Apparatuses and methods for enabling multistage hydraulic fracturing

Abstract

There is provided a plug comprising a seat-engaging member that is deployable to a seating-ready condition such that the seat-engaging member is disposed for becoming displaced into engagement with a seat of the flow control apparatus when, while the plug is being conducted through the housing passage, the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat, wherein the engagement of the seat-engaging member with the seat is such that the plug becomes seated on the seat such that establishment of a displacement-actuating pressure differential is effectible across the plug for effecting the displacement of a flow control member of the flow control apparatus for effecting opening of the port; and a seating actuator for effecting transmission of an applied force to the seat-engaging member, in response to the sensing of the trigger, for effecting the disposition of the seat-engaging member in the seating-ready condition; wherein, while the seat-engaging member is disposed in a seating-ready condition, the applied force is being transmitted by the seating actuator to the seat-engaging member, and when the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat, the applied force effects the displacement of the seat-engaging member into the engagement with the seat.

1 . to  32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A plug comprising
 a seat-engaging member that is deployable to a seating-ready condition such that the seat-engaging member is disposed for becoming displaced into engagement with a seat of the flow control apparatus when, while the plug is being conducted through the housing passage, the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat, wherein the engagement of the seat-engaging member with the seat is such that the plug becomes seated on the seat such that establishment of a displacement-actuating pressure differential is effectible across the plug for effecting the displacement of a flow control member of the flow control apparatus for effecting opening of the port; and   a seating actuator for effecting transmission of an applied force to the seat-engaging member, in response to the sensing of the trigger, for effecting the disposition of the seat-engaging member in the seating-ready condition;   wherein, while the seat-engaging member is disposed in a seating-ready condition, the applied force is being transmitted by the seating actuator to the seat-engaging member, and when the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat, the applied force effects the displacement of the seat-engaging member into the engagement with the seat.   
     
     
         34 . The plug as claimed in  claim 33 , further comprising:
 a sensor for sensing the trigger.   
     
     
         35 . The plug as claimed in  claim 34 :
 wherein the seat-engaging member is deployable from a non-interference condition, wherein, in the non-interference condition, the seat-engaging member is disposed such that, while the plug is being conducted through the housing passage of the flow control apparatus, there is a failure to effect engagement of the seat-engaging member to the seat when the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat.   
     
     
         36 . The plug as claimed in  claim 35 ;
 wherein:
 the seating actuator includes a fluid communication device and a pusher; 
 the fluid communication device is configured to effect fluid communication between the housing passage of the flow control apparatus and the pusher, while the plug is being conducted through the housing passage by a pressurized fluid, such that the pressurized fluid, that is communicated from the housing passage, via the fluid communication device, to the pusher, applies a force to the pusher, that is transmitted by the pusher to the seat-engaging member, such that the deployment of the seat-engaging member to the seating-ready condition is effected, and such that, in the seating-ready condition, pressurized fluid is being communicated from the housing passage, via the fluid communication device, to the pusher, and applying a force to the pusher, and the applied force is being transmitted by the pusher to the seat-engaging member; and 
 the pusher is configured to urge displacement of the seat-engaging member, when the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat while the seat-engaging member is disposed in the seating-ready condition, such that the engagement of the seat-engaging member to the seat is effected and such that the seating of the plug on the seat is effected. 
   
     
     
         37 . The plug as claimed in  claim 36 ;
 wherein:
 the fluid communication device includes a fluid communication control valve and a fluid communication passage; 
 the fluid communication control valve is configured for displacement relative to the fluid communication passage for effecting opening of the fluid communication passage such that the fluid communication between the housing passage of the flow control apparatus and the pusher is effected. 
   
     
     
         38 . The plug as claimed in  claim 37 , further comprising:
 a valve actuator configured for effecting the displacement of the fluid communication control valve for effecting the opening of the fluid communication passage.   
     
