WO2006023307A1 - Rat hole bypass for gravel packing assembly - Google Patents
Rat hole bypass for gravel packing assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006023307A1 WO2006023307A1 PCT/US2005/028070 US2005028070W WO2006023307A1 WO 2006023307 A1 WO2006023307 A1 WO 2006023307A1 US 2005028070 W US2005028070 W US 2005028070W WO 2006023307 A1 WO2006023307 A1 WO 2006023307A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tubing
- liner
- annulus
- gravel packing
- section
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 72
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 33
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 claims description 33
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 20
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 20
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 229920000747 poly(lactic acid) Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004626 polylactic acid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- TWRXJAOTZQYOKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L Magnesium chloride Chemical compound [Mg+2].[Cl-].[Cl-] TWRXJAOTZQYOKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 2
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N lactic acid Chemical compound CC(O)C(O)=O JVTAAEKCZFNVCJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910019142 PO4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003518 caustics Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012065 filter cake Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002334 glycols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003112 inhibitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004310 lactic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000014655 lactic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011777 magnesium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001629 magnesium chloride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000395 magnesium oxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N magnesium oxide Inorganic materials [Mg]=O CPLXHLVBOLITMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- AXZKOIWUVFPNLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N magnesium;oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O-2].[Mg+2] AXZKOIWUVFPNLO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- LNOPIUAQISRISI-UHFFFAOYSA-N n'-hydroxy-2-propan-2-ylsulfonylethanimidamide Chemical compound CC(C)S(=O)(=O)CC(N)=NO LNOPIUAQISRISI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 description 1
- NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K phosphate Chemical compound [O-]P([O-])([O-])=O NBIIXXVUZAFLBC-UHFFFAOYSA-K 0.000 description 1
- 239000010452 phosphate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000002455 scale inhibitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001629 suppression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/18—Pipes provided with plural fluid passages
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/04—Gravelling of wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/04—Gravelling of wells
- E21B43/045—Crossover tools
Definitions
- the present invention relates to gravel packing of hydrocarbon producing wells and more particularly to a gravel packing slurry bypass for gravel packing assemblies.
- Oil and gas wells are often completed with an open hole in unconsolidated formations containing fines and sand which flow with fluids produced from the formations.
- the sand in the produced fluids can abrade and otherwise damage tubing, pumps, etc. and must be removed from the produced fluids.
- Gravel packs which include sand screens and the like are commonly installed in wellbores to filter out the fines and sand in the produced fluids.
- a screen is placed in the wellbore and positioned within the producing zone. The screen is typically connected to a tool string which includes a packer and a crossover and the tool string is connected to and supported by a work or production string.
- a slurry of particulate matter, usually graded sand and referred to as gravel, carried in a fluid is pumped down the work string, through the crossover and into the annulus between the screen and the wellbore.
- the slurry fluid leaks off through the screen which is sized to prevent the sand in the slurry from flowing therethrough. Some of the fluid may also leak off into the formation.
- the sand fills the annulus around the screen forming a gravel pack.
- the sand size is selected to prevent formation fines and sand from flowing into the production tubing.
- an upper part of the wellbore is lined with steel casing which is cemented into the wellbore.
- the upper part of the wellbore is normally drilled to a larger diameter than the lower open hole portion.
- the casing is normally placed in the upper portion and cemented before the lower, generally smaller diameter portion is drilled.
- the crossover and its packer are normally set in the cased portion of the wellbore while the screen and blank pipe connected to the screen are in the lower open hole portion.
- the gravel packing slurry enters the well annulus in the cased portion and must flow through the rat hole region to reach the annulus around the screen. Since the rat hole portion has a larger diameter than either the cased upper portion or the open hole lower portion, the slurry flow velocity is significantly reduced through the rat hole area. In some cases, especially in horizontal wells, the flow velocity in the rat hole area may not be sufficient to keep the sand fluidized. When this happens, the sand may settle out of the slurry and cause a sand bridge preventing the slurry from reaching the yet unpacked open hole below the rat hole.
- Flow velocity may be maintained by increasing the rate of pumping of slurry. However, the increased rate usually requires higher pump pressure. The higher pump pressure may cause undesirable fluid leak off into the formation and in some cases may cause undesirable fracturing of earth formations.
- the present invention provides a bypass flow path for gravel packing slurry.
