Well completion using a pumpable seat assembly

Abstract

A process and an apparatus for use in fluid fracturing of a well and the like is provided, the apparatus being a pumpable seat assembly for temporarily sealing a well casing comprising a generally cylindrical tube having an outer diameter and an inner diameter; a upper slip assembly and a lower slip assembly mounted on such cylindrical tube and adapted to selectively engage the well casing to anchor the pumpable seat assembly; an elastomeric packing element mounted on said cylindrical tube between the upper slip assembly and the lower slip assembly; and a dissolvable member positioned within the generally cylindrical tube for temporarily restricting a flow of fluids to the portion of the wellbore located below the pumpable seat assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for fracturing, stimulating and producing a wellbore having a plurality of oil or gas producing zones, comprising:
 introducing into the well a pumpable seat assembly comprising a generally cylindrical tube having an outer diameter and an inner diameter with an upper end forming a ball seat;   setting the pumpable seat assembly below an oil or gas producing zone to be produced;   introducing a dissolvable ball into the well, said dissolvable ball having a sufficiently large enough outer circumference so that it can sit on the ball seat and temporarily restrict a flow of fluids to the portion of the wellbore located below the pumpable seat assembly; and   fracturing the oil and gas producing zone to stimulate oil or gas production;   whereby the dissolvable ball is configured to dissolve within a predetermined period of time so that when it dissolves any oil or gas produced from zones below the pumpable seat assembly can flow through the cylindrical tube.   
     
     
         2 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is about 1 inch or greater. 
     
     
         3 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is about 2 inches or greater. 
     
     
         4 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is between about 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         5 . A pumpable seat assembly for temporarily sealing a well casing, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical tube having an outer diameter and an inner diameter with an upper end forming a ball seat;   a upper slip assembly and a lower slip assembly mounted on such cylindrical tube and adapted to selectively engage the well casing to anchor the pumpable seat assembly;   an elastomeric packing element mounted on said cylindrical tube between the upper slip assembly and the lower slip assembly; and   a dissolvable ball having a sufficiently large enough outer circumference so that it can sit on the ball seat and temporarily restrict a flow of fluids to the portion of the wellbore located below the pumpable seat assembly.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is about 1 inch or greater. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is about 2 inches or greater. 
     
     
         8 . The process as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is between about 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         9 . A pumpable seat assembly for temporarily sealing a well casing, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical tube having an outer diameter and an inner diameter;   a upper slip assembly and a lower slip assembly mounted on such cylindrical tube and adapted to selectively engage the well casing to anchor the pumpable seat assembly;   an elastomeric packing element mounted on said cylindrical tube between the upper slip assembly and the lower slip assembly; and   a dissolvable member positioned within the generally cylindrical tube for temporarily restricting a flow of fluids to the portion of the wellbore located below the pumpable seat assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is about 1 inch or greater. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is about 2 inches or greater. 
     
     
         12 . The process as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical tube is between about 1 inch to about 2 inches in diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the dissolvable member is selected from the group consisting of a dissolvable poppet valve, a dissolvable flapper/check valve and a solid dissolvable plug. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the dissolvable member comprises a polymer that is dissolvable by water, pH, enzymes and the like.