Perforation balls and methods of using the same
Perforation balls and methods of using the same are described herein. The perforation balls include at least a portion that is water dissolvable.
1. A method comprising:
introducing a carrier fluid comprising perforation balls in combination with proppants into a hydrocarbon well, wherein the perforation balls include at least a portion formed of polyvinyl alcohol that is water dissolvable at temperatures between 60° C. and 110° C., wherein the weight percentage of polyvinyl alcohol in the perforation balls is at least 90%, and wherein the perforation balls have a diameter between 6 mm and 32 mm; and
blocking fractures in the hydrocarbon well by plugging the fractures with the perforation balls.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid is an aqueous solution.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid is a non-aqueous solution.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid is an acidic solution.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid has a pH between 1-11.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising re-fracturing the well to create additional fractures.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising dissolving the water dissolvable portion formed of polyvinyl alcohol of the perforation balls to unplug the fractures.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon well is an oil well.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perforation balls are entirely water dissolvable.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perforation balls are only partially water dissolvable.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perforation balls are entirely water biodegradable.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perforation balls are partially water biodegradable.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perforation balls are shelf stable to 60° C.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perforation balls are shippable in non-refrigerated freight.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perforation balls have a density between 0.9 g/cc and 3.0 g/cc.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the weight percentage of polyvinyl alcohol in the perforation ball is at least 95%.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the perforation balls consist essentially of PVOH.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon well is a gas well.