Multiple-Interval Wellbore Stimulation System and Method

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for carrying out multiple-interval stimulation of a wellbore. One disclosed method includes introducing one or more wellbore projectiles into a work string including a completion assembly having a first downhole tool arranged within a first interval, a second downhole tool arranged within a second interval, and a third downhole tool arranged within a third interval that interposes the first and second intervals, detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with first and second sensors of the first and second downhole tools, opening first and second sliding sleeves arranged within the first and second downhole tools, treating the first and second intervals, sealing the first and second intervals, detecting a wellbore projectile with a third sensor of the third downhole tool, opening a third sliding sleeve arranged within the third downhole tool, and treating the third interval independent of the first and second intervals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A well system, comprising:
 one or more wellbore projectiles introduced into a completion assembly;   a first downhole tool arranged in the completion assembly adjacent a first interval and having a first sensor that triggers actuation of a first sleeve upon detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles;   a second downhole tool arranged in the completion assembly downhole from the first downhole tool and adjacent a second interval, the second downhole tool having a second sensor that triggers actuation of a second sleeve upon detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles; and   a third downhole tool arranged in the completion assembly downhole from the second downhole tool and adjacent a third interval, the third downhole tool having a third sensor that triggers actuation of a third sleeve upon detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles,   wherein actuation of the first and third sleeves is triggered such that the first and third intervals are stimulated simultaneously, and wherein actuation of the second sleeve is triggered such that the second interval is stimulated independent of the first and third intervals.   
     
     
         2 . The well system of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third sleeves are movable to expose ports that provide fluid communication into the first, second, and third intervals, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The well system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wellbore projectiles is selected from the group comprising balls, darts, wipers, and plugs. 
     
     
         4 . The well system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more wellbore projectiles exhibit known magnetic properties detectable by the first, second, and third sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The well system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 electronic circuitry associated with each of the first, second, and third sensors, the electronic circuitry being configured to determine whether the corresponding first, second, and third sensors have detected the known magnetic properties of the one or more wellbore projectiles; and   one or more actuation devices associated with the electronic circuitry of each of the first, second, and third sensors, the one or more actuation devices being configured to facilitate moving the first, second, and third sleeves from open to closed positions upon being directed by the electronic circuitry.   
     
     
         6 . The well system of  claim 1 , further comprising a diverting agent injected into the first and third intervals such that the second interval can be stimulated independent of the first and second intervals following injection of the diverting agent. 
     
     
         7 . A method, comprising:
 introducing one or more wellbore projectiles into a work string arranged at least partially within a formation, the work string including a completion assembly having a first downhole tool arranged adjacent a first interval, a second downhole tool arranged adjacent a second interval, and a third downhole tool arranged adjacent a third interval that interposes the first and second intervals;   detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with a first sensor of the first downhole tool and a second sensor of the second downhole tool;   opening first and second sliding sleeves arranged within the first and second downhole tools, respectively, following detection of the one or more wellbore projectiles;   treating the first and second intervals;   sealing the first and second intervals by injecting a diverting agent into the first and second intervals;   detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with a third sensor of the third downhole tool;   opening a third sliding sleeve arranged within the third downhole tool following detection of the one or more wellbore projectiles; and   treating the third interval independent of the first and second intervals.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with the first sensor of the first downhole tool and the second sensor of the second downhole tool further comprises detecting a magnetic property of the one or more wellbore projectiles with the first and second sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein opening the first and second sliding sleeves comprises:
 exposing a plurality of ports defined in both the first and second downhole tools; and   facilitating fluid communication between an interior of the work string and the first and second intervals through the plurality of ports.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein treating the first and second intervals and treating the third interval comprises hydraulically fracturing the first, second, and third intervals. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with the third sensor of the third downhole tool comprises detecting a magnetic property of the one or more wellbore projectiles with the third sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein opening the third sliding sleeve comprises:
 exposing a plurality of ports defined in the third downhole tool; and   facilitating fluid communication between an interior of the work string and the third interval through the plurality of ports.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 allowing the diverting agent to degrade in the first and second intervals; and   producing fluids from the first, second, and third intervals via the first, second, and third downhole tools, respectively.   
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 detecting a first wellbore projectile with a first sensor associated with a first downhole tool arranged adjacent a first interval;   detecting a second wellbore projectile with a second sensor associated with a second downhole tool and thereby causing the second downhole tool to actuate, the second downhole tool being arranged adjacent a second interval uphole from the first interval;   actuating the first downhole tool by catching the second wellbore projectile on a first baffle associated with the first downhole tool and subsequently pressurizing the work string;   detecting the second wellbore projectile with a third sensor associated with a third downhole tool interposing the first and second downhole tools and arranged adjacent a third interval that interposes the first and second intervals;   hydraulically fracturing the first and second intervals via the first and second downhole tools, respectively;   sealing the first and second intervals by injecting a diverting agent into the first and second intervals;   actuating the third downhole tool by catching a third wellbore projectile on a second baffle associated with the third downhole tool and subsequently pressurizing the work string; and   hydraulically fracturing the third interval.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting the first wellbore projectile with the first sensor comprises:
 detecting a magnetic property of the first wellbore projectile with the first sensor; and   actuating the first baffle in response to the magnetic property being detected.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein actuating the first downhole tool comprises moving a sliding sleeve from a closed position to an open position where one or more ports are exposed and provide fluid communication with the first interval. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting the second wellbore projectile with the second sensor comprises:
 detecting a magnetic property of the second wellbore projectile with the second sensor; and   moving a sliding sleeve from a closed position to an open position with an actuation device associated with the second downhole tool, wherein, when in the open position, one or more ports are exposed and provide fluid communication with the second interval.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising actuating the second downhole tool after a predetermined time period expires following detection of the second wellbore projectile by the second sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting the second wellbore projectile with the third sensor associated with the third downhole tool comprises:
 detecting a magnetic property of the second wellbore projectile with the third sensor; and   actuating the second baffle in response to the magnetic property being detected.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 allowing the diverting agent to degrade in the first and second intervals; and   producing fluids from the first, second, and third intervals via the first, second, and third downhole tools, respectively.