Multimodal Particulate Diverter for ICD Stimulation Diversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous formations, stimulation fluids preferentially flow into high-permeability zones during wellbore operations, leaving lower-permeability zones untreated, leading to inefficient stimulation and suboptimal production.

Innovation Solution

A particulate diverter system with a multimodal particle size distribution is used to temporarily block the restrictive openings of inflow control devices, diverting stimulation fluid to lower-permeability zones by forming a seal that degrades after treatment, ensuring uniform stimulation and production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If inflow control devices with restrictive openings are used to balance production from heterogeneous formations, then production balance is improved, but stimulation fluid diversion capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction balanceVSAvoidstimulation fluid diversion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by placing particulate matter in the restrictive openings before stimulation operations. The particles are positioned in advance to temporarily block high-permeability zone openings, ensuring that stimulation fluid will be diverted to low-permeability zones when needed, while allowing unrestricted flow during production operations after particle removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamics by making the restrictive openings conditionally variable. The openings are dynamically controlled through the presence or removal of particulate matter, allowing the completion system to switch between two states: blocked during stimulation to divert fluid to low-permeability zones, and open during production to restore balanced flow from all zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If restrictive openings are blocked to divert stimulation fluid to low-permeability zones, then stimulation coverage is improved, but production flow from high-permeability zones deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestimulation coverageVSAvoidproduction flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses disposable particulate matter that can be easily inserted and removed from the restrictive openings. These temporary blocking particles serve their purpose during stimulation operations and are then removed to restore production flow, avoiding the need for permanent modifications to the completion system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the permeability parameter of the restrictive openings dynamically. By introducing particulate matter, the effective permeability of high-permeability zone openings is reduced during stimulation to divert fluid. After stimulation, the particles are removed and the permeability parameter is restored to its original state, allowing normal production flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If degradable particles are used to temporarily block openings, then temporary diversion capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporary diversion capabilityVSAvoidparticle size distribution control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The particulate matter is segmented into multiple size fractions that correspond to different restrictive opening sizes in the completion system. This segmentation allows different particle size ranges to target specific zones or opening types, providing controlled and selective diversion capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances stimulation coverage and efficiency by ensuring all zones receive treatment, leading to more balanced and effective production across the formation.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of diverter particles are sized and configured to temporarily block restrictive openings of the inflow control device during a stimulation operation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical blockage:

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of diverter particles are degradable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDegradation:

Data Source

PatentUS20260043321A1Multimodal partical diverter for complex completions

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A system and method are provided for stimulating heterogeneous subterranean formations using a tailored particulate diverter (PD). In some embodiments, a wellbore completion string includes an inflow control device (ICD) positioned in a high-permeability zone and an additional completion section positioned in a lower-permeability zone. The ICD includes restrictive openings, such as nozzles or valves, configured to impose a predictable pressure drop to balance inflow during production. During stimulation, the tailored particulate diverter comprising degradable diverter particles suspended in a carrier fluid is pumped into the completion string. The diverter particles exhibit a multimodal particle size distribution with at least four distinct size modes selected to bridge and seal the restrictive openings of the ICD, diverting stimulation fluid into the lower-permeability zone. Following treatment, the diverter particles degrade under downhole conditions to restore flow through the restrictive openings, improving stimulation coverage and enhancing overall production and/or injection efficiency.