Self-Degrading Wellbore Diverter Plugs for Fracturing Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wellbore fracturing operations require lengthy equipment standby times and multiple plug-and-perforate cycles, with degradable diverting materials needing removal before production, posing challenges in efficiency and operation time.
Innovation Solution
A method using self-degrading wellbore servicing fluids comprising a diverting material and a degradation accelerator to form a plug in the wellbore, allowing fluid diversion and subsequent degradation to enable resource recovery, utilizing polylactide and sodium carbonate as key components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional fracturing operations use plug and perforate methods, then the wellbore can be serviced to increase productivity, but the operation time becomes lengthy (3-5 hours) and equipment standby time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs degradable diverting materials that are temporarily inserted to block off wellbore sections during fracturing operations. These materials are designed to degrade after serving their purpose, eliminating the need for complex removal operations. The diverting materials include degradable polymers and biodegradable substances that break down under formation conditions, enabling rapid wellbore servicing without lengthy plug removal procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pH-sensitive and temperature-sensitive degradable materials that change their physical or chemical properties in response to formation conditions. The diverting materials are designed to remain stable during the fracturing operation but degrade when exposed to specific pH levels or temperatures in the formation, automatically removing themselves after blocking the wellbore section during the fracturing process
2Loss of time
If degradable diverting materials are used to reduce operation time, then equipment standby time is reduced, but the materials still need to be removed prior to production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs degradable diverting materials that are temporarily inserted to block off wellbore sections during fracturing operations. These materials are designed to degrade after serving their purpose, eliminating the need for complex removal operations. The diverting materials include degradable polymers and biodegradable substances that break down under formation conditions, enabling rapid wellbore servicing without lengthy plug removal procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The diverting materials are designed to automatically remove themselves through degradation when exposed to formation conditions such as pH changes or temperature variations. This self-degrading mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex removal procedures, allowing the wellbore to be ready for production immediately after the fracturing operation
3Reliability
If traditional fracture plugs are used, then the wellbore can be blocked for fracturing, but the plugs must be drilled out before production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs degradable diverting materials that are temporarily inserted to block off wellbore sections during fracturing operations. These materials are designed to degrade after serving their purpose, eliminating the need for complex removal operations. The diverting materials include degradable polymers and biodegradable substances that break down under formation conditions, enabling rapid wellbore servicing without lengthy plug removal procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pH-sensitive and temperature-sensitive degradable materials that change their physical or chemical properties in response to formation conditions. The diverting materials are designed to remain stable during the fracturing operation but degrade when exposed to specific pH levels or temperatures in the formation, automatically removing themselves after blocking the wellbore section during the fracturing process
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 approach reduces operation time, eliminates the need for plug removal, and enhances fluid flowback efficiency by allowing the self-degrading diverter material to form a temporary plug that degrades, facilitating resource recovery without prolonged equipment standby.
Implementation Method 1
a degradation accelerator. Also disclosed herein is a wellbore servicing fluid comprising self-degrading diverter material wherein the self-degrading diverter material comprises polylactide, sodium carbonate and a carrier fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a first wellbore servicing fluid comprising a self-degrading diverter material into the wellbore wherein the self-degrading diverter materials comprises (i) a diverting material and (ii) a degradation accelerator; allowing the self-degrading diverter material to form a diverter plug at a first location in the wellbore or subterranean formation; diverting the flow of a second wellbore servicing fluid to a second location in the wellbore or subterranean formation; and removing the diverter plug, wherein the first and second wellbore servicing fluids may be the same or different.