Pulse Fracturing Devices and Methods
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorJeffery D. KITZMAN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pulse fracturing device includes a normally open first valve and a normally closed second valve in a housing. The first valve is configured to close at a predetermined level of hydrodynamic force exerted on the first valve and to open when the force drops below the predetermined level. The first valve, when open, is configured to allow fluid flow out from the housing. The second valve is configured to open at a predetermined pressure within the housing and to close when pressure drops below the predetermined pressure. The second valve, when open, is configured to allow fluid flow out from the housing.
Claims20
A pulse fracturing device comprising:
- an upper isolation mechanism, a lower isolation mechanism, and a housing at least a portion of which is between the upper isolation mechanism and the lower isolation mechanism, the upper and lower isolation mechanisms being configured to isolate a portion of a well casing;
- a normally open first valve in the housing, the first valve being configured to close at a predetermined level of hydrodynamic force exerted on the first valve and to open when force drops below the predetermined level, the first valve when open being configured to allow fluid flow out from the housing between the upper isolation mechanism and the lower isolation mechanism;
- and
- a normally closed second valve in the housing, the second valve being configured to open at a predetermined pressure within the housing and to close when pressure drops below the predetermined pressure, the second valve when open being configured to allow fluid flow out from the housing between the upper isolation mechanism and the lower isolation mechanism.
A pulse fracturing device comprising:
- an extension housing having a first discharge opening through a wall of the extension housing;
- an excess flow valve including a sliding sleeve within the extension housing, the sliding sleeve having a second discharge opening through a wall of the sliding sleeve and the excess flow valve being biased in an open position with the first discharge opening aligned with the second discharge opening, the open position being configured to allow fluid discharge through the wall of the extension housing;
- a pressure relief valve including a flap mounted on the extension housing over a fluid outlet through the wall of the extension housing, the relief valve being biased in a closed position;
- and
- a crossover tool inserted into the extension housing to form an inner annulus between the crossover tool and the extension housing, the sliding sleeve being within the inner annulus and the crossover tool including a fluid inlet into the inner annulus such that, with the excess flow valve or the relief valve in an open position, a fluid flow path is provided from the crossover tool, through the fluid inlet, through the inner annulus, and through the wall of the extension housing.
A pulse fracturing method comprising:
- positioning an upper packer, a lower packer, and an extension housing in a well casing in a subsurface formation, at least a portion of the extension housing being between the upper packer and the lower packer;
- isolating a portion of the well casing between the upper and lower packers;
- flowing fracturing fluid through a hydraulic ram to the isolated well casing, the hydraulic ram being located in the extension housing, and cyclically producing pulses of increased pressure originating from the hydraulic ram;
- and
- fracturing the subsurface formation using the fracturing fluid and pressure pulses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.