- the bypass flow path has a cross sectional area selected to maintain the flow velocity of the gravel packing slurry at a level sufficient to keep the gravel packing sand suspended in the slurry liquid.
- a section of liner is carried on a section of tubing between a gravel-packing crossover and a screen.
- the liner is sized and positioned to span a rat hole and any associated irregularities in a wellbore.
- the bypass flow path is the annulus between the liner and the tubing.
- a flow seal is preferably provided to restrict fluid flow between the liner and the borehole.
- Fig. 1 is a general schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a complete gravel packing assembly including a crossover assembly, a bypass, and a screen assembly in a vertical well.
- FIG. 2 is a more detailed cross sectional illustration of a gravel-packing bypass in an embodiment in a horizontal well.
- FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional illustration of an alternative embodiment in which a bypass liner includes perforations plugged with a removable material to facilitate production from a rat hole area.
- a screen may be described as being below or downhole from a crossover.
- the screen will actually be located below the crossover.
- the screen will be horizontally displaced from the crossover, but will be farther from the surface location of the well as measured through the well.
- Downhole or below refers to a position in a well farther from the surface location in the well.
- An annulus is generally a space between two generally cylindrical elements formed when a first generally cylindrical element is positioned inside a second generally cylindrical element.
- a tubing is a cylindrical element which may be positioned in a wellbore, the wall of which is generally cylindrical forming an annulus between the tubing and the wellbore. While drawings of such arrangements typically show the inner element centrally positioned in the second, it should be understood that inner element may be offset and may actually contact a surface of the outer element at some radial location, e.g. on the lower side of a horizontal well. The width of an annulus is therefore typically not the same in all radial directions.
- Fig. 1 provides a general schematic diagram of a gravel packing assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 is not drawn to scale in order to better illustrate the relative locations and positions of the various elements.
- a wellbore 10 is shown passing vertically through earth formations 12 and 14.
- Formation 14 may be a formation from which hydrocarbons may. be produced.
- An upper portion 16 of wellbore 10 is shown as having been drilled to a larger diameter down to a depth 18 above the producing formation 14, but may extend into the formation 14.
- a steel casing 20 is positioned in the upper portion 16 with the lower end or casing shoe 22 of the casing 20 positioned some distance above the depth 18.
- the portion of the well between the bottom 22 of the casing 20 and the depth location 18 is generally referred to as a rat hole 26.
- a typical rat hole 26 may be from two to fifteen meters long.
- Cement 24 fills the annulus between the casing 20 and the borehole 10.
- a lower portion 28 of the well 10 has been drilled below the rat hole 26 down through the formation 14.
- the lower portion 28 is normally drilled after the casing 20 has been cemented into the upper portion 16.
- the lower portion 28 may therefore have an inner diameter almost as big as, as big as, or in some cases slightly larger than the inner diameter of casing 20, since a drill bit used to drill lower portion 28 is lowered through the casing 20 to drill portion 28.
- the diameter of the lower portion 28 is however generally smaller than the diameter of the rat hole 26.
- the change in borehole diameter at the bottom 18 of the rat hole 26 creates a borehole irregularity which may generate a sand bridge or otherwise interfere with proper gravel packing as discussed above.
- Other types of borehole irregularities may exist below the bottom 22 of the casing 20 and may extend below the rat hole 26.
- the cement may be drilled out at an angle below horizontal to locate the bottom of an oil reservoir and where the water level is.
- the open hole may be cemented back to the casing and then drilled out again in a horizontal path.
- a gravel packing assembly is shown positioned within wellbore 10. The assembly has been lowered into the well 10 on a work string 30 which extends up to the surface location of the well 10.
- a cross over 32 is carried on the lower end of work string 30 and carries a packer 34 which seals the annulus between the crossover 32 and the casing 20.
- a length of tubing 36 and collar 38 extend from the lower end of crossover 32 and support the remaining portions of the gravel packing assembly.
- a bypass 40 is connected to and supported by the collar 38.
- the bypass 40 includes a section of tubing 42, which may comprise several separate sections connected by collars, and one or more sections of liner 44 carried on the tubing 42.
- a seal 46 for example an elastomeric cup seal, is carried on the upper outer surface of the liner section 44.
- the bypass 40 is preferably positioned so that the seal 46 is located within the casing 20 and is sized to contact and seal against the inner surface of the casing 20.
