Fracturing Packer Pressure Differential Control via Segmented Vent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fracturing systems face challenges in maintaining a substantially constant pressure differential between pressure zones during hydraulic fracturing, leading to issues with packer setting and fracturing treatment efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system creates multiple pressure zones within a tool, including an inner diameter, an annulus, and an external zone, using a flow-activated valve, packers, and a vent to manage pressure differentials, allowing for constant pressure maintenance and equalization across zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional systems use pressure within coil tubing to set and unset packers and open/close frac ports, then the system can operate with simple pressure control, but the system cannot maintain a substantially constant pressure differential between pressure zones during hydraulic fracturing
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pressure control into separate zones: a first pressure zone within the tool between packers, a second pressure zone outside the tool between packers, and a third pressure zone outside the tool and packers. This segmentation allows independent pressure management in each zone, enabling constant pressure differential maintenance between the first and second zones while isolating them from the third zone through a sealing sleeve.
Solution Approach 2:
A vent mechanism acts as an intermediary between the first/second pressure zones and the third pressure zone. The vent includes a sealing sleeve that can cover or uncover a vent hole, controlled by a piston responsive to pressure differentials. This intermediary allows controlled communication or isolation between zones, enabling the system to maintain constant pressure differentials when needed while equalizing pressures when required.
2Reliability
If the system creates multiple pressure zones with different pressures, then constant pressure differential can be maintained for fracturing treatment, but the system complexity increases with additional pressure zones
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates three distinct pressure zones: a first pressure zone within the tool between packers for fracturing treatment, a second pressure zone outside the tool between packers for packer setting, and a third pressure zone outside the tool and packers. This segmentation allows the first and second zones to maintain constant pressure differentials for efficient fracturing treatment while the third zone serves as a reservoir that can be isolated or connected as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent mechanism extracts the function of pressure equalization from the main fracturing pressure control system. By separating the vent function (controlled by piston and sealing sleeve) from the primary fracturing pressure control, the system can maintain constant pressure differentials in the first and second zones without the complexity of continuously managing all three zones simultaneously.
3Reliability
If fluid flow ceases during fracturing treatment, then the fracturing operation stops, but the pressure differential between zones cannot be maintained leading to packer activation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The piston in the vent mechanism provides feedback control based on pressure differentials between zones. When fluid flow ceases or pressure differentials change, the piston responds by moving the sealing sleeve to cover or uncover the vent hole, automatically adjusting the communication between pressure zones to maintain proper packer activation states without continuous fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the pressure differential itself to control the vent mechanism. The piston is responsive to pressure differences between the first/second zones and the third zone, automatically opening or closing the vent without external control. This self-service mechanism ensures packer activation reliability even when fracturing treatment stops temporarily.
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 ensures consistent pressure differentials, preventing packer activation issues and maintaining efficient fracturing treatment by equalizing pressures across zones, even when fluid flow ceases, thereby enhancing fracturing system performance.
Implementation Method 1
fluid flowing through the tool may activate the flow activated valve and the upper packer, lower packer, and gate
Implementation Method 2
the vent is configured to directly connect a treating annulus pressure associated with the first pressure zone and the second pressure zone with the third pressure zone via the vent hole
Implementation Method 3
This sealing sleeve may be configured to cover and uncover the vent hole to not allow or allow communication between the pressure zones. The sealing sleeve may operate based on the pressures within the first pressure zone and the second pressure zone.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for fracturing systems that maintain a substantially constant pressure differential between a first pressure zone and a second pressure zone.