EA008424B1 - System and method for perforating and fracturing in a well - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique is provided to facilitate a well related procedure involving perforation and fracturing processes. A crane is used to lower fracturing equipment into a wellbore. Additionally, a wireline winch is mounted on the crane to facilitate a perforation process. The wireline winch uses a conductive wireline that may be run into the wellbore to enable the firing of a perforating gun.

Description

When preparing wells for production of formation fluids, a well is often subjected to perforation and hydraulic fracturing. Usually, perforation is performed by a separate logging team using a special logging unit, a pickup truck and personnel specially trained to work with a logging unit and conducting perforation works. A separate team for conducting hydraulic fracturing is also used for pumping / pumping fluid in the well or hydraulic fracturing in the well, which are part of the overall work plan for preparing the well. The hydraulic fracturing team also uses a crane and its own special vehicles, equipment and personnel trained to perform hydraulic fracturing.

The use of separate brigades, separate vehicles and separate equipment for work, which is often carried out in a similar manner to each other, can lead to loss of productivity. For example, the production division of labor for perforation and hydraulic fracturing may require additional vehicles and additional personnel. This, in turn, leads to an increase in prime cost, an increase in the time spent, and an increase in logistical difficulties, in particular when alternating work on perforation and hydraulic fracturing is carried out on a particular well. Additionally, a relatively large number of vehicles and personnel require a relatively large space for placement on a particular drilling site.

According to the invention, a method for hydraulic fracturing in a well is created, comprising using a crane to lower the hydraulic fracturing equipment into the wellbore and perforating by lowering the conductive wireline cable into the wellbore using a logging winch mounted on the crane.

When performing perforation, a signal can be supplied to the downhole perforator through a conductive wireline cable.

When performing perforation, a logging winch can be mounted on a crane tower.

The method may include perforation of a section of a wellbore and hydraulic fracturing in a given section of a wellbore.

The method may include perforation of the second section of the wellbore and hydraulic fracturing in the second section of the wellbore.

The method may include controlling the crane and the logging winch by means of a control system remote from the crane.

The method may include controlling a crane and a logging winch by means of a control system located in a separate vehicle.

The method may include using a video camera to control the operation of at least the crane and the logging winch.

According to the invention, a method for providing equipment for facilitating hydraulic fracturing in a well is provided, comprising using a crane to move hydraulic fracturing equipment into the wellbore and installing a logging winch directly on the crane.

The method may include installing a crane on an automobile chassis of a crane to ensure its portability.

The method may include connecting a control system to a crane and a logging winch.

The method may include placing the control system in a mobile control station separate from the truck’s truck chassis.

You can install a logging winch on a crane with the possibility of its rotation together with the crane.

According to the invention, a stepwise hydraulic fracturing method is created, including installing a logging winch directly on a crane, suspending equipment on a first section of a wellbore using a crane, blasting a hole puncher on a first section of a wellbore by supplying an explosion signal through a logging cable connected to the logging winch, hydraulic fracturing in the first section of the wellbore, lifting equipment to the second section of the wellbore, winding part of the logging cable using a logging winch mounted on a crane.

The method may include moving a crane by means of an automobile chassis of the crane.

When installing a logging winch, you can attach the logging winch to the tower of the crane.

The method may include repeating the processes of perforation and hydraulic fracturing in a number of sections of the wellbore.

The method may include controlling a crane and a logging winch by means of a control system located in a separate vehicle.

- 1 008424

According to the invention, a system is created to facilitate the hydraulic fracturing process in the well, comprising a crane and a logging winch mounted on a crane.

The system may comprise a truck crane chassis on which a crane is mounted.

The logging winch can be attached to the crane with the possibility of rotation with it as a whole.

The system may comprise