     
         39 . The plug as claimed in  claim 38 ;
 wherein the displacement of the fluid communication control valve is effectible by the valve actuator in response to the sensing of a trigger.   
     
     
         40 . The plug as claimed in  claim 39 ;
 wherein the valve actuator includes a gas generator.   
     
     
         41 . The plug as claimed in  claim 40 ;
 the seat-engaging member is displaceable, when the seat-engaging member is disposed in the seating-ready condition and becomes aligned with the seat while the plug is being conducted through the housing passage, in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing passage by the applied force being transmitted by the seating actuator to the seat-engaging member, such that the engagement of the seat-engaging member with the seat is effected by the lateral displacement of the seat-engaging member.   
     
     
         42 . The plug as claimed in  claim 41 ;
 wherein the seat-engaging member is positionable relative to an external surface of the plug such that, when the seat-engaging member becomes laterally displaced such that the seat-engaging member is engaged to the seat, the seat-engaging member is recessed into the external surface of the plug such that opposition to conduction of the plug through the housing passage in a downhole direction is effected and such that the seating of the plug on the seat is effected.   
     
     
         43 . The plug as claimed in  claim 42 ;
 wherein:
 the recessing of the seat-engaging member into the external surface of the plug is into a recess of the plug, wherein the recess defines a shoulder; 
 the pusher includes a plurality of teeth having inclined cam surfaces; and 
 the seat-engaging surface includes a plurality of teeth having inclined follower surfaces corresponding to the cam surfaces and matingly engaging the teeth of the pusher such that, while the pusher is transmitting the applied force to the seat-engaging member, and when the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat, the cam surfaces progressively advance against the follower surfaces, and the shoulder co-operates with the seat-engaging member while the cam surfaces progressively advance against the follower surfaces such that the lateral displacement of the seat-engaging member into the engagement with the seat is effected and such that the seating of the plug on the seat is effected. 
   
     
     
         44 . A kit for constructing a system for injecting treatment material into a subterranean reservoir comprising:
 a flow control apparatus including:
 a housing; 
 a port disposed within the housing; 
 a flow control member displaceable relative to the first port from a closed position to an open position, for effecting opening of the port; 
 a housing passage extending through the housing and, while the port is disposed in the open condition, disposed in fluid communication with the port; and 
 a seat; 
   a trigger; and   a plug including:
 a seat-engaging member that is deployable to a seating-ready condition such that the seat-engaging member is disposed for becoming displaced into engagement with the seat of the flow control apparatus when, while the plug is being conducted through the housing passage, the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat, wherein the engagement of the seat-engaging member with the seat is such that the plug becomes seated on the seat such that establishment of a displacement-actuating pressure differential is effectible across the plug for effecting the displacement of the flow control member of the flow control apparatus from the closed position to the open position; and 
 a seating actuator for effecting transmission of an applied force to the seat-engaging member, in response to the sensing of the trigger, for effecting the disposition of the seat-engaging member in the seating-ready condition; 
 wherein, while the seat-engaging member is disposed in a seating-ready condition, the applied force is being transmitted by the seating actuator to the seat-engaging member, and when the seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the seat, the applied force effects the displacement of the seat-engaging member into the engagement with the seat. 
   
     
     
         45 . The kit as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein the plug is further configured such that, when the flow control apparatus and the trigger are integrated within a wellbore string such that the trigger is disposed uphole relative to the seat of the flow control apparatus, the plug is deployable to the seating-ready conduction while being conducted in a downhole direction through the wellbore string and prior to becoming aligned with the seat of the flow control apparatus.   
     
     
         46 . The kit as claimed in  claim 45 ;
 wherein the flow control apparatus includes the trigger.   
     
     
         47 . The kit as claimed in  claim 46 ;
 wherein the plug includes a sensor for sensing the trigger.   
     
