Development of a High-Strength Soluble Aluminum Alloy and Its Application in Oil Pressure Cracking

A method for hydraulic fracturing of a formation that includes injection of a fracturing fluid with sealing balls to reduce filtration of the fracturing fluid is known. The balls are selected so that fissures into which fracturing fluid is diverted are reliably sealed temporarily. The problem of sluicing and returning the balls arises when the well is put into operation. Steel balls or high-molecular-mass polymeric materials are currently most widely used. Sluicing high-density steel balls is difficult. Polymer balls are easily deformed so they are also difficult to return. The present work proposes the use of aluminum-alloy balls and studies the electrochemical dissolution mechanism of the material in the formation. The developed aluminum-alloy balls had rather good solubility and high mechanical properties. Use of sealing balls made of this material provided effective transfer of the working pressure during hydrofracturing and avoided the problem of returning the balls. Also, high-strength alloys that can be dissolved could find applications in various fields.