Methods and Equipment to Improve Reliability of Pinpoint Stimulation Operations

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for improving the reliability of pinpoint stimulation operations are disclosed. The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus includes an elastomeric element and a spring positioned on an inner surface of the elastomeric element. A flow limiter is coupled to the elastomeric element.

1 . A pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus comprising:
 an elastomeric element;   a spring positioned on an inner surface of the elastomeric element; and   a flow limiter coupled to the elastomeric element.   
   
   
       2 . The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric element is inflatable. 
   
   
       3 . The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the elastomeric element is inflated by a process fluid. 
   
   
       4 . The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the elastomeric element is deflated by ceasing the process fluid flow. 
   
   
       5 . The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the spring collapses the elastomeric element as the process fluid flow ceases. 
   
   
       6 . The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable elastomeric element does not seal against a wellbore wall. 
   
   
       7 . The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow limiter comprises:
 an inner tubing;   a pressure reducing channel on an outer surface of the inner tubing;   an inlet from the inside of the inner tubing to the pressure reducing channel; and   an outlet from the pressure reducing channel to the inside of the inner tubing.   
   
   
       8 . The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the flow limiter further comprises a pressure control module. 
   
   
       9 . The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure control module comprises:
 a seat body,   
     wherein the seat body may be sealed within the inner tubing;
 an opening on the seat body; and 
 a ball, 
 
     wherein the ball is inserted in to the seat body through the opening. 
   
   
       10 . A flow limiter device, comprising:
 an inner tubing;   a pressure reducing channel on an outer surface of the inner tubing;   an inlet from the inside of the inner tubing to the pressure reducing channel; and   an outlet from the pressure reducing channel to the inside of the inner tubing.   
   
   
       11 . The flow limiter device of  claim 10 , further comprising a pressure control module. 
   
   
       12 . The flow limiter device of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure control module comprises:
 a seat body,   
     wherein the seat body may be sealed within the inner tubing;
 an opening on the seat body; and 
 a ball, 
 
     wherein the ball is inserted in to the seat body through the opening. 
   
   
       13 . A pressure control module comprising:
 a seat body,   
     wherein the seat body may be sealed within an outer body;
 an opening on the seat body; and 
 a ball, 
 
     wherein the ball is inserted in to the seat body through the opening. 
   
   
       14 . The pressure control module of  claim 13 , wherein the outer body is a flow limiter device. 
   
   
       15 . The pressure control module of  claim 13 , wherein the flow limiter device comprises:
 an inner tubing;   a pressure reducing channel on an outer surface of the inner tubing;   an inlet from the inside of the inner tubing to the pressure reducing channel; and   an outlet from the pressure reducing channel to the inside of the inner tubing.   
   
   
       16 . The pressure control module of  claim 13 , wherein the pressure control module is a check valve. 
   
   
       17 . A method of creating a sand plug comprising:
 pumping a process fluid through a pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus;   passing the process fluid through a flow limiter device,   
     wherein passing the process fluid through a flow limiter device comprises passing the process fluid through a pressure reduction channel;
 introducing the process fluid at a desired location; and 
 creating a sand plug at the desired location. 
 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein passing the process fluid through a flow limiter device further comprises passing the process fluid through a pressure control module. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the process fluid comprises a sand slurry. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein passing the process fluid through the pressure reduction channel reduces a flow of the process fluid. 
   
   
       21 . A method of improving the performance of a stimulation jetting tool comprising:
 pumping a process fluid through the stimulation jetting tool;   passing a portion of the process fluid through a pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus,   
     wherein the pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus comprises:
 an elastomeric element; 
 a spring positioned on an inner surface of the elastomeric element; and 
 a flow limiter coupled to the elastomeric element; and 
 expanding the elastomeric element to form a hold down mechanism for the stimulation jetting tool. 
 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the stimulation jetting tool is a hydrajetting tool.