- a separate seal element 46 may not be carried on the liner 44, but instead the liner 44 itself may act as a seal by being constructed of such a large diameter and sufficient length extending inside the casing 20 that flow outside the bypass 40, but inside the casing 20 is so constricted by friction that such flow is significantly blocked.
- the length of bypass 40 is selected so that the
- lower end of the liner 44 is at or below the bottom 18 of the rat hole 26 and any other associated borehole irregularities.
- a collar 48 is provided at the lower end of the tubing section 42.
- Element 44 is referred to herein as a liner, because in the described embodiments an oilfield tubular element commonly referred to as liner was used to make the element 44 and, when used to bypass a rat hole, it is positioned below the bottom of casing 20 somewhat like a permanent well liner.
- liner oilfield tubular element
- Such members may be made of steel and may have thin or thick walls.
- Non-metallic, for example fiberglass, tubular members could also be used to make the liner 44.
- a screen assembly 50 is carried on the collar 48.
- tubing section 50 may include one or more blank tubing sections 51. Although the tubing section is not limited
- the screen assembly 50 is positioned within the lower portion 28 of the well 10 and is adjacent a producing portion of formation 14.
- the purpose of the gravel packing assembly is to completely fill, or pack, the annulus 52 between screen 50 and the borehole lower portion 28 with gravel packing particulate or sand.
- Gravel packing is performed by flowing a slurry of gravel packing sand in a fluid down through the work string 30.
- the slurry flows out of one or more ports 54 below packer 34 and down the annulus 56 as indicated by the arrow 58. Since the seal 46 restricts flow in part of the annulus, the slurry will flow into an annulus between tubing 42 and the liner 44, and out the lower end thereof as indicated by the arrow 60.
- the lower end of the liner 44 is located below the rat hole 26 and in the smaller diameter lower well portion 28.
- the slurry flows down the annulus 52 to and around the screen 50.
- the fluid portion of the slurry flows through the screen 50 and possibly into the formation 14 and the particulates fill the annulus 52 forming the desired gravel pack.
- the crossover 32, packer 34 and screen assembly 50 may be the same as components used in prior art gravel packing assemblies. However, in the prior art assemblies, these components are connected together only by a section of tubing 51 having sufficient length to position the crossover 32 and packer 34 in the casing 20 and the screen 50 at a desired location in the producing zone 14. With the prior art assembly, the gravel packing slurry would flow through the rat hole 26 at a reduced speed, increasing the possibility that the particulates would settle out of the slurry and bridge off in the rat hole 26. The geometry change at the bottom of the rat hole 26 or other associated borehole irregularities may also cause formation of a bridge in the annulus above the screen 50.
- gravel packing in the annulus around the screen 50 may be prevented or may have voids.
- the bypass 40 of the present invention the slurry flow through the rat hole 26 is confined to the smaller cross sectional area of the annulus between liner 44 and tubing 42.
- the smaller cross sectional area helps maintain a desirable high slurry velocity which helps the particulates remain suspended in the slurry and flow into the annulus 52 around the screen 50. As a result, a good gravel pack may be achieved.
- Fig. 2 is a more detailed partially cross-sectional view of a gravel packing assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. Parts which may be the same as parts shown in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numbers.
- the well 10 is shown in a horizontal orientation in zone 14 with the understanding that the casing 20 would normally extend through a substantially vertical portion of the well above the producing zone 14. Gravel packing is more difficult in horizontal completions than in vertical completions and the present invention is particularly useful in horizontal completions.
- the bypass 40 may be formed of several elements assembled onto a length of tubing 42.
- the tubing 42 is preferably formed from at least two lengths of tubing.
- One is a short length of tubing 66, e.g. about three
- the bypass 40 may also include a length of liner 72 coupled between a lower end cap 74 and an upper end cap 76.
- Lower end cap 74 includes an inner sleeve 78 sized to be slidably carried on the tubing section 66, but to have an inner diameter too small to slide over or past the collars 48 and 70. Therefore, when assembled as shown in Fig. 2. the lower end cap 74 may slide up and down the tubing 42 by about the length of the tubing section 66.
- the end cap 74 also has an outer sleeve 80 having an outer diameter about equal to that of the liner section 72, and coupled to the section 72 by a collar 82.
- the inner sleeve 78 and outer sleeve 80 are connected together by a plurality, e.g. four, of radial ribs 84 which allow fluids to flow between the sleeves 78 and 80.
