MX2011003414A

MX2011003414A - Methods and equipment to improve reliability of pinpoint stimulation operations.

Info

Publication number: MX2011003414A
Application number: MX2011003414A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Jim B Surjaatmadja; Billy W Mcdaniel; Loyd E East
Original assignee: Halliburton Energy Serv Inc
Priority date: 2008-10-02
Filing date: 2009-02-10
Publication date: 2011-04-21
Also published as: CA2707140A1; AU2009299633A1; CA2707143A1; CA2654762A1; WO2010037993A3; CA2707147A1; CA2654762C; EP2329109A2; WO2010037993A2; BRPI0920715A2; US20100084137A1

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for improving the reliability of pinpoint stimulation operations are disclosed. The pinpoint stimulation improvement apparatus (100) includes an elastomeric element (104) and a spring (106) positioned on an inner surface of the elastomeric element. A flow limiter (102) is coupled to the elastomeric element.

Description

METHODS AND EQUIPMENT TO IMPROVE THE RELIABILITY OF PRECISION STIMULATION OPERATIONS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to underground stimulation operations and, more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for improving the reliability of precision stimulation operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION To produce hydrocarbons (for example, oil, gas, etc.) from an underground deposit, drilling can be conducted to penetrate the hydrocarbon-containing portions of the underground deposit. The portion of the underground deposit from which hydrocarbons may be produced is commonly referred to as the "production zone." In some cases, an underground deposit penetrated by the survey may have multiple production zones in several logs throughout the survey.

Generally, after a drilling has been drilled to a desired depth, completion operations are performed. Such termination operations may include inserting a perforated tube or casing in the borehole and, sometimes, cementing a casing or perforated tube in place. Once the desired drilling is completed (perforated, coated, uncoated, or any other known termination) a stimulation operation can be performed to improve hydrocarbon production in the borehole. Where the methods of the present invention relate to "stimulation," that term refers to any stimulation technique known in the art to increase the production of desirable fluids from an underground reservoir adjacent to a portion of a well. Examples of some common stimulation operations involve fracturing, acidifying, acidifying by fracture, and water jet perforation. It is intended that the stimulation operations increase the flow of hydrocarbons from the underground deposit surrounding the borehole in the same borehole so that hydrocarbons can then be produced in the wellhead.

A suitable water jet drilling stimulation method, presented by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., is known as SURGIFRAC and is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,765,642. The SURGIFRAC process in particular may be very suitable for use along highly deviated portions of a survey, where coating the survey may be difficult and / or costly. The water jet drilling technique of SURGIFRAC makes it possible to generate one or more independent hydraulic fractures from a single plane. In addition, even when highly deviated or horizontal wells are coated, drilling through perforations and fractures in such wells generally results in a more effective fracturing method than using traditional drilling and fracturing techniques.

Another method of stimulating proper water jetting, presented by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., is known as COBRAMAX-H and is described in U.S. Patent No. 7,225,869, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. . The COBRAMAX-H process in particular can be very suitable for use along highly deviated portions of a well. The COBRAMAX-H technique makes it possible to generate one or more independent hydraulic fractures without the need for zonal isolation, it can be used to drill and fracture in a single maneuver of the bottom of the hole, and can eliminate the need to establish mechanical shutters through of the use of a support agent cartridge.

The current precision stimulation techniques suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, during water jet drilling operations, movements of the water jet drilling tool generally reduce the performance of the tool. The movements of the water jet drilling tool can be caused by the extension or contraction of the pipe or the enormous turbulence around the tool. The reduction in tool efficiency is generally compensated for by the longer water jet drilling times so that it creates a hole eventually. However, the increase in water jet drilling times leads to an inefficient and time-consuming water jet drilling process.

The process of COBRAMAX-H also suffers from some disadvantages. Specifically, the COBRAMAX-H process involves isolating the stimulated zones of water jet drilling from subsequent well operations. The primary sealing of the previous regions in the COBRAMAX-H process is achieved by placing the sand shutters in the areas to be isolated. The placement of sand shutters, particularly in horizontal drilling, requires a very low flow rate which is difficult to achieve when using surface pumping equipment. On the other hand, when the operating pressures are high, the holes of the tool must be very small to create a low flow rate. The small size of the holes makes them susceptible to clogging.

