Michael D Kiesel

US Patent:

20150191988, Jul 9, 2015

Filed:

Jan 9, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/151402

Inventors:

Michael Dale Kiesel - Bay City MI, US
Matthew Louis Kaczmarczyk - Bay City MI, US
Marc Imbrogno - Mentor OH, US

Assignee:

Quantum Composites, Inc. - Bay City MI
Premix, Inc. - North Kingsville OH

International Classification:

E21B 33/124
E21B 43/14

Abstract:

An orientable frac ball for substantially sealing a subterranean formation. Desired orientation can be accomplished by altering the geometry of the ball with one or more features that can be molded with or added to the ball. A projection of any shape on a ball with a length plus ball diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the well bore will prevent the ball from orienting in an undesired position on the seat. This projection can be made of various materials that break or disintegrate when desired to remove the ball from the well bore. During the pump back process in which the balls will need to move through the progressively larger sealing seats, the projection should not hinder the removal process. It will break away or off the ball during this process. Break up features can easily be added to these tail sections. These balls can be dropped with the tail down or tail up. Alternatively, a magnet placed in the frac ball can orient the ball on a metal seat by magnetic attraction.