WO2016025271A1 - Système et procédé d'isolation par bouchon de puits de forage - Google Patents

Système et procédé d'isolation par bouchon de puits de forage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016025271A1
WO2016025271A1 PCT/US2015/043871 US2015043871W WO2016025271A1 WO 2016025271 A1 WO2016025271 A1 WO 2016025271A1 US 2015043871 W US2015043871 W US 2015043871W WO 2016025271 A1 WO2016025271 A1 WO 2016025271A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
composition
wellbore
plug element
rpe
restriction plug
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2015/043871
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Philip M. Snider
John T. HARDESTY
Michael D. WROBLICKY
Nathan G. Clark
David S. Wesson
Original Assignee
Geodynamics, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US14/459,042 external-priority patent/US9062543B1/en
Application filed by Geodynamics, Inc. filed Critical Geodynamics, Inc.
Publication of WO2016025271A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016025271A1/fr

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
    • E21B33/1208—Packers; Plugs characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/11—Perforators; Permeators
    • E21B43/116—Gun or shaped-charge perforators
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/14—Obtaining from a multiple-zone well
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
    • E21B43/26—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to oil and gas extraction. Specifically, the invention attempts to isolate fracture zones through selectively positioning restriction elements within a wellbore casing. More specifically, it relates to restriction plug elements that are insoluble in well fluid but have properties such as phase or strength that vary with temperature so as to change shape to pass through restrictions during production.
  • the process of extracting oil and gas typically consists of operations that include preparation, drilling, completion, production and abandonment.
  • Preparing a drilling site involves ensuring that it can be properly accessed and that the area where the rig and other equipment will be placed has been properly graded. Drilling pads and roads must be built and maintained which includes the spreading of stone on an impermeable liner to prevent impacts from any spills but also to allow any rain to drain properly.
  • a wellbore is formed using a drill bit that is urged downwardly at a lower end of a drill string. After drilling the wellbore is lined with a string of casing. An annular area is thus formed between the string of casing and the wellbore. A cementing operation is then conducted in order to fill the annular area with cement. The combination of cement and casing strengthens the wellbore and facilitates the isolation of certain areas of the formation behind the casing for the production of hydrocarbons.
  • the first step in completing a well is to create a connection between the final casing and the rock which is holding the oil and gas.
  • a special tool called a perforating gun, is lowered to the rock layer. This perforating gun is then fired, creating holes through the casing and the cement and into the targeted rock. These perforated holes connect the rock holding the oil and gas and the wellbore.
  • hydraulic fracturing stimulation fluid which is a mixture of over 90% water and sand, plus a few chemical additives, is pumped under controlled conditions into deep, underground reservoir formations.
  • the chemicals are used for lubrication and to keep bacteria from forming and to carry the sand. These chemicals are typically non-hazardous and range in concentrations from 0.1% to 0.5% by volume and are needed to help improve the performance and efficiency of the hydraulic fracturing.
  • This stimulation fluid is pumped at high pressure out through the perforations made by the perforating gun. This process creates fractures in the shale rock which contains the oil and natural gas.
  • a single wellbore may traverse multiple hydrocarbon formations that are otherwise isolated from one another within the earth. It is also frequently desired to treat such hydrocarbon bearing formations with pressurized treatment fluids prior to producing from those formations. In order to ensure that a proper treatment is performed on a desired formation, that formation is typically isolated during treatment from other formations traversed by the wellbore.
  • the casing adjacent to the toe of a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is first perforated while the other portions of the casing are left unperforated .
  • the perforated zone is then treated by pumping fluid under pressure into that zone through perforations. Following treatment a plug is placed adjacent to the perforated zone.
  • the process is repeated until all the zones are perforated.
  • the plugs are particularly useful in accomplishing operations such as isolating perforations in one portion of a well from perforations in another portion or for isolating the bottom of a well from a wellhead.
  • the purpose of the plug is to isolate some portion of the well from another portion of the well.
  • Conventional prior art frac balls are typically made of a non-metallic material, such as reinforced epoxies and phenolics, that may be removed by milling in the event the balls become stuck.
  • Such conventional prior art frac balls are made of materials that are designed to remain intact when exposed to hydraulic fracturing temperatures and pressures and are not significantly dissolved or degraded by the hydrocarbons or other media present within the well.
  • coiled tubing must be lowered into the wellbore to mill the stuck ball and remove it from the seat.
  • prior art systems associated with oil and gas extraction may include a wellbore casing (0120) laterally drilled into a wellbore.
  • a plurality of frac plugs (0110, 0111, 0112, 0113) may be set to isolate multiple hydraulic fracturing zones (0101, 0102, 0103) .
  • Each frac plug is positioned to isolate a hydraulic fracturing zone from the rest of the unperforated zones.
  • the positions of frac plugs may be defined by preset sleeves in the wellbore casing.
  • frac plug (0111) is positioned such that hydraulic fracturing zone (0101) is isolated from downstream (injection or toe end) hydraulic fracturing zones (0102, 0103) .
  • the hydraulic fracturing zone (0101) is perforated using a perforation gun and fractured.
  • Preset plug/sleeve positions in the casing precludes change of fracture zone locations after a wellbore casing has been installed. Therefore, there is a need to position a plug at a desired location after a wellbore casing has been installed without depending on a predefined sleeve location integral to the wellbore casing to position the plug.
  • sleeves used to set frac plugs may have a smaller inner diameter constricting fluid flow when well production is initiated. Therefore, there is a need for a relatively large inner diameter sleeves after well completion that allow for unrestricted well production fluid flow.
  • frac plugs can be inadvertently set at undesired locations in the wellbore casing creating unwanted constrictions.
  • the constrictions may latch wellbore tools that are run for future operations and cause unwanted removal process. Therefore, there is a need to prevent premature set conditions caused by conventional frac plugs.
  • US 8714268 Method of making and using multi-component disappearing tripping ball
  • a method for making a tripping ball comprising configuring two or more parts to collectively make up a portion of a tripping ball; and assembling the two or more parts by adhering the two or more parts together with an adherent dissolvable material to form the tripping ball, the adherent dissolvable material operatively arranged to dissolve for enabling the two or more parts to separate from each other;
  • US 8231947 Oilfield elements having controlled solubility and methods of use; Oilfield elements are described, one embodiment comprising a combination of a normally insoluble metal with an element selected from a second metal, a semi-metallic material, and non-metallic materials; and one or more solubility-modified high strength and/or high-toughness polymeric materials selected from polyamides, polyethers, and liquid crystal polymers;
  • Well operating elements comprising a soluble component and methods of use; comprising a first component that is substantially non-dissolvable when exposed to a selected wellbore environment and a second component that is soluble in the selected wellbore environment and whose rate and/or location of dissolution is at least partially controlled by structure of the first component;
  • a second embodiment includes the component that is soluble in the selected wellbore environment, and one or more exposure holes or passages in the soluble component to control its solubility;
  • prior art associated with oil and gas extraction includes site preparation and installation of a wellbore casing (0120)
  • Preset sleeves may be installed as an integral part of the wellbore casing (0120) to position frac plugs for isolation.
  • a perforating gun is positioned in the isolated zone in step (0203) .
  • the perforating gun detonates and perforates the wellbore casing and the cement into the hydrocarbon formation.
  • the perforating gun is next moved to an adjacent position for further perforation until the hydraulic fracturing zone is completely perforated.
  • hydraulic fracturing fluid is pumped into the perforations at high pressures.
  • step (0202) isolating a hydraulic fracturing zone, perforating the hydraulic fracturing zone (0203) and pumping hydraulic fracturing fluids into the perforations (0204) , are repeated until all hydraulic fracturing zones in the wellbore casing are processed.
  • step (0205) if all hydraulic fracturing zones are processed, the plugs are milled out with a milling tool and the resulting debris is pumped out or removed from the wellbore casing (0206) .
  • step (0207) hydrocarbons are produced by pumping out from the hydraulic fracturing stages .
  • the step (0206) requires that removal/milling equipment be run into the well on a conveyance string which may typically be wire line, coiled tubing or jointed pipe.
  • the process of perforating and plug setting steps represent a separate "trip" into and out of the wellbore with the required equipment. Each trip is time consuming and expensive.
  • the process of drilling and milling the plugs creates debris that needs to be removed in another operation. Therefore, there is a need for isolating multiple hydraulic fracturing zones without the need for a milling operation.
  • Prior art systems do not provide for positioning a ball seat at a desired location after a wellbore casing has been installed, without depending on a predefined sleeve location integral to the wellbore casing to position the plug.
  • Prior art systems do not provide for restriction plug elements with dual chambers comprising a meltable eutectic alloy in one chamber that melts to deform and distort the plug element.