Finally, the SURGIFRAC process, which uses the Bernoulli principle to achieve a seal between the fractures, poses certain challenges. During the SURGIFRAC process, the primary flow goes to the fracture while the secondary spill flow is supplied by the annular zone. In some cases, such as in long horizontal drilling, a large number of fractures may be desired. The formation of each fracture results in some additional spillage. Accordingly, with the increase in the number of fractures, the amount of secondary shed flow increases and eventually exceeds the amount of the primary flow to the fracture. Increased fluid losses reduce the efficiency of operations and increase the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to underground stimulation operations and, more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for improving the reliability of precision stimulation operations.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a precision stimulation enhancement apparatus comprising: an elastomeric element; a spring placed on an inner surface of the omelic element; and a flow limiter coupled to the elastomeric element.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a flow limiting device, comprising: an internal pipe; a pressure reducing channel on an outer surface of the internal pipe; an entry from inside the internal pipe to the pressure reducing channel; and an outlet from the pressure reducing channel to the interior of the internal pipe.

In still another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a pressure control module comprising: a seat body, wherein the seat body can be sealed within an external body; an opening in the seat body; and a patella, wherein the patella is inserted into the seat body through the opening.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for creating a sand shutter comprising: pumping a process fluid through a precision stimulation enhancement apparatus; passing the process fluid through a flow limiting device, wherein passing the process fluid through a flow limiting device comprises passing the process fluid through a pressure reducing channel; introduce the process fluid in a desired location; and create a sand shutter in the desired place.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for improving the performance of a stimulation water jet drilling tool comprising: pumping a process fluid through the stimulation water jet drilling tool; passing a portion of the process fluid through a precision stimulation enhancement apparatus, wherein the precision stimulation enhancement apparatus comprises: an elastomeric element; a spring placed on an inner surface of the elastomeric element; and a flow limiter coupled to the elastomeric element; and extending the elastomeric element to form a clamping mechanism for the stimulation water jet drilling tool.

The features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the preferred embodiments that follow when taken together with the accompanying figures. Although numerous changes can be made by those skilled in the art, such changes are within the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES These figures illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present invention, and should not be used to limit or define the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional comparison of an inflatable filter with a clamping implementation of a precision stimulation enhancement apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a flow limiter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Although the embodiments of this description have been represented and described and are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the description, such references do not imply a limitation on the description, and such limitation will not be inferred. The subject matter described has the capacity for modification, alteration, and considerable equivalents in form and function, as will be presented to those with experience in the pertinent art and who have the benefit of this description. The depicted and described embodiments of this description are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to underground stimulation operations and, more particularly, to apparatuses and methods for improving the reliability of precision stimulation operations.

Returning to Figure 1, a Precision Stimulation Enhancement Apparatus (PSIA) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is generally denoted by the reference number 100. The PSIA 100 may comprise one or more flow restrictors 102, an elastomeric element 104 and a spring mandrel 106 positioned on the inner surface of the elastomeric element. The spring mandrel 106 is rigid and provides some flexure, while acting as a reset mechanism for the elastomeric element 104. Additionally, the spring mandrel 106 provides a free flow between the area behind and inside the mandrel. In an exemplary embodiment, "blind" areas may be strategically placed to allow the installation of regulators to promote flow through the outer section of the spring mandrel 106, thereby continuously clearing the sand area or support agents. Specifically, the regulators are placed in a few places (as in the blind sections) to ensure that a portion of the flow always passes through the outside of the spring mandrel 106 and therefore, sand or support agents are not trapped in the elastomeric cavity.

The elastomeric element 104 acts as a clamping device. Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional comparison of an elastomeric element used as an inflatable filter configuration with the elastomeric element fastening configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 2 is divided into two regions: the traditional implementation of filter 202 (on the center line) and the new attachment configuration 204 (under the center line). In the filter implementation 202 the elastomeric element 206 is pressurized so that a total seal is present between the upper part and the lower part (right and left of Figure 2) of the filter. The pressure achieved must be high enough to completely deform the elastomeric element 206, forming a competent seal. The slats 208 in the filter implementation 202 are permanently deformed, with the deformation becoming more pronounced after each cycle. The pressurization of the filter implementation 202 can be achieved using a clean fluid 210. The clean fluid 210 is placed in the cavity 212 through the cavity opening 214 and the cavity opening 214 is closed, leaving the filter in place. To remove the filter, the cavity opening 214 must be opened manually.

