Multi-zone actuation system using wellbore projectiles and flapper valves

Abstract

An example sliding sleeve assembly includes a body that defines an inner flow passageway and one or more ports. One or more sensors are positioned on the body to detect wellbore projectiles that traverse the inner flow passageway, and a sliding sleeve is arranged within the body and movable between a closed position, where the sliding sleeve occludes the one or more ports, and an open position, where one or more ports are exposed. A flapper valve is arranged within the body and movable between an open configuration, where the flapper valve allows fluid flow through the inner flow passageway, and a closed configuration, where the flapper valve seats against a flapper seat defined on the sliding sleeve and prevents fluid flow through the inner flow passageway. An actuation sleeve is arranged within the body and movable to allow the flapper valve to move to the closed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sliding sleeve assembly, comprising:
 a body that defines an inner flow passageway and one or more ports that enable fluid communication between the inner flow passageway and an exterior of the body;   one or more sensors positioned on the body to detect wellbore projectiles that traverse the inner flow passageway;   a sliding sleeve arranged within the body and movable between a closed position, where the sliding sleeve occludes the one or more ports, and an open position, where the sliding sleeve has moved to expose the one or more ports;   a flapper valve arranged within the body and movable between an open configuration, where the flapper valve allows fluid flow through the inner flow passageway in a downhole direction, and a closed configuration, where the flapper valve seats against a flapper seat defined on the sliding sleeve and prevents fluid flow through the inner flow passageway in the downhole direction; and   an actuation sleeve arranged within the body and movable between a run-in configuration, where the actuation sleeve secures the flapper valve in the open configuration, and an actuated configuration, where the actuation sleeve has moved to allow the flapper valve to move to the closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 electronic circuitry communicably coupled to the one or more sensors; and   an actuator communicably coupled to the electronic circuitry, wherein, when the one or more sensors detect a predetermined number of the wellbore projectiles, the electronic circuitry sends an actuation signal to the actuator to actuate the actuation sleeve to the actuated configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical actuator, an electro-mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electro-hydraulic piston lock, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flapper valve exhibits a curved profile. 
     
     
         5 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore projectiles are selected from the group consisting of a frac ball, a wellbore dart, a wiper, and a plug. 
     
     
         6 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore projectiles are frac balls that exhibit substantially the diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore projectiles exhibit known magnetic properties detectable by the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         8 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore projectiles emit a radio frequency detectable by the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         9 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors are mechanical switches that are mechanically manipulated through physical contact with the wellbore projectiles as the wellbore projectiles traverse the inner flow passageway. 
     
     
         10 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the wellbore projectiles is made of a degradable material selected from the group consisting of a borate glass, a galvanically-corrodible metal, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flapper valve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cast iron, aluminum, and a composite material. 
     
     
         12 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein, when in the open configuration, the flapper valve is isolated from wellbore fluids, and wherein, when in the closed configuration, the flapper valve is exposed to the wellbore fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The sliding sleeve assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the flapper valve is made of a degradable material selected from the group consisting of a borate glass, a galvanically-corrodible metal, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 introducing one or more wellbore projectiles into a work string extended within a wellbore, the work string providing a sliding sleeve assembly that includes a body defining an inner flow passageway and one or more ports that enable fluid communication between the inner flow passageway and an exterior of the body, the sliding sleeve assembly further including a sliding sleeve movably arranged within the body to occlude or expose the one or more ports;   detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with one or more sensors positioned on the body;   actuating an actuation sleeve arranged within the body when the one or more sensors detects a predetermined number of the one or more wellbore projectiles;   moving a flapper valve arranged within the body from an open configuration to a closed configuration upon actuation of the actuation sleeve, wherein, when in the closed configuration, the flapper valve seats against a flapper seat defined on the sliding sleeve and prevents fluid flow through the inner flow passageway in a downhole direction;   increasing a fluid pressure within the work string uphole from the flapper valve; and   moving the sliding sleeve from a closed position, where the sliding sleeve occludes the one or more ports, to an open position, where the one or more ports are exposed.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sliding sleeve assembly further includes electronic circuitry communicably coupled to the one or more sensors, and wherein detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with the one or more sensors comprises:
 sending a detection signal to the electronic circuitry with the one or more sensors when one of the one or more wellbore projectiles is detected; and   counting with the electronic circuitry how many of the one or more wellbore projectiles have been detected by the one or more sensors based on the detection signal.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sliding sleeve assembly further includes an actuator communicably coupled to the electronic circuitry, and wherein actuating the actuation sleeve further comprises:
 sending an actuation signal to the actuator with the electronic circuitry when the one or more sensors detects the predetermined number of the one or more wellbore projectiles; and   actuating the actuation sleeve with the actuator to an actuated configuration, wherein, when in the actuated configuration, the flapper valve is able to move to the closed configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with the one or more sensors comprises detecting a known magnetic property exhibited by the one or more wellbore projectiles. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with the one or more sensors comprises detecting a radio frequency emitted by the one or more wellbore projectiles. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more sensors are mechanical switches, and wherein detecting the one or more wellbore projectiles with the one or more sensors comprises physically contacting the one or more sensors with the one or more wellbore projectiles as the one or more wellbore projectiles traverse the inner flow passageway. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more wellbore projectiles is made of a degradable material selected from the group consisting of a borate glass, a galvanically-corrodible metal, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, and any combination thereof, the method further comprising allowing the degradable material to degrade. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein increasing the fluid pressure within the work string uphole from the flapper valve further comprises:
 generating a pressure differential across the flapper valve and thereby transferring an axial load to the sliding sleeve and one or more shearable devices securing the sliding sleeve in the closed position; and   assuming a predetermined axial load with the one or more shearable devices such that the one or more shearable devices fail and thereby allow the sliding sleeve to move to the open position.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 introducing a treatment fluid into the work string;   injecting the treatment fluid into a surrounding subterranean formation via the one or more ports;   releasing the fluid pressure within the work string; and   allowing formation fluid to flow uphole through the flapper valve.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising flowing the one or more wellbore projectiles uphole through the flapper valve with the formation fluid. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the flapper valve comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cast iron, aluminum, and a composite material, and the method further comprises milling out the flapper valve. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the flapper valve is made of a degradable material selected from the group consisting of a borate glass, a galvanically-corrodible metal, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, and any combination thereof, the method further comprising allowing the degradable material to degrade.