Ball catcher apparatus for use in fracturing of formations surrounding horizontal oil and gas wells, and method for using same

Abstract

Following the treatment of formations surrounding an oil, gas or water well, various diameter ceramic balls are retrieved from the downhole equipment by creating a suction force at the earth's surface to cause such balls to be moved into a ball catcher at the earth's surface from which the balls can be collected. The suction force is created by a high pressure fluid intersecting a fluid path between the downhole equipment and the ball catcher. The high pressure fluid is preferably operated at, at least 1,000 psi, and even more preferably, between 5,000 and 10,000 psi.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a method and apparatus for wellbore fluid treatment and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for selective communication to a wellbore for fluid treatment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]An oil or gas well relies on inflow of petroleum products. When drilling an oil or gas well, an operator may decide to leave productive intervals uncased (open hole) to expose porosity and permit unrestricted wellbore inflow of petroleum products. Alternately, the hole may be cased with a liner, which is then perforated to permit inflow through the openings created by perforating.[0003]When natural inflow from the well is not economical, the well may require wellbore treatment termed stimulation. This is accomplished by pumping stimulation fluids such as fracturing fluids, acid, cleaning chemicals and / or proppant laden fluids to improve wellbore inflow.[0004]In one previous method, the well is isolated in segments and each segment is individ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

When natural inflow from the well is not economical, the well may require wellbore treatment termed stimulation.

Such inflatable packers may be limited with respect to pressure capabilities as well as durability under high pressure conditions.

This process can be expensive and time consuming.

Furthermore, it may require stimulation pumping equipment to be at the well site for long periods of time or for multiple visits.

This method can be very time consuming and costly.

Each of these may or may not be effective in distributing fluids to the desired segments in the wellbore.

This need to run in a tube already including open perforations can hinder the running operation and limit usefulness of the tubing string.

The above-discussed problems are often-times more acute when there is a need to isolate different zones of formations surrounding a horizontal well.

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