Frac dart with a counting system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11629567-B2
Application number	US-202117338782-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 4, 2021
Priority date	Jun 4, 2021
Publication date	Apr 18, 2023
Grant date	Apr 18, 2023

Abstract

A frac dart includes a body having an outer surface and an end including at least one opening. A cutter support is mounted at the end adjacent the at least one opening. A cutter is moveably mounted at the cutter support. A counter support is slideably mounted on the outer surface, and a counter is arranged between the counter support and the cutter support. The cutter is operable to sever a portion of the counter.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A frac dart comprising:
a body having an outer surface and an end including at least one opening;
a cutter support mounted at the end adjacent the at least one opening;
a cutter moveably mounted at the cutter support;
a counter support slideably mounted on the outer surface; and
a counter arranged between the counter support and the cutter support, the cutter being operable to sever a portion of the counter.

2. The frac dart according to claim 1 , further comprising a wiper mounted to the body.

3. The frac dart according to claim 2 , wherein the wiper is formed from an elastomeric material.

4. The frac dart according to claim 1 , further comprising: a biasing element arranged between the cutter and the body, the biasing element shifting the cutter outwardly of the body.

5. The frac dart according to claim 1 , wherein the cutter support includes a cutter opening that registers with the at least one opening in the body.

6. The frac dart according to claim 5 , wherein the cutter includes a first portion that is pivotally mounted to the cutter support in the cutter opening and a second portion that selectively extends through the cutter opening.

7. The frac dart according to claim 1 , wherein the cutter support includes a cutter stop that is selectively exposed to the cutter after the counter has been consumed.

8. A resource exploration and recovery system comprising:
a surface system;
a sub-surface system including a tubular extending into a formation, the tubular including a plurality of frac sleeves; and
a frac dart that may selectively pass through one or more of the plurality of frac sleeves, the frac dart comprising:
a body having an outer surface and an end including at least one opening;
a cutter support mounted at the end at the at least one opening;
a cutter moveably mounted at the cutter support;
a counter support slideably mounted on the outer surface; and
a counter arranged between the counter support and the cutter support, the cutter being operable to sever a portion of the counter.

9. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 8 , further comprising a wiper mounted to the body.

10. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 8 , further comprising: a biasing element arranged between the cutter and the body, the biasing element shifting the cutter outwardly of the body.

11. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 8 , wherein the cutter support includes a cutter opening that registers with the opening in the body.

12. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 11 , wherein the cutter includes a first portion that is pivotally mounted to the cutter support in the cutter opening and a second portion that selectively extends through the cutter opening.

13. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 8 , wherein the counter support includes a cutter stop that is selectively exposed to the cutter after the counter has been consumed.

14. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of frac sleeves includes a restriction.

15. The resource exploration and recovery system according to claim 14 , wherein the restriction in each of the plurality of frac sleeves includes a substantially similar diameter.

16. A method of introducing a frac dart having a sleeve counting system into a tubular comprising:
dropping the frac dart into the tubular;
counting, with the sleeve counting system, each time the frac dart passes through a frac sleeve for a selected number of frac sleeves by cutting off a portion of a counter; and
preventing the frac dart from passing through a selected frac sleeve immediately after the selected number of frac sleeves.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising: advancing the counter after passing through one of a selected number of sleeves.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein cutting off the portion of the counter includes moving a cutter with a restriction in the frac sleeve.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising: blocking movement of the cutter after the frac dart passes through the selected number of sleeves to create an obstruction at the selected frac sleeve.

Assignees

• Jackson Todd Christopher
• Solfronk Matthew D
• Sanchez James Scott
• Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc

Inventors

• Jackson Todd Christopher
• Solfronk Matthew D
• Sanchez James Scott

Classifications

• E21B23/0413 Primary

  using means for blocking fluid flow, e.g. drop balls or darts (using balls or the like for actuating downhole valves E21B34/142) · CPC title

• E21B43/26

  by forming crevices or fractures · CPC title

• E21B34/142

  unsupported or free-falling elements, e.g. balls, plugs, darts or pistons · CPC title

• E21B33/08

  Wipers; Oil savers · CPC title

• E21B29/00

  Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming of pipes in boreholes or wells; Reconditioning of well casings while in the ground · CPC title