Perforation Plugging Control for Accurate Ball and Flow Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for temporary plugging in perforation boreholes during horizontal well fracturing lack accuracy in determining the number of plugging balls and post-plugging fracturing fluid displacement, leading to ineffective fracture initiation and network construction.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling temporary plugging construction that involves calculating the number of plugging balls and post-plugging fracturing fluid displacement using a plugging ball determination model, adjusting fluid displacement until theoretical diversion pressure meets target pressure, and evaluating effectiveness by comparing bottomhole pressures before and after plugging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If degradable plugging balls are used to block perforations during fracturing, then fracture initiation efficiency is improved, but accuracy in determining the number of plugging balls and fluid displacement is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture initiation efficiencyVSAvoiddetermination accuracy of plugging parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the number of plugging balls and post-plugging fluid displacement using a determination model before the actual fracturing operation. This allows the optimization of plugging parameters in advance, ensuring accurate injection quantities and achieving reliable fracture initiation without trial-and-error during the actual operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If temporary plugging is implemented to force pressure increase, then fracture network construction is enhanced, but the complexity of determining optimal plugging parameters increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture network construction effectivenessVSAvoidcomplexity of plugging parameter determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex empirical trial-and-error mechanical determination methods with a mathematical determination model. This model uses formulas to calculate the optimal number of plugging balls and fluid displacement based on reservoir parameters, significantly reducing the complexity of parameter determination while maintaining high effectiveness in fracture network construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring bottomhole pressure before and after plugging operations. This feedback allows verification of whether the calculated plugging parameters achieved the desired pressure increase and fracture initiation, enabling adjustment and optimization of subsequent plugging operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If multiple plugging balls are injected to ensure adequate blocking, then fracture initiation is improved, but the loss of fracturing fluid increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperforation blocking effectivenessVSAvoidfracturing fluid loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using a determination model to calculate the precise number of plugging balls and fluid displacement based on specific reservoir conditions, perforation characteristics, and target pressure requirements. This replaces indiscriminate injection of multiple plugging balls with precision injection of the exact quantity needed, ensuring adequate blocking while minimizing fracturing fluid loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260028893A1Method and Apparatus for Controlling Temporary Plugging Construction in Perforation Boreholes

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 STENERGY LLC

AI summary

The present application discloses a method and device for controlling perforation plugging operations. The method comprises: acquiring the pre-plugging fracturing fluid displacement and the target diversion pressure for a perforated interval; invoking a plugging ball quantity model to calculate the target number of plugging balls; computing the theoretical diversion pressure based on the post-plugging displacement and ball quantity; adjusting the post-plugging displacement when the theoretical pressure does not exceed the target pressure until it does; performing the plugging operation using the determined ball quantity and adjusted displacement; determining whether the plugging is effective by comparing the bottomhole pressure difference before and after the operation with the target diversion pressure. This method enables accurate determination of the number of plugging balls and fluid displacement after plugging, thereby ensuring that the fracturing operation meets the designed requirements.