Removable Collar Well Tool for High-Pressure Fracturing Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well tools with mechanical shifting mechanisms for controlling fluid flow during hydraulic fracturing are complex, time-consuming, and costly, and do not effectively utilize the cross-sectional area for high-pressure ratings.
Innovation Solution
A well tool with a removable or dissolvable collar that seals fluid ports during fracturing, allowing production fluid flow post-fracturing by either milling or dissolving, eliminating the need for moving parts and additional operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical shifting mechanisms are used to control fluid flow during hydraulic fracturing, then fluid flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases and operation time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex mechanical shifting mechanism entirely and replaces it with a simple collar that can be removed or dissolved. The collar is a standalone component that seals the port during fracturing and is later removed to enable production flow, eliminating the need for complex mechanical flow control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is divided into separate functional components: the tubular body, the removable collar, and the port. The collar can be independently removed or dissolved to change the flow state, allowing simple operational control without complex integrated mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical shifting mechanisms are used for fluid flow control, then flow direction is managed, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is pre-installed to seal the production port during the hydraulic fracturing operation. After fracturing is complete, the collar is simply removed or dissolved to enable production flow. This preliminary sealing action eliminates the need for time-consuming mechanical shifting operations during the production transition.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical shifting mechanisms are implemented, then fluid flow is controlled, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be made from basic materials like steel or dissolvable substances. It serves its sealing function during fracturing and is then removed or dissolved, replacing the need for expensive mechanical shifting mechanisms with a simple disposable or removable component.
4Ease of operation
If mechanical shifting mechanisms are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but pressure rating capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the mechanical shifting mechanism entirely, the tubular body can be designed as a simple, robust structure optimized for high pressure ratings. The collar is a separate, simple component that does not compromise the structural integrity or pressure handling capability of the main tubular body.
Data Source
AI summary
A device can include a collar positioned in a wellbore that can include an outer wall. The outer wall can define an inner area of the collar and can prevent fluid flow between the inner area of the collar and an outer area of the collar during a hydraulic fracturing process. The collar can be removed or dissolved to form a flow path to allow production fluid to flow between the inner area of the collar and the outer area of the collar subsequent to the hydraulic fracturing process.