Leave nothing behind TM

Pinpoint frac isolation on coiled-tubing

Predictable, verifiable, optimizable multistage fracturing

Predictable, verifiable, optimizable completions
The most efficient field frac network starts with predictable
frac spacing and predictable propped volume. Multistage
Unlimited frac isolation delivers both. Add downhole data
recording and you have repeatable frac-delivery that helps you
adjust and evaluate frac spacing and frac design for subse-
quent wells. Plug-and-perf completions, on the other hand, are
not predictable, verifiable, or repeatable, and they provide no
downhole data for use in optimization.

Predictable: Multistage Unlimited cemented casing sleeves

PLANNED REAL WORLD

Unpredictable: plug-and-perf

PLANNED REAL WORLD

An ideal field frac network would comprise equally spaced fracs of equal propped volume resulting in the maximum number of
stages without interzone communication and maximum frac length and height without bashing other wells or poaching other
formations. Optimization means getting as close to the ideal as possible as long as it makes economic sense.

An ideal optimized field frac network A likely plug-and-perf frac network

2
Features and benefits overview
Unlimited stages and spacing
With Multistage Unlimited technology, you don’t have to com-
promise your completion design because of operational limita-
tions or cost. You can have any number of stages at the desired
spacing needed to optimize production.
Easy-to-run sleeves
Multistage Unlimited sleeves for a project are all identical, so they
can be run in any order. The sleeves come with pre-torqued pup
joints so they are handled and made up into the casing string just
like casing joints.
No rig-up/rig-down between stages
Unlike plug-and-perf, Multistage Unlimited completion opera-
tions are streamlined and continuous, with no need to shut down
the completion sequence between stages. It takes only minutes
to unset the frac-isolation assembly, move it up to the next
sleeve, reset it, and shift the sleeve open.
Downhole data acquisition
Two gauge/recorders—one above the bridge plug and one
below—measure and record pressure, temperature, and forces
acting on the tool string during a completion. This data is in
addition to the actual frac-zone pressure that can be observed in
real time. The pressure data is analyzed post-job to verify stage
isolation. Temperature and force data is used for various diagnos-
tic purposes. By contrast, neither plug-and-perf nor ball-sleeve
systems provide any downhole data.
More effective proppant placement
The coiled tubing work string serves as a deadleg during fractur-
ing, so you can monitor pressure response of the formation in
real time. This gives you the information you need to control frac
growth and avoid screenouts by adjusting proppant loading, sand
ramp, and pump rates.
Quick screenout cleanup
With the coiled tubing serving as a deadleg, you can observe
frac-zone pressure (not simulated pressure) in real time, allowing
you to respond quickly if a screenout is indicated; for example,
you can adjust pump rates or sand loading, or pump fluid down
the coiled tubing to dilute the proppant concentration. Even if a
screenout occurs, excess proppant can be quickly circulated out
of the well.
Unrestricted, production-ready wellbore
When the last stage is completed and the resettable frac plug
is pulled from the hole, the well is ready to produce; there is no
need to drill out plugs or ball seats. The bore is full-open, with no
restrictions.
Two-thirds less pumping horsepower
Because Multistage Unlimited systems concentrate pumping at
a single frac point instead of across multiple perforation clusters,
ample frac rates through the sleeve ports are achieved with
about a third of the horsepower needed for plug-and-perf or
ball-sleeve completions. Pump rates for Multistage Unlimited
completions are typically 35 bpm or less, with the full rate con-
centrated at the injection point. Plug-and-perf and ball sleeves
require 85–100 bpm. The Multistage Unlimited system has been
used successfully with both slickwater and cross-linked fluids.
Less equipment at the wellsite
Less pumping horsepower means fewer frac units. A typical
Multistage Unlimited completion requires three to five frac units,
compared with 12 to 14 units needed for plug-and-perf and ball-
sleeve completions.
Less water, less chemicals
The ability to circulate facilitates water and chemicals manage-
ment. Leading-edge fluids can be circulated down to the target
zone before fracs are initiated, so less fluid is pumped into the
formation, compared to bullheading fluids down the casing. Fluid
requirements are further reduced by not having to pump plugs
and sleeve-actuating balls.
Less environmental impact
Smaller frac spreads means less equipment, less fuel consumed,
less engine exhaust, less noise, less traffic, and a smaller wellsite
footprint. That’s in addition to water and chemicals saved and
less need for water treatment and disposal. Less equipment
onsite also minimizes the number of personnel on the road and
working on location, reducing overall exposure to HSE issues.
The Multistage Unlimited gauge/recorder
captures pressure, temperature, and force data
during the completion.
3
The Multistage Unlimited system
Frac sleeves
Multistage Unlimited frac sleeves deliver all the benefits of
predictable frac spacing and predictable propped volume,
along with a nonstop frac operation. With their unrestricted ID,
the sleeves permit normal cementing operations, and they do
not impede production or future well intervention. The sleeves
are built to match the host casing, have high-torque capabil-
ities, and are shipped with pre-torqued pup joints for easy
handling and make-up into the casing string.
The system can also be used to sand-jet perforate blank casing
in lieu of running sleeves (see page 6).
Resettable bridge plug
The Multistage Unlimited resettable frac plug has three
functions: isolate the frac zone from the hole below, grip the
sliding sleeves for shifting, and anchor the isolation assembly
during frac pumping or sand-jet perforating. It incorporates an
automatic J-slot mechanism that sets, releases, and resets the
tool with straight up/down coiled tubing motion. The bridge
plug’s proprietary seal material, construction, clearances,
and self-flushing design make it extremely sand-friendly and
reliable for frac operations. An integral equalization valve facili-
tates releasing the bridge plug under high differential pressures
and also enables reverse circulation.
Sleeve locator
The robust, one-piece mechanical sleeve locator has a profile
that matches a recess at the bottom of the sleeves. As the
frac-isolation assembly is pulled up through the sleeve, the
keys snap into the recess. The instant increase in overpull is
positive surface indication that the assembly is properly posi-
tioned inside the sleeve.
Data recorders
There are two data recorders on each downhole assembly, one
above the resettable bridge plug and one below. These preci-
sion gauge/recorders measure pressure both inside the tool
string and in the coiled tubing/casing annulus, temperature
and linear forces. The data is used for verifying stage isolation
and for diagnostics.
Sand-jet perforating sub or flow sub
Sand-jet perforating is used to add stages in blank casing. It
is also used in lieu of sliding sleeves when the well is already
cased. The perforating sub also enables forward circulation.
When the completion incorporates MultiCycle sleeves, a
simple flow sub replaces the perforating sub, because perfora-
tions defeat the purpose of the reclosable sleeves.

