Downhole flow communication-stimulating apparatuses, systems, and methods

Abstract

There is provided a system for stimulating a hydrocarbon-comprising reservoir and producing therefrom. Actuatable darts are deployed for effectuating downhole operations, including effectuating flow communications. Apparatuses, systems, and methods are described for mitigating premature actuation of the darts, as well as mitigating consequences ties to prematurely activated darts.

1 . A wellbore material transfer system for conducting fluid between the surface and a subterranean formation via a wellbore, comprising:
 a wellbore string disposed within the wellbore and defining a wellbore string passage, wherein the wellbore string includes a series of “N” downhole tool apparatuses, each one of the downhole tool apparatuses, independently, including a downhole tool, and one or more downhole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, that is(are) disposed downhole relative to the furthest uphole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, define a series of “N−1” downhole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and for each one of the “N−1” downhole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, a respective series of one or more uphole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses is(are) disposed uphole relative to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, such that for the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, the one or more uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatus(es), that is (are) respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is a total number of (i−1) uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatus(es) that is(are) respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses;   for each one of the “N−1” downhole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, a respective dart, configurable in an activation-disabled configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, an activation-enabled, coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and a coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses;   an activation tool configured for generating an activation tool field within an activation zone, wherein the activation tool is disposed uphole relative to the furthest uphole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses;   for each one of the “N−1” downhole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, a respective proximity triggering configuration that is configured for generating a field for activating the transitioning of the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, from the activation-enabled, coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, to the coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses;   
       wherein:
 for each one of the “N−1” downhole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and the activation tool are co-operatively configured such that:
 while the activation tool is generating a field within the activation zone, and while the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is disposed in the activation-disabled configuration and being conveyed within the activation zone, transitioning of the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, from the activation-disabled configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, to the activation-enabled, coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is effectuated by the activation tool field that is generated by the activation tool; 
 
 and 
 for each one of the “N−1” downhole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and the one or more uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatus(es) that is(are) respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, are co-operatively configured such that:
 while the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is disposed in the activation-enabled, coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and being conveyed, via the passage of the wellbore string, to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, such that the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is traversing the one or more uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatus(es), that is(are) respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, for each one of the one or more uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatuses, that is(are) respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, traverses the uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatus that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, such that there is an absence of coupling of the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, to the downhole tool that is respective to the uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatus that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and such that the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, becomes disposed downhole relative to the one or more uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatuses that is(are) respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses; and 
 while the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is disposed in the activation-enabled, coupling-ineffective configuration that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and being conveyed through the wellbore string passage and becomes disposed within sufficient proximity of the proximity triggering configuration that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, the transitioning of the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, from the activation-enabled, coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, to the coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is effectuated by the field that is generated by the proximity triggering configuration that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, such that the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, becomes effective for coupling to the downhole tool that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses for actuating a downhole operation by the downhole tool that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses. 
 
 
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein:
 the activation zone is spaced apart from the seat, that is respective to the furthest uphole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, by a maximum distance of no more than 40 feet. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein:
 the wellbore string includes a magnetized drill string disposed uphole relative to the activation zone. 
   
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein, for each one of the “N−1” downhole one(s) of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently:
 in the activation-disabled configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses:
 the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is disabled from transitioning to the coupling-effective configuration that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses; 
 
 in the activation-enabled, coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses:
 the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses are co-operatively configured such that the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is: 
 (i) ineffective for coupling to: (a) the one or more uphole-disposed downhole tool apparatus(es), that is(are) respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and (b) the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses; and 
 (ii) co-operable with the proximity triggering configuration, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, such that, while the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is disposed within a field that is being generated by the proximity triggering configuration, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, transitioning of the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, to the coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is effectuated; 
 
 in the coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses:
 the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, and the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses are co-operatively configured such that the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is effective for coupling to the downhole tool that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses. 
 
   
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein:
 each one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, is a flow control apparatus. 
   
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 ;
 wherein:
 for each one of the downhole ones of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, the coupling of the dart, that is respective to the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, to the downhole tool that is respective the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, is a coupling to a valve that is respective to the downhole tool of the downhole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses. 
   
     
     
         7 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein:
 the activator is a field generator; and 
 the transitioning of the dart, from the activation-disabled configuration to the coupling-ineffective configuration, is activated in response to emplacement, of the dart, within a field that is generated by the field generator. 
   
     
     
         8 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein:
 the activator is a field generator for generating an activation field within the activation zone; 
 transitioning of the dart, from the activation-disabled configuration to the coupling-ineffective configuration, is activated in response to emplacement, of the dart, within a field, only; and 
 the field includes the activation field. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein:
 the activation tool is disposed uphole relative to the furthest uphole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein:
 the wellbore string includes a plurality of downhole tool apparatuses, and the plurality of downhole tool apparatuses is a series of “N” downhole tool apparatuses, only. 
   
