Section 9

Casing Sales Manual

Multiple-Stage Fracturing

Section 9

Multiple-Stage Fracturing

Contents

Multiple-Stage Fracturing with Baffles and Balls ............................................................. 9-3

Operating Instructions ................................................................................................ 9-3
Selecting Equipment ................................................................................................... 9-3
Specifications Directory .............................................................................................. 9-4

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 Section 9
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Multiple-Stage Fracturing

Notes

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Casing Sales Manual
Section 9
Multiple-Stage Fracturing
Multiple-Stage Fracturing
with Baffles and Balls
You can fracture multiple zones with a single trip
of the toolstring by using a system of baffles and
sealing balls to isolate the zones. Always plan a
multiple-stage fracturing job before the production
casing is run and cemented, and insert the proper
baffles into the casing string for later use in the
multiple-zone fracture.
Operating Instructions
To perform a multiple-stage fracturing job, follow
the guidelines below:
1. Run the casing into the hole and cement it at
least far enough to cover all zones that will be
stimulated. Include a float shoe at the bottom
of the casing and place fracturing baffles be-
tween each zone to stimulate.
2. To perforate and stimulate the lowest zone,
use a shutoff plug to bridge the bottom of the
casing.
3. To fracture the second zone from the bottom,
drop a ball to seal in the baffle, forming a new
bottom. After this step is completed, any frac-
turing fluid pumped into the hole will be
forced through the second set of perforations
into the formation.
4. Repeat Step 3 for additional zones.
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Section 9
Multiple-Stage Fracturing
IMPORTANT: When planning the job, in-
crease the ball and baffle diameters designing
from the bottom to the top to ensure that the
ball will pass through upper baffles and seal
against lower baffles.
Selecting Equipment
Available sealing balls and baffles are listed on
Pages 9-5 and 9-7; other sizes may be available
upon request. Equipment is sized so that smaller-
diameter balls or plugs will pass through the
larger ID baffles installed at shallower depths.
Balls are dense enough that production will usu-
ally expel them from the well. Figure 9.1 on
Page 9-4 shows the falling velocities of balls
through water in vertical 5 1/2-in. casing.
When using Halliburton baffles, balls, and other
downhole equipment, you may run as many as
three stages in 3 1/2-in. tubing, or six stages in
4 1/2- in. or 5 1/2-in. casing.
IMPORTANT: Do not use Five-wiper plugs
with frac baffles. Five-wiper plugs will not fit
through the hole.
When performing a multiple-stage fracturing job,
use Multiple-Stage cementer shutoff or latchdown
plugs and baffles.
9-3
 Section 9
Casing Sales Manual
Multiple-Stage Fracturing

Figure 9.1—Falling velocities of balls through water in vertical 5 1/2-in. casing.

Specifications Directory

To learn more about . . . See Page(s) . . .

Fracturing Baffles 9-5

Fracturing Balls 9-6

Recommended Pressures for Ball/Baffle Sets 9-7

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 Section 9
Casing Sales Manual
Multiple-Stage Fracturing

Fracturing Baffles

Casing Size Baffle ID

Thread Part Number
in. (mm) in. (mm)
8-rd EUE Aluminum 801.03241

2 7/8 (73.0) 8-rd EUE 801.03257

2.00 (50.8)
10-rd NU Aluminum 801.03242

801.03210
10-rd NU
3 1/2 (88.9) 801.03237 2.370 (60.2)
8-rd EUE 801.03269 2.180 (55.4)
801.03217 2.370 (60.2)
801.03013 2.700 (68.6)
4 1/2 (114.3) 8-rd 801.03205 3.000 (76.2)
801.03265 3.310 (84.1)
801.03266 3.560 (90.4)
5 (127.0) 8-rd 801.03245 3.000 (76.2)

801.03222 2.750 (69.9)

801.03232 3.060 (77.7)

810.75051 3.270 (83.1)
5 1/2 (139.7) 8-rd
801.03227 3.500 (88.9)
801.03225 3.870 (98.3)
801.03235 4.000 (101.6)

801.03248 3.500 (88.9)

801.03247 3.870 (98.3)

7 (177.8) 8-rd
801.03246 4.060 (103.1)

801.03255 4.500 (114.3)

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Multiple-Stage Fracturing

Fracturing Balls

Diameter
Part Number Specific Gravity
in. (mm)
2.000 (50.8) 70.00356 3.4

2.125 (54.0) 495.60207

1.3
2.250 (57.2) 495.603
2.750 (69.9) 495.60301
3.4
2.375 (60.3) 70.00357
2.500 (63.5) 495.604 1.3
2.625 (66.7) 495.605 3.4
495.606 1.3
2.750 (69.9)
495.60601
3.4
495.60602
2.940 (74.7)
495.60603
1.3
495.607
3.000 (76.2)
70.00359 3.4
495.608 1.3
3.250 (82.6)
495.60801
3.4
495.60811
3.500 (88.9)
495.6081
1.3
495.609
3.750 (95.3)
495.60901 3.4
495.610 1.3
4.000 (101.6) 495.61011
3.4
495.6101

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Multiple-Stage Fracturing

Recommended Pressure for Ball/Baffle Sets

Max. Recom. Pressure at 180°F

Casing Size OD Baffle ID Ball OD psi (KPa)
in. (mm) in. (mm) in. (mm)
1.3 SG Ball 3.4 SG Ball

2.125 (54.0) 2750 (18,961)

2 7/8 (73.0) 2.000 (50.8)
2.250 (57.2) 4650 (32,061) 3500 (24,132)

2.125 (54.0) 2750 (18,960)

2.000 (50.8) 5000 (34,475)
3 1/2 (88.9) 2.250 (57.2) 4650 (32,061)
2.370 (60.2) 2.750 (69.9) 4400 (30,338) 4000 (27,580)

2.370 (60.2)* 2.750 (69.9) 4200 (28,959) 2800 (19,306)

2.700 (68.6) 2.940 (74.7)

4250 (29,303) 2900 (19,995)
3.000 (76.2) 3.250 (82.6)
4 1/2 (114.3)
3.310 (84.1) 3.500 (88.9) 3900 (26,890) 3000 (20,685)
3.370 (85.6) 4800 (33,096) 4000 (27,580)
3.750 (95.3)
3.560 (90.4) 3100 (21,374) 4800 (33,096)

5 (127.0) 3.000 (76.2) 3.250 (82.6) 4250 (29,303) 2900 (19,995)

2.750 (69.9)** 3.000 (76.2) 4400 (30,338) 2800 (19,306)

3.060 (77.7)** 3.250 (82.6) 4000 (27,580) 3000 (20,685)

5 1/2 (139.7) 3.500 (88.9) 3.750 (95.3) 4800 (33,096) 5500 (37,922)

3.870 (98.3) 2200 (15,169) 2400 (16,548)

4.000 (101.6)
4.000 (101.6) 2000 (13,790)

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Multiple-Stage Fracturing

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