- the upper end cap 76 is very similar to the lower end cap 74. It includes an inner sleeve 86 slidably carried on tubing section 68, an outer sleeve 88 and radial ribs 90 connecting the inner sleeve 86 and the outer sleeve 88.
- the upper end cap 76 outer sleeve 88 may be connected to the upper end of liner section 76 by a separate coupling 92 on which is carried the cup seal 46.
- a threaded connection between outer sleeve 88 and coupling 92 provides a convenient location for mounting the inner portion of the cup seal 46.
- the entire bypass 40 may slide a distance up and down the tubing 42 limited by the lower end cap 74 and the collars 48 and 70.
- the bypass 40 may be assembled as shown in Fig. 2 as a simple, separate modular assembly with threaded connectors on each end of the tubing 42.
- the complete gravel packing assembly of Fig. 1 may be made up by connecting the bypass 40 between a conventional cross-over and packer assembly above the bypass 40 and a conventional screen assembly 50 below the bypass.
- the overall length of the bypass 40 may be selected by selecting a length of the liner section 72.
- the lower end cap 74 and upper end cap 76 may have the same dimensions regardless of the overall length of a bypass 40.
- the tubing 42 should be somewhat longer than the combined lengths of the liner 72 and endcaps 74, 76, unless the Fig. 3 alternative embodiment extending the screen 50 to within the rat hole 26 is being used, such alternative requiring the special care in selection of screen and service tool type and geometry as discussed below. It is preferred that the bypass 40 have sufficient overall length to allow the seal 46 to be positioned within the casing 20 while the lower end cap 74 is positioned at or below the lower end 18 of the rat hole 26 and other associated borehole irregularities.
- the bypass 40 may be somewhat longer than the rat hole 26.
- up to fifteen meters of the bypass 40 may be located within the lower smaller diameter portion 28 of the well or in the casing 20 and will not interfere with the gravel packing operation.
- the gravel packing assembly After the gravel packing assembly has been assembled, it may be positioned in a well as shown in Fig. 1. A gravel packing operation may be performed according to well known gravel packing practice. By using the bypass 40 of the present invention, problems caused by rat hole 26 are avoided and a good gravel pack is more easily achieved.
- cup seals 46 are preferred to block flow of slurry outside of the liner 44.
- a second seal could be carried on the lower end cap 74 and sized to at least partially seal against the borehole in the lower open hole portion 28.
- the seal or seals direct the slurry flow through the bypass 40 maintaining a desirable high flow velocity and avoiding formation of a bridge in the rat hole 26.
- the bypass 40 may be used without a seal 46. If a sand bridge forms outside the bypass 40, the bridge itself may force essentially all of the slurry flow through the
- the liner 44 may be selected to have an outer diameter which forms a close fit with the inner diameter of casing 20, but which does not interfere with running the liner 44 into the casing 20.
- a suitable diameter may be the drift diameter specified for the casing 20 or a diameter a fraction of an inch, e.g. one-sixteenth to one-quarter of an inch, less than the drift diameter of the casing 20. Smaller diameters may also be suitable.
- the length of liner 44 may be selected so that a significant length of the liner 44 may be positioned within the casing 20 for the gravel packing operation.
- the flow area in the annulus between tubing 42 and the casing 20 will thereby be divided into two flow areas, with the majority of the flow area in the annulus between tubing 42 and the liner 44 and only a small part of the flow area in the annulus between the liner 44 and the casing 20. This difference in flow areas alone may cause substantially all of the slurry to flow through the annulus between tubing 42 and the liner 44. Flow through the annulus between the liner 44 and the casing 20, will be substantially restricted by friction pressure and will be at a lower velocity.
- the friction pressure will divert substantially all slurry flow through the annulus between liner 44 and the tubing 42.
- the low velocity may result in a sand bridge forming in the annulus between liner 44 and the casing 20 or in the rat hole outside the liner 44.
- Such an outer sand bridge may act as a seal, further causing substantially all slurry to flow through the annulus between liner 44 and the tubing 42, which is the desired result.
- a similar result may be achieved by providing an outer diameter, e.g. about casing drift diameter, of the
- the present invention provides a defined primary slurry flow path that substantially bypasses the rat hole area.
- the bypass flow path has a cross sectional area and shape which can be preselected to provide a desirable slurry velocity and to minimize disruptions in the geometry of the flow path which may cause aggregate to drop out of the slurry.
- the flow path through bypass 40 is in the form of an annulus between the tubing 42 and the liner 44.
