Well Intervention-Less Perforation and Isolation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireline techniques for creating perforations and isolating regions in wellbores during fracturing jobs are costly and time-consuming, requiring additional equipment and interrupting pumping operations, while isolation plugs can leak and increase production costs and times.
Innovation Solution
Activating perforation devices from the surface through a well intervention-less technique, such as telemetry or acoustic control, to form perforations and isolate fractures without using wireline methods or isolation plugs, allowing for continuous pumping and reducing resource utilization and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireline techniques are used to create perforations and place isolation plugs, then perforation formation and isolation can be achieved, but the process consumes significant time and resources, interrupting pumping operations
Solution Approach 1:
Perforation devices are pre-installed in the wellbore during the drilling or completion process, positioned at predetermined locations. Isolation plugs are also pre-placed in the wellbore before fracturing operations begin. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming wireline operations during the actual fracturing job, as perforations can be activated and isolation can be established immediately when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wireline system with alternative activation mechanisms. Perforation devices can be activated through hydraulic pressure, electromagnetic signals, or chemical triggers that don't require physical wireline intervention. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming process of feeding, positioning, and setting plugs through wireline during critical pumping operations.
2Reliability
If wireline techniques are used to place isolation plugs, then isolation between fracturing stages can be achieved, but additional equipment and operational complexity increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation plugs are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide isolation between fracturing stages, act as anchors for subsequent operations, and can be removed or adjusted as needed during production. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each operation, simplifying the overall system and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation plugs are designed to be self-setting or self-activating through hydraulic pressure or mechanical expansion upon deployment, eliminating the need for complex wireline setting operations. The plugs automatically seal against the wellbore wall when exposed to pumping pressure, providing reliable isolation without requiring additional equipment or skilled intervention during the fracturing process.
3Reliability
If isolation plugs are disposed in the wellbore to separate regions, then isolation between fracturing stages is achieved, but plugs can leak and require drilling out during production, increasing production costs and times
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation plugs are designed with materials and structural parameters that change in response to downhole conditions. The plugs may undergo phase changes, chemical reactions, or structural transformations that enhance their sealing capability over time or under specific pressure/temperature conditions. This ensures reliable isolation without leakage, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming drilling out operations during the production phase.
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 the time and resources needed for perforation and isolation processes, eliminates interruptions during fracturing jobs, and minimizes production costs by avoiding plug-related issues, enabling more efficient and cost-effective fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
Activating perforation devices from a surface of a wellbore through a well intervention-less technique, such as telemetry or acoustic control
Implementation Method 2
Activating perforation devices from a surface of a wellbore through a well intervention-less technique, such as telemetry or acoustic control
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for controlling a hydraulic fracturing job. One or more perforations to create during a fracturing stage of a fracturing job at one or more corresponding perforation sites in a wellbore can be identified. The one or more perforations can be formed through one or more perforation devices disposed in the wellbore. Specifically, the one or more perforation devices can be selectively activated from a surface of the wellbore through a well intervention-less technique to selectively form the one or more perforations during the fracturing stage. Further, a volume of fracturing fluid can be pumped into the wellbore during the fracturing stage to form one or more first fractures in a surrounding formation through the one or more perforations.