In contrast, with the fastener implementation 204, the elastomeric element 216 can be pressurized by a process fluid 218 such as a sand slurry or an acid, which often contains sand or other particles. The pressure of the process fluid 218 is distributed using a pressure reduction system, discussed in more detail below. Because the pressure is distributed, the low pressure of the process fluid 218 inflates the elastomeric element 216 enough to touch the outer walls (not shown), without causing a complete seal. Sealing is not the primary object of the clamping implementation and unlike the filter implementation, fluid flow remains continuous through the tool, as well as around the tool, from the top to the bottom ( from right to left in Figure 2) of the tool. On the other hand, in the clamping implementation, the elastomeric element 216 is not deformed. The elastomeric element 216 is reinforced and protected by the slats 220 which are on the outside of the elastomeric element 216 or covers within it (not shown). The external slats 220 are stretched by the spring mandrel 106. As a result, the elastomeric element 216 deflates as soon as the process fluid 218 stops pumping through the tool. In this way, the clamping capabilities of the PSIA 100 act as an anchoring mechanism which allows the tool to be held in a fixed position for a desired period before deflating and allows it to move to a desired second location. When the elastomeric element 216 deflates, the spring mandrel 106 collapses the back of the elastomeric element 216 in position and the PSIA 100 is disengaged from its place.

In one embodiment, the PSIA 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be used to improve the performance of a water jet drilling tool. Specifically, movements of the tool due to extension / contraction of the pipe, temperature and / or pressure can be minimized by coupling the clamping implementation of the PSIA 100. As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with The benefit of this description, the strength requirements for the clamping device are minimal. For example, in a vertical well, a 3048 m (10000 ft), 6.34-9.54 mm (2-3 / 8") 0.65 kg / m (-4.7 lb / ft) pipeline, you may need only 1723.65 kg (3800 lb). ) to stretch fully to 30.48 cm (1 foot) or approximately (319 lb. / inch) As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this description, in reality, this value will have to be subtracted by a certain large unknown value, which represents the friction with the borehole wall.Note that, even in "vertical" wells, the wells are never truly vertical, some inclinations occur during borehole drilling. Sometimes it can be large due to the "vibration" of the system, however, the friction of the pipeline denies part of this movement, for example, for the 609.6 m (2000 ft) pipeline as in the previous example, in a horizontal well , a friction factor of 0.35 is assumed between the pipe a and the wall of the sounding, the friction force can be close to 1492.31 kg (3290 lb), thus needing an additional help of only 226.79 kg (500 lb) to prevent the movement of the tool. Similarly, the jet reaction force causes some small lateral movements of the tool. For example, a 0.635 cm (0.25") jet at a pressure of 35,153 kg / cm2 (5000 PSI) can produce a thrust of 226,796 kg (400 lb.) Therefore, very little additional force will be sufficient to prevent movement of a water jet drilling tool during operation When in the clamping implementation, the PSIA 100 provides a flexible, elastomeric clamping system which minimizes tool movements and improves the efficiency of the drilling process by water jet.

As depicted in Figure 1, the PSIA 100 comprises one or more flow-limiting devices 102. Figure 3 depicts a flow limiting device 102 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the fluid is conducted through a pressure reducing channel 300, which envelopes the outer surface of the internal pipe 302 several times. The fluid enters the pressure reducing channel through the inlet 304. The friction pressure drop due to the continuous turn becomes very high, although the size of the channel is quite large. Since the fluid flows through the pressure reducing channel 300, the fluid flow is also reduced. The fluid, which now has a lower flow rate, then leaves the pressure reducing channel 300 through an outlet (not shown) and the flow returns to the interior of the internal pipe 302. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the channel can be intercepted at three points (e.g., 306), thereby diverting a portion of the channel for pressure control.

