Phenom’s patent pending Wraith Frac Ball is a metallic dissolvable frac ball designed to provide zone-successive isolation for frac plugs, frac sleeves and static isolation subs.
Its high shear strength allows it to maintain integrity and isolation during high pressure fracturing and the Wraith Frac Ball dissolves at controllable and predictable rates to allow production from all treated zones.
Cast and machined from an aluminum base, the Wraith Frac Ball’s high shear strength is excellently suited to High Pressure, High Temperature and Horizontal/Extended Reach applications.
The Wraith Frac Ball only requires exposure to Fresh, Salt, or Producedwater at temperatures above 100°F to begin dissolving, however faster dissolve rates may be achievedthrough the addition of corrosive fluids and/or an increase in temperature.
Phenom has developed an empirically proven equation which accurately and reliably predicts the dissolve rate of the Wraith Frac Ball in water based on its (compound and physical) properties and specific bottomhole temperatures.
Phenom offers two versions of the Wraith Frac Ball, Solid & Hollow, each currently available in five different formulations to accommodate a variety of operator requirements.
Applications
1.High Pressure Fracturing:Operations – Up to 10,000 psi*
2.High Temperature Fracturing:Operations – Up to 350°F
3.Vertical, Horizontal and Extended Reach Wellbores
Features
1.Specific Gravity: Solid 2.7, Hollow 1.8-2.2;
2.Build Tolerance: ± 0.0025”;
3.Solid version available in sizes ranging from 0.50”- 5.00” (Standard 0.125” increments);
4.Hollow version available in sizes ranging from 3.00” – 5.00” (Standard 0.125” increments);
5.Additional Metric / Imperial sizes available on request.
Benefits
1.High shear strength.
2.Dissolves with exposure to Fresh, Salt, or Produced H20 at temperatures above 100° F to allow for production from all zones.
3.Dissolve rates can be increased through the operator’s additive of choice.
Phenom recommends using a specific Compound profile Wraith Frac Ball based on the end user’s required temperature rating.
Each Compound achieves its Optimum Dissolve Rate*in H2O at varying temperatures, thus are better suited to different applications.
Phenom can develop custom Compound formulations to achieve a desired dissolve rate(Determined from actual material testing in fresh H2O) at a specific temperature.
Material Safety Data
1.IDENTIFICATION
Material Use Developed for use in the oil and gas industry for exploration, production and testing, and for use in high pressure and/or load-bearing equipment.
2.HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Health: The product is not classified as dangerous. No volatile constituents are present and the product may be safely handled.
Fire: The product is nonflammable.
Water: The product can easily react with water, and can release trace amounts of heat and hydrogen when exposed to H2O and temperatures in excess of 100° F.
Environment: The product is not considered dangerous to the environment.
3. COMPOSITION
The product is an aluminum alloy. Contains no substance classified as hazardous in concentrations, which should be taken into account according to EC directives.
4. HANDLING & STORAGE
Handling: During manufacturing of this product excessive heat may damage the microstructure of the product. Non-aqueous coolant (oil-based coolant) must be used during any machining process. Avoid exposing this product to excess heat.
Storage: Safety aspects do not require any special precautions in terms of storage. Vacuum packaging is necessary to prevent exposure to moisture.
5. EXPOSURE CONTROLS & PERSONAL PROTECTION
When the product is exposed to a damp environment a small electrochemical reaction will occur and cause minor damage to the product surface.
Product can react with perspiration. Do not touch directly without gloves. Reaction products form as a trace amount of aluminum hydroxide. If product is handled directly, promptly wash hands with water.
6. PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Appearance: Solid, metallic color
Odor: Odorless
Melting point: ~1292° F
Density: 0.09 – 0.10 lb/in3
7. STABILITY & REACTIVITY
In the absence of H2O, the product is a stable aluminum alloy, with no chemical reactivity. When exposed to temperatures in excess of 100° F the product will react with water.
8. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
The product is not classified as dangerous according to Directive 1999/45/EC.
This product is made from aluminum alloy. The alloy contains between 95 – 99% Al with the remainder of its composition includes small percentages of In, Sn, and Ga. The components are smelted into a solid alloy. All elements of the product are stable and will not cause harm to human beings or the environment.
Ecological Information: The product is not considered dangerous for the environment. When the product reacts with water, the outcome mainly contains Al(OH)3 which cannot dissolve in water. Additional elements of the dissolved compound exist as a simplesubstance that do not form watersoluble ions. Consequently, the product will not cause damage to water or the environment.
Disposal Considerations: Surplus products may be safely stored long term and retain efficacy for later use. Scrap metal produced during manufacturing can also be recycled and reused. Check with local regulations.
Transport Considerations: The product is classified as the fourth dangerous goods according to ADR/RID, IMDG or IATA.
Regulatory Information: In accordance with directive 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, the product is not classified as dangerous, but needed to be labeled as risk phrase.
Application: Wraith? Frac Ball Performs Consistently During Extensive Operations
A large operation requiring a combined total of 265 fracturing stages across 18 separate shale gas wells experienced outstanding success due to the consistent performance of the Wraith Frac Ball.
Among the 18 different wells, TVDs ranged between 8917 ft – 11,693 ft, and MDs from 14,078 ft – 18,537 ft. Similar lithologies and bottomhole temperatures (230 – 240° F) meant the operator could employ a standard approach and equipment profile.
Thus, 250 of the 265 total project stages utilized large bore frac plugs run in on wireline and were activated by dropping 3.25” solid Wraith Frac Balls.
The remaining 15 stages (on a single well) required standard bore frac plugs and utilized 1.75” Wraith Frac Balls.
The lowest average time the operator spent on a frac stage was 2 hours and the greatest recorded time spent was 5 hours. Maximum pressures ranged from 11,600 psi – 12,325 psi and the number of stages per well varied from 5-19.
The project experienced a 100% success rate with all 265 fracturing stages and optimized overall production prospects. By exclusively utilizing the Wraith Frac Ball for this extensive operation, the operator managed to introduce a sizeable costsavings to the customer through reduced time on the job and by negating the need for additional interventions.
About Phenom Innovations
Phenom Innovations is an innovative manufacturing firm with corporate headquarters located in Houston, TX. It is dedicated to developing degradable tools and technologies designed to streamline energy recovery operations and extend productivity.