Selective Stimulation Port Retainer for Sealing Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stimulation systems for hydrocarbon wells face challenges in maintaining pressure to keep sealing devices seated within perforations, leading to unseating issues and difficulties in reseating them, which can be costly and time-consuming to mitigate.
Innovation Solution
Selective stimulation ports with preformed sealing device seats and retainers that retain sealing devices within the ports, allowing for controlled fluid flow and pressure management to ensure the sealing devices remain seated during stimulation and pressure cycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing devices are used to seal perforations during stimulation, then zone isolation and controlled fluid flow are improved, but the sealing devices may unseat due to pressure differential, leading to loss of sealing and operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is pre-installed in the stimulation port before the sealing device is deployed. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the sealing device is later introduced and seated against the perforation, the retainer is already in place to prevent unseating due to pressure differentials, eliminating the need for complex active pressure management systems
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer acts as an intermediary component between the sealing device and the stimulation port. It provides a mechanical retention function that mediates the interaction between the high-pressure stimulant fluid and the sealing device, preventing unseating without requiring complex active control systems
2Productivity
If perforations are created using shape-charge perforation guns, then stimulation access to subterranean formation is improved, but the perforations may have irregular shapes with burrs that challenge sealing device seating
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer incorporates a specifically engineered seating surface with precise geometric characteristics (smooth, regular shape) that is localized at the interface with the sealing device. This local precision in the retainer compensates for the irregularities in the perforation geometry created by the shape-charge gun, ensuring reliable sealing without requiring the entire perforation to be perfectly formed
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is pre-positioned in the stimulation port to provide a prepared, precise seating surface before the sealing device is introduced. This preliminary preparation of the seating interface ensures that even if the perforation itself is irregular, the sealing device will seat properly against the retainer's precision surface
3Reliability
If sealing devices are deployed to seal perforations, then zone isolation capability is improved, but reseating unseated sealing devices is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer serves as a permanent intermediary structure that remains in the stimulation port throughout all operational cycles. It provides continuous retention of the sealing device, preventing unseating and eliminating the need for time-consuming reseating operations. The retainer's mechanical engagement feature ensures the sealing device stays in place during pressure cycling and stimulation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is pre-installed to provide ongoing retention functionality, eliminating the need for repeated intervention to reseat sealing devices. This preliminary and permanent retention mechanism prevents the loss of zone isolation and avoids time-consuming reseating operations throughout the well's operational life
Data Source
AI summary
Selective stimulation ports including sealing device retainers and methods of utilizing the same are disclosed herein. The selective stimulation ports (SSPs) are configured to be operatively attached to a wellbore tubular that defines a tubular conduit. The SSPs include an SSP conduit, which extends at least substantially perpendicular to a wall of the wellbore tubular, and a sealing device receptacle, which defines at least a portion of the SSP conduit and is sized to receive a sealing device. The SSPs also include a sealing device seat, which is shaped to form a fluid seal with the sealing device. The SSPs further include a sealing device retainer, which is configured to retain the sealing device within the sealing device receptacle. The methods include methods of stimulating the hydrocarbon well utilizing the SSPs and/or methods of conveying a downhole tool within the hydrocarbon well utilizing the SSPs.