Ported Casing Collar for Directional Fracture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The oil and gas industry faces challenges in controlling the propagation of hydraulic fractures during well stimulation, leading to frac hits that can damage adjacent wells and reduce the effectiveness of hydrocarbon recovery, particularly in unconventional reservoirs like shale formations.

Innovation Solution

A ported casing collar system with a tubular body and inner sleeve, allowing for selective alignment of portals to control the direction of mini-lateral boreholes and hydraulic fracturing, combined with a downhole hydraulic jetting assembly that forms mini-lateral boreholes and aligns with the ported casing collar to direct fracturing fluids and proppants effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If hydraulic fracturing is conducted without directional control, then fracture propagation can reach adjacent wells (frac hits), but this causes damage to adjacent wells and reduces hydrocarbon recovery effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrac hits to adjacent wellsVSAvoidcased wellbore structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The casing is segmented into multiple sections with selective portability. The ported casing collar divides the continuous casing into zones with different permeability characteristics, allowing controlled fracture propagation in specific directions while blocking others, thus preventing frac hits to adjacent wells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The casing structure transitions from uniform to non-uniform with the ported collar creating localized permeability zones. The ported section allows fractures to propagate in desired directions toward target formations, while non-ported sections block unwanted fracture paths, creating directionally selective fracture containment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional casing is used, then wellbore strength and zonal isolation are maintained, but fracture propagation cannot be directionally controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture propagation controlVSAvoidwellbore integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The casing system transitions from static to dynamic with the deployable inner casing or sliding mechanism. The inner casing can be positioned at different depths or orientations to control fracture propagation directions, allowing the wellbore to adaptively respond to different stimulation requirements while maintaining structural integrity through the outer casing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ported casing collar acts as an intermediary element between the wellbore and formation. It mediates fracture propagation by providing controlled pathways through the casing wall, allowing fractures to propagate in desired directions while blocking unwanted paths, thus enabling directional control without compromising wellbore integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If mini-lateral boreholes are formed without selective access control, then hydraulic fracturing can be performed, but frac hits occur and stimulate wrong zones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recovery efficiencyVSAvoidfracture placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The ported casing collar is pre-installed in the wellbore before hydraulic fracturing operations. The ports are strategically positioned and oriented to pre-determine fracture propagation directions, ensuring that subsequent fracturing operations will stimulate only the intended target zones and preventing frac hits to adjacent wells

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces conventional mechanical fracture containment with a hybrid approach combining mechanical casing structure and fluid-driven port activation. The ports can be opened or closed using ball valves or other flow control mechanisms, providing precise control over fracture propagation paths without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution minimizes frac hits by controlling the propagation of fractures, enhances the Stimulated Reservoir Volume (SRV), and allows for more efficient hydrocarbon recovery from previously inaccessible reserves, reducing costs and well damage.

Implementation Method 1

The inner sleeve is rotatable within the outer sleeve from an initial position in which the inner portals are not aligned with the outer sleeve portals to a rotated position in which the inner portals are aligned with the outer sleeve portals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic jetting: Jet

Implementation Method 3

direct fracturing fluids and proppants effectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic fracturing:

Data Source

PatentUS10954769B2Ported casing collar for downhole operations, and method for accessing a formation

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 COILED TUBING SPECIALTIES LLC

AI summary

A ported casing collar. The ported casing collar comprises a tubular body defining an outer sleeve. At least first and second portals are placed along the outer sleeve. The casing collar also comprises an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve defines a cylindrical body rotatably residing within the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve contains a plurality of inner portals. A control slot is provided along an outer diameter of the inner sleeve. In addition, a pair of torque pins are provided, configured to ride along the control slot in order to place selected inner portals of the inner sleeve with the first and second portals of the outer sleeve. Preferably, the setting tool is a whipstock configured to receive a jetting hose and connected jetting nozzle. A method of accessing a rock matrix in a subsurface formation is also provided.