US 9,062,543 B1 · Wellbore plug isolation system and method

Abstract

A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is 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 WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A wellbore plug isolation system comprising:

(a) restriction sleeve member (RSM);
and
(b) restriction plug element (RPE);
wherein
said restriction sleeve member is configured to fit within a wellbore casing;
said restriction sleeve member is configured to be positioned at a desired wellbore location by a wellbore setting tool (WST);
said wellbore setting tool is configured to set said restriction sleeve member to an inner surface of said wellbore casing;
said restriction plug element is configured to position to seat against said restriction sleeve member;
and
when in production, if said restriction plug element remains in between the restriction sleeve member and another restriction sleeve member in said wellbore casing, then fluid flow is enabled through flow channels in the restriction sleeve member in a production direction.

7 more elements

A wellbore plug isolation method, said method operating in conjunction with a wellbore plug isolation system, said system comprising:

(a) restriction sleeve member (RSM);
and
(b) restriction plug element (RPE);
wherein
said restriction sleeve member is configured to fit within a wellbore casing;
said restriction sleeve member is configured to be positioned at a desired wellbore location by a wellbore setting tool (WST);
said wellbore setting tool is configured to set said restriction sleeve member to an inner surface of said wellbore casing;
said restriction plug element is configured to position to seat against said restriction sleeve member;
and
when in production, if said restriction plug element remains in between the restriction sleeve member and another restriction sleeve member in said wellbore casing, then fluid flow is enabled through flow channels in the restriction sleeve member in a production direction;
wherein said method comprises the steps of:
(1) installing said wellbore casing;
(2) deploying said wellbore setting tool along with said restriction sleeve member and a perforating gun string assembly (GSA) to a desired wellbore location in said wellbore casing;
(3) setting said restriction sleeve member at said desired wellbore location with said wellbore setting tool and forming a seal;
(4) perforating the hydrocarbon formation with said perforating gun string assembly;
(5) removing said wellbore setting tool and perforating gun string assembly from said wellbore casing;
(6) deploying said restriction plug element into said wellbore casing to seat in said restriction sleeve member and creating a hydraulic fracturing stage;
(7) fracturing said stage with fracturing fluids;
(8) checking if all hydraulic fracturing stages in said wellbore casing have been completed, if not so, proceeding to said step (2);
(9) enabling fluid flow in production direction;
and
(10) commencing oil and gas production from said hydraulic fracturing stages.

19 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wellbore plug isolation system and method

Life of this patent

Wellbore plug isolation system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30