Methods and apparatus for fiber-based diversion

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for fiber-based fluid diversion in hydrocarbon-containing wells. One method embodiment of the invention comprises treating a first zone in a well; conveying a tool into the well, the tool carrying a composition comprising fibers; and activating the tool to deploy enough of the composition to form a fibrous plug and at least partially plug the first zone. The tool may be a positive displacement bailer, and an apparatus of the invention comprises a positive displacement bailer; the bailer comprising a compartment for holding a composition comprising fibers for forming fiber-based plugs in a well; the compartment partially defined by and cooperating with a positive displacement portion to expel and selectively deploy the composition in the well to form one or more fiber-based plugs in the well.

1 . A method of fluid diversion in a well, comprising:
 (a) treating a first zone in a well;   (b) conveying a tool into the well, the tool carrying a composition comprising fibers; and   (c) activating the tool to deploy enough of the composition to form a fibrous plug and at least partially plug the first zone.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for at least one more zone. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treating comprises flowing a stimulation fluid through one or more previously formed perforations into channels. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  comprising injecting the stimulation fluid under pressure sufficient to fracture a formation which the well intersects. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the conveying a tool into the well comprises conveying a bailer. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the bailer is a positive displacement bailer. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  comprising conveying the bailer on the distal end of a perforating gun. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fibers of the composition are selected from degradable fibers, non-degradable fibers, fibers comprising a degradable portion and a non-degradable portion, and mixtures and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises non-fiber particulates. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the non-fiber particulates are selected from organic materials, organometallic materials, inorganic materials, and combinations and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the inorganic materials are selected from sand, ceramics, salts, and combinations and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the conveying comprises stopping the tool adjacent the first zone, the composition comprises fibers having bridging characteristics, and the method comprises forming a fiber-based plug in the well adjacent the perforations. 
   
   
       13 . A method for performing multi-zone well treatment operations, comprising:
 (a) treating a first zone in a well by flowing a completion or stimulation fluid through one or more previously formed perforations into channels;   (b) conveying a bailer on the distal end of a perforating gun into the well using a conveying device selected from slickline, wireline, coiled tubing, and jointed tubing, the bailer carrying a composition comprising water-dispersible fibers;   (c) stopping the bailer adjacent the first zone;   (d) activating the bailer to deploy enough of the composition to form a fiber-based plug and at least partially plug the first zone; and   (e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for at least one more zone.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the bailer is a positive displacement bailer. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the composition comprises fibers having bridging characteristics and at least two particulates having different particle sizes, and the method comprises forming a fiber-based plug in the well adjacent the perforations of the first zone and said at least one other zone. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus useful for performing multi-zone well treatment operations, the apparatus comprising:
 a positive displacement bailer;   the bailer comprising a compartment for holding a composition comprising fibers for forming fiber-based plugs in a well;   the compartment partially defined by and cooperating with a positive displacement portion to expel and selectively deploy the composition in the well to form one or more fiber-based plugs in the well.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the positive displacement bailer is connected to an end of a perforating gun. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the positive displacement bailer is attached to and deployable by a wireline. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the positive displacement bailer is attached to and deployable by coiled tubing. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the positive displacement bailer is attached to a jetting device.