- a flow path of desirable cross sectional area could have other geometries.
- one or more circular, square or other cross-section tubes or conduits could be carried axially along the outer surface of the tubing 42 to provide a bypass. If multiple conduits are used, the total cross sectional flow area can be selected to provide a desirable slurry velocity.
- the flow path through the end caps 74, 76 is actually divided into four quarter-annulus segments by the radially extending ribs 84 and 90 respectively.
- Each end cap therefore may be described as made up of a plurality of separate conduits each having somewhat of a square cross section, with the combined flow area through the plurality of conduits providing a desirable slurry velocity.
- Such multiple conduits could extend over the entire length of the bypass 40.
- rat hole 26 may be positioned in a productive zone and it may be desirable to position a sand screen in the rat hole area to allow recovery of produced fluids which may flow from the rat hole area.
- Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment which may provide the bypass advantages of the present invention during gravel packing without interfering with production from the rat hole area. Most parts in Fig. 3 may be the same as those in Fig.
- the bypass 40 includes a liner 94 having a plurality of perforations 96. Each perforation 96 is filled with a removable plug 98.
- a sand screen 100 which may be an extension of screen 50, may be
- the liner 94 is functionally equivalent to the liner 44 and facilitates gravel packing, including forming a gravel pack between the liner 94 and the screen 100.
- formation fluids may flow from the rat hole area through the liner 94 and into the screen 100.
- Positioning of the screen 100 within the rat hole 26 may require that care be taken with the selection of the type and/or geometry of the screen 100 (e.g., erosion-resistant screen types, special inner and outer diameter screen), and associated service tools used to place the pack (e.g., the washpipe inside such additional screen 50 could have a larger outer diameter than is typical) within the rat hole 26.
- Such selection may be needed to reliably pack the annulus between the screen 100 and the liner 94.
- Such special types of screen and service tools are well known to those skilled in the art of gravel packing.
- One means may be the use of the removable plugs 98 in the perforations 96, which plugs could be removed by chemical or mechanical means such as fluid contact with the plugs after gravel packing is complete, or merely the passage of time during which the plugs could naturally degrade or dissolve in common well bore fluids.
- Such removable plugs are well known in the art.
- U.S. Patent 5,355,956 teaches use of sacrificial plugs fabricated from a sacrificial metal such as zinc, aluminum and magnesium. Such materials are considered sacrificial because they have a relatively high rate of etching or dissolution when contacted by an acid or base solution, as compared to the rate at which a steel liner is affected by such solutions.
- the plugs 98 may alternatively be made of a mixture of magnesium oxide and magnesium chloride that is soluble in hydrochloric or sulfamic acid.
- the plugs 98 may also be made of polylactic acid, which combines with water to degrade to lactic acid.
- an oil soluble resin may be used to form the plugs 98. Both polylactic acid and oil soluble resin degrade at slow enough rates that they would retain sufficient strength during the gravel packing
- the plugs 98 may also be partially or entirely made of other chemicals used to treat oil wells. Such materials include phosphate scale inhibitors or encapsulated inhibitors. Solidified or encapsulated glycols may be used to provide hydrate suppression. Solidified or encapsulated materials of an acidic or caustic nature may aid in filter cake removal. Treatment materials may be mixed with or bound together with other materials, such as the polylactic acid mentioned above. When the blocking materials are removed after the packing process, the chemicals may be released to perform their normal well treatment function. [0043] While the liner 94 is illustrated as a substantially tubular pipe or tubing in which circular perforations have been formed, it is apparent that the perforations could have other shapes such as square or slotted.
- the liner 94 may have a large number of small perforations like a sand screen.
- the liner 94 could be made of a porous material similar to some sand screens.
- the liner 94 could be coated or saturated with one of the materials discussed above, e.g. polylactic acid, to make it essentially impermeable during a gravel packing operation. After the material is removed, dissolved, etc. produced fluids could flow through the liner 94.
