Temperature Responsive Fracturing Devices for Well Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The plug and perf method for fracturing horizontal shale wells is time-consuming and costly due to the need for multiple stages, complex equipment setups, and potential failures in toe valves, which limits the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing operations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing temperature-responsive devices with trigger circuits that use natural temperature cycles in the well to establish fluid communication through the casing, allowing for automated stage progression and isolation between fracturing stages without the need for wireline operations, thereby reducing equipment wear and tear and operational time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plug and perf operations are used to isolate fracture stages, then fracture initiation points can be created effectively, but the operational time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire line gun system with a thermal initiation system. Temperature responsive devices are set at predetermined locations in the wellbore, and fracturing fluid at controlled temperatures is used to trigger fracture initiation without requiring mechanical wire line operations downhole. This eliminates the time-consuming wire line trips while maintaining reliable fracture initiation at multiple clusters.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature responsive devices automatically initiate fractures when exposed to the predetermined temperature of the fracturing fluid, eliminating the need for external triggering mechanisms. The system uses the fracturing fluid itself as the trigger mechanism, where the temperature difference between the fluid and the device activates the fracture initiation process without requiring additional equipment or operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If wire line operations are performed for each stage, then precise cluster placement is achieved, but equipment wear and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature responsive devices are pre-installed at predetermined locations in the wellbore during the initial casing installation. These devices remain in place and are activated on demand by temperature-responsive mechanisms, eliminating the need to repeatedly deploy and retrieve wire line equipment for each fracturing stage. This preliminary placement maintains precise cluster positioning while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the initiation mechanism from the wire line system and embeds it directly into the wellbore structure as temperature responsive devices. This separation allows the fracturing operation to proceed without repeatedly inserting and removing wire line equipment, reducing mechanical wear and operational complexity while maintaining the ability to initiate fractures at precise locations.
3Productivity
If multiple fracturing stages are implemented to increase production, then well productivity improves, but the time required for wire line operations between stages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature responsive fracture initiation system allows for continuous fracturing operations across multiple stages without interruption for wire line trips. The fracturing fluid can be pumped continuously through the wellbore, and each stage is activated automatically when the fluid reaches the temperature responsive devices at predetermined locations, maintaining continuous productive action throughout the multi-stage process.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the mechanical wire line initiation system with thermal activation, the patent enables seamless transition between multiple fracturing stages. The temperature responsive devices can be activated in sequence as the fracturing fluid progresses through the wellbore, allowing multiple stages to be completed without the time losses associated with repeated wire line deployments and retrievals.
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 simplifies and accelerates the fracturing process by automating stage progression and isolation, reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency by eliminating the need for frequent equipment repositioning and minimizing the risk of equipment failure, while maintaining or improving the effectiveness of fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a trigger circuit configured to establish fluid communication through a casing of the well responsive to a downhole temperature
Implementation Method 2
Each temperature responsive device, upon detecting a respective predetermined number of temperature cycles and a downhole temperature exceeding a respective predetermined temperature, can trigger establishment of fluid communication through the casing
Implementation Method 3
triggering being responsive to a predetermined amount of time above a predetermined temperature threshold detected by the temperature responsive device located at the toe of the well
Data Source
AI summary
Fracturing a well can include disposing within the well a plurality of temperature responsive devices including a trigger circuit. The devices may be configured to establish fluid communication through a casing of the well or isolate a section of the well responsive to a downhole temperature, a number of downhole temperature cycles, and/or a time delay. The devices may operate by triggering an explosive and/or initiating at least one of a thermal, incendiary, or chemical cutting device. The devices can perforating sleeves adapted to be installed over a casing joint, subs adapted to be threaded between two casing joints, perforating devices embedded within a casing joint, isolation mechanisms, or toe valves.