Hydraulic fracturing systems and processes utilizing port obstruction devices for seating on ports of a wellbore string

Abstract

There is provided a flow control apparatus comprising, a housing; a housing passage disposed within the housing; a plurality of ports extending through the housing, a flow control member, displaceable, relative to the ports, for effecting opening of the ports wherein the housing includes an external surface, a recessed channel defined within the external surface; and each one of the ports, independently, extends into the channel such that fluid conducted from the housing passage and through the ports is discharged from the ports into the channel.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A flow control apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a housing passage disposed within the housing;   a plurality of ports extending through the housing;   a flow control member, displaceable, relative to the ports, for effecting opening of the ports;   wherein:   the housing includes an external surface;   a recessed channel defined within the external surface; and   each one of the ports, independently, extends into the channel such that fluid conducted from the housing passage and through the ports is discharged from the ports into the channel.   
     
     
         20 . The flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 ;
 wherein the minimum depth of the channel is at least 0.1 inches.   
     
     
         21 . The flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 ;
 wherein the minimum cross-sectional area of the channel is at least 0.01 square inches.   
     
     
         22 . The flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured to receive a transmitted signal for effecting displacement of the flow control member.   
     
     
         23 . The flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 ;
 wherein the sensor is disposed within the housing passage and the transmitted signal is a signal transmitted through the housing passage.   
     
     
         24 . The flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , configured for integration within a wellbore string. 
     
     
         25 . A kit for implementation within a wellbore for control fluid communication between a wellbore and a subterranean formation, comprising:
 a flow control apparatus, wherein the flow control apparatus includes:   a housing;   a housing passage disposed within the housing;   a plurality of ports extending through the housing;   a plurality of seats, wherein each one of the seats is respective to a one of the ports;   a flow control member, displaceable, relative to the ports, for effecting opening of the ports;   wherein:   the housing includes an external surface;   a recessed channel defined within the external surface; and   each one of the ports, independently, extends into the channel such that fluid conducted from the housing passage and through the ports is discharged from the ports into the channel;   and   a plurality of port obstruction devices for seating on the seats.   
     
     
         26 . The kit as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the minimum depth of the channel of the housing of the flow control apparatus is at least 0.1 inches.   
     
     
         27 . The kit as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the minimum cross-sectional area of the channel of the housing of the flow control apparatus is at least 0.01 square inches.   
     
     
         28 . The kit as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the flow control apparatus further includes:   a sensor configured to receive a transmitted signal for effecting displacement of the flow control member.   
     
     
         29 . The kit as claimed in  claim 28 ;
 wherein the sensor of the flow control apparatus is disposed within the housing passage and the transmitted signal is a signal transmitted through the housing passage.   
     
     
         30 . A process for treating a subterranean formation comprising:
 opening at least one port of a wellbore string disposed within a wellbore by displacing a flow control member;   conducting treatment material from the wellbore to the subterranean formation via the at least one port; and   after the conducting of treatment material, seating a port obstruction device on each one of the at least one port, such that each one of the at least one port, independently, becomes closed.   
     
     
         31 . The process as claimed in  claim 30 ;
 wherein the displacing of the flow control member is effected by transmitting a signal through the wellbore.   
     
     
         32 . The process as claimed in  claim 30 ;
 wherein:   the wellbore string includes a fluid control apparatus including the at least one port;   the at least one port is a plurality of ports;   the fluid control apparatus includes an external surface having a recessed channel defined therein for fluidly communicating with the subterranean formation;   each one of the ports, independently, extends into the channel such that fluid conducted from the housing passage and through the ports is discharged from the ports into the channel; and   the recessed channel is disposed in fluid communication with the subterranean formation such that the conducting of treatment material from the wellbore to the subterranean formation is via the recessed channel.   
     
     
         33 . The process as claimed in  claim 30 ;
 wherein:   the seating of a port obstruction device on each one of the at least one port includes conducting the port obstruction devices with a delivery fluid that is flowing within the wellbore; and   the pressure of the delivery fluid is less than the pressure of the treatment material that has been conducted through the opened port.   
     
     
         34 . A flow control apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a housing passage disposed within the housing;   a seat;   a port extending through the housing; and   a retainer configured for retaining a port obstruction device to the flow control apparatus.   
     
     
         35 . The flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 ;
 wherein the retainer is configured for retaining a port obstruction device for seating on a seat such that closure of the port is effected.   
     
     
         36 . The flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 ;
 wherein the retainer is sufficiently pliable such that a port obstruction device, in response to application of a sufficient fluid pressure differential, is conductible past the retainer and into a port obstruction device receiving space such that the port obstructions device becomes disposed for seating on the seat for effecting closure of the port.