Dissolvable Rubber and Dissolvable Rubber Sealing Element Testing Methods and Evaluation Criteria

Abstract The plug-and-perf operation is one of the most effective methods for conducting hydraulic fracturing. Dissolvable plugs have been used broadly for the long horizontal wells. The water dissolvable elastomer sealing element is an essential component of the dissolvable tools. During the past 15 years, various dissolvable rubbers have been developed and applied in dissolvable tools. However, there is no standard yet regarding dissolvable rubber testing methods in the industry. In the past 8 years, CNPC USA has developed a series of dissolvable rubbers with fast dissolution rate, advanced mechanical properties. In the meantime, effective methods have been developed to evaluate the dissolution rate and mechanical properties of dissolvable rubbers. The pressure holding testing and dissolution testing methods have also been developed to evaluate dissolvable rubber sealing elements. The paper will present the dissolvable rubber and sealing elements testing methods and evaluation criteria. The developed dissolvable rubber properties testing methods and dissolvable rubber element testing methods will be helpful for the oil and gas industry to create a standard to evaluate dissolvable rubbers and dissolvable rubber sealing elements.