  • the objectives of the present invention are (among others) to circumvent the deficiencies in the prior art and affect the following objectives:
  • restriction plug elements comprising meltable eutectic alloys that change phase due to wellbore temperature.
  • restriction plug elements comprising meltable eutectic alloys that change strength due to wellbore temperature.
  • restriction plug elements comprising meltable material that melts to create flow passages or flow channels.
  • restriction plug elements held together by an un-bonded mechanical insert.
  • restriction plug elements with a cooling flow channel to keep the plug in solid state before liquefying .
  • restriction sleeve member with a cooling flow channel to retain a restriction plug element in solid state before liquefying in the presence of wellbore fluids.
  • restriction plug elements with dual chambers comprising a meltable eutectic alloy in one chamber that melts to deform and distort the plug element . • Provide for effectively reducing overall cycle time for stage fracturing.
  • the present invention in various embodiments addresses one or more of the above objectives in the following manner.
  • the present invention provides a system to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore without the need for a milling operation.
  • the system includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a setting tool that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM) , and a restriction plug element (RPE) .
  • a setting tool deployed on a wireline or coil tubing into the wellbore casing sets and seals the RSM at a desired wellbore location.
  • the setting tool forms a conforming seating surface (CSS) in the RSM.
  • the CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing.
  • the engaged/seated RPE isolates toe ward and heel ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone.
  • the RPEs are removed or pumped out or left behind without the need for a milling operation.
  • a large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.
  • the present invention system may be utilized in the context of an overall gas extraction method, wherein the wellbore plug isolation system described previously is controlled by a method having the following steps:
  • the present invention in various embodiments addresses one or more of the above objectives in the following manner.
  • the present invention provides a system to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore without the need for a milling operation.
  • the system includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM) , and a restriction plug element (RPE) .
  • WST wellbore setting tool
  • ID large inner diameter restriction sleeve member
  • RPE restriction plug element
  • the RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production.
  • the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM' s .
  • the RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. Restriction Plug Element Method Overview
  • the present invention system may be utilized in the context of an overall gas extraction method, wherein the wellbore plug isolation system with a restriction plug element described previously is controlled by a method having the following steps:
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a system block overview diagram describing how prior art systems use plugs to isolate hydraulic fracturing zones.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart describing how prior art systems extract gas from hydrocarbon formations.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary system side view of a spherical restriction plug element/restriction sleeve member overview depicting a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3a illustrates an exemplary system side view of a spherical restriction plug element/restriction sleeve member overview depicting a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a spherical restriction plug element/restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary wellbore system overview depicting multiple stages of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed flowchart of a preferred exemplary wellbore plug isolation method used in some preferred exemplary invention embodiments.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a cylindrical restriction plug element seated in a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of a cylindrical restriction plug element seated in a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a dart restriction plug element seated in a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a side perspective view of a dart restriction plug element seated in a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 10a illustrates a side perspective view of a dart restriction plug element depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 10b illustrates another perspective view of a dart restriction plug element depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of a restriction sleeve member sealed with an elastomeric element depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a side perspective view of a restriction sleeve member sealed with gripping/sealing element depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates side view of an inner profile of a restriction sleeve member sealed against an inner surface of a wellbore casing depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a wellbore setting tool creating inner and outer profiles in the restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 15 illustrates a wellbore setting tool creating outer profiles in the restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a wellbore setting tool creating inner profiles in the restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a wellbore setting tool creating inner profiles and outer profiles in the restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 18 illustrates a cross section view of a wellbore setting tool setting a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a wellbore setting tool setting a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 20 illustrates a detailed side section view of a wellbore setting tool setting a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 21 illustrates a detailed perspective view of a wellbore setting tool setting a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates another detailed perspective view of a wellbore setting tool setting a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 23 illustrates a cross section view of a wellbore setting tool setting a restriction sleeve member and removing the tool depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 24 illustrates a detailed cross section view of wellbore setting tool setting a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 25 illustrates a cross section view of wellbore setting tool removed from wellbore casing depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 26 illustrates a cross section view of a spherical restriction plug element deployed and seated into a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 27 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a spherical restriction plug element deployed into a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 28 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a spherical restriction plug element seated in a restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 29 illustrates a cross section view of wellbore setting tool setting a restriction sleeve member seating a second restriction plug element depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 30 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a wellbore setting tool setting a second restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 31 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a spherical restriction plug element seated in a second restriction sleeve member depicting a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 32 illustrates a cross section view of a restriction sleeve member with flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 33 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a restriction sleeve member with flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 34 illustrates a perspective view of a restriction sleeve member with flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 35 illustrates a cross section view of a double set restriction sleeve member according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 36 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a double set restriction sleeve member according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 37 illustrates a perspective view of a double set restriction sleeve member according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 38 illustrates a cross section view of a WST setting restriction sleeve member at single, double and triple locations according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 39 illustrates a cross section view of a WST with triple set restriction sleeve member according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 40 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a triple set restriction sleeve member according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 41 illustrates a detailed perspective view of a triple set restriction sleeve member according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 42 illustrates a cross section view of a restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a hollow second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 43 illustrates a cross section view of a restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a solid second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 44 illustrates a cross section view of a restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition with a passage way according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 45 illustrates a perspective view of a restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition with a passage way according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 46a illustrates a cross section view of a restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition with a passage way and the restriction plug element positioned in a restriction sleeve member during production according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 46b illustrates a cross section view of a restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition with a passage way and the restriction plug element positioned in a restriction sleeve member during fracturing according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 47 illustrates a cross section view of a restriction plug element with a second composition surrounding a solid first composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 48 illustrates a cross section view of a restriction plug element with a second composition surrounding a hollow first composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 49 illustrates a perspective view of a restriction plug element with a first composition with a passage way surrounding a second composition that surrounds a third composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 50 illustrates a cross section view of a restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition in flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 51 illustrates a perspective view of a restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition in flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 52 illustrates a detailed flowchart of a preferred exemplary wellbore plug isolation method with a restriction plug element (RPE) used in some preferred exemplary invention embodiments.
  • RPE restriction plug element
  • FIG. 53 illustrates a spherical restriction plug element with a first composition mechanically held together by a toroid mechanical second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 54 illustrates a cross section view of a spherical restriction plug element with a first composition mechanically held together by a toroid mechanical second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 55 illustrates a top perspective view of a spherical restriction plug element with a first composition mechanically held together by a toroid mechanical second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 56 illustrates a side perspective view of a spherical restriction plug element with a first composition mechanically held together by a toroid mechanical second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 57 illustrates a front cross section view of a spherical restriction plug element with a first composition mechanically held together by a toroid mechanical second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 57a illustrates an ovoid restriction plug element with a first composition mechanically held together by a toroid mechanical second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 58 illustrates a spherical restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition with a movable piston according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 59 illustrates a perspective view of a spherical restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition with a movable piston according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 60 illustrates a cross section view of a spherical restriction plug element with a first composition surrounding a second composition with a movable piston according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 61 illustrates a perspective view of a sliding piston within a spherical restriction plug element according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 62 illustrates a cross section view of a sliding piston within a spherical restriction plug element according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 63 illustrates a cylindrical restriction plug element with external flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 64 illustrates a cylindrical restriction plug element with internal flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 65 illustrates a banded cylindrical restriction plug element according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 66 illustrates an ovoid restriction plug element with external flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 67 illustrates an ovoid restriction plug element with internal flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 68 illustrates a banded ovoid restriction plug element according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 69 illustrates a dart restriction plug element with external flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 70 illustrates a dart restriction plug element with internal flow channels according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment.
  • FIG. 71 illustrates a banded dart restriction plug element according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 72 illustrates a dart shaped restriction plug element with a first composition fins attached to a central second composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 73 illustrates a dart shaped restriction plug element with a second composition fins attached to a central first composition according to a preferred exemplary system embodiment .
  • FIG. 74 shows a plot of temperature versus time in a wellbore .
  • RSM Restriction Sleeve Member, a cylindrical member positioned at a selected wellbore location.
  • RPE Restriction Plug Element, an element configured to isolate and block fluid communication.
  • ICD Inner Casing Diameter, inner diameter of a
  • ICS Inner Casing Surface, inner surface of a wellbore casing .
  • ISD Inner Sleeve Diameter, inner diameter of a RSM.
  • ISS Inner Sleeve Surface, inner surface of a RSM.
  • WST Wellbore Setting Tool, a tool that functions to set and seal RSMs .
  • GSA Gun String Assembly, a cascaded string of
  • the present invention may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in FIG. 3 (0300) and FIG. 3a (0320), wherein a wellbore casing (0304) is installed inside a hydrocarbon formation (0302) and held in place by wellbore cement (0301) .
