Non-degradable Perforation Ball Sealers for Permanent Wellbore Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for wellbore re-stimulation face challenges in completely and permanently sealing existing perforations, leading to unreliable and inefficient stimulation treatments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using non-degradable perforation ball sealers injected through a ball injector to permanently seal perforated sections of the wellbore, monitored by pressure changes to ensure a successful seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temporary diverting agents are pumped to seal perforated sections, then certain sections can be sealed for brief periods, but the sealing is not permanent and complete sealing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses perforation balls that are inexpensive, simple spherical objects designed to be pumped through the wellbore and permanently seal perforations. These balls are disposed of after use, permanently plugging the perforations they encounter, providing indefinite sealing duration unlike temporary diverting agents.
2Reliability
If secondary tubing is installed in the wellbore to seal perforations, then perforated sections can be sealed, but the inner diameter of the wellbore is reduced and recompletion options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from complex secondary tubing structures and implements it through simple perforation balls that travel through the existing wellbore. This eliminates the need to install additional tubing, maintaining the original wellbore geometry and preserving future recompletion options while achieving reliable sealing.
3Reliability
If current sealing methods are used to completely seal the wellbore, then stimulation treatments can be delivered, but the methods are costly and economically unjustifiable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive perforation balls made from simple materials that can be pumped through the wellbore to permanently seal perforations. This approach is far more economical than installing secondary tubing or using complex sealing systems, achieving complete sealing at a fraction of the cost while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for permanently sealing or bridging perforations disposed in a wellbore that was previously subjected to various completion operations and comprises a plurality of perforated sections comprising a plurality of perforations. In one embodiment, the method comprises configuring a ball injector or multiple ball injectors at the surface of the wellbore, pumping non-degradable perforation ball sealers into the perforated sections via the ball injector, wherein the non-degradable perforation ball sealers permanently seal all perforated sections in the wellbore, and monitoring pressure within the wellbore during operation to determine a successful seal of all the perforated sections.