Dissolvable frac plug
A dissolvable frac plug is disclosed. The dissolvable frac plug has an internal chamber surrounded by an external wall with the chamber containing a dry powder component in an amount sufficient to combine with ground water or other wellbore fluids to form a solution or environment that enhances dissolution of the plug. The dry powder is released from the chamber as a portion or portions of the external wall dissolves due to contact with water or other wellbore fluids.
1. In a dissolvable frac plug, the improvement comprising a first wall structure forming a first chamber, wherein the first wall structure comprises an external wall portion forming an external wall of the plug, wherein the first chamber contains a material in an amount sufficient to combine with at least one of a chemical compound, water, and a wellbore fluid to form a solution or environment that enhances dissolution of the plug, wherein the external wall portion is made of a magnesium metal or alloy, wherein the external wall portion includes an opening to allow filling or packing of the first chamber with the material, wherein, after filling or packing of the first chamber with the material, the opening is filled with a substance that minimally reacts with water and wellbore fluids and blocks water and wellbore fluids, and wherein at least a portion of the external wall portion made of the magnesium metal or alloy is configured to dissolve, prior to the material combining with the at least one of the chemical compound, the water, and the wellbore fluid, due to contact with at least one of water and a wellbore fluid present on a side of the external wall portion opposite the first chamber.
2. The dissolvable frac plug of claim 1 wherein the first chamber is cylindrical.
3. The dissolvable frac plug of claim 1 , the improvement further comprising a second wall structure forming a second chamber, wherein the second chamber comprises the chemical compound.
4. The dissolvable frac plug of claim 1 , wherein the material is sodium bisulfate.
5. The dissolvable frac plug of claim 1 , wherein the material is aluminum chloride.
6. The dissolvable frac plug of claim 1 , wherein the material is present in the first chamber in an amount that provides a volume ratio of 1.25:1 to 6:1 with respect to a volume of the external wall portion.
7. The dissolvable frac plug of claim 1 , wherein the external wall portion is configured to dissolve when in contact with water or a wellbore fluid such that, within eight hours to twelve hours, a hole is formed between the chamber and the side of the external wall portion opposite the chamber.
8. A method of enhancing dissolution of a dissolvable frac plug, which comprises:
providing a dissolvable frac plug comprising a first wall structure forming a first chamber, wherein the first wall structure comprises an external wall portion forming an external wall of the plug, wherein the first chamber contains a material in an amount sufficient to combine with at least one of a chemical compound, water, and a wellbore fluid to form a solution or environment that enhances dissolution of the plug, wherein the external wall portion is made of a magnesium metal or alloy, wherein the external wall portion includes an opening to allow filling or packing of the first chamber with the material, wherein, after filling or packing of the first chamber with the material, the opening is filled with a substance that minimally reacts with water and wellbore fluids and blocks water and wellbore fluids, wherein at least a portion of the external wall portion made of the magnesium metal or alloy is configured to dissolve, prior to the material combining with the at least one of the chemical compound, the water, and the wellbore fluid, due to contact with at least one of water and a wellbore fluid present on a side of the external wall portion opposite the first chamber;
delivering the dissolvable frac plug into a wellbore wherein water or other wellbore fluids are present downstream of the plug.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first chamber is cylindrical.
10. The method of claim 8 , the improvement further comprising a second wall structure forming a second chamber, wherein the second chamber comprises the chemical compound.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the material is sodium bisulfate.
12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the material is aluminum chloride.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the material is present in the first chamber in an amount that provides a volume ratio of 1.25:1 to 6:1 with respect to a volume of the external wall portion.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the external wall portion is configured to dissolve when in contact with water or a wellbore fluid such that, within eight hours to twelve hours, a hole is formed between the chamber and the side of the external wall portion opposite the chamber.