Fluid flow location identification positioning system, method of detecting flow in a tubular and method of treating a formation

Abstract

A method of detecting flow in a tubular includes disposing an identifier within a component, the component including a seat configured to receive a plug member thereon, the identifier disposed separately from the seat; arranging the component within the tubular to position the identifier at a selected location within the tubular; flowing fluid through the tubular and subsequently through the component within the tubular and past the identifier within the component; releasing at least trace amounts of the identifier into the fluid when the fluid flows past the identifier; and detecting the at least trace amounts of the identifier in the fluid at a location uphole of the component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of detecting flow in a tubular, the method comprising:
 disposing an identifier within a component, the component including a seat configured to receive a plug member thereon, the identifier disposed separately from the seat;   arranging the component within the tubular to position the identifier at a selected location within the tubular;   flowing fluid through the tubular and subsequently through the component within the tubular and past the identifier within the component;   releasing at least trace amounts of the identifier into the fluid when the fluid flows past the identifier; and   detecting the at least trace amounts of the identifier in the fluid at a location uphole of the component.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising concluding that the fluid is flowing past the identifier by detecting the at least trace amounts of the identifier in the fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring concentration of the identifier in the fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising determining a flow rate of the fluid past the identifier at the location based on the measured concentration of the identifier. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising producing the fluid through the tubular past the identifier. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier is a first identifier and the selected location is a first location, and further comprising:
 positioning a second identifier at a second location within the tubular;   flowing the fluid through the tubular and subsequently past the second identifier;   releasing at least trace amounts of the second identifier into the fluid when the fluid flows past the identifier; and   detecting the at least trace amounts of the second identifier in the fluid.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising determining a flow rate of the fluid past the first identifier separately from determining flow rate of the fluid past the second identifier. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the component is a first component, and further comprising a second component, the second identifier disposed within the second component, and positioning the second identifier at the second location within the tubular includes arranging the second component within the tubular to position the second identifier at the second location within the tubular. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the component is a frac plug or bridge plug, and further comprising positioning the identifier within a groove, opening or cavity of the frac plug or bridge plug. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein disposing the identifier within the component includes disposing the identifier at a set screw within the component. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein arranging the component within the tubular includes using an attachment device on an exterior surface of the component to attach the component within the tubular, and disposing the identifier within the component includes disposing the identifier on an interior surface of the component. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the component has a flow through area configured to produce fluid therethrough, and further comprising retaining the component and the seat within the tubular during production of hydrocarbons through the flow through area. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating a formation, comprising:
 setting a plug having a seat within a tubular;   plugging the plug with a plug member on the seat;   treating a formation uphole of the plugged plug;   removing the plug member from the seat;   producing fluid through the plug;   releasing at least trace amounts of an identifier positioned separately from the seat and within the plug with fluid flowing therepast; and   detecting the at least trace amounts of the identifier in produced fluids produced through the plug.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising measuring concentrations of the identifier in fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining fluid flow rates past the plug with the measured concentrations. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the identifier is positioned at an interior surface of the plug and downhole of the seat. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the identifier is positioned at a set screw in the plug. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the identifier is retained in a groove, opening or cavity in the plug. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a smallest radial dimension of an inner radial surface of the plug is about 70 to about 80 percent of a radial dimension of the tubular. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plug is a first plug, and the identifier is a first identifier, and further comprising:
 setting a second plug having a seat within the tubular;   plugging the second plug with a second plug member;   treating a formation uphole of the plugged second plug;   removing the second plug member from the seat of the second plug;   producing fluid through the second plug;   releasing at least trace amounts of a second identifier, which is different than the first identifier and which is positioned within the second plug, with fluid flowing therepast; and   detecting at least trace amounts of the second identifier in produced fluids produced through the second plug.