One-Trip Perforation System With Inflatable Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current completion methods for multi-interval zones require multiple trips into the well to isolate and fracture intervals, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for frequent rigging and milling operations.
Innovation Solution
A one-trip system utilizing a releasable inflatable barrier and pressure booster system that allows for simultaneous perforation and fracturing of multiple intervals, with real-time monitoring and minimal water consumption, eliminating the need for barrier milling and reducing operational trips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional plug-and-perforate or ball-activated completions are used to isolate and fracture multiple intervals, then each interval can be treated separately, but multiple trips into the well are required leading to increased operational time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is divided into multiple isolated intervals using inflatable packers that can be deployed at different depths. Each interval can be independently perforated and fractured while maintaining isolation from other intervals, enabling multi-stage treatment without requiring multiple trips into the well.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable packers are deployed and positioned in advance before perforation and fracturing operations begin. This preliminary isolation allows subsequent perforating and fracturing to proceed continuously through multiple intervals without interruption or additional trips.
2Reliability
If cement is used to isolate the annulus between open hole and liner, then isolation is achieved, but communication is lost requiring coiled tubing or wireline operations for subsequent perforations
Solution Approach 1:
Inflatable packers use hydraulic pressure to expand and create isolation barriers. These packers can be inflated through the liner using fluid pressure, providing reliable isolation while maintaining the ability to communicate with the formation through the liner for perforation and fracturing operations.
3Productivity
If perforations are made to regain communication with the wellbore, then fracture treatment can be delivered, but the process requires sequential operations for each stage increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functions into a single integrated assembly: inflatable packers for isolation, perforating guns for creating communication pathways, and fracturing capability all in one tool string. This allows isolation, perforation, and fracturing of multiple intervals to be accomplished in a single continuous operation without separate equipment deployments.
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
This approach enhances fracture formation by boosting pressure during gun firing, enables efficient isolation and perforation of multiple intervals in a single trip, and provides real-time feedback for optimal gun placement, reducing operational time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a releasable barrier (which can be an inflatable)
Implementation Method 2
A pressure booster system is associated with the BHA so that the existing hydrostatic pressure is boosted when the gun or portions thereof are fired
Data Source
AI summary
A one trip system for perforating and fracking multiple intervals uses a releasable barrier. The barrier can be an inflatable. A pressure booster system is associated with the BHA so that the existing hydrostatic pressure is boosted when the gun or portions thereof are fired. After firing in one interval, the BHA is raised and the barrier is redeployed and the pattern repeats. Instruments allow sensing the conditions in the interval for optimal placement of the gun therein and for monitoring flow, pressure and formation conditions during the fracturing. Circulation between gun firings cleans up the hole. If run in on wireline a water saving tool can be associated with the BHA to rapidly position it where desired. A multitude of perforation charges mounted in the BHA can be selectively fired by selected corresponding detonator based on a predetermined sequence or surface telemetry command.