     
     
         11 . A wellbore material transfer system for conducting fluid between the surface and a subterranean formation via a wellbore, comprising:
 a dart configurable in a coupling-ineffective configuration and a coupling-effective configuration; and   a wellbore completion including:
 a downhole tool apparatus including a downhole tool and an activator for urging transitioning of the dart from the coupling-ineffective configuration to the coupling-effective configuration; 
   and
 a landing tool apparatus, disposed uphole relative to the downhole tool apparatus; 
   wherein:
 the dart and the wellbore completion are co-operatively configured such that while the dart is disposed in the coupling-ineffective configuration and being motivated to traverse the wellbore completion:
 the dart traverses the landing tool apparatus such that the dart becomes disposed downhole relative to the landing tool apparatus; and 
 after having traversed the landing tool apparatus, and while the dart is traversing the downhole tool apparatus:
 the dart is activated by the activator, with effect that the dart transitions from the coupling-ineffective configuration to the coupling-effective configuration; 
 after having transitioned to the coupling-effective configuration, the dart becomes coupled to the downhole tool, such that an actuation-ready downhole tool is established; and 
 after the actuation-ready downhole tool is established, a downhole operation, by the downhole tool, is effectuated; 
 
 
 and 
 the dart and the wellbore completion are co-operatively configured such that while the dart is disposed in the coupling-effective configuration and being motivated to traverse the downhole completion:
 the dart becomes coupled to the landing tool apparatus, with effect that the dart is prevented from being displaced relative to the landing tool apparatus such that a landed dart configuration is obtained. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 11 ;
 wherein:
 the landing tool apparatus includes a landing tool seat, such that the coupling of the dart to the landing tool apparatus, includes a seating of the dart on the landing tool seat. 
   
     
     
         13 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 12 ;
 wherein:
 the prevention of the displacement of the dart, relative to the landing tool apparatus, is with effect that there is an absence of defeating of the seating of the dart on the landing tool seat. 
   
     
     
         14 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 13 ;
 wherein:
 the absence of defeating of the seating of the dart includes an absence of extrusion of the dart through the landing tool seat. 
   
     
     
         15 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 10 ;
 wherein:
 the landed dart configuration is sufficiently strong to withstand a pressure differential of at least 4,000 psi, that is established across the landed dart configuration. 
   
     
     
         16 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 10 ;
 wherein:
 the landed dart configuration is sufficiently strong to withstand a pressure differential that exceeds the pressure rating of the wellbore string, that is established across the landed dart configuration. 
   
     
     
         17 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 10 ;
 wherein:
 the landed dart configuration is sufficiently strong to withstand a pressure differential that exists across the landed dart configuration and that exceeds the strength of the dart. 
   
     
     
         18 . The wellbore material transfer system as claimed in  claim 10 ;
 wherein:
 the landing seat, of the landing tool apparatus, is spaced apart from the seat, that is respective to the furthest uphole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, by a maximum distance of no more than 40 feet. 
   
     
     
         19 . A wellbore material transfer system for conducting fluid between the surface and a subterranean formation via a wellbore, comprising:
 a wellbore string disposed within the wellbore and defining a wellbore string passage, wherein the wellbore string includes a plurality of downhole tool apparatuses, wherein the plurality of downhole tool apparatuses is a series of “N” downhole tool apparatuses, only, wherein the series of “N” downhole tool apparatuses defines a furthest uphole one of the downhole tool apparatuses, and each one of the downhole tool apparatuses, independently, including a downhole tool;   for each one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, a respective dart, configurable in a coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, and a coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus; and   for each one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, a respective proximity triggering configuration that is configured for generating a respective field, within a respective activation zone, for activating the transitioning of the dart, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, from the coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, to the coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus;   
       wherein, for each one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently:
 in the coupling-ineffective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus:
 the dart, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, and the downhole tool apparatus are co-operatively configured such that the dart, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, is: 
 (i) ineffective for coupling to the downhole tool that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, to which the dart is respective; and 
 (ii) co-operable with the proximity triggering configuration, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, such that, while the dart, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, is disposed within a field, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, and is disposed within the activation zone that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, and being generated by the proximity triggering configuration that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, transitioning of the dart, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, to the coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective the downhole tool apparatus, is effectuated; 
 
 and 
 in the coupling-effective configuration, that is respective to the dart that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus:
 the dart, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, and the downhole tool apparatus are co-operatively configured such that the dart, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, is effective for coupling to the downhole tool that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, to which the dart is respective, motivating a downhole operation by the downhole tool that is respective to the downhole tool. 
 
 
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 19 ;
 wherein:
 for each one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses, independently, the activation zone, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, and within which the field, that is respective to the downhole tool apparatus, is disposed, is spaced apart from the furthest uphole one of the “N” downhole tool apparatuses by a maximum distance of no more than 40 feet.