Signal-responsive frac ball and hydraulic fracturing system

Abstract

There is provided a fluid communication-interference body for interfering with fluid communication through an opening within a wellbore, comprising a sensor configured for sensing an actuating signal; a trigger configured for establishing a fluid passage extending though the body in response to the sensing of a signal by the sensor.

1 . A fluid communication-interference body for interfering with fluid communication through an opening within a wellbore, comprising:
 a sensor configured for sensing an actuating signal;   a trigger configured for establishing a fluid passage extending though the body in response to the sensing of a signal by the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the established fluid passage extends between a first port, defined at a first surface portion of the body, and a second port, defined at a second surface portion of the body.   
     
     
         3 . The fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 2 ;
 wherein, relative to the first port, the second port is disposed on an opposite side of the body.   
     
     
         4 . The fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sealing interface;   wherein:
 the trigger includes an actuator; 
 the actuator is responsive to sensing of the signal by the sensor for defeating the sealing interface such that the establishment of the fluid passage is effected. 
   
     
     
         5 . The fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 4 ;
 wherein the actuator includes a squib.   
     
     
         6 . A fluid communication-interference body for interfering with fluid communication through an opening within a wellbore, comprising:
 a sensor;   a sealing interface; and   an actuator;   wherein the actuator is responsive to sensing of the actuating signal by the sensor, for changing a condition of the sealing interface such that the sealing interface becomes disposed in a defeatable condition, such that, in response to receiving communication of a pressurized fluid, the sealing interface is defeated and establishment of a fluid passage extending through the body is effected.   
     
     
         7 . The fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 6 ;
 wherein the established fluid passage extends between a first port, defined at a first surface portion of the body, and a second port, defined at a second surface portion of the body.   
     
     
         8 . The fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 7 ;
 wherein, relative to the first port, the second port is disposed on an opposite side of the body.   
     
     
         9 . The fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 8 ;
 wherein the actuator includes a squib.   
     
     
         10 . A process for implementing a wellbore operation within a wellbore disposed within a subterranean formation, comprising:
 conducting fluid through an opening within the wellbore;   seating the fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 1  against a seat disposed within the wellbore such that the closing of the opening is effected; and   after the seating of the fluid communication-interference body against the seat has been effected, transmitting an actuating signal downhole such that the actuating signal is sensed by the sensor of the fluid communication-interference body, such that the fluid passage is established and is disposed in fluid communication with the opening.   
     
     
         11 . The process as claimed in  claim 10 ;
 prior to the conducting of fluid through an opening within a wellbore, displacing a flow control member, relative to a port of a wellbore string disposed within the wellbore, wherein the opening is disposed uphole relative to the port, such that:
 fluid communication is effected between the wellbore and the subterranean formation; and 
 while the conducting of fluid through an opening is being effected, the fluid is conducted into the subterranean formation via the port. 
   
     
     
         12 . The process as claimed in  claim 11 ;
 wherein the flow control member includes a toe sleeve.   
     
     
         13 . A process for implementing a wellbore operation within a wellbore disposed within a subterranean formation, comprising:
 conducting fluid through an opening within the wellbore;   seating the fluid communication-interference body as claimed in  claim 7  against a seat disposed within the wellbore such that the closing of the opening is effected; and   after the seating of the fluid communication-interference body against the seat has been effected, transmitting an actuating signal downhole such that the actuating signal is sensed by the sensor of the fluid communication-interference body, such that the sealing interface becomes disposed in a defeatable condition; and   while the sealing interface is disposed in the defeatable condition, supplying pressurized fluid to the wellbore such that the sealing interface receives the pressurized fluid with effect that the sealing interface becomes defeated and such that the fluid passage is established and is disposed in fluid communication with the opening.   
     
     
         14 . The process as claimed in  claim 13 ;
 wherein the established fluid passage, of the fluid communication interference body, extends between a first port, defined at a first surface portion of the body, and a second port, defined at a second surface portion of the body.   
     
     
         15 . The process as claimed in  claim 14 ;
 wherein, relative to the first port of the fluid communication-interference body, the second port is disposed on an opposite side of the body.   
     
     
         16 . The process as claimed in  claim 13 ;
 prior to the conducting of fluid through an opening within a wellbore, displacing a flow control member, relative to a port of a wellbore string disposed within the wellbore, wherein the opening is disposed uphole relative to the port, such that:
 fluid communication is effected between the wellbore and the subterranean formation; and 
 while the conducting of fluid through an opening is being effected, the fluid is conducted into the subterranean formation via the port. 
   
     
     
         17 . The process as claimed in  claim 16 ;
 wherein the flow control member includes a toe sleeve.   
     
     
         18 . The process as claimed in  claim 15 ;
 prior to the conducting of fluid through an opening within a wellbore, displacing a flow control member, relative to a port of a wellbore string disposed within the wellbore, wherein the opening is disposed uphole relative to the port, such that:   fluid communication is effected between the wellbore and the subterranean formation; and   while the conducting of fluid through an opening is being effected, the fluid is conducted into the subterranean formation via the port.   
     
     
         19 . The process as claimed in  claim 18 ;
 wherein the flow control member includes a toe sleeve.