  • the wellbore casing (0304) may have an inside casing surface (ICS) associated with an inside casing diameter (ICD) (0308) .
  • ICD inside casing diameter
  • ICD inside casing diameter
  • ICD inside casing diameter
  • ICD inside casing diameter
  • ICD inside casing diameter
  • a restriction sleeve member (RSM) (0303) that fits inside of the wellbore casing is disposed therein by a wellbore setting tool (WST) to seal against the inside surface of the wellbore casing.
  • WST wellbore setting tool
  • the RSM (0303) may be a hollow cylindrical member having an inner sleeve surface and an outer sleeve surface.
  • the RSM (0303) may be concentric with the wellbore casing and coaxially fit within the ICS.
  • the seal prevents RSM (0303) from substantial axially or longitudinally sliding along the inside surface of the wellbore casing.
  • the RSM (0303) may be associated with an inner sleeve diameter (ISD) (0307) that is configured to fit within ICD (0308) of the wellbore casing
  • ISD (0307) is large enough to enable unrestricted fluid movement through inside sleeve surface (ISS) during production.
  • the ratio of ISD (0307) to ICD (0308) may range from 0.5 to 0.99.
  • ICD may be 4.8 inches and ISD may be 4.1 inches.
  • the ratio of ISD (0307) and ICD (0308) is 0.85.
  • the diameter of ISD (0307) may further degrade during production from wellbore fluids enabling fluid flow on almost the original diameter of the well casing.
  • RSM (0303) may be made from a material comprising of aluminum, iron, steel, titanium, tungsten, copper, bronze, brass, plastic, composite, natural fiber, and carbide.
  • the RSM (0303) may be made of degradable material or a commercially available material.
  • the WST may set RSM (0303) to the ICS in compression mode to form an inner profile on the RSM (0303) .
  • the inner profile could form a tight or leaky seal preventing substantial axial movement of the RSM (0303) .
  • the WST may set RSM (0303) to the ICS in expansion mode providing more contact surface for sealing RSM (0303) against ICS. Further details of setting RSM (0303) through compression and expansion modes are further described below in FIG. 15.
  • the WST may set RSM (0303) using a gripping/sealing element disposed of therein with RSM (0303) to grip the outside surface of RSM (0303) to ICS. Further details of setting RSM (0303) through compression and expansion modes are described below in FIG. 11 (1100) .
  • the WST may set RSM (0303) at any desired location within wellbore casing (0304) .
  • the desired location may be selected based on information such as the preferred hydrocarbon formation area, fraction stage, and wellbore conditions.
  • the desired location may be chosen to create uneven hydraulic fracturing stages. For example, a shorter hydraulic fracturing stage may comprise a single perforating position so that the RSM locations are selected close to each other to accommodate the perforating position. Similarly, a longer hydraulic fracturing stage may comprise multiple perforating positions so that the RSM locations are selected as far to each other to accommodate the multiple perforating positions. Shorter and longer hydraulic fracturing positions may be determined based on the specific information of hydrocarbon formation
  • a mudlog analyzes the mud during drilling operations for hydrocarbon information at locations in the wellbore. Prevailing mudlog conditions may be monitored to dynamically change the desired location of RSM (0303) .
  • the WST may create a conforming seating surface (CSS) (0306) within RSM (0303) .
  • the WST may form a beveled edge on the production end (heel end) of the RSM (0303) by constricting the inner diameter region of RSM (0303) to create the CSS (0306) .
  • the inner surface of the CSS (0306) could be formed such that it seats and retains a restriction plug element (RPE) (0305) .
  • the diameter of the RPE (0305) is chosen such that it is less than the outer diameter and greater than the inner diameter of RSM (0303) .
  • the CSS (0306) and RPE (0305) may be complementary shaped such that RPE (0305) seats against CSS (0306) .
  • RPE (0306) may be spherically shaped and the CSS (0306) may be beveled shaped to enable RPE (0305) to seat in CSS (0306) when a differential pressure is applied.
  • the RPE (0305) may pressure lock against CSS (0306) when differential pressure is applied i.e., when the pressure upstream (production or heel end) of the RSM (0303) location is greater than the pressure downstream (injection or toe end) of the RSM
  • RPE (0305) seated in CSS (0306) isolates a zone to enable hydraulic fracturing operations to be performed in the zone without affecting downstream (injection or toe end) hydraulic fracturing stages.
  • the RPE (0305) may also be configured in other shapes such as a plug, dart or a cylinder. It should be noted that one skilled in the art would appreciate that any other shapes conforming to the seating surface may be used for RPEs to achieve similar isolation affect as described above .
  • RPE (0305) may seat directly in RSM (0303) without the need for a CSS (0306) .
  • RPE (0305) may lock against the vertical edges of the RSM (0303) which may necessitate a larger diameter RPE (0305) .
  • RPE (0305) may degrade over time in the well fluids eliminating the need to be removed before production.
  • the RPE (0305) degradation may also be accelerated by acidic components of hydraulic fracturing fluids or wellbore fluids, thereby reducing the diameter of RPE (0305) enabling it to flow out (pumped out) of the wellbore casing or flow back (pumped back) to the surface before production phase commences .
  • RPE (0305) may be made of a metallic material, non-metallic material, a carbide material, or any other commercially available material .
  • FIG. 5 wherein a wellbore casing (0504) is shown after hydraulic fracturing is performed in multiple stages (fracture intervals) according to a method described herewith below in FIG. 6 (0600) .
  • a plurality of stages (0520, 0521, 0522, 0523) are created by setting RSMs (0511, 0512, 0513) at desired positions followed by isolating each stage successively with restriction plug elements RPEs (0501, 0502, 0503) .
  • a RSMs 0511, 0512, 0513
  • (0513) may be set by a WST followed by positioning a perforating gun string assembly (GSA) in hydraulic fracturing zone (0522) and perforating the interval. Subsequently, RPE (0503) is deployed and the stage (0522) is hydraulically fractured. The WST and the perforating GSA are removed for further operations. Thereafter, RSM (0512) is set and sealed by WST followed by a perforation operation. Another RPE (0502) is deployed to seat in RSM (0512) to form hydraulic fracturing zone (0521) . Thereafter the stage
  • GSA perforating gun string assembly
  • RSMs may be set by WST at desired locations to enable RPEs to create multiple hydraulic fracturing zones in the wellbore casing.
  • the hydraulic fracturing zones may be equally spaced or unevenly spaced depending on wellbore conditions or hydrocarbon formation locations.
  • RPEs are locked in place due to pressure differential established across RSMs.
  • RPE (0502) is locked in the seat of RSM (0512) due to a positive pressure differential established across RSM (0512) i.e., pressure upstream (hydraulic fracturing stages 0520, 0521 and stages towards heel of the wellbore casing) is greater than pressure downstream (hydraulic fracturing stages 0522, 0523 and stages towards toe of the wellbore casing) .
  • RPEs (0501, 0502, 0503) may degrade over time, flowed back by pumping, or flowed into the wellbore, after completion of all stages in the wellbore, eliminating the need for additional milling operations.
  • the RPE's may change shape or strength such that they may pass through a RSM in either the production (heel end) or injection direction (toe end) .
  • RPE (0512) may degrade and change shape such it may pass through RSM (0511) in the production direction or RSM (0513) in the injection direction.
  • the RPEs may also be degraded such that they are in between the RSMs of current stage and a previous stage restricting fluid communication towards the injection end
  • RPE (0502) may degrade such it is seated against the injection end (toe end) of RSM
  • inner diameters of RSMs may be the same and large enough to allow unrestricted fluid flow during well production operations.
  • the RSMs (0511, 0512, 0513) may further degrade in well fluids to provide an even larger diameter comparable to the inner diameter of the well casing (0504) allowing enhanced fluid flow during well production. The degradation could be accelerated by acids in the hydraulic fracturing fluids.
  • RPE Restriction Plug Elements
  • Outer layer may or may not have holes in it, such that an inner layer could melt and liquid may escape .