Frac ports Inner sliding barrel Recess for locator keys

MultiCycle sleeve

Flow sub or sand-jet Equalizing valve Resettable bridge plug Sleeve locator
perforating sub

Data recorder Frac-isolation assembly Data recorder

Sleeve located, bridge plug unset

Bridge plug set, sleeve open for frac

4
 Typical completion sequence
As the frac-isolation assembly is pulled upward, the sleeve lo- Add stages on the fly
cator keys snap into a recess at the bottom of the sliding sleeve.
Then coiled tubing set-down weight is applied to set the reset- If the formation at a sliding sleeve will not take fluid, the isolation
table bridge plug. The bridge plug grips the inner barrel of the assembly can be released, moved up, and set in a section of
sleeve and isolates the target zone from the wellbore below. An blank casing. Sand-laden fluid is pumped down the coiled tubing
increase in wellbore pressure from above forces the assembly and through the perforating sub nozzles. The high-velocity slurry
and the inner barrel down, opening the sleeve’s frac ports to the cuts through the casing and cement and into the formation in
formation. Sleeve shifting is clearly indicated at the surface by about 45 minutes, providing a fresh frac-initiation point. See
weight and pressure changes (see chart at right). As the sleeve page 6 for details on Multistage Unlimited sand-jet perforating.
shifts, the locator recess closes, disengaging the locator keys and
providing an additional verification that the sleeve has shifted
(useful in the event that the formation will not take fluid).
The frac is pumped down the coiled tubing/casing annulus,
except in the case of low-rate fracs, when it can be pumped
through the coiled tubing (see the Half-Straddle system, page 6).
During the frac, the coiled tubing serves as a deadleg, transmit-
ting bottom-hole treating pressure (see chart at right) to the
surface to assist in adjusting pad size, sand concentration and
ramp, and pump rate in real time.
After the frac is away, a pull on the coiled tubing opens the
equalizing valve and unsets the bridge plug. The isolation assem-
bly is moved up to the next sliding sleeve, and the sequence is
repeated. In about 10 minutes, the stage is ready to frac. With
planning and coordination, stages can be completed quickly and A complete Multistage Unlimited sleeve frac stage, including moving the
smoothly at a rate of more than one per hour. isolation assembly to the next stage and shifting the sleeve open.
After the last stage, the isolation tool assembly is pulled from the
well and the unrestricted wellbore is ready for production.

