Completion and production apparatus and methods employing pressure and/or temperature tracers
A frac plug includes a body having an outer surface, a first pocket in the outer surface, and a second pocket in the outer surface. In addition, the frac plug includes a first sensor removably disposed in the first pocket. The first sensor is configured to measure and record a plurality of pressures. The frac plug also includes a second sensor removably disposed in the second pocket. The second sensor is configured to measure and record a plurality of pressures. Further, the frac plug includes a first cap releasably coupled to the body and closing the first pocket. Moreover, the frac plug includes a second cap releasably coupled to the body and closing the second pocket. The first cap includes a port and the second cap includes a port.
1. A method for completing a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
(a) coupling a frac plug to an isolation block to form a frac plug assembly such that the frac plug closes a throughbore of the isolation block;
(b) lowering the frac plug assembly into the wellbore after (a);
(c) setting the frac plug assembly in the wellbore to isolate a first zone in the wellbore above the frac plug assembly from a second zone in the wellbore below the frac plug assembly;
(d) pumping a pressurized fracing fluid into the first zone to hydraulically fracture the formation after (c);
(e) measuring and recording a plurality of pressures or temperatures in the first zone during (d) with a first sensor disposed in the frac plug, and measuring and recording a plurality of pressures or temperatures in the second zone during (d) with a second sensor disposed in the frac plug.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(f) decoupling the frac plug from the isolation block after (d);
(g) opening the throughbore in the isolation block as a result of (f); and
(h) lifting the frac plug to the surface after (f).
3. The method of 2 , wherein (h) comprises carrying the frac plug to the surface with production fluids.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising: (i) downloading the recorded pressures or temperatures from the first sensor and the second sensor at the surface to generate a pressure or temperature profile of the first zone during (d) and a pressure or temperature profile of the second zone during (d).
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
perforating a casing of the wellbore after (c) and before (d);
measuring and recording a plurality of pressures in the first zone during the perforating with the first sensor.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frac plug comprises:
a body having an outer surface, a first pocket in the outer surface, and a second pocket in the outer surface;
wherein the first sensor is removably disposed in the first pocket;
wherein the second sensor is removably disposed in the second pocket;
a first cap releasably coupled to the body and closing the first pocket;
a second cap releasably coupled to the body and closing the second pocket;
wherein the first cap includes a port and the second cap includes a port.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frac plug sealingly engages the isolation block during (d) and (e).