As shown in Figure 3, in an exemplary embodiment, the flow limiter device 102 may further comprise one or more pressure control modules 308a, 308b, and 308c. In one embodiment, the pressure control modules 308a, 308b, and 308c may be ball joint arrangements. The ball joint arrangement includes a seat body 310. The seat body 310 is disposed so that it can be sealed within the flow limiter device 102. A ball joint 312 can be inserted into the seat body 310 with an opening (not shown) . Once the ball joint 312 is inserted into the seat body 310, it is caged therein. Although Figure 3 depicts three modules 308a, 308b, and 308c of the ball-and-socket joint, as can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, a different number of ball-and-socket modules can be used. By removing each ball-and-socket module 308 a portion of the pressure reducing channel 300 is diverted through the ports located just above each potential position of the ball-and-socket module. These ports connect channel 300 with the inside of the internal pipe. Although the pressure control modules 308 are discussed in conjunction with the flow limiting device 102, as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, the pressure control modules 308 can be used independently as General purpose check valve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ball joint arrangement of the pressure control modules 308a, 308b, and 308c can also serve as a check valve. Specifically, the ball joint arrangement can allow fluid flow from the bottom to the top of the PSIA 100 of Figure 1 for cleaning purposes. On the other hand, the ball joint modules 308 can provide a high flow rate return line for the fluids to be pumped into the annular zone while maintaining a low flow rate for the fluids to be pumped into the PSIA 100 .

In one embodiment, it may be desirable to control the pressure of the fluid flowing through the elastomeric element. In an exemplary embodiment, two or more flow-limiting devices 102 may be used as shown in Figure 1. The pressure control units may be set up with multiple combinations to achieve the intended pressure and flow.

In one embodiment, the present invention can be used in conjunction with the COBRAMAX-H process where the creation of solid sand seals is required for the process. This creation of sand shutters depends on the ability to pump the sand slurries themselves at a very low flow rate. Typically, the high pressure of the fluids results in a high flow rate. The flow limiting device 102 can be used to reduce the flow rate as low as 1/2 bpm (barrels per minute) without using additional small regulators that may tend to clog when exposed to sand. Therefore, the PSIA 100 allows the placement of competent sand shutters in the desired places. To achieve a similar result using conventional regulators, a regulator of 0 must be used. 22 cm (0. 09") which can potentially be sealed with sand having 30 mesh or more.Although a flow limiting device 102 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has certain size limitations, it can be designed to accept Even larger mesh or particles.

In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention may be used in conjunction with SURGIFRAC operations. Specifically, once a first fracture is created during SURGIFRAC operations, the water jet drilling tool moves to a second place to create a second fracture. However, part of the fluids that are pumped into the annular zone spill into the existing fracture. As the number of fractures increases, the amount of fluid that escapes also increases. The clamping implementation of the PSIA 100 reduces the amount of leakage of fluid flow spilled through the annular zone of the water jet drilling tool (not shown) to existing fractures. Specifically, when the elastomeric element 206 is inflated, it restricts the escape path of fluid flow, thereby reducing the amount of fluids spilled. Therefore, the PSIA 100 will reduce the flow requirement of the annular zone while maintaining pore pressure and limited flow inflow to allow the fracture to close slowly without re-producing support agents within the bore after it has stopped the injection of fluid.

As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, the term "precision stimulation" is not limited to a particular dimension. For example, depending on the areas to be isolated, the area subjected to "precision stimulation" may be a few centimeters (inches) or in the range of tens of meters (feet) in size. On the other hand, although the present invention is described in the context of "stimulation" processes, as can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the apparatuses and methods described herein may be used in conjunction with other operations. For example, the apparatuses and methods described herein can be used for processes without stimulation such as cementation; particularly torsional cementation or other torsional applications of chemicals, fluids, or foams.

