Sealing by ball sealers

US8936085B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Curtis L. Boney · Houston, US
• Jason Swaren · Sugar Land, US
• John Lassek · Katy, US
• Ricardo Ariza · Conroe, US
• Desmond E. Rees · Tyler, US
• David Ryan Simon · Conroe, US
• Michael Dardis · Richmond, US
• Darrel P. Davis · Longview, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 15, 2008
• Grant date: Jan 20, 2015
• Expiry date: Apr 15, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B33/138
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

In downhole treatments in the oilfield, ball sealers seated in perforations may not fully seal and may leak fluid through gaps and asperities between the balls and the perforations. A method is given for improving the sealing of ball sealers in perforations by adding a sealing agent that forms a plug in the gaps and severely restricts or eliminates fluid flow. The sealing agent is preferably degradable or soluble, malleable fibers slightly larger than the gaps. Optionally, the particles may be non-degradable, rigid, of different shapes, and smaller than the gaps but able to bridge them. Mixtures of sealing agents may be used. The sealing agent may be added with the ball sealers, after the ball sealers, or both.