Wiper darts for subterranean operations

• US 7,559,363 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2007
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Hinkie, Ronald L., Howell, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): WRIGHT, GIOVANNA COLLINS
• Application Number:
  US11/620,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20080164031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 166/153, 166/156, 166/305.1, 166/155, 166/177.4, 166/291
• US Class Current: 166/153
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/08 Wipers; Oil savers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1208 characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means E21B33/1277 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and devices useful in subterranean treatment operations are provided. One example of a device is a dart having a deformable body, a nosepiece connected to a lower terminus of the deformable body, and a channel extending through the deformable body and the nosepiece. One example of a method includes providing a dart, providing a production casing having at least one production sleeve therein, placing the dart in the production casing of a well bore, pumping a treatment fluid into the well bore, and allowing the dart to open the production sleeve within the production casing such that the treatment fluid is introduced into the subterranean formation through the production casing.

Claims

1. A dart comprising:

a deformable body;

a nosepiece connected to a lower terminus of the deformable body; and

a channel extending through the deformable body and the nosepiece;

wherein the deformable body is compressible to an extent at least equivalent to an outer dimension of the nosepiece;

wherein the channel has a pressure sealing member therein;

wherein the pressure sealing member seals in response to downward pressure; and

wherein the pressure sealing member is a seat and a ball, the dart further comprising a ball retainer above the seat of the channel.

2. The dart of claim 1, further comprising a porous material within the channel.

3. The dart of claim 1, further comprising a stiffener.

4. The dart of claim 1, wherein the deformable body comprises an elastomer.

5. The dart of claim 1, wherein the nosepiece is configured to engage a landing profile of a production sleeve.

6. The dart of claim 1, wherein the deformable body comprises a foam.

7. A dart comprising:

a deformable body;

a nosepiece connected to a lower terminus of the deformable body; and

a channel extending through the deformable body and the nosepiece;

wherein the deformable body is compressible to an extent at least equivalent to an outer dimension of the nosepiece;

wherein the channel has a pressure sealing member therein;

wherein the pressure sealing member seals in response to downward pressure; and

wherein the pressure sealing member is selected from the group consisting of;

a flapper valve;

a spring loaded check valve; and

a collapsible orifice.

8. A method of treating a subterranean formation comprising:

providing a dart comprising a deformable body, a nosepiece connected to a lower terminus of the deformable body, and a channel extending through the deformable body and the nosepiece, wherein the channel has a pressure sealing member therein;

providing a production casing having at least one production sleeve therein;

placing the dart in the production casing of a well bore;

pumping a treatment fluid into the well bore; and

allowing the dart to open the production sleeve within the production casing such that the treatment fluid is introduced into the subterranean formation through the production casing.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the pressure sealing member is sealed by the introduction of treatment fluid into the subterranean formation.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising allowing the pressure sealing member to unseal such that production fluid can pass therethrough after the treatment fluid has been introduced into the subterranean formation.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the pressure sealing member is selected from the group consisting of:

a seat and a ball;

a flapper valve;

a spring loaded check valve; and

a collapsible orifice.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the dart further comprises a porous material within the channel.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the dart further comprises a stiffener.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the deformable body comprises an elastomer.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the nosepiece is configured to engage a landing profile of the production sleeve.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein the deformable body comprises a foam.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a fracturing fluid.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein the treatment fluid comprises an acidizing fluid.

19. The method of claim 8, wherein allowing the dart to open the production sleeve comprises applying pressure until the production sleeve shifts into an open position.