Deployable baffle

Abstract

A deployable baffle apparatus installed in a casing to isolate sections of a wellbore during stimulation treatments. The deployable baffle is inserted and positioned within a wellbore by a setting tool. To deploy the deployable baffle, the setting tool expands an expandable section of the deployable baffle such that the outer wall of the expandable section contacts an inner surface of the casing. Once the deployable baffle is deployed, the deployable baffle is detached from the setting tool and the tool sting may be repositioned for other downhole operations or removed from the wellbore. The deployable baffle includes an inner baffle for receiving an untethered object such that a seal is formed between the inner baffle and the untethered object, permitting isolation of adjacent wellbore sections. Any or all of the deployable baffle and the untethered object may be made of a dissolvable material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a subterranean formation having a wellbore formed within the subterranean formation, the method comprising
 inserting a baffle apparatus into a casing disposed in the wellbore, the baffle apparatus comprising a sleeve having an expandable section; and   expanding the expandable section by activating a setting tool so that an outer surface of the expandable section contacts at least a portion of an inner wall of the casing.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 inserting an untethered object into the baffle apparatus such that the untethered object contacts an inner surface of the baffle apparatus creating a seal between the untethered object and the baffle apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein
 the seal isolates an inner volume of the casing and one of the group of the wellbore and a second inner volume of the casing.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein
 the untethered object comprises a dissolvable material.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 perforating the casing and surrounding subterranean formation uphole of the baffle to create at least one perforation; and   introducing a treatment fluid through the at least one perforation into the subterranean formation adjacent the at least one perforation.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the setting tool is activated by a pressurized fluid.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein
 the setting tool comprises a hydraulic bladder and the expandable section is expanded by inflating the hydraulic bladder within the expandable section using the pressurized fluid.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein
 the setting tool comprises an expansion cone and the expandable section is expanded by driving the expansion cone into the expandable section using the pressurized fluid.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein
 the pressurized fluid is provided by one of the group of a pump for delivering pressurized fluid into the setting tool and a detonated explosive charge within the setting tool.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein
 the baffle apparatus comprises a dissolvable material.   
     
     
         11 . A downhole completion system, comprising
 a casing disposed within a wellbore;   a baffle apparatus comprising a sleeve having an expandable section and an insert disposed within the sleeve,   wherein the baffle apparatus is disposable on an inner surface of the casing by expanding the expandable section such that an outer surface of the expandable section contacts an inner surface of the casing.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising
 a setting tool coupled to a conveyance selected from the group of a wireline, an e-line, and coiled tubing,   wherein activating the setting tool expands the expandable section.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein
 the setting tool is activated by a pressurized fluid.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein
 the setting tool comprises a hydraulic bladder and the expandable section is expanded by inflating the hydraulic bladder within the expandable section using the pressurized fluid.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein
 the setting tool comprises a hydraulic bladder and the expandable section is expanded by inflating the hydraulic bladder within the expandable section using the pressurized fluid.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising
 an untethered object disposed within the insert thereby creating a seal.   
     
     
         17 . A baffle apparatus for use in subterranean fracturing operations, comprising:
 a sleeve having an expandable section; and   an insert disposed within the sleeve,   wherein the expandable section is expandable within a casing by activating a setting tool within the sleeve.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 at least one anchor disposed on a portion of an outer surface of the expandable section.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein
 at least one of the sleeve and the insert comprises a dissolvable material.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising
 a sealing element disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the expandable section.