- the plugs 98 may be made of a permanent porous material with the pores filled initially with one of the materials listed above.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Investigation Of Foundation Soil And Reinforcement Of Foundation Soil By Compacting Or Drainage (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0703705A GB2433282A (en) | 2004-08-20 | 2005-08-09 | Rat hole bypass for gravel packing assembly |
BRPI0514428-0A BRPI0514428A (en) | 2004-08-20 | 2005-08-09 | deviation for gravel filling suspension, apparatus and method for draining gravel filling suspension, method for gravel filling a wellbore, and gravel filling set |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/923,225 US20060037752A1 (en) | 2004-08-20 | 2004-08-20 | Rat hole bypass for gravel packing assembly |
US10/923,225 | 2004-08-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006023307A1 true WO2006023307A1 (en) | 2006-03-02 |
Family
ID=35342640
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2005/028070 WO2006023307A1 (en) | 2004-08-20 | 2005-08-09 | Rat hole bypass for gravel packing assembly |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060037752A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0514428A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2433282A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2006023307A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7721801B2 (en) * | 2004-08-19 | 2010-05-25 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Conveyance device and method of use in gravel pack operation |
US8584753B2 (en) | 2010-11-03 | 2013-11-19 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for creating an annular barrier in a subterranean wellbore |
US9074466B2 (en) | 2011-04-26 | 2015-07-07 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Controlled production and injection |
US20130206393A1 (en) | 2012-02-13 | 2013-08-15 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Economical construction of well screens |
US10145217B2 (en) | 2016-10-03 | 2018-12-04 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Chemical attenuator sleeve |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2224538A (en) * | 1939-06-02 | 1940-12-10 | Standard Oil Dev Co | Method and apparatus for gravelpacking wells |
US3421586A (en) * | 1967-08-29 | 1969-01-14 | B & W Inc | Flow-reversing liner shoe for well gravel packing apparatus |
US3850246A (en) * | 1973-07-14 | 1974-11-26 | Gulf Research Development Co | Gravel packing method and apparatus |
US5823254A (en) * | 1996-05-02 | 1998-10-20 | Bestline Liner Systems, Inc. | Well completion tool |
US20020104650A1 (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 2002-08-08 | Dusterhoft Ronald Glen | Method and apparatus for frac/gravel packs |
WO2003080993A1 (en) * | 2002-03-21 | 2003-10-02 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method and application for open hole gravel packing |
EP1350921A2 (en) * | 2002-04-01 | 2003-10-08 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for completing and gravel packing wells |
Family Cites Families (64)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2344909A (en) * | 1940-04-15 | 1944-03-21 | Edward E Johnson Inc | Deep well screen |
US2342913A (en) * | 1940-04-15 | 1944-02-29 | Edward E Johnson Inc | Deep well screen |
US4102395A (en) * | 1977-02-16 | 1978-07-25 | Houston Well Screen Company | Protected well screen |
US4627488A (en) * | 1985-02-20 | 1986-12-09 | Halliburton Company | Isolation gravel packer |
US4860831A (en) * | 1986-09-17 | 1989-08-29 | Caillier Michael J | Well apparatuses and methods |
US4932474A (en) * | 1988-07-14 | 1990-06-12 | Marathon Oil Company | Staged screen assembly for gravel packing |
US4945991A (en) * | 1989-08-23 | 1990-08-07 | Mobile Oil Corporation | Method for gravel packing wells |
US5082052A (en) * | 1991-01-31 | 1992-01-21 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Apparatus for gravel packing wells |
US5113935A (en) * | 1991-05-01 | 1992-05-19 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Gravel packing of wells |
US5165476A (en) * | 1991-06-11 | 1992-11-24 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Gravel packing of wells with flow-restricted screen |
US5161618A (en) * | 1991-08-16 | 1992-11-10 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Multiple fractures from a single workstring |
US5161613A (en) * | 1991-08-16 | 1992-11-10 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Apparatus for treating formations using alternate flowpaths |
US5355956A (en) * | 1992-09-28 | 1994-10-18 | Halliburton Company | Plugged base pipe for sand control |
US5333688A (en) * | 1993-01-07 | 1994-08-02 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method and apparatus for gravel packing of wells |
US5333689A (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1994-08-02 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Gravel packing of wells with fluid-loss control |
US5372192A (en) * | 1993-05-07 | 1994-12-13 | Bitting; George C. | Drag block for increasing the fluid resistance of well production tubing inadvertently dropped in a cased hole of an oil or gas well |
US5390966A (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1995-02-21 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Single connector for shunt conduits on well tool |
US5415227A (en) * | 1993-11-15 | 1995-05-16 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method for well completions in horizontal wellbores in loosely consolidated formations |
