Real-time system for hydraulic fracturing

Abstract

A bottom hole assembly (BHA) located on a tubing string for use in a wellbore having an instrumentation sub and a mechanical fracturing/shifting tool for actuating sleeve valves located along the wellbore. The instrumentation sub is connected to surface via a wireline. Sensors can be located on the BHA for collecting data regarding parameters of the BHA and wellbore and transmitting the data to surface in real-time or near real-time. The instrumentation sub can have an electrical throughput to permit electrical components to be connected downhole of the instrumentation sub. A short-hop system can bridge communication of data above and below the mechanical shifting tool, such that measurements of sensors downhole of the shifting tool can be wirelessly transmitted to the instrumentation sub uphole of the shifting tool. Dimensions of a bore of the BHA can be selected to permit fluid flow at fracturing rates.

The embodiments in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A bottom hole assembly (BHA) adapted for connection to coiled tubing extending from surface into a wellbore, the coiled tubing having a tubing bore, the BHA comprising:
 an instrumentation sub in electrical communication with the surface and having a data processor, an axial bore in communication with the tubing bore, and an electrical conduit permitting electrical power and signals to pass from a first end of the instrumentation sub to a second end of the instrumentation sub downhole of the first end;   one or more sensors electrically connected to the instrumentation sub; and   a mechanical shifting tool downhole of the instrumentation sub and adapted for actuating sleeve valves located along the wellbore;   wherein the data processor is adapted to receive data from the one or more sensors and communicate the data to the surface; and   wherein the axial bore is sized to permit a fluid flow rate conducive to hydraulic fracturing operations.   
     
     
         2 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a 3D directional sensor, a sensor adapted to determine axial movement, a sensor adapted to determine rotational movement, an axial force sensor, an accelerometer, a positional sensor, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a receiver located uphole of the shifting tool and a transmitter located downhole of the shifting tool, wherein the transmitter is electrically connected to one or more electrical components located downhole of the shifting tool and the receiver is electrically connected to the data processor, and wherein the transmitter is adapted to communicate data to the receiver. 
     
     
         4 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the receiver is a first transceiver, and the transmitter is a second transceiver. 
     
     
         5 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is located downhole of the shifting tool and electrically connected to the transmitter. 
     
     
         6 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 3 , wherein at least a first pressure sensor is located uphole of the shifting tool and at least a second pressure sensor is located downhole of the shifting tool and electrically connected to the transmitter. 
     
     
         7 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve located in-line with the axial bore and adapted to prevent fluid from flowing uphole therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow rate is about 1 m 3 /min or greater. 
     
     
         9 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source and memory module located on the instrumentation sub and electrically connected to the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         10 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shifting tool is configured to actuate between various operational modes via an axial telescopic movement of a mandrel of the shifting tool relative to a housing of the shifting tool. 
     
     
         11 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a disconnect located between the instrumentation sub and the shifting tool. 
     
     
         12 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the disconnect is configured to sever an electrical and mechanical connection between the instrumentation sub and shifting tool in response to an electrical signal. 
     
     
         13 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the disconnect is configured to sever an electrical and mechanical connection between the instrumentation sub and shifting tool in response to an actuating member engaging the disconnect. 
     
     
         14 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the axial bore is substantially uniform. 
     
     
         15 . The bottom hole assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a drilling tool adapted to be interchangeable with the shifting tool. 
     
     
         16 . A method for performing fracturing operations in a wellbore having one or more sleeve valves positioned therealong, comprising:
 running a bottom hole assembly (BHA) located on a tubing string to a position adjacent a sleeve valve of interest of the one or more sleeve valves;   pulling uphole on the BHA to locate the sleeve valve of interest using a mechanical shifting tool of the BHA;   acquiring data regarding one or more parameters of the BHA and wellbore using one or more sensors electrically connected to an instrumentation sub of the BHA;   actuating the sleeve valve of interest to an open position with the shifting tool;   isolating the wellbore below the sleeve valve of interest with a packer of the BHA; and   introducing fluid into the wellbore to fracture a zone of interest of the wellbore adjacent the sleeve valve of interest.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising confirming the successful locating of the sleeve valve of interest using the acquired data, and confirming the successful actuation of the sleeve valve of interest to the open position using the acquired data, wherein the acquired data comprises at least one of accelerometer data and axial load data. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising confirming the successful isolation of the wellbore below the sleeve valve of interest using the acquired data, and wherein the acquired data comprises at least a first pressure measurement uphole of the shifting tool and a second pressure measurement downhole of the shifting tool. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of acquiring data further comprises acquiring the second pressure measurement using a pressure sensor downhole of the shifting tool, receiving the second pressure measurement at a transmitter downhole of the shifting tool, and wirelessly sending the second pressure measurement to a receiver uphole of the shifting tool. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the acquired data comprises data regarding pressure within an axial bore of the BHA and pressure within an annulus defined between the BHA and the wellbore, and the step of introducing fluid further comprises monitoring the pressure in the axial bore and the pressure in the annulus.