  • a preferred exemplary wellbore plug isolation method may be generally described in terms of the following steps:
  • the WST could be deployed by wireline, coil tube, or tubing-conveyed perforating (TCP) (0602) ;
  • the perforating GSA may comprise plural perforating guns ;
  • the WST could set RSM with a power charge or pressure (0603) ;
  • the power charge generates pressure inside the setting tool that sets the RSM;
  • the RSM may or may not have a conforming seating surface (CSS) ;
  • the CSS may be machined or formed by the WST at the desired wellbore location;
  • the perforating GSA may perforate one interval at a time followed by pulling the GSA and perforating the next interval in the stage; the perforation operation is continued until all the intervals in the stage are completed;
  • step (0602) (8) checking if all hydraulic fracturing stages in the wellbore casing have been completed, if not so, proceeding to step (0602) ; prepare to deploy the WST to a different wellbore location towards the heel end of the already fractured stage; hydraulic fracturing stages may be determined by the length of the casing installed in the hydrocarbon formation; if all stages have been fractured proceed to step (0609) , (0608) ;
  • fluid flow in the production (heel end) direction; fluid flow may been enabled through flow channels designed in the RSM while the RPEs are positioned in between the RSMs; fluid flow may also be been enabled through flow channels designed in the RPEs and RSMs; alternatively RPEs may also be removed from the wellbore casing or the RPEs could be flowed back to surface, pumped into the wellbore, or degraded in the presence of wellbore fluids or acid (0609) ; and
  • FIG. 7 (0700) and FIG. 8 (0800), wherein a cylindrical restrictive plug element (0702) is seated in CSS (0704) to provide downstream pressure isolation.
  • a wellbore casing (0701) is installed in a hydrocarbon formation.
  • a wellbore setting tool may set RSM
  • the WST may form a CSS (0704) in the RSM (0703) as described by foregoing method described in FIG. 6 (0600) .
  • a cylindrical shaped restrictive plug element (RPE) (0702) may be deployed into the wellbore casing to seat in CSS (0704) .
  • the diameter of the RPE (0702) is chosen such that it is less than the outer diameter and greater than the inner diameter of RSM (0703) .
  • the CSS (0704) and RPE (0702) may be complementary shaped such that RPE (0702) seats against CSS
  • RPE (0702) may be cylindrically shaped and CSS (0704) may be beveled shaped to enable RPE (0702) to seat in CSS (0704) when a differential pressure is applied.
  • the RPE (0702) may pressure lock against CSS (0704) when differential pressure is applied.
  • the cylindrical RPE (0702) may directly seat against the edges of the RSM
  • FIG. 9 Yet another preferred embodiment may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in FIG. 9 (0900) , FIG. 10
  • FIG. 10a (1000), FIG. 10a (1010), and FIG. 10b (1020) wherein a dart shaped restrictive plug element (0902) is seated in CSS
  • RPE (0904) to provide pressure isolation.
  • RPE (0902) is used to isolate and create fracture zones to enable perforation and hydraulic fracturing operations in the fracture zones.
  • FIG. 10a As shown in the perspective views of the dart RPE in FIG. 10a
  • the dart RPE is complementarily shaped to be seated in the RSM.
  • the dart RPE (0902) is designed such that the fingers of the RPE (0902) are compressed during production enabling fluid flow in the production direction.
  • FIG. 11 One preferred embodiment may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in FIG. 11 (1100) and FIG. 12 (1200), wherein a restrictive sleeve member RSM (1104) is sealed against the inner surface of a wellbore casing (1101) with a plurality of gripping/sealing elements (1103) .
  • Gripping elements may be elastomers, carbide buttons, or wicker forms.
  • a wellbore setting tool may be deployed along with RSM (1104) to a desired wellbore location.
  • the WST may then compress the RSM (1104) to form plural inner profiles (1105) on the inside surface of the RSM (1104) at the desired location.
  • the inner profiles (1105) may be formed prior to deploying to the desired wellbore location.
  • the compressive stress component in the inner profiles (1104) may aid in sealing the RSM (1104) to the inner surface of a wellbore casing (1101) .
  • a plurality of gripping/sealing elements (1103) may be used to further strengthen the seal (1106) to prevent substantial axial or longitudinal movement of RSM (1104) .
  • the gripping elements (1103) may be an elastomer, carbide buttons, or wicker forms that can tightly grip against the inner surface of the wellbore casing (1101) .
  • the seal (1106) may be formed by plural inner profiles (1104) , plural gripping elements (1103) , or a combination of inner profiles (1104) and gripping elements (1103) .
  • the WST may form a CSS (1106) and seat a RPE (1102) to create downstream isolation (toe end) as described by the foregoing method in FIG. 6 (0600) .
  • FIG. 13 Yet another preferred embodiment may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in FIG. 13 (1300), wherein a restrictive sleeve member RSM (1304) is sealed against the inner surface of a wellbore casing (1301) .
  • a wellbore setting tool may be deployed along with RSM (1304) to a desired wellbore location.
  • the WST may then compress the RSM (1304) to form plural inner profiles (1305) on the inside surface of the RSM (1304) and plural outer profiles (1303) on the outside surface of the RSM (1304) at the desired location.
  • the inner profiles (1305) and outer profiles (1303) may be formed prior to deploying to the desired wellbore location.
  • (1303) may directly contact the inner surface of the wellbore casing at plural points of the protruded profiles to provide a seal (1306) and prevent axial or longitudinal movement of the RSM (1304) .
  • FIG. 15 illustrates a wireline setting tool creating inner and outer profiles in restriction sleeve members for sealing against the inner surface of the wellbore casing.
  • FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a WST (1603) that forms an inner profile (1604) in a RSM (1602) to form a seal (1605) against the inner surface of wellbore casing (1601) .
  • FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed cross section view of a WST (1703) that forms an inner profile
  • inner and outer profiles in a RSM forms a seal against an inner surface of the wellbore casing preventing substantial axial and longitudinal movement of the RSM during perforation and hydraulic fracturing process.
  • FIG.18 (1800) and FIG. 19 (1900) show a front cross section view of a WST.
  • a wellbore setting tool WST
  • a WST-RSM sleeve adapter (2001) holds the RSM (2008) in place until it reaches the desired location down hole. After the RSM (2008) is at the desired location the WST-RSM sleeve adapter (2001) facilitates a reactionary force to engage the RSM (2008) .
  • a RSM swaging member and plug seat (2005) provides the axial force to swage an expanding sleeve (2004) outward.
  • a RSM-ICD expanding sleeve (2004) hoops outward to create a sealing surface between the RSM (2008) and inner casing diameter
  • the WST-RSM piston (2006) transmits the actuation force from the WST
  • FIG. 21 (2100) and FIG. 22 (2200) show perspective views of the WST (2002) in more detail .
  • FIG. 6 (0600), the steps implemented for wellbore plug isolation are illustrated in FIG. 23 (2300) - FIG. 31 (3100) .
  • FIG. 23 shows a wellbore setting tool (WST) (2301) setting a restriction sleeve member (2303) on the inside surface of a wellbore casing (2302) .
  • the WST (2301) may create a conforming seating surface (CSS) in the RSM (2303) or the CSS may be pre-machined .
  • a wireline (2304) or TCP may be used to pump WST (2301) to a desired location in the wellbore casing (2302) .
  • FIG. 24 (2400) shows a detailed view of setting the RSM (2303) at a desired location.
  • FIG. 25 illustrates the stage perforated with perforating guns after setting the RSM (2303) and removing WST (2301) as aforementioned in steps (0604) and (0605) .
  • FIG. 26 illustrates a restriction plug element (RPE) (2601) deployed into the wellbore casing as described in step (0606) .
  • the RPE (2601) may seat in the conforming seating surface in RSM (2303) or directly in the RSM if the CSS is not present.
  • the stage is isolated from toe end pressure communication. The isolated stage is hydraulically fractured as described in step (0607) .
  • FIG. 27 (2700) shows details of RPE (2601) deployed into the wellbore casing.
  • FIG. 28 (2800) shows details of RPE (2601) seated in RSM (2303) .
  • FIG. 29 illustrates a WST (2301) setting another RSM (2903) at another desired location towards heel of the RSM (2303) .
  • Another RPE (2901) is deployed to seat in the RSM (2903) .
  • the RPE (2901) isolates another stage toe ward of the aforementioned isolated stage.
  • the isolated stage is fractured with hydraulic fracturing fluids.
  • FIG. 30 (3000) shows a detailed cross section view of WST (2301) setting RSM (2903) at a desired location.
  • FIG. 31 (3100) shows a detailed cross section view of an RPE (2901) seated in RSM (2903) .
  • the RPEs may remain in between the RSMs or flowed back or pumped into the wellbore (0609) .
  • the RPE's and RSM' s are degradable which enables larger inner diameter to efficiently pump oil and gas without restrictions and obstructions .
  • FIG. 32 A further preferred embodiment may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in FIG. 32 (3200) , FIG. 33
  • a restrictive sleeve member RSM (3306) comprising flow channels (3301) is set inside a wellbore casing (3305) .
  • a conforming seating surface (CSS) (3303) may be formed in the RSM (3306) .
  • the flow channels (3301) are designed in RSM (3306) to enable fluid flow during oil and gas production.
  • the flow channels provide a fluid path in the production direction when restriction plug elements (RPE) degrade but are not removed after all stages are hydraulically fractured as aforementioned in FIG. (0600) step (0609).