     
         48 . A kit for constructing a system for injecting treatment material into a subterranean reservoir comprising:
 a first flow control apparatus including:
 a first housing; 
 a first port disposed within the first housing; 
 a first flow control member displaceable relative to the first port from a closed position to an open position, for effecting opening of the first port; 
 a first housing passage extending through the first housing and, while the first port is disposed in the open condition, disposed in fluid communication with the first port; and 
 a first seat; 
   a second flow control apparatus including:
 a second housing; 
 a second port disposed within the second housing; 
 a second flow control member displaceable relative to the second port from a closed position to an open position, for effecting opening of the second port; 
 a second housing passage extending through the second housing and, while the second port is disposed in the open condition, disposed in fluid communication with the second port; and 
 a second seat; 
   a third flow control apparatus including:
 a third housing; 
 a third port disposed within the third housing; 
 a third flow control member displaceable relative to the third port from a closed position to an open position, for effecting opening of the third port; 
 a third housing passage extending through the third housing and, while the third port is disposed in the open condition, disposed in fluid communication with the third port; and 
 a third seat; 
   a first trigger; and   a second trigger;   a first plug including:
 a first seat-engaging member that is deployable to a seating-ready condition such that the first seat-engaging member is disposed for becoming displaced into engagement with the first seat of the first flow control apparatus when, while the first plug is being conducted through the first housing passage, the first seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the first seat, wherein the engagement of the first seat-engaging member with the first seat is such that the first plug becomes seated on the first seat such that establishment of a first displacement-actuating pressure differential is effectible across the first plug for effecting the displacement of the first flow control member of the first flow control apparatus from the closed position to the open position; and 
 a first seating actuator for effecting transmission of an applied force to the first seat-engaging member, in response to the sensing of the first trigger, for effecting the disposition of the first seat-engaging member in the seating-ready condition; 
 wherein, while the first seat-engaging member is disposed in a seating-ready condition, the applied force is being transmitted by the first seating actuator to the first seat-engaging member, and when the first seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the first seat, the applied force effects the displacement of the first seat-engaging member into the engagement with the first seat. 
   a second plug including:
 a second seat-engaging member that is deployable to a seating-ready condition such that the second seat-engaging member is disposed for becoming displaced into engagement with the second seat of the second flow control apparatus when, while the second plug is being conducted through the second housing passage, the second seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the second seat, wherein the engagement of the second seat-engaging member with the second seat is such that the second plug becomes seated on the second seat such that establishment of a second displacement-actuating pressure differential is effectible across the second plug for effecting the displacement of the second flow control member of the second flow control apparatus from the closed position to the open position; 
 a second seating actuator for effecting transmission of an applied force to the second seat-engaging member, in response to the sensing of the second trigger, for effecting the disposition of the second seat-engaging member in the seating-ready condition; 
 wherein, while the second seat-engaging member is disposed in a seating-ready condition, the applied force is being transmitted by the second seating actuator to the second seat-engaging member, and when the second seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the second seat, the applied force effects the displacement of the second seat-engaging member into the engagement with the second seat. 
   wherein each one of the first plug and the second plug, independently, is co-operatively configured with the first, second and third flow control apparatuses, and the first and second triggers such that, when the first, second and third flow control apparatuses, and the first and second triggers, are integrated into a wellbore string such that the second flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the first flow control apparatus, the third flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the second flow control apparatus, the first trigger is positioned uphole relative to the first seat and downhole relative to the second seat, and the second trigger is positioned uphole relative to the second seat and downhole relative to the third seat:
 the first plug is conductible past the third flow control apparatus and the second flow control apparatus, in sequence, while being conducted in a downhole direction through the wellbore string; and 
 the second plug is conductible past the third flow control apparatus while being conducted in a downhole direction through the wellbore string. 
   
