IP Library Granted Patent US 9,714,559
Granted Patent B2
US 9,714,559 · App. 14/076,935 · Granted Jul 25, 2017

Method and apparatus for hydraulic fracturing

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,714,559
App. No.
14/076,935
Granted
Jul 25, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A downhole tool for treating a zone adjacent a wellbore, comprising a body having at least two separable portions, the portions operable to open and close a fluid path through the tool, and at least one manipulator, like a spring-loaded finger, to establish a fluid path between an interior and exterior of the wellbore, thereby permitting a zone adjacent the wellbore to be treated. In another embodiment a method is disclosed for treating a zone of interest adjacent a wellbore.

Claims (48)

1. A downhole tool for treating a zone adjacent a wellbore, comprising:

a body, the body having at least two separable portions, the portions operable to open and close a first fluid path through each of the at least two separable portions; and

at least one manipulator constructed and arranged to establish a second fluid path between an interior and exterior of the wellbore,

wherein the at least one manipulator establishes fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the wellbore while the first fluid path is open through the at least two separable portions.

2. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the tool is installable into the inner diameter of a tubular string in a wellbore.

3. The tool of claim 2 , wherein the at least one manipulator comprises spring-loaded fingers radially spaced around the tool.

4. The tool of claim 3 , wherein the second fluid path is established through the movement of a sleeve to align a port with a window formed in the sleeve.

5. The tool of claim 4 , wherein the sleeve, window and port are located in a sub, the sub forming a part of the tubular string at a location adjacent a zone of interest.

6. The tool of claim 5 , further comprising a seal for sealing an annular area between the tool and a tubular therearound.

7. The tool of claim 6 , wherein the seal is a body cup seal disposed on the tool.

8. The tool of claim 7 , further comprising an anchor for limiting movement of the tool in at least one direction.

9. The tool of claim 8 , further including a latch recess for downhole connection to a latch.

10. A method of treating a zone adjacent a wellbore, comprising:

providing a tool in a tubular string, the tool including a body having at least two separable portions, the portions operable to open and close a first fluid path through each of the at least two separable portions; and at least one manipulator constructed and arranged to establish a second fluid path between an interior and exterior of the wellbore;

connecting the tool to a wireline extending from the surface of the well;

pulling the tool upwards in the string until the manipulator opens at least one port between the wellbore and a zone while the first fluid path is open through the at least two separable portions; and

fracturing the zone through the at least one port.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising sealing the fluid path through each of the at least two separable portions.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising sealing an annular area between the tool and the tubular string therearound.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the at least one port is formed in a sub and is opened by moving a sleeve to align a window of the sleeve with the at least one port.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein a second zone is fractured.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein an annular area in the wellbore adjacent the zone and an area adjacent the second zone are separated by at least one packer.

16. A fracturing assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:

a body having at least two separable portions, the portions operable to open and close a fluid path through each of the at least two separable portions, disposed in a tubular string and having at least one manipulator, the manipulator constructed and arranged to establish fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the wellbore;

a transport assembly for moving the body upwards in the tubular string; and

at least one sub disposed in the tubular string above the body, the at least one sub including a shiftable sleeve, shiftable by the manipulator to permit the fluid communication,

wherein the manipulator establishes fluid communication between the interior and exterior of the wellbore while the fluid path is open through the at least two separable portions.

17. The fracturing assembly of claim 16 , wherein the manipulator is disposed in an upper portion of the at least two separable portions.

18. The fracturing assembly of claim 16 , wherein the fluid path equalizes pressure in an annulus between the at least two separable portions with pressure in an upper annulus.

19. The fracturing assembly of claim 16 , wherein the transport assembly is operable to open and close the fluid path through each of the at least two separable portions.

20. A method of treating a zone adjacent a wellbore, comprising:

deploying a tubular string having a fracturing assembly installed in the tubular string into the wellbore before deployment, the fracturing assembly comprising:

a body, comprising a first fluid path through the body, wherein the first fluid path is closed while deploying the tubular string with the fracturing assembly; and

at least one sub disposed in the tubular string above the body, the at least one sub comprising a second fluid path between an interior and exterior of the wellbore, wherein the second fluid path is closed while deploying the tubular string with the fracturing assembly; and

opening the second fluid path using the body.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:

lowering a latch assembly through the wellbore;

engaging the body with the latch assembly; and

moving the body through the tubular string using the latch assembly.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising:

moving the body through the tubular string to a second sub, wherein the second sub comprises a fluid path between an interior and exterior of the wellbore; and

opening the fluid path by moving the body through the tubular string.

23. The method of claim 20 , further comprising treating the zone through the second fluid path.

24. A method of establishing a fluid path between an interior and exterior of a tubular string, comprising:

lowering a latch assembly through the tubular string;

engaging a fracturing tool with the latch assembly;

moving the fracturing tool and latch assembly towards a sleeve disposed in the tubular string; and

moving the sleeve using the fracturing tool thereby establishing a fluid path between the interior and exterior of the tubular string.

Assignments (7)
PATENT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063470/0629 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053838/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054288/0302 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051419/0140 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051891/0089 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Feb 3, 2016
From: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 037653/0604 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2014
From: RING, LEV; GARCIA, CESAR G.
To: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
Reel/Frame 031929/0532 →