Shiftable Sleeve System for Geothermal Well Fracturing and Production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing geothermal energy production systems require substantial additional equipment and multiple intervention techniques for fracturing and subsequent production, increasing time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A system and methodology that combines functions in a single tool, enabling both fracturing and production operations in geothermal well systems. This includes a geothermal well completion with a tubular section and a shiftable tool with a sleeve system, selectively shiftable between operational positions for fracturing and production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate equipment and intervention techniques are used for fracturing and production operations, then operational reliability is improved, but device complexity and time cost increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fracturing and production operations into a single integrated tool assembly. The completion tool includes both a fracturing sub with fracturing ports and a production sub with production ports, allowing both operations to be performed simultaneously or sequentially without retrieving and replacing equipment. This merging eliminates the need for separate intervention trips while maintaining operational reliability through controlled port activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The completion tool is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both fracturing and production functions. The single tool assembly includes mechanisms to selectively open/close fracturing ports and production ports, enabling it to adapt to different operational phases (fracturing mode and production mode) without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
2Reliability
If separate equipment and intervention techniques are used for fracturing and production operations, then operational reliability is improved, but time cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
By merging fracturing and production capabilities into a single completion tool that remains in the wellbore throughout both operations, the patent eliminates the time required for retrieving and replacing equipment between fracturing and production phases. The tool stays deployed continuously, performing fracturing functions first, then transitioning to production functions without intervention trips.
Solution Approach 2:
The completion tool is pre-configured with both fracturing and production capabilities before being deployed into the wellbore. The fracturing ports and production ports are both established during the initial completion installation, allowing the tool to immediately transition from fracturing operations to production operations without requiring additional equipment installation or wellbore intervention.
3Device complexity
If a single tool combines both fracturing and production functions, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation may worsen due to selective port control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The completion tool is segmented into distinct functional sections: a fracturing sub with fracturing ports and a production sub with production ports. Each sub can be independently controlled through selective opening and closing of its respective ports. This segmentation allows simple independent control of each function while maintaining the benefits of a single integrated tool deployment.
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
Enables efficient hydraulic fracturing and subsequent production without the need for separate equipment and intervention trips, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency by facilitating balanced fluid flow across multiple well zones.
Implementation Method 1
enables both a fracturing operation and a subsequent production operation
Data Source
AI summary
A technique facilitates both a fracturing operation and a subsequent production operation in, for example, a geothermal well system. According to an embodiment, a geothermal well completion is deployed downhole into a wellbore. The geothermal well completion comprises a tubular section deployed in a well zone and having a fracturing port and a production port. Additionally, a shiftable tool is disposed in the tubular section. The shiftable tool comprises a sleeve system which is selectively shiftable between a plurality of operational flow positions. In some embodiments, a plurality of the shiftable tools may be used along corresponding well zones to facilitate fracturing of the well zones while also ensuring the outflow of production fluid has a desired balance along the plurality of well zones.