Pressure response fracture port tool for use in hydraulic fracturing applications

摘要

A pressure response fracture port tool and method for its use reliably provides a noticeable indication at surface to an operator as to when the flow port is opened. The tool includes an outer housing and a sliding sleeve which resides within the outer housing. The outer housing has a first and second set of flow ports. The inner mandrel moves between a first position and a third position to expose the flow ports to the wellbore. The first set of flow ports, with its smaller area relative to the second set of flow ports, creates a noticeable pressure increase or spike that can be observed at surface when exposed to the wellbore. The second set of flow ports creates a noticeable pressure drop when it is exposed to the wellbore.

主权项

1. A pressure response fracture port tool comprising:
an outer housing having a first set of flow ports and a second set of flow ports, the first set of flow ports having a smaller flow area than the second set of flow ports; a sliding sleeve residing within the outer housing, the sliding sleeve capable of moving in response to fluid pressure between a first position in which the first and second set of flow ports of the outer housing are covered by a portion of the sliding sleeve, to a second position in which the first set of flow ports of the outer housing are uncovered by the portion of the sliding sleeve, to a third position in which the second set of flow ports of the outer housing are uncovered by the portion of the sliding sleeve, wherein a fluid medium is used to affect the rate of travel between the second and third positions.