Deployment tool & methodology for running and setting frac plugs and releasing frac balls

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method for deploying a frac ball within a subterranean location, having the steps of: deploying a wireline tool into the subterranean location, wherein the wireline tool defines a cavity housing the frac ball; pumping a fluid into the subterranean location; retaining the frac ball in the cavity while the fluid is pumped below a predetermined flow rate; setting a frac plug into the subterranean location; and firing one or more guns into the subterranean location.

1 . A method for deploying a frac ball within a subterranean location, comprising the steps of:
 deploying a wireline tool into the subterranean location, wherein the wireline tool defines a cavity housing the frac ball;   pumping a fluid into the subterranean location;   retaining the frac ball in the cavity while the fluid is pumped below a predetermined flow rate;   setting a frac plug into the subterranean location; and   firing one or more guns into the subterranean location.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of releasing the frac ball from the cavity when the fluid is pumped above the predetermined flow rate. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the step of retaining the frac ball in the cavity is performed by one or more retention devices retaining the ball within the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined flow rate is five gallons per minute. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising the step of deflecting an end of each of the one or more retention devices away from an underside of the ball in the cavity before the step of releasing the frac ball from the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the step of preventing the frac ball from release after the firing fewer than all of the one or more guns. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of retrieving the wireline tool and the frac ball from the subterranean location. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of seating the frac ball into a seat of the frac plug. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the wireline tool comprises at least an outer sleeve and an inner mandrel, and wherein the cavity is located within the inner mandrel. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of setting the frac plug into the subterranean location further comprises the steps of applying a pushing force to the outer sleeve; applying a pulling force to the inner mandrel; and shearing one or more shear pins connected to the frac plug. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the step of firing one or more guns into the subterranean location comprises the step of creating one or more perforations in the subterranean location. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of preventing fluid flow through the frac plug; forcing fluid through the one or more perforations;
 and creating fractures in the subterranean location.   
     
     
         13 . A wireline deployment tool for release of a frac ball comprising:
 a cavity defined within the wireline deployment tool;   wherein the frac ball is housed within the cavity; and   a retention device attached at a first end to a wall of the cavity, and wherein a second end of the retention device is unattached and releasably engaged with the frac ball.   
     
     
         14 . The wireline deployment tool according to  claim 13 , wherein the retention device is configured to resist deflection if a fluid flow rate is below five gallons per minute. 
     
     
         15 . The wireline deployment tool according to  claim 14 , further comprising
 an outer sleeve housing an inner mandrel; and   wherein the cavity is located within the inner mandrel.   
     
     
         16 . The wireline deployment tool according to  claim 15 , further comprising
 a first fluid port defined on the outer sleeve; and   a second fluid port defined on the inner mandrel.   
     
     
         17 . The wireline deployment tool according to  claim 16 , wherein the second fluid port is defined at an angle through the inner mandrel. 
     
     
         18 . The wireline deployment tool according to  claim 17 , wherein the retention device is flexible to an angle of deflection of 20°. 
     
     
         19 . The wireline deployment tool according to  claim 18 , further comprising a frac plug connected to the inner mandrel. 
     
     
         20 . The wireline deployment tool according to  claim 19 , wherein the retention device comprises at least three retention devices. 
     
     
         21 . A method for controlled release of a frac ball within a subterranean environment, comprising the steps of:
 running a wireline tool downhole into the subterranean environment, wherein the frac ball is housed within the wireline tool;   pumping a fluid downhole at a current flow rate;   preventing the release of the frac ball from the wireline tool when the current flow rate is below a preselected flow rate;   increasing the current flow rate to the preselected flow rate and then releasing the frac ball from the wireline tool; and   seating the frac ball into a frac plug set within the subterranean location.