Wireless Actuated Sliding Sleeve for Plug and Perf

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional 'plug and perf' operations in hydrocarbon-producing wells require multiple interventions and use explosives for perforation, increasing costs, time, and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A completion assembly with multiple fracturing assemblies and sliding sleeves is installed in the wellbore, where the sliding sleeves are wirelessly actuated using frac plugs to expose flow ports, eliminating the need for perforating guns and allowing for hydraulic fracturing without explosives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional plug and perf operations are used with perforating guns, then formation access is achieved, but safety risks increase due to explosive use and multiple interventions are required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmultiple interventions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the perforating gun component from the system entirely. Instead of using explosive-based perforation tools, the invention uses a sliding sleeve mechanism that can be actuated to expose flow ports directly, eliminating the need for perforation operations and their associated safety risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding sleeve assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the flow control mechanism and the formation access mechanism. By combining these functions into a single component that can be actuated remotely, the system eliminates the need for separate perforation guns and multiple intervention operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple interventions are performed for plug and perf operations, then formation access is achieved, but time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation accessVSAvoidnumber of interventions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding sleeve mechanism is pre-installed in the completion assembly during the initial well completion operation. This allows the formation access functionality to be ready in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent perforation interventions and reducing the total number of operations required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical explosive-based perforation system with a remotely actuated sliding sleeve mechanism. This substitution allows for single-intervention operation where the sliding sleeve can be actuated from the surface to expose flow ports, eliminating the need for multiple downhole interventions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If perforating guns are used, then formation access is achieved, but safety risks and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation accessVSAvoidsafety risks from explosives

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of explosive perforation into a beneficial non-explosive mechanism. By using a remotely actuated sliding sleeve that exposes pre-formed flow ports, the system achieves formation access without the harmful effects of explosives, turning a dangerous process into a safe one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 method reduces the number of well interventions, lowers costs, and enhances safety by eliminating the need for explosives, while enabling efficient creation of multiple production intervals for hydrocarbon extraction.

Implementation Method 1

Each fracturing assembly includes at least one sliding sleeve that is actuated to move to an open position using a wireless signal or a digital code obtained from a fracturing ('frac') plug conveyed into the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless signal detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a servicing fluid (i.e., a fracturing fluid or a perforating fluid) may be injected into a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore at a hydraulic pressure sufficient to create or enhance a network of fractures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11319772B2Elimination of perofration process in plug and perf with downhole electronic sleeves

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method includes positioning a completion assembly in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation and conveying a frac plug through the completion assembly. The completion assembly may provide a fracturing assembly. The method further includes detecting a wireless signal provided by the frac plug with a sensor included in the fracturing assembly, actuating a sliding sleeve of the fracturing assembly based on detection of the wireless signal and thereby moving the sliding sleeve to expose one or more flow ports, setting the frac plug in the wellbore downhole from the fracturing assembly, conveying a wellbore projectile through the completion assembly, receiving the wellbore projectile with the frac plug, and thereby sealing the wellbore at the frac plug, and injecting a fluid under pressure into the subterranean formation via the one or more flow ports.