MultiCycle sleeves: a new way to frac, and more

Locate the sleeve Open sleeve and frac Close sleeve, let frac heal Open sleeves, produce well

New MultiCycleTM frac sleeves (shown on opposite page) deliver
unprecedented options for completing a well, managing produc-
tion and secondary recovery operations, and performing refracs or
other remediation. Now, you can fracture stages out of sequence,
and you can close and reopen selected intervals as needed over
the life of the well. For completions, the frac-isolation assembly
locates the sleeve, isolates the stage for stimulation and shifts the
inner barrel down to open the frac ports. The sleeve can be closed
after the frac by pulling on the coiled tubing. During production
or remediation, a similar tool locates the sleeve for reclosing and
reopening as required.
MultiCycle sleeves offer a number of new capabilities:
• Prefrac injection test along the lateral, not just at the toe
• Prevent proppant inflow after a frac, while frac heals
• Frac stages in any desired order, exploit stress shadowing effects
• Shut off water production, unwanted gas, and thief zones
• Manage waterflood or other EOR
• Restore wellbore integrity for refracs
5
Half-Straddle option for low-rate fracs
The Half-StraddleTM option is ideal for completions in thin forma-
tions with water-bearing zones nearby. These wells are usually
best completed with a large number of stages and smaller frac-
tures to avoid the water zones. The lower frac rates (10 bpm or
less) are pumped through the coiled tubing instead of the coiled
tubing/casing annulus.
It’s called the Half-Straddle option because it resembles a
coiled-tubing straddle with only a lower seal; the upper seal is
achieved by closing the annulus at the surface.
Whenever the Half-Straddle option can be used, it provides three
important advantages:
• It reduces water consumption even more—up to 50%
compared to plug-and-perf and ball-sleeve systems.
A frac valve is added to the Multistage Unlimited assembly
to permit pumping fracs through the coiled tubing.
Sand-jet perforating
Multistage Unlimited zone isolation with sand-jet perforating
uses a high-velocity abrasive slurry to cut perforations to access
the formation. This option is used to add stages on the fly or for
completions when a well is already cased.
Typical completion
The frac-isolation assembly functions the same as with Multistage
Unlimited sleeve systems. The completion begins at the toe of
the well, with the frac-isolation assembly positioned at the lowest
planned stage. The resettable frac plug isolates the zone from the
well bore below and anchors the assembly. Then abrasive slurry
is pumped through the perforating sub nozzles. High-velocity
jets cut through the casing and cement and into the formation in
approximately 45 minutes.
Sand-jet perforate via the coiled tubing
6
• Low frac rates and volumes help control frac growth.
• There is no need for a high-pressure wellhead stack because the
coiled tubing contains all frac forces.
The only equipment difference between the Half-Straddle and the
Multistage Unlimited annular-frac system is the addition of a frac
valve above the resettable bridge plug. The sub permits fracs to
be pumped down the coiled tubing and out the sleeve ports.
A ball-seat feature allows flow to be diverted temporarily through
the sand-jet perforating sub to add stages in blank casing. After
perforating, the ball is pumped through the ball seat, and the frac
is pumped down the coiled tubing.
When the perforations are complete, frac pressure is applied
down the annulus. As with Multistage Unlimited sleeve com-
pletions, the coiled tubing serves as a deadleg, providing actual
pressure at the frac point to assist in adjusting sand concentration
and ramp, fluid viscosity, and pump rate in real time.
Peforating parameters are matched to formation characteristics
and coiled tubing length and size. Parameters include slurry densi-
ty, slurry flowrate, slurry pressure, and cutting duration.
With planning and coordination, stages can be completed quickly
and smoothly. After the last stage, the isolation assembly is re-
trieved, and the full-open wellbore is ready for production.
Frac via the coiled tubing/casing annulus
How NCS Multistage works with you
With Multistage Unlimited technology you don’t have to compromise your
completion because of technological and operational limitations, as you often do
with plug-and-perf and ball-sleeve systems. You can have as many fracs as you need
and put them exactly where you want them for optimum production and recovery.
Feel free to consult with NCS when planning your completion; we will be happy to
work with you on the stimulation and completion design.
For sliding sleeve completions, NCS provides sleeves to match your casing string and
hole size. We also work with you to select a coiled tubing contractor. Any qualified
coiled tubing contractor can operate Multistage Unlimited systems.
During the completion operation, NCS specialists at the wellsite coordinate with
both the pumping service and coiled tubing contractor. All our service supervisors
have extensive downhole tools and coiled tubing experience.

7
Leave nothing behind TM

Multistage Unlimited pinpoint frac isolation on coiled-tubing

WORLD HEADQUARTERS
NCS Multistage, LLC.
19450 State Highway 249, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77070
Ph: +1 281.453.2222
Fx: +1 281.652.5846

CANADA
NCS Multistage, Inc.
800, 840–7th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2P 3G2
Ph: +1 403.720.3236

On the web: ncsmultistage.com

Email inquiries: info@ncsmultistage.com

© 2015 NCS Multistage, LLC. All rights reserved.

Multistage Unlimited, MultiCycle, Half-Straddle, and “Leave Nothing Behind” are trademarks of NCS Multistage, LLC.