  • RPE restriction plug elements
  • the RSMs may be designed with fingers on either end to facilitate milling operation, if needed.
  • Toe end fingers (3302) and heel end fingers (3304) may be designed on the toe end and heel end the RSM (3306) respectively.
  • the toe end fingers may be pushed towards the heel end fingers of the next RSM (toe ward) such that the fingers are intertwined and interlocked.
  • all the RSMs may be interlocked with each other finally eventually mill out in one operation as compared to the current method of milling each RSM separately.
  • Double Set Block Diagram (3500 - 3700)
  • FIG. 36 As generally illustrated in FIG. 35 (3500) , FIG. 36
  • a wellbore setting tool sets or seals on both sides of a restriction sleeve member (RSM)
  • the WST swags the RSM on both sides (double set) and sets it to the inside surface of the wellbore casing.
  • a RSM-ICD expanding sleeve in the WST may hoop outward to create a sealing surface between the RSM (3601) and inner casing diameter (ICS) (3604).
  • the WST may hold the RSM (3601) to the ICS (3604) by means of sealing force and potential use of other traction adding gripping devices (3603) such as elastomers, carbide buttons or wicker forms.
  • a double set option is provided with a WST to seal one end of the RSM directly to the inner surface of the wellbore casing while the other end is sealed with a gripping element to prevent substantial axial and longitudinal movement.
  • FIG. 38 (3800) shows a WST (3810) that may set or seal RSM at single location (single set) , a WST (3820) that may set or seal RSM at double locations (double set) , or a WST (3830) that may set or seal RSM 3 locations (triple set) .
  • WST (3830) A more detail illustration of WST (3830) may be seen in FIG. 40
  • the WST (3830) sets RSM (4004) at 3 locations
  • WST sets or seals RSM at multiple locations to prevent substantial axial or longitudinal movement of the RSM. It should be noted that single, double and triple sets have been shown for illustrations purposes only and should not be construed as a limitation. The WST could set or seal RSM at multiple locations and not limited to single, double, or triple set as aforementioned. An isometric view of the triple set can be seen in FIG. 41
  • PBR PBR Receptacle
  • the restricted sleeve member could still be configured with or without a CSS.
  • the inner sleeve surface (ISS) of the RSM may be made of a polished bore receptacle (PBR) .
  • PBR polished bore receptacle
  • a sealing device could be deployed on a wireline or as part of a tubular string. The sealing device could then seal with sealing elements within the restricted diameter of the internal sleeve surface (ISS), but not in the ICS surface.
  • PBR surface within the ISS provides a distinct advantage of selectively sealing RSM at desired wellbore locations to perform treatment or re-treatment operations between the sealed locations, well production test, or test for casing integrity .
  • the RPEs of the present invention are designed for strength, rigidity and hardness sufficient to withstand the high pressure differentials required during well stimulation, which typically range from about 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 10,000 psi.
  • the RPE of the present invention is formed of a material or combination of materials having sufficient strength, rigidity and hardness at a temperature of from about 150° F. to about 350° F., from about 150° F. to about 220° F. or from about 150° F. to about 200° F. to seat in the RSM and then withstand deformation under the high pressure ranging from about 1,000 psi to about 10,000 psi associated with hydraulic fracturing processes.
  • the materials selected for first composition deform enough to allow a second composition to exit through a passage when the second composition changes phase or loses strength upon exposure to wellbore temperature or fracturing fluids.
  • elastomer as used herein is a generic term for substances emulating natural rubber in that they stretch under tension, have a high tensile strength, retract rapidly, and substantially recover their original dimensions.
  • the term includes natural and man-made elastomers, and the elastomer may be a thermoplastic elastomer or a non-thermoplastic elastomer.
  • the term includes blends (physical mixtures) of elastomers, as well as copolymers, terpolymers, and multi-polymers.
  • Useful elastomers may also include one or more additives, fillers, plasticizers, and the like.
  • Non- degradable group that includes G-10 (glass reinforced Epoxy Laminate) , FR4, PEEK (Injection Molded), Nylon GF, Torlon, Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Nylon MF, Nylon GF, Magnesium Alloy (without HCL) , Ceramic, Cast Iron, Thermoset Plastics, and Elastomers (rubber, nitrile, viton, silicone, etc.) .
  • the first composition may also include materials from a long term degradable group that includes PGA (polyglycolic acid) and Magnesium Alloy (with HCL) .
  • the second composition may change phase, when exposed to the wellbore temperature conditions, in a controlled fashion.
  • the second composition may comprise a solid, a liquid, or a gas.
  • the second composition may melt to change phase from solid to liquid, may change phase from solid to gas, or may vaporize to change phase from liquid to gas.
  • the second composition may also be selected from materials that change a physical property such as strength or elasticity upon exposure to wellbore fluids or fracturing fluids.
  • Table 2.0 as generally illustrated below, shows a yield temperature for individual alloy that change strength above the yield temperature.
  • the alloys in Table 2.0 are a combination of weight percentages as shown in individual columns.
  • the first composition may control the rate of phase change in the second composition.
  • the second composition in the RPE may be tailored to the temperature profile of the wellbore conditions.
  • the second composition may comprise a eutectic alloy, a metal, a non-metal, and combinations thereof.
  • Eutectic alloys have two or more materials and have a eutectic composition. When a well-mixed, eutectic alloy melts (changes phase) , it does so at a single, sharp temperature.
  • the eutectic alloys may be selected from the list shown in Table 1.0. As generally shown in Table 1.0, the eutectic alloys may have a melting point (The temperature at which a solid changes state from solid to liquid at atmospheric pressure) range from 150° F to 350° F.
  • Eutectic or Non-Eutectic metals with designed melting points may be combinations of Bismuth, Lead, Tin, Cadmium, Thallium, Gallium, Antimony, also fusible alloys as shown below in Table 1.0 and Table 2.0.
  • Thermoplastics with low melting points such as Acrylic, Nylon, Polybenzimidazole, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polyvinyl Chloride, Teflon may also function as a second composition material that change phase or change physical property such as strength or elasticity.
  • These thermoplastics, when reinforced with glass or carbon fiber may initially create stronger materials that change physical property such as strength or elasticity upon exposure to temperatures in the wellbore or fracturing fluids.
  • a cross section of the present invention may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in FIG. 42 (4200), wherein a restriction plug element (RPE) comprises a first composition (4201) that is in direct contact with a second composition (4202) .
  • the first composition (4201) surrounds a hollow second composition (4202) .
  • the second composition changes phase, strength, or elasticity to deform the RPE, thereby shrinking its size.
  • a reduced size RPE enables it to pass through a restriction sleeve member (RSM) when flowed or pumped back to the surface.
  • the first composition (4201) and the second composition (4202) may be selected from a group of materials as aforementioned.
  • the thickness of the hollow second composition is designed such that the RPE has the strength, shape and integrity to sustain high pressure conditions for the time period required to fracture its assigned zone. In one embodiment, this time period is approximately 10 to 12 hours.
  • the thickness may also be selected such that volume shrinkage created by a phase, strength, or elasticity change in the second composition (4202) is compensated by the hollow space in the second composition (4202) .
  • the second composition (4202) may change phase, strength, or elasticity when exposed to the wellbore temperature conditions, in a controlled fashion.
  • the first composition (4201) may control the rate of phase, strength, or elasticity change in the second composition (4202) .
  • the first composition may be an insulator such as ceramic, elastomer or plastic that surrounds the second composition and slows the rate at which the second composition changes phase.
  • the first composition may be a conductor such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper that accelerates the rate of phase, strength, or elasticity change.
  • the selection of second composition may depend on the temperature profile of the well.
  • a higher melting point eutectic alloy may be used as a second composition in the RPE .
  • the second composition (4202) in the RPE may be tailored to adapt to the temperature profile of the wellbore conditions.
  • the RPEs comprising second composition (4202) with different melting point temperature materials may be used in higher or lower temperature fracturing stages of the wellbore accordingly.
  • an RPE comprising a second composition with a melting point greater than 150°F may be used in fracturing stage that has a wellbore temperature of 150°F.
  • an RPE comprising a second composition with a melting point of greater than 250°F may be used in fracturing stage that has a wellbore temperature of 250°F.
  • the RPE is shaped as a sphere, a cylinder or a dart.
  • the first composition (4201) is shaped in the form of a sphere surrounding a hollow spherical shaped second composition
  • the first composition (4201) may be shaped in the form of a cylinder surrounding a hollow cylindrical shaped second composition (4202) .
  • the RPE may be shaped in the form of a dart. The dart may have a property
  • the hollow/solid dart shaped second composition (7402) may change phase, strength or elasticity, thereby deforming/collapsing the dart RPE.
  • the RPE is shaped as a sphere, a cylinder or a dart.