As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, although the present invention is described in conjunction with a water jet drilling tool, it can be used with any stimulation water jet drilling tool where it may be desirable to minimize the movement of water. the tool and / or the spillage of fluid. On the other hand, as can be appreciated by those with ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this description, any reference to the term "sand" may include not only quartz sand, but also other support agents and granular solids. In addition, as can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, although the present invention is described as using a PSIA, two or more PSIAs can be used simultaneously or sequentially in the same application to obtain results desired, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention is well suited to carry out the objects and obtain the aforementioned purposes and advantages as well as those that are inherent in the present. Although the invention has been represented and described by reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no limitation will be inferred. The invention is capable of modification, alteration, and considerable equivalents in form and function, as will be presented to those with ordinary experience in the pertinent art and who have the benefit of this description. The represented and described embodiments of the invention are only exemplary, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which provides full knowledge to the equivalents in all respects. The terms in the claims have their ordinary simple meaning unless explicitly and clearly otherwise defined by the invention.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore what is described in the following claims is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. An apparatus for enhancing precision stimulation characterized in that it comprises: an elastomeric element; a spring placed on an inner surface of the elastomeric element; Y a flow limiter coupled to the elastomeric element.

2. The precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomeric element is inflatable.

3. The precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastomeric element is inflated by a process fluid.

4. The precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the elastomeric element deflates upon cessation of the flow of process fluid.

5. The precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the spring collapses the elastomeric element while drying the flow of process fluid.

6. The precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the inflatable elastomeric element is not sealed against a sounding wall.

7. The precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow limiter comprises: an internal pipe; a pressure reducing channel on an outer surface of the internal pipe; an entry from inside the internal pipe to the pressure reducing channel; Y an outlet from the pressure reducing channel to the inside of the internal pipe.

8. The precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the flow limiter further comprises a pressure control module.

9. The precision stimulation enhancement apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the pressure control module comprises: a seat body, wherein the seat body can be sealed inside the internal pipe; an opening in the seat body; Y a ball joint, where the ball joint is inserted into the seat body with the opening.

10. a flow limiting device, characterized in that it comprises: an internal pipe; a pressure reducing channel on an outer surface of the internal pipe; an entry from inside the internal pipe to the pressure reducing channel; Y an outlet of the pressure reducing channel to the inside of the internal pipe.

11. The flow limiting device according to claim 10, further characterized in that it comprises a pressure control module.

12. The flow limiting device according to claim 11, characterized in that the pressure control module comprises: a seat body, wherein the seat body can be sealed inside the internal pipe; an opening in the seat body; Y a ball joint, where the ball joint is inserted into the seat body through the opening.

13. A pressure control module characterized by includes: a seat body, wherein the seat body can be sealed within an external body; an opening in the seat body; Y a ball joint, where the ball joint is inserted into the seat body through the opening.

14. The pressure control module according to claim 13, characterized in that the external body is a flow limiting device.

15. The pressure control module according to claim 13, characterized in that the flow limiting device comprises: an internal pipe; a pressure reducing channel on an outer surface of the internal pipe; an entry from inside the internal pipe to the pressure reducing channel; Y an outlet of the pressure reducing channel to the inside of the internal pipe.

16. The pressure control module according to claim 13, characterized in that the pressure control module is a check valve.

17. A method for creating a sand shutter characterized in that it comprises: pumping a process fluid through a precision stimulation enhancement apparatus; passing the process fluid through a flow limiting device, wherein passing the process fluid through a flow limiting device comprises passing the process fluid through a pressure reducing channel; introduce the process fluid in a desired location; Y Create a sand shutter in the desired ligature.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that passing the process fluid through a flow limiting device further comprises passing the process fluid through a pressure control module.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the process fluid comprises a sand slurry.

20. The method according to claim 17 is characterized in that passing the process fluid through the pressure reducing channel reduces a flow of the process fluid.

21. A method for improving the performance of a stimulation water jet drilling tool characterized in that it comprises: pump a process fluid through the stimulation water jet drilling tool; passing a portion of the process fluid through a precision stimulation enhancement apparatus, wherein the precision stimulation enhancement apparatus comprises: an elastomeric element; a spring placed on an inner surface of the elastomeric element; Y a flow limiter coupled to the elastomeric element; Y expanding the elastomeric element to form a clamping mechanism for the stimulation water jet drilling tool.

22. The method in accordance with the claim 21, is characterized by the stimulation water jet drilling tool is a water jet drilling tool.