Rubber Plug and Sliding Sleeve Layout for Faster Staged Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional well completion processes for dense oil/gas reservoirs are lengthy and require multiple equipment steps, leading to high costs and low development benefits.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore staged operation method involving a pipe string with a floating hoop, plug seat, and sliding sleeves, allowing for simultaneous cementing, well completion, and fracturing operations, using a rubber plug for staged isolation and fracturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional staged well completion process is used, then well cementation, well completion and fracturing can be performed, but operation period is long and construction costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines well cementation, well completion, and fracturing operations into a single integrated process. The pipe string is designed with multiple functional components (sliding sleeves, plug seats, floating hoops) that enable cement slurry injection, isolation, and fracturing fluid injection through the same equipment system, eliminating the need for separate operation sequences and reducing overall operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe string is designed as a multi-functional tool that performs multiple operations. The sliding sleeves can be selectively opened to different zones, the plug seat can isolate different sections, and the same pipe string enables both cementation and subsequent fracturing operations without requiring replacement or additional equipment, thereby improving productivity while reducing time loss.
2Productivity
If conventional staged well completion process is used, then well cementation, well completion and fracturing can be performed, but device complexity and equipment requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe string integrates multiple functions into a single device system. It includes sliding sleeves for zone isolation, plug seats for cement slurry injection, floating hoops for positioning, and fracturing fluid injection capabilities all in one assembly. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate equipment systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe string employs a nested structure where sliding sleeves are positioned within the pipe, plug seats are integrated into the string, and floating hoops are attached to the assembly. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to be housed within a single pipe string, reducing the number of separate equipment items needed and simplifying the overall system.
3Productivity
If conventional staged well completion process is used, then well cementation, well completion and fracturing can be performed, but construction costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple operation sequences (cementation, completion, fracturing) into a single integrated process using one pipe string. This eliminates the need for multiple equipment rentals, multiple operation crews, and repeated equipment deployment, thereby reducing construction costs while maintaining high operation efficiency through consolidated workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional pipe string serves as a universal tool for all major operations. By designing a single device that can perform cement slurry injection, zone isolation, and fracturing fluid injection, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture or rent multiple specialized equipment systems, reducing overall construction costs while achieving high productivity through streamlined operations.
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
Simplifies the well construction process, reduces operation time, and lowers costs by integrating multiple steps into a single operation, enhancing production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a body of the rubber plug has a substantially circular cross-section and is elastically deformable in a radial direction
Implementation Method 2
a floating hoop (2) arranged above the plug seat (7)
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore staged operation method includes running, after a first well drifting operation is performed on a wellbore, a pipe string (100) in the wellbore, wherein the pipe string (100) includes, along a direction from bottom to top, a floating hoop (2), a plug seat (7), a toe-end sliding sleeve (3), and a fracturing sliding sleeve (4); performing a cementing operation, wherein cement slurry pumped into an inner chamber of the pipe string (100) enters an annulus between the pipe string and the wellbore through the plug seat (7) and the floating hoop (2) to form a cement sheath, the cement sheath isolating the toe-end sliding sleeve (3) from the fracturing sliding sleeve (4); performing a second drifting operation to ensure the toe-end sliding sleeve (3) of the pipe string (100) exposed; performing a pressure test for the pipe string; and performing staged fracturing constructions.