Wellbore plug isolation system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10480276-B2
Application number	US-201715830896-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 4, 2017
Priority date	Aug 13, 2014
Publication date	Nov 19, 2019
Grant date	Nov 19, 2019

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A wellbore plug isolation system comprising:
a first restriction sleeve configured for fitting inside a well casing and having first interlocking features at a first end thereof, wherein the first end is opposite to a second end of the first restriction sleeve;
a second restriction sleeve configured for fitting inside the well casing and having second interlocking features at a first end thereof, wherein the first end of the second restriction sleeve is opposite to a second end of the second restriction sleeve, the first and second interlocking features configured such that the first restriction sleeve is configured to interlock with a third restriction sleeve and the second restriction sleeve is configured to interlock with a fourth restriction sleeve;
whereby, when deployed in the well casing, the first and second restriction sleeves are configured to engage to each other at the second ends and seal against and grip an inner surface of the well casing; and
whereby, after completing downhole functions requiring the restriction sleeves, the first and second restriction sleeves are removable as interlocked sleeves, wherein the first and second interlocking features are protruding fingers.

2. A wellbore plug system of claim 1 wherein the first and second restriction sleeves are part of a series of restriction sleeves.

3. A wellbore plug system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve has an elastomer configured to seal and grip against a wellbore casing.

4. A wellbore plug system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve has carbide buttons configured to seal against a wellbore casing.

5. A wellbore plug system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeves has wicker forms configured to seal against a wellbore casing.

6. A wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve is degradable under downhole conditions.

7. The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 6 wherein the first restriction sleeve is degradable by an acid.

8. A wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein when the first and second restriction sleeves are deployed downhole, the first and second restriction sleeves are positioned such that hydraulic fracturing stages are isolated at non-uniform distances apart.

9. A wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve is adapted to seal at a portion of an outer surface thereof to the well casing when downhole.

10. The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve comprises metal.

11. The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve comprises plastic.

12. The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 wherein the first restriction sleeve comprises fiber.

13. The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 1 further comprising a wellbore setting tool configured to set the first and second restriction sleeves into the well casing.

14. A wellbore plug isolation system comprising:
a first restriction sleeve configured for fitting inside a well casing and having first interlocking features at a first end thereof, wherein the first end is opposite to a second end of the first restriction sleeve;
a second restriction sleeve configured for fitting inside the well casing and having second interlocking features at first end thereof, wherein the first end of the second restriction sleeve is opposite to a second end of the second restriction sleeve, the first and second interlocking features configured such that the first restriction sleeve is configured to interlock with a third restriction sleeve and the second restriction sleeve is configured to interlock with a fourth restriction sleeve;
wherein, the second end of the first restriction sleeve is configured to engage with the second end of the second restriction sleeve;
wherein the first and second restriction sleeves have profiles; and
whereby, after completing downhole functions, the first and second restriction sleeves can be removed as interlocked sleeves, wherein the first and second interlocking features are protruding fingers.

15. A wellbore plug system of claim 14 wherein the first and second restriction sleeves are part of a series of restriction sleeves.

16. The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 14 wherein the first sleeve includes profiles on an outer surface to seal against the well casing prior to deploying the first sleeve downhole.

17. The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 14 wherein the first sleeve is configured for creating profiles in situ to seal against the well casing while the first sleeve is downhole.

18. The wellbore plug isolation system of claim 14 wherein the profiles are on an inside surface of the first restriction sleeve.

19. A wellbore plug isolation system of claim 14 wherein the first restriction sleeve is degradable under downhole conditions.

Assignees

• Geodynamics Inc

Inventors

• Snider Philip Martin
• George Kevin R
• Hardesty John T
• Wroblicky Michael D
• Clark Nathan G
• Rollins James A
• Wesson David S

Classifications

• E21B43/103

  of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like · CPC title

• E21B43/14 Primary

  Obtaining from a multiple-zone well · CPC title

• E21B33/1204

  permanent; drillable · CPC title

• E21B33/124 Primary

  Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space · CPC title

• E21B31/002

  Destroying the objects to be fished, e.g. by explosive means · CPC title