Perforator With Segmented Restrictor for Fluid Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore operations face challenges in selectively isolating sections of wellbores during perforating and treatment operations, as existing methods lack effective means to divert treatment fluids efficiently into formed holes while maintaining operational ease and minimizing leakage.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool system incorporating a perforator and a restrictor with a gap that allows particles in the treatment fluid to block fluid flow, diverting a substantial amount of the treatment fluid through the formed holes, while ensuring the restrictor can move freely within the wellbore and providing selective communication through a flow space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a restrictor is used to divert treatment fluid through formed holes, then fluid diversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each segment can be moved radially to create varying degrees of restriction, allowing precise control of fluid diversion while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. The segmented design enables the restrictor to adapt to different wellbore conditions without requiring a completely complex device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor segments are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the restriction degree. This dynamic capability enables the device to optimize fluid diversion efficiency in response to varying treatment conditions while keeping the base device structure simple. The segments can be actuated hydraulically or mechanically to achieve the desired fluid flow control.
2Productivity
If particles in treatment fluid are used to block flow through the gap, then fluid flow restriction is improved, but reliability decreases due to particle deposition variability
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor segments serve as an intermediary mechanical element that works in conjunction with particles in the treatment fluid. Rather than relying solely on particles to block the gap (which has variable reliability), the restrictor segments provide a controlled mechanical restriction that enhances and stabilizes the flow restriction effect. The particles supplement the mechanical restriction, creating a more reliable overall flow control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for changing parameters such as restrictor segment position, gap size, and particle concentration to optimize flow restriction. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve reliable flow restriction across varying treatment conditions. The ability to modify the restriction degree dynamically compensates for variability in particle deposition, maintaining consistent flow control reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the restrictor is designed to move freely within the wellbore, then ease of operation is improved, but control precision over fluid diversion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor segments are designed with dynamic mobility capabilities, allowing them to move freely within certain limits during deployment and operation. This mobility provides ease of operation during tool installation and initial positioning. Once in position, the segments can be precisely actuated to achieve controlled fluid diversion, combining the benefits of ease of operation with precision control.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented structure allows each segment to move independently while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the restrictor to navigate the wellbore easily during deployment, then transition to a precisely controlled configuration for fluid diversion. Each segment can be individually positioned to achieve the desired level of control precision while maintaining operational ease.
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
The system effectively isolates wellbore sections, diverting over 90% of the treatment fluid into the wellbore, reducing leakage and facilitating efficient well treatment operations such as hydraulic fracturing and acidizing, with the ability to adjust particle sizes for optimal flow restriction.
Implementation Method 1
The gap is sized to allow for the formation of a flow restriction by particles in the treatment fluid
Implementation Method 2
a perforator configured to form at least one hole in the wellbore tubular
Implementation Method 3
The restrictor at least restricts fluid flow between the restrictor and the wellbore tubular. Also, the restrictor diverts a substantial amount of the treatment fluid through the at least one hole formed by the perforator
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus can include a well treatment system that supplies a treatment fluid, a conveyance device and a well tool conveyed by the conveyance device. The well tool can include a perforator configured to form at least one hole in the wellbore tubular and a restrictor projecting from an outer surface of the well tool and adjacent to the perforator. A gap may separate the restrictor and the wellbore tubular. The well tool may also include a flow space that provides fluid communication between a location uphole of the restrictor and a location downhole of the restrictor. The flow space is sized to be restricted by particles in the treatment fluid. The restrictor at least restricts fluid flow through an annulus between the restrictor and the wellbore tubular, and the well tool diverts a substantial amount of the treatment fluid through an at least one hole formed by the perforator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the general subject matter of the technical disclosure.