US5419394A (en) * | 1993-11-22 | 1995-05-30 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Tools for delivering fluid to spaced levels in a wellbore |
US5443117A (en) * | 1994-02-07 | 1995-08-22 | Halliburton Company | Frac pack flow sub |
US5476143A (en) * | 1994-04-28 | 1995-12-19 | Nagaoka International Corporation | Well screen having slurry flow paths |
US5417284A (en) * | 1994-06-06 | 1995-05-23 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method for fracturing and propping a formation |
US5435391A (en) * | 1994-08-05 | 1995-07-25 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method for fracturing and propping a formation |
US5515915A (en) * | 1995-04-10 | 1996-05-14 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Well screen having internal shunt tubes |
US5560427A (en) * | 1995-07-24 | 1996-10-01 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Fracturing and propping a formation using a downhole slurry splitter |
US5588487A (en) * | 1995-09-12 | 1996-12-31 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Tool for blocking axial flow in gravel-packed well annulus |
US5636691A (en) * | 1995-09-18 | 1997-06-10 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Abrasive slurry delivery apparatus and methods of using same |
US5722490A (en) * | 1995-12-20 | 1998-03-03 | Ely And Associates, Inc. | Method of completing and hydraulic fracturing of a well |
US5730223A (en) * | 1996-01-24 | 1998-03-24 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Sand control screen assembly having an adjustable flow rate and associated methods of completing a subterranean well |
US5690175A (en) * | 1996-03-04 | 1997-11-25 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Well tool for gravel packing a well using low viscosity fluids |
US6047773A (en) * | 1996-08-09 | 2000-04-11 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for stimulating a subterranean well |
US5848645A (en) * | 1996-09-05 | 1998-12-15 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method for fracturing and gravel-packing a well |
US6116343A (en) * | 1997-02-03 | 2000-09-12 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | One-trip well perforation/proppant fracturing apparatus and methods |
US5842516A (en) * | 1997-04-04 | 1998-12-01 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Erosion-resistant inserts for fluid outlets in a well tool and method for installing same |
US5868200A (en) * | 1997-04-17 | 1999-02-09 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Alternate-path well screen having protected shunt connection |
US5921318A (en) * | 1997-04-21 | 1999-07-13 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for treating multiple production zones |
US5890533A (en) * | 1997-07-29 | 1999-04-06 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Alternate path well tool having an internal shunt tube |
US5964296A (en) * | 1997-09-18 | 1999-10-12 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Formation fracturing and gravel packing tool |
US6427775B1 (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 2002-08-06 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for completing wells in unconsolidated subterranean zones |
AU738914C (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 2002-04-11 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for completing wells in unconsolidated subterranean zones |
US6003600A (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 1999-12-21 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods of completing wells in unconsolidated subterranean zones |
US6059032A (en) * | 1997-12-10 | 2000-05-09 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method and apparatus for treating long formation intervals |
US6450263B1 (en) * | 1998-12-01 | 2002-09-17 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Remotely actuated rupture disk |
US6230803B1 (en) * | 1998-12-03 | 2001-05-15 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Apparatus and method for treating and gravel-packing closely spaced zones |
US6227303B1 (en) * | 1999-04-13 | 2001-05-08 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Well screen having an internal alternate flowpath |
US6220345B1 (en) * | 1999-08-19 | 2001-04-24 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Well screen having an internal alternate flowpath |
US6343651B1 (en) * | 1999-10-18 | 2002-02-05 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow with sand control |
US6409219B1 (en) * | 1999-11-12 | 2002-06-25 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Downhole screen with tubular bypass |
US6394184B2 (en) * | 2000-02-15 | 2002-05-28 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method and apparatus for stimulation of multiple formation intervals |
DZ3387A1 (en) * | 2000-07-18 | 2002-01-24 | Exxonmobil Upstream Res Co | PROCESS FOR TREATING MULTIPLE INTERVALS IN A WELLBORE |
US6644406B1 (en) * | 2000-07-31 | 2003-11-11 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Fracturing different levels within a completion interval of a well |
US6464007B1 (en) * | 2000-08-22 | 2002-10-15 | Exxonmobil Oil Corporation | Method and well tool for gravel packing a long well interval using low viscosity fluids |
US6520254B2 (en) * | 2000-12-22 | 2003-02-18 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Apparatus and method providing alternate fluid flowpath for gravel pack completion |
US6557634B2 (en) * | 2001-03-06 | 2003-05-06 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore |
US6588506B2 (en) * | 2001-05-25 | 2003-07-08 | Exxonmobil Corporation | Method and apparatus for gravel packing a well |