  • the first composition (4301) is shaped in the form of a sphere surrounding a solid core spherical shaped second composition (4302) .
  • the first composition (4301) may be shaped in the form of a cylinder surrounding a solid core cylindrical shaped second composition (4302) .
  • a cross section of the present invention may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in FIG. 44 (4400), wherein a restriction plug element (RPE) comprises a first composition (4401) that is in direct contact with a second composition (4402) .
  • the first composition (4401) surrounds a hollow second composition (4402) .
  • the second composition changes phase to deform the RPE thereby shrinking its size.
  • the RPE further comprises a passage way (4403) to provide a path for the second composition to change phase, strength, and/or elasticity and exit the RPE.
  • the passage way (4403) could be designed such that it orients downwards facing the inner surface of the wellbore casing.
  • the downward orientation may enable the second composition (4402) to exit the RPE by means of gravity upon phase change.
  • the second composition may stay at the bottom of the wellbore casing during production without impeding production flow.
  • the debris created by the second composition (4402) may be flowed back.
  • a perspective view of the RPE is illustrated in FIG. 45 (4500) .
  • the second composition may exit the RPE by stress or pressure as illustrated in FIG. 46a (4600) .
  • pressure acts in the direction of production pushing the RPE towards the RSM in the production direction.
  • the second composition (4602) exits or squeezes out of the RPE through the passage (4603), thereby deforming the RPE. This enables an increase in hydrocarbon fluid flow in the production direction.
  • pressure acts in the direction of injection on the RPE that is seated in the RSM.
  • a cross section of the present invention may be seen in more detail as generally illustrated in FIG. 47 (4700), wherein a restriction plug element (RPE) comprises a second composition (4702) in direct contact with a first composition (4701) .
  • the second composition (4702) surrounds a hollow first composition (4701) .
  • the second composition may change phase (melt/vaporize) to exit the RPE thereby reducing the size of the RPE.
  • the RPE is shaped as a sphere
  • the outer diameter of the RPE is reduced by the amount of the thickness of the second composition (4702) .
  • the thickness of the second composition (4702) may be reduced to quickly change phase and exit, for example for RPEs toward the heel end or for quicker screen outs.
  • the thickness of the second composition (4702) is designed such that the overall strength, rigidity and integrity of the RPE along with the first composition (4701) can withstand the high pressure differential during fracturing treatment.
  • the overall size of the RPE may be selected to adapt to the size of the RSM. For example, if the inner sleeve diameter (ISD) is 4.1 inches, overall RPE diameter could be made 4.2 inches, first composition diameter could be 3.5 inches and the thickness of the second composition could be 0.35 inches.
  • Materials for the first composition (4701) and the second composition (4702) may be selected from the list of materials as aforementioned.
  • the RPE is shaped as a sphere or a cylinder.
  • the second composition (4702) is shaped in the form of a sphere surrounding a solid core spherical shaped first composition (4701) .
  • the second composition (4702) may be shaped in the form of a cylinder surrounding a solid cylindrical shaped first composition (4701) .
  • the RPE is shaped as a sphere or a cylinder.
  • the second composition (4801) is shaped in the form of a sphere surrounding a hollow spherical shaped first composition (4801) .
  • the second composition (4802) may be shaped in the form of a cylinder surrounding a hollow cylindrical shaped first composition (4801) .
  • the RPE may be shaped in the form of a dart as shown in FIG. 73 (7300) .
  • the dart may have a property (Phase, strength, elasticity) changeable second composition fins (7302) attached to hollow/solid dart shaped first composition (7301) .
  • the fins (7302) may change phase, strength or elasticity, leaving the RPE with the solid/hollow first composition central dart core.
  • the reduced size "finless" dart may then be flown back through the RSM' s to the surface or pumped into the hydrocarbon formation enabling unrestricted production fluid flow.
  • the fins (7201) of the dart shaped RPE may comprise a first composition similar to the dart core (7202) .
  • the RPE (7200) may change physical property such as phase, strength, elasticity due to conditions encountered in a wellbore. The changed RPE due to phase, strength or elasticity may then exit the wellbore in a toe ward direction or may be pumped back to the surface in a production direction.
  • a restriction plug element comprises a first composition (4901) in direct contact with a second composition (4902) that is in direct contact with a third composition (4903) .
  • the first composition (4901) surrounds the second composition (4902) which in turn surrounds the third composition (4903) .
  • a passage way (4904) may be designed to facilitate the exit for the second composition (4902) upon a phase change.
  • Phase change in the second composition (4902) may be triggered by a change in the temperature of the wellbore or the RSM.
  • the RPE shrinks and reduces size so as to pass through a restriction sleeve member (RSM) during flow back or during production.
  • RSM restriction sleeve member
  • the thickness of the first, second and third compositions may be designed to withstand the high pressure conditions during fracturing treatment.
  • Materials for the first composition (4901) and the second composition (4902) may be selected from the list of materials as aforementioned.
  • Material for the third composition may be for example Al or Mg or any other high strength metal or non-metal.
  • RPE illustrated in FIG. 49 (4900) comprises 3 layers, multiple layers arranged in any combination may be used.
  • an RPE may be made with 2 layers of second composition alternately between 2 layers of first composition or a combination of first and third composition.
  • the RPE in FIG. 49 (4900) is for illustration purposes only and should be construed as a limitation of the number of compositions and layers comprising the RPE.
  • a restriction plug element comprises a first composition (5001) in direct contact with a second composition (5002) .
  • the RPE is facilitated with flow channels in the first composition (5001) .
  • the RPE may be shaped in the shape of a sphere or cylinder.
  • the flow channels are filled with the second composition (5002) .
  • the flow channels may be cut and machined in an axial manner.
  • the flow channels may take the shape of a cylinder, a tube, or an elongated wedge shape or combination thereof.
  • a horizontal flow channel (5003) may be cut in the x-axis direction and a vertical flow channel (5004) may be cut in the y-axis direction.
  • the axes shown in FIG. 50 are for illustration purposes only and may not be construed as a limitation. Multiple axes may be cut in the RPE and filled with the second composition (5002) to provide multiple channels for production fluids to flow through during production.
  • the axes may or may not be orthogonal to each other. In addition, the axes may or may not be aligned to each other.
  • the second composition in the flow channel changes phase (melt/vaporize) or weakens in strength, thereby exiting the RPE and creating vacant flow channels in the RPE.
  • the first composition (5001) may maintain its shape and structure while the second composition (5002) exits.
  • the RPE may disengage from a restriction sleeve member and position itself between RSMs .
  • the RPE may also stay engaged in the RSM.
  • the vacated flow channels may facilitate production fluids to flow in the production direction.
  • the flow channels in the RSM may be used in conjunction with the flow channels in the RPE to provide substantially unobstructed production flow.
  • fluids may take any path that is least resistant in the flow channels during production and are not limited to a specific flow channel, axis, or alignment.
  • horizontal flow channel (5003) may be an ingress path and vertical flow channel (5004) may be an egress path for fluids to flow through.
  • horizontal flow channel (5003) may be used as both an ingress and egress for fluid flow.
  • FIG. 51 5100
  • Preferred Exemplary Wellbore Plug Isolation with Exemplary Restriction Plug Element Flowchart Embodiment (5200)
  • preferred exemplary wellbore plug isolation with exemplary restriction plug element method may be generally described in terms of the following steps:
  • a temperature profile may be taken determine wellbore temperature.
  • the temperature profile may include wellbore temperature after casing installation, before a RPE is pumped, during a fracturing treatment and after a fracturing treatment.
  • a more specific profile could also be measured in individual fracturing zones.
  • the WST could set the RSM with a power charge or pressure.
  • the perforating GSA may perforate one interval at a time followed by pulling the GSA and perforating the next interval in the stage. The perforation operation is continued until all the intervals in the stage are completed.
  • RPE may be pumped from the surface, deployed by gravity, or set by a tool. If a conforming seating surface (CSS) is present in the RSM, the RPE may be seated in the CSS. A Positive differential pressure may enable RPE to be driven and locked into the RSM.
  • the RPE may be at the temperature of the RSM when it lands on the RSM. The temperature of the RSM may be controlled using a fluid pumped from the surface or with a cooling fluid channel integrated into the RSM.
  • the RPE comprising a first composition and a second composition with a specific melting point range may be selected, so that the melting point selected is greater than the temperature of the fracture zone and wellbore temperature.
  • a higher phase change temperature second composition may be deployed for higher temperature fracturing zones.
  • an RPE comprising a second composition with a melting point greater than 150°F may be used in fracturing stage that has a wellbore temperature of 150°F.
  • an RPE comprising a second composition with a melting point of greater than 250°F may be used in fracturing stage that has a wellbore temperature of 250°F.
