Cost-Effective Bottomhole Flow Diagnostics inMature Assets Using Dissolvable Ball with Nanoparticle Tracers: A Case Study from East Texas

Managing mature oil and gas wells under a Proved Developed Producing (PDP) investment model requires cost-effective diagnostics to guide intervention strategies and maximize production. In the Tennessee Colony Field located in Anderson County, East Texas, Petralis Energy Resources LLC deployed an innovative production flow diagnostic technology using nanoparticle tracers encapsulated within dissolvable alloy spheres or balls to evaluate bottomhole flow in the Flockhart #1 mature vertical well. The dissolvable alloy balls, available in multiple sizes (2.0-in., 2.5-in., 3.5-in., or 4.5-in. outer diameter), are engineered to withstand extreme downhole conditions, including pressures up to 7,500 psi and temperatures up to 500°F, while the tracers themselves remain stable at temperatures up to 2,000°F. Deployment involves dropping or pumping the balls to the bottom of vertical wells or the toe of horizontal wells, where they dissolve within approximately 72 hours, releasing non-radioactive, non-hazardous nanoparticle tracers into the production stream. These tracers are detected with ultra-high sensitivity sub-atomic analytical methods, providing near real-time flow diagnostics without the need for costly downhole modifications or interventions. The precision-machined, highly engineered dissolvable alloy shell of the ball functions as a housing for tracer deployment. This sphere is easily dropped or pumped to the bottom of a vertical well or the toe of an extended-reach horizontal section for deployment. The case study of the Flockhart #1 well demonstrates the technology's ability to deliver actionable, high-resolution flow data with minimal disruption and at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. Tracer data recovery was robust, well above the target detection threshold and confirmed restored production flow from targeted intervals following acid stimulation, validating the workover and aligning with Petralis’ cost-sensitive strategy. Compared to conventional techniques, this novel approach minimizes operational complexity and expense while creating new opportunities for downhole production monitoring, and enhanced well management in mature fields, representing a breakthrough advancement in flow diagnostics for oil and gas producers.