     
     
         49 . The kit as claimed in  claim 48 ;
 and wherein each one of the first plug and the second plug, independently, is further co-operatively configured with the first, second and third flow control apparatuses, and the first and second triggers such that, when the first, second and third flow control apparatuses, and the first and second triggers, are integrated into a wellbore string such that the second flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the first flow control apparatus, the third flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the second flow control apparatus, the first trigger is positioned uphole relative to the first seat and downhole relative to the second seat, and the second trigger is positioned uphole relative to the second seat and downhole relative to the third seat:
 the first plug is deployable to the seating-ready conduction while being conducted in a downhole direction through the wellbore string, prior to becoming aligned with the first seat of the first flow control apparatus but after having been conducted past both of the second and third seats; and 
 the second plug is deployable to the seating-ready conduction while being conducted in a downhole direction through the wellbore string, prior to becoming aligned with the second seat of the second flow control apparatus but after having been conducted past the third seat. 
   
     
     
         50 . The kit as claimed in  claim 49 ;
 wherein the first plug is deployable to the seating-ready condition from a non-interference condition, wherein, in the non-interference condition, the first plug is disposed such that, while the plug is being conducted in a downhole direction through a wellbore string including the third flow control apparatus and the second flow control apparatus, wherein the third flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the second flow control apparatus, the first plug is conductible past the third flow control apparatus and the second flow control apparatus, in sequence, while being conducted in a downhole direction through the wellbore string.   
     
     
         51 . The kit as claimed in  claim 50 ;
 wherein the first plug is further configured to ignore the second trigger.   
     
     
         52 . The kit as claimed in  claim 51 ;
 wherein the ignoring of the second trigger by the first plug is such that, when the first, second and third flow control apparatuses, and the first and second triggers, are integrated into a wellbore string such that the second flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the first flow control apparatus, the third flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the second flow control apparatus, the first trigger is positioned uphole relative to the first seat and downhole relative to the second seat, and the second trigger is positioned uphole relative to the second seat and downhole relative to the third seat, the first plug is conductible past the second trigger such that there is an absence of deployment of the first plug to the seating-ready condition, such that the first plug is conductible past the second flow control apparatus while being conducted in a downhole direction within the wellbore string.   
     
     
         53 . The kit as claimed in  claim 51 ;
 wherein the ignoring of the second trigger by the first plug is such that, when the first, second and third flow control apparatuses, and the first and second triggers, are integrated into a wellbore string such that the second flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the first flow control apparatus, the third flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the second flow control apparatus, the first trigger is positioned uphole relative to the first seat and downhole relative to the second seat, and the second trigger is positioned uphole relative to the second seat and downhole relative to the third seat, the first plug is conductible past the second trigger such that, when the first seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the second seat, there is a failure of engagement of the first-engaging member to the second seat such that the first plug fails to seat on the second seat while being conducted in a downhole direction within the wellbore string.   
     
     
         54 . The kit as claimed in  claim 51 ;
 wherein the ignoring of the second trigger by the first plug is such that, when the first, second and third flow control apparatuses, and the first and second triggers, are integrated into a wellbore string such that the second flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the first flow control apparatus, the third flow control apparatus is disposed uphole relative to the second flow control apparatus, the first trigger is positioned uphole relative to the first seat and downhole relative to the second seat, and the second trigger is positioned uphole relative to the second seat and downhole relative to the third seat, the first plug is conductible past the second trigger such that there is an absence of deployment of the first plug to the seating-ready condition such that, when the first seat-engaging member becomes aligned with the second seat, there is a failure of engagement of the first-engaging member to the second seat such that the first plug fails to seat on the second seat, such the first plug is conductible past the second flow control apparatus while being conducted in a downhole direction within the wellbore string.   
     
     
         55 . The kit as claimed in  claim 54 ;
 wherein the third flow control apparatus includes the second trigger;   and wherein the second flow control apparatus includes the first trigger.   
     
     
         56 . The kit as claimed in  claim 55 ;
 wherein the first plug includes a sensor for sensing the first trigger;   and wherein the second plug includes a sensor for sensing the second trigger;   
     
     
         57 . The kit as claimed in  claim 56 ;
 wherein the size of the second plug is greater than, equal to, or substantially equal to the size of the second plug.