Convertible tracer valve assemblies and related methods for fracturing and tracing

A method of fracturing a formation and tracing production fluid via a single downhole multifunctional valve assembly, comprising:

• deploying the valve assembly within a wellbore provided in a hydrocarbon- bearing formation, the valve assembly being configured to define:
• a fracturing fluid pathway into the formation;
• and
• an enclosed tracer compartment comprising a tracer material sealed therein;
• delivering fracturing fluid into the wellbore and through the fracturing fluid pathway to enter and fracture the hydrocarbon-bearing formation;
• closing the fracturing fluid pathway after fracturing;
• opening the tracer compartment to provide a tracing fluid pathway for production fluid to flow from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, along the tracer compartment to allow contact with and release of the tracer material, and then into the wellbore to enable flow up to surface.

A fracturing and tracer-delivery valve assembly for integration within a wellbore string disposed within a hydrocarbon-containing reservoir, comprising:

• a valve housing comprising a wall, a passage extending therethrough, and at least one frac port extending through the wall for establishing fluid communication between the passage and the reservoir;
• a valve sleeve operatively mounted within the valve housing and displaceable within the passage between a closed position, an open position to open the at least one frac port and define a first fluid pathway whereby fluid is flowable through the passage and into the reservoir via the at least one frac port, and a tracing position defining a second fluid pathway whereby fluid is flowable from the reservoir into the valve assembly and then up to surface;
• and
• a tracer compartment defined within the second fluid pathway and accommodating a tracer material, wherein:
• in the closed and open positions, the tracer compartment is sealed and isolated from fluid flowing along the first fluid pathway, and
• in the tracing position, the tracer compartment forms part of the second fluid pathway.