Explained: Dissolvable Frac Plugs
Most wells need 10,000-psi rated frac plugs that can be installed in the wellbore so cluster perforating operations can be carried out before hydraulic fracturing.
Presently, operators can select from a vast array of low-cost composite plugs that are milled after the fracture. There are also several types of higher cost plugs composed of materials designed to dissolve at downhole temperatures in various completion fluids.
THE DILEMMA: INTERVENTIONLESS PLUG-AND-PERF
Interventions frac plugs converted plug-and-perf capacity by eliminating post-frac drill outs, which have enabled record-setting treatment depths. But when interventions downhole tools leave a snag in the wellbore or stop access, they can create complications in current and future operations.
THE IDEAL SOLUTION
A frac plug completely disappears after downhole fracturing.
Quality frac plugs use cast-iron slips and rings or ceramic buttons coupled with a packer to make a tight seal holding plugs firmly in place.
But some of these high-strength materials are non-dissolvable. Materials that easily rip out in wellbore fluids are usually low in mechanical strength and may split too fast.
THE CHALLENGE
Mechanical strength, engineering seals, integrity, and total disintegration are challenges for frac-plug.
Consolidating different properties into a single tool can be done with cutting edge materials, scientific research, unconventional engineering, and next-level planning.
IT INCREASES EFFICIENCY AND ALSO COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF PLUG-AND-PERF AS WELL AS OPENHOLE MULTISTAGE STIMULATION
A dissolvable frac plug-and-perf system uses degradable plugs rather than composite plugs to isolate zones during stimulation.
This flexible system is suitable for cemented, uncemented, vertical, deviated, or horizontal applications in shale, sandstone, dolomite, and other lithologies.
ACCESS FULLBORE PRODUCTION ID
Fullbore access also gives you more options for post fracturing evaluation and future production optimization and intervention.
ELIMINATE MECHANICAL INTERVENTION
No plugs mean no mechanical intervention is required to mill them out. Running the dissolvable plugs repels the need for the tubing- or Coil Tubing-conveyed perforating gun to fracture-stimulate the first stage of a plug-and-perf operation.
As a result, it reduced expenditure of time and money. Operations are impossible in remote locations without any access to mechanical intervention units.
INCREASE RESERVOIR CONTACT
The side length is restricted by the powers, costs, and range of Coil Tubing for dominant milling.
Removing post fracturing CT intervention eliminates limits on the length of the lateral, maximizing water contact, and overall estimated recovery.
REMOVE RISKS CONNECTED WITH MECHANICAL INTERVENTION
In depleted reservoirs, it is tough to manage the removal of milling debris. It increases the costs and the risks of getting stuck. Rigging mechanical intervention equipment up and down carries its risks.
REACH MARKET QUICKER
Eliminating milling reduces the time between drilling and production. On multiwell pads, by the time drilling on the pad is complete, the first wells are ready to flow back and be placed on production, providing faster access to revenue.
Also Read: Top 3 Well Stimulation Methods