IN-Tallic Disintegrating Frac Balls
Divert treatment and prevent wellbore blockage for unimpeded productionBaker Hughes IN-Tallic™ disintegrating frac balls are composed of controlled electrolytic metallic (CEM) nanostructured material that is lighter than aluminum and stronger than some mild steels, but disintegrates when it is exposed to the appropriate fluid. The disintegration process works through electrochemical reactions that are controlled by nanoscale coatings within the composite grain structure. The nanomatrix of the material is high strength and has unique chemical properties that conventional materials do not.
The IN-Tallic disintegrating frac balls were designed to be used with current frac sleeves in the FracPoint multistage fracturing system and with the ballactivated QUIK Drill™ composite frac plugs. The IN-Tallic balls maintain shape and strength during the fracturing process and then disintegrate before or shortly after the well is put on production. The frac balls disintegrate over time by exposure to brine fluids, so the disintegration occurs with most fracturing and wellbore fluids and no special fluid mixture is required. Disintegration rates depend on temperature and the concentration of the brine. Also, acids disintegrate the balls at a much higher rate. This allows the flexibility to pump acid on the ball after the fracture is complete, to speed up the disintegration process.
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