Method and Apparatus for Hydraulic Fracturing

Abstract

A plug having a valve that permits fluid flow in both directions through the plug, but impedes or resists the flow in one direction with respect to the other direction. The plug includes a body and at least one sealing element positioned on an exterior of the body to create a seal between the body and a portion of a wellbore. The plug includes an internal flow path and a valve positioned along the internal flow path. The valve permits fluid to flow in both directions through the flow path, but inhibits the flow in one direction with respect to the other direction. The plug may include a setting element configured to engage a wellbore. The valve permits the fracturing of a portion of a wellbore without the need to pump a plug, such as a ball, down the wellbore to block fluid flow to increase pressure within the wellbore.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plug comprising:
 a body;   at least one sealing element positioned on an exterior of the body, the sealing element configured to create a seal between the body and a portion of a wellbore;   a flow path through an interior of the body; and   a valve positioned along the flow path, the valve permits fluid to flow in a first direction through the flow path and permits fluid to flow in a second direction through the flow path, wherein the valve inhibits the flow of fluid in the second direction with respect to the flow of fluid in the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The plug of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one setting element positioned on the exterior of the body, the setting element configured to engage a portion of a wellbore. 
     
     
         3 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the first direction is from below the body to above the body and wherein the second direction is from above the body to below the body. 
     
     
         4 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a solid state device. 
     
     
         5 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the valve further comprises a Tesla valve. 
     
     
         6 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the valve further comprises:
 a main flow path in communication with the flow path through the interior of the body;   a plurality of projections along the main flow path;   a plurality of secondary flow paths in communication with the main flow path,   wherein fluid flowing in the first direction flows substantially along the main flow path, and   wherein the plurality of projections divert fluid flowing in the second direction to flow through the plurality of the secondary flow paths.   
     
     
         7 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the valve further comprises a flow path through the valve having a plurality of chambers, the chambers in communication with each other via a plurality of openings, wherein the openings are configured to permit substantially smooth fluid flow through the flow path in the first direction and the openings are configured to create turbulent flow within the chambers in the second direction. 
     
     
         8 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the valve further comprises a main flow path through the valve, the main flow path including a plurality of branches, wherein fluid flowing in the second direction through the main flow path through the valve is diverted to flow through the plurality of branches to impede the flow of fluid in comparison to fluid flowing in the first direction through the main flow path through the valve. 
     
     
         9 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the valve further comprises an insert that may be inserted into the body. 
     
     
         10 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the valve is an integral part of the flow path of the body. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 providing a body having an internal flow path that may be positioned within a bore of a wellbore;   providing a sealing element on an exterior portion of the body, wherein the sealing element selectively creates a seal between a portion of the wellbore and the body; and   providing a valve in communication with the internal flow path of the body, the valve permitting fluid to flow in a first direction through the internal flow path and permitting fluid to flow in a second direction through the internal flow path, wherein the valve inhibits the flow of fluid in the second direction with respect to the flow of fluid in the first direction.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 providing a main flow path through the valve in communication with the internal flow path;   providing a plurality of projections along the main flow path; and   providing a plurality of secondary flow paths in communication with the main flow path,   wherein fluid flowing in the first direction flows substantially along the main flow path, and   wherein the plurality of projections divert fluid flowing in the second direction to flow through the plurality of the secondary flow paths.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the valve further comprises inserting an insert into the body, wherein the valve is formed in the insert. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising manufacturing the insert on a 3D printer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 positioning the body within a wellbore;   creating a seal between the body and a tubular within the wellbore; and   pumping fluid down the wellbore, wherein the valve increases a pressure within the wellbore above the body.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising hydraulically fracturing a formation of the wellbore positioned above the body by continuing to pump fluid down the wellbore. 
     
     
         17 . A valve for a plug comprising:
 an insert to be inserted into a plug body, the insert having flow path in communication with a flow path through the body, wherein the insert flow path permits fluid to flow in a first direction through the insert flow path and permits fluid to flow in a second direction through the insert flow path, wherein the insert flow path inhibits the flow of fluid in the second direction with respect to the flow of fluid in the first direction.   
     
     
         18 . The valve of  claim 17 , wherein the insert flow path further comprises:
 a main flow path;   a plurality of projections along the main flow path; and   a plurality of secondary flow paths in communication with the main flow path,   wherein fluid flowing in the first direction flows substantially along the main flow path, and   wherein the plurality of projections divert fluid flowing in the second direction to flow through the plurality of the secondary flow paths.   
     
     
         19 . The valve of  claim 14 , wherein the insert is a 3D printed part. 
     
     
         20 . The valve of  claim 14 , wherein the insert further comprises a flow path having a plurality of chambers, the chambers in communication with each other via a plurality of openings, wherein the openings are configured to permit substantially smooth fluid flow through the flow path in the first direction and the openings are configured to create turbulent flow within the chambers in the second direction.