US6516881B2 (en) * | 2001-06-27 | 2003-02-11 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore |
US6588507B2 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2003-07-08 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for progressively gravel packing an interval of a wellbore |
US6601646B2 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2003-08-05 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for sequentially packing an interval of a wellbore |
US6581689B2 (en) * | 2001-06-28 | 2003-06-24 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Screen assembly and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore |
US6516882B2 (en) * | 2001-07-16 | 2003-02-11 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore |
US6830104B2 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2004-12-14 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Well shroud and sand control screen apparatus and completion method |
US6702019B2 (en) * | 2001-10-22 | 2004-03-09 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus and method for progressively treating an interval of a wellbore |
US6715545B2 (en) * | 2002-03-27 | 2004-04-06 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Transition member for maintaining for fluid slurry velocity therethrough and method for use of same |
US7721801B2 (en) * | 2004-08-19 | 2010-05-25 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Conveyance device and method of use in gravel pack operation |
-
2004
- 2004-08-20 US US10/923,225 patent/US20060037752A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2005
- 2005-08-09 BR BRPI0514428-0A patent/BRPI0514428A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2005-08-09 GB GB0703705A patent/GB2433282A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-08-09 WO PCT/US2005/028070 patent/WO2006023307A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2224538A (en) * | 1939-06-02 | 1940-12-10 | Standard Oil Dev Co | Method and apparatus for gravelpacking wells |
US3421586A (en) * | 1967-08-29 | 1969-01-14 | B & W Inc | Flow-reversing liner shoe for well gravel packing apparatus |
US3850246A (en) * | 1973-07-14 | 1974-11-26 | Gulf Research Development Co | Gravel packing method and apparatus |
US5823254A (en) * | 1996-05-02 | 1998-10-20 | Bestline Liner Systems, Inc. | Well completion tool |
US20020104650A1 (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 2002-08-08 | Dusterhoft Ronald Glen | Method and apparatus for frac/gravel packs |
WO2003080993A1 (en) * | 2002-03-21 | 2003-10-02 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method and application for open hole gravel packing |
EP1350921A2 (en) * | 2002-04-01 | 2003-10-08 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for completing and gravel packing wells |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20060037752A1 (en) | 2006-02-23 |
BRPI0514428A (en) | 2008-06-10 |
GB2433282A (en) | 2007-06-20 |
GB0703705D0 (en) | 2007-04-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6857476B2 (en) | Sand control screen assembly having an internal seal element and treatment method using the same | |
US6601646B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for sequentially packing an interval of a wellbore | |
US6719051B2 (en) | Sand control screen assembly and treatment method using the same | |
US6176307B1 (en) | Tubing-conveyed gravel packing tool and method | |
US6516881B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore | |
US8403062B2 (en) | Wellbore method and apparatus for completion, production and injection | |
US6899176B2 (en) | Sand control screen assembly and treatment method using the same | |
US6761218B2 (en) | Methods and apparatus for improving performance of gravel packing systems | |
EP0525257B1 (en) | Gravel pack well completions with auger-screen | |
CA2648024C (en) | Wellbore method and apparatus for sand and inflow control during well operations | |
US6886634B2 (en) | Sand control screen assembly having an internal isolation member and treatment method using the same | |
AU1840701A (en) | Method and apparatus for frac/gravel packs | |
WO2007024627A2 (en) | Sand control screen assembly enhanced with disappearing sleeve and burst disc | |
US10465484B2 (en) | Gravel packing system and method | |
US20050121192A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore | |
CA2544887C (en) | Wellbore gravel packing apparatus and method | |
US6793017B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for transferring material in a wellbore | |
WO2006023307A1 (en) | Rat hole bypass for gravel packing assembly | |
US8448705B2 (en) | Methods of preventing premature fracturing of a subterranean formation using a sheath | |
CA2047627C (en) | Gravel pack well completions with auger-screen | |
WO2013052033A1 (en) | Methods of preventing premature fracturing of a subterrranean formation using a sheath | |
MXPA06006226A (en) | Wellbore gravel packing apparatus and method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KM KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NG NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): BW GH GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 0703705 Country of ref document: GB Kind code of ref document: A Free format text: PCT FILING DATE = 20050809 |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 0703705.4 Country of ref document: GB |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase | ||
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: PI0514428 Country of ref document: BR |