurality of casing lengths. At least one collar is positioned so as to couple the casing lengths. The at least one collar comprises a tubular body having an inner flow path and at least one fracture port configured to provide fluid communication between an outer surface of the collar and the inner flow path. A length of coiled tubing can be positioned in the casing assembly. The coiled tubing comprises an inner flow path, wherein an annulus is formed between the coiled tubing and the casing assembly. A bottom hole assembly is coupled to the coiled tubing. The bottom hole assembly comprises a fracturing aperture configured to provide fluid communication between the inner flow path of the coiled tubing and the annulus. A packer can be positioned to allow contact with the at least one collar when the packer is expanded. The packer is capable of isolating the annulus above the packer from the annulus below the packer so that fluid flowing down the coiled tubing can cause a pressure differential across the packer to thereby open the fracture port.