  • Fracturing fluids may be pumped along with the RPE or after the RPE is pumped.
  • the RPE may be at the same temperature as the fracturing fluid.
  • the temperature of the fracturing fluids is controlled to maintain the RPE at a temperature below the phase change temperature (melting point or boiling point or sublimation point) .
  • the temperature and volume of the fracturing fluids may be adjusted based on the temperature profile of the wellbore. For example, a greater volume of fracturing fluids may be required to displace and exchange heat convectively with a greater amount of hydrocarbon formations fluids already present in the wellbore casing.
  • Hydraulic fracturing fluids are pumped at high pressure to create pathways in hydrocarbon formations.
  • the convective fracturing fluid from the surface pumped to fracture the zone may also serve as a coolant for the RPE relative to latent high temperatures.
  • Latent heat from the hydrocarbon formation may be transferred by convection to the RPE and is in turn transferred and removed from the RPE by convection to the fracturing fluid.
  • the fracturing fluid displaces hydrocarbons within the well minimizing hydrocarbon contact with the RPE, thereby inhibiting phase change of the RPE during the hydraulic fracturing process.
  • hotter fluids may be pumped into the stage to effectively expose the portion of the RPE to higher pre- determined temperatures, greater than the phase change temperature of the second composition of the RPE, thereby initiating the phase change of the RPE.
  • RPEs in the already fractured zones may be changing phase to shrink/reduce size or open up flow channels.
  • the newly seated RPE functions to block fracturing fluid flow from reaching the now phase changing lower RPE.
  • the RPEs of the already fractured stages towards the toe end of the wellbore continue to phase change while the zones above it are fractured. Without the relatively cool fracturing fluid reaching the lower RPE, the lower RPEs temperature will climb to the latent temperature in the wellbore.
  • the latent temperature in the wellbore can reach, for example, in excess of 200° F., in excess of 220° F., or in excess of 350° F.
  • the latent formation heat and pressure and hydrocarbons from the formation function to accelerate the phase change (melt/vaporize) the RPE and disengage the RPE from the RSM.
  • RPEs may be selected from a range of melting points (phase change temperatures) for fracturing stages in the toe end, middle and heel end such that the overall cycle time is reduced for screen out and flow back .
  • the fluid flow in the production direction may be enabled through flow channels designed in the RSM while the RPEs are positioned in between the RSMs; fluid flow may also be enabled through flow channels designed in the RPEs.
  • a combination of flow channels in the RPE and RSM may enable substantially unobstructed oil and gas flow.
  • RPEs may also be removed from the wellbore casing or the RPEs could be flowed back to surface, pumped into the wellbore, or shrink in the presence of wellbore fluids or acid. No intervention is needed to remove the RPE after its useful life of isolating the pressure communication is completed. Alternatively, the remainder of the RPE may be pumped to the surface.
  • a restriction plug element comprises a first composition (5601) in direct contact with a second composition (5602) .
  • the first composition in the RPE may comprise multiple parts/segments that are held together by a toroid shaped un-bonded mechanical insert (5603) .
  • the RPE may be shaped as a sphere, cylinder, or ovoid.
  • the mechanical insert may be cast or die cast from second composition (5602) .
  • the toroid (5603) mechanical insert holds the RPE together during fracturing treatment.
  • the mechanical insert may be designed such that the structure provides rigidity and strength to the RPE.
  • the toroid mechanical insert may change phase (melt/vaporize) or loose strength or elasticity after a fracture treatment upon contact with wellbore formations or fluids pumped from the surface.
  • the un-bonded mechanical linkage progressively weakens at well temperatures, allowing the ball to change shape in one or more coordinate directions, or to separate into multiple parts, whether or not the ball was in multiple parts before mechanically linked.
  • the second composition may melt/vaporize and crumble the RPE into individual small segments like orange segments.
  • the protrusions shown in FIG. 56 (5600) for toroid mechanical inserts are for illustration purposes only and may not be construed as a limitation. Multiple protrusions for the toroid insert may be created. Tradeoffs between number of protrusions, mechanical integrity and cost may be evaluated to determine an optimal structure.
  • a cross section of a RPE with one protrusion in the toroid shape is illustrated in FIG. 57 (5700) .
  • FIG. 53 A perspective view of the restriction plug element with toroid mechanical insert is illustrated further in FIG. 53 (5300) .
  • a top and side perspective view of the restriction plug element with mechanical insert is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 54 (5400) and FIG. 55 (5500) respectively.
  • an exemplary embodiment oval shaped RPE with a toroid mechanical insert is illustrated in FIG. 57a (5720) .
  • a restriction plug element comprises a first composition (6001) in contact with a second composition (6002) .
  • the RPE is facilitated with flow channels in the first composition (6001) .
  • the RPE may be shaped as a sphere or a cylinder.
  • Flow channels (6003) may be cut in the RPE.
  • the flow channels (6003) may be hollow tubular, cylindrical, wedge shaped, or combinations thereof.
  • the RPE may further comprise a sliding piston (6005) that slides from a first position to a second position.
  • the second composition (6002) may clamp the piston in first position.
  • the piston (6005) may slide from the first position to a second position in an annular space (6004) .
  • the second composition (6002) may melt/vaporize (change phase) on reaching its phase change temperature upon contact with wellbore fluids or fluids pumped from the surface.
  • the piston (6005) loses hold and may slide to the second position.
  • the piston in the second position the piston may align an aperture (6006) with the flow channels (6003) to enable fluid communication with the hydrocarbon formation during production.
  • the piston (6005) in the first position holds in place while blocking fluid communication with toe end fracturing zones.
  • the piston may be made of the second composition (6002) and completely melt/vaporize subsequent to fracturing treatment creating flow channels in the RPE .
  • FIG. 58 A perspective view of the restriction plug element with a sliding piston is illustrated further in FIG. 58 (5800) .
  • FIG. 59 A side perspective view of the restriction plug element with a sliding piston is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 59
  • FIG. 61 (6100) and FIG. 62
  • a cylindrical restriction plug element comprises a first composition (6401) in direct contact with a second composition (6402) .
  • the RPE is facilitated with flow channels in the first composition (6401) .
  • the RPE may be shaped as a sphere, cylinder, ovoid or dart.
  • the flow channels are filled with the second composition (6402) .
  • the flow channels may be cut through the first composition.
  • the flow channels may take the shape of a cylinder, a tube, or an elongated wedge shape or combination thereof.
  • the second composition in the flow channel changes phase (melt/vaporize) or weakens in strength/elasticity, thereby exiting the RPE and creating vacant flow channels in the RPE.
  • the first composition (6401) may maintain its shape and structure while the second composition (6402) exits.
  • the RPE may disengage from a restriction sleeve member and position itself between RSMs .
  • the RPE may also stay engaged in the RSM.
  • the vacated flow channels may facilitate production fluids to flow in the production direction.
  • the flow channels in the RSM may be used in conjunction with the flow channels in the RPE to provide substantially unobstructed production flow. It should be noted that fluids may take any path that is least resistant in the flow channels during production and are not limited to a specific flow channel, axis, or alignment.
  • an exemplary embodiment ovoid RPE is illustrated in FIG. 67 (6700) comprises a first composition (6701) in direct contact with a second composition (6702) .
  • an exemplary embodiment dart RPE is illustrated in FIG. 70 (7000) comprises a first composition (7001) in direct contact with a second composition (7002) .
  • the first composition and second composition may be reversed.
  • the internal flow channels may be filled with first composition surrounded by a second composition.
  • the overall size of the RPE diminishes as the second compositions changes property (phase/strength/elasticity) enabling substantially larger fluid flow during production.
  • Preferred Embodiment Restriction Plug Element with External Flow Channels (6300. 6600. 6900)
  • the flow channels may be exterior to the RPE.
  • a cylindrical restriction plug element comprises a first composition (6301) in direct contact with a second composition (6302) .
  • the RPE is facilitated with outer flow channels in the first composition (6301) .
  • the RPE may be shaped as a sphere, cylinder, ovoid or dart.
  • the flow channels may or may not be filled with a second composition (6302) .
  • the flow channels may be cut through the first composition.
  • the flow channels may take the shape of a cylinder, a tube, or an elongated wedge shape or combination thereof.
  • the second composition in the flow channel upon exposure to temperatures in a wellbore higher than the phase/strength/elasticity change temperature, changes phase (melt/vaporize) or weakens in strength, thereby exiting the RPE and creating vacant flow channels in the RPE.
  • the first composition (6301) may maintain its shape and structure while the second composition (6302) exits.
  • an exemplary embodiment ovoid RPE is illustrated in FIG. 66 (6600) that comprises a first composition (6601) in direct contact with a second composition (6602) .
  • an exemplary embodiment dart RPE is illustrated in FIG. 69 (6900) that comprises a first composition (6901) in direct contact with a second composition (6902) .
  • the first composition and second composition may be reversed.
  • the internal flow channels may be filled with first composition surrounded by a second composition.
  • the overall size of the RPE diminishes as the second compositions changes property (phase/strength/elasticity) enabling substantially larger fluid flow during production.
  • the flow channels may be banded in the RPE.
  • a cylindrical restriction plug element comprises a first composition (6501) in direct contact with a second composition (6502) .
  • the RPE is facilitated with banded flow channels in the first composition (6501) .
  • the RPE may be shaped in the shape of a sphere, cylinder, ovoid or dart.
  • the flow channels may or may not be filled with a second composition (6502) .
  • the flow channels may be cut through the first composition.
  • the flow channels may take the shape of a cylinder, a tube, or an elongated wedge shape or combination thereof .
  • the second composition in the flow channel upon exposure to temperatures in a wellbore higher than the phase/strength/elasticity change temperature, changes phase (melt/vaporize) or weakens in strength, thereby exiting the RPE and creating vacant flow channels in the RPE.
  • the first composition (6501) may maintain its shape and structure while the second composition (6502) exits .
  • an exemplary embodiment ovoid RPE is illustrated in FIG. 68 (6800) that comprises a first composition (6801) in direct contact with a second composition (6802) .
  • an exemplary embodiment dart RPE is illustrated in FIG. 71 (7100) that comprises a first composition (7101) in direct contact with a second composition (7102) .
  • the first composition and second composition may be reversed.
  • the internal flow channels may be filled with first composition surrounded by a second composition.
  • the overall size of the RPE diminishes as the second compositions changes property (phase/strength/elasticity) enabling substantially larger fluid flow during production.
  • a typical temperature profile in a wellbore is shown in the plot (7400) .
  • the plot shows a time (x-axis) (7401) plotted against a temperature (y-axis) (7402) in the wellbore.
  • the temperature of the RSM may be at constant temperature (for example 150 °F) before fracturing treatment (7403) in a zone.
  • the temperature may rise to 190°F during fracturing operation (7404) and further increase to 250°F after fracturing treatment (7405) and stay at the temperature during production (7406) .
  • the temperature profile may be used to select RPEs with a specific melting point, strength, or phase changing temperature.
  • the present invention system anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of extracting gas utilizing wellbore casings, but can be generalized as a wellbore isolation plug system comprising: (a) restriction sleeve member (RSM) ; and
  • restriction plug element RPE
  • RPE restriction plug element
  • the RPE is configured to position to seat in the RSM.
  • the present invention method anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of implementation, but can be generalized as a wellbore plug isolation method wherein the method is performed on a wellbore plug isolation system comprising :
  • restriction plug element RPE
  • RPE restriction plug element
  • the RPE is configured to position to seat in the RSM; wherein the method comprises the steps of:
  • step (2) checking if all hydraulic fracturing stages in the wellbore casing have been completed, if not so, proceeding to the step (2);
  • the present invention anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of oil and gas extraction.
  • the examples presented previously do not represent the entire scope of possible usages. They are meant to cite a few of the almost limitless possibilities.
  • This basic system and method may be augmented with a variety of ancillary embodiments, including but not limited to :
  • said WST is further configured to form a conforming seating surface (CSS) in said RSM; and said RPE is configured in complementary shape to said CSS shape to seat to seat in said CSS.
  • CSS conforming seating surface
  • RSM material is selected from a group consisting of: aluminum, iron, steel, titanium, tungsten, copper, bronze, brass, plastic, and carbide.
  • RPE material is selected from a group consisting of: a metal, a non-metal, and a ceramic.
  • RPE shape is selected from a group consisting of: a sphere, a cylinder, and a dart .
  • said wellbore casing comprises an inner casing surface (ICS) associated with an inner casing diameter ( ICD) ;
  • said RSM comprises an inner sleeve surface (ISS) associated with an inner sleeve diameter (ISD); and ratio of said ISD to said ICD ranges from 0.5 to 0.99.
  • RPE is not degradable; said RPE remains in between RSMs; and fluid flow is enabled through flow channels the RSMs in production direction.
  • RPE is not degradable; and said RPE is configured to pass through said RSMs in the production direction.
  • said inner sleeve surface of said RSM comprises polished bore receptacle (PBR) .
  • the present invention system anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of extracting gas utilizing wellbore casings, but can be generalized as a restriction plug element in a wellbore isolation plug system comprising:
  • the present invention system anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of extracting gas utilizing wellbore casings, but can be generalized as a restriction plug element in a wellbore isolation plug system comprising:
  • restriction sleeve member RSM
  • RPE restriction plug element
  • the present invention method anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of implementation, but can be generalized as a wellbore plug isolation method wherein the method is performed on a wellbore plug isolation system with a restriction plug element comprising:
  • the present invention anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of oil and gas extraction.
  • the examples presented previously do not represent the entire scope of possible usages. They are meant to cite a few of the almost limitless possibilities.
  • This basic system and method may be augmented with a variety of ancillary embodiments, including but not limited to :
  • phase change comprises a change from solid to liquid.
  • phase change comprises a change from solid to gas.
  • phase change comprises a change from liquid to gas.
  • flow channels are configured to enable substantially unobstructed fluid flow during production .
  • flow channels further comprise toroidal forms.
  • flow channels further comprise a piston, wherein the piston is configured to slide from a first position to a second position to enable fluid flow through the flow channels.
  • composition is selected from a group comprising plastics, non-degradable or long term degradable.
  • thermoplastics An embodiment wherein the second composition is selected from a group comprising eutectic metals, non- eutectic metals or thermoplastics.
  • phase change in the second composition is temperature dependent.
  • An embodiment further comprises a heating element, the heating element upon activation accelerates the phase change of the second composition.
  • a wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore has been disclosed.
  • the system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM) , and a restriction plug element (RPE) .
  • the RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production. In an alternate system/method, the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM' s .
  • the RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure.

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  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
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  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
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Abstract

L'invention concerne un système et un procédé d'isolation par bouchon de puits de forage permettant de positionner des bouchons afin d'isoler des zones de fracture dans un puits de forage horizontal, vertical ou dévié. Le système/procédé comprend un tubage de puits de forage foré latéralement dans une formation d'hydrocarbures, un outil de réglage de puits de forage (WST) qui règle un élément manchon de restriction (RSM) de grand diamètre interne (ID), et un élément bouchon de restriction (RPE). Le RPE comprend une première composition et une seconde composition qui change de phase ou d'intensité dans des conditions de puits de forage. Après la perforation d'un étage, les RPE sont déployés pour isoler contre une communication de pression. La seconde composition change de phase pour créer des canaux d'écoulement dans le RPE pendant la production. Dans un autre système/procédé, la seconde composition change de phase ou d'intensité de façon à déformer ainsi le RPE pour réduire sa taille et le faire passer à travers le RSM. Les RPE sont retirés ou prélevés avant de lancer la production de puits sans qu'il soit nécessaire d'effectuer une procédure de fraisage.
PCT/US2015/043871 2014-08-13 2015-08-05 Système et procédé d'isolation par bouchon de puits de forage WO2016025271A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

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US14/459,042 US9062543B1 (en) 2014-08-13 2014-08-13 Wellbore plug isolation system and method
US14/459,042 2014-08-13
US201462081399P 2014-11-18 2014-11-18
US62/081,399 2014-11-18
US14/721,859 US20160047195A1 (en) 2014-08-13 2015-05-26 Wellbore Plug Isolation System and Method
US14/721,859 2015-05-26

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US9062543B1 (en) 2014-08-13 2015-06-23 Geodyanmics, Inc. Wellbore plug isolation system and method
US10577906B2 (en) 2018-02-12 2020-03-03 Eagle Technology, Llc Hydrocarbon resource recovery system and RF antenna assembly with thermal expansion device and related methods
US10151187B1 (en) 2018-02-12 2018-12-11 Eagle Technology, Llc Hydrocarbon resource recovery system with transverse solvent injectors and related methods
US10502041B2 (en) 2018-02-12 2019-12-10 Eagle Technology, Llc Method for operating RF source and related hydrocarbon resource recovery systems
US10767459B2 (en) 2018-02-12 2020-09-08 Eagle Technology, Llc Hydrocarbon resource recovery system and component with pressure housing and related methods
US10577905B2 (en) 2018-02-12 2020-03-03 Eagle Technology, Llc Hydrocarbon resource recovery system and RF antenna assembly with latching inner conductor and related methods
WO2020086892A1 (fr) 2018-10-26 2020-04-30 Jacob Gregoire Max Procédé et appareil pour fournir un bouchon avec un anneau continu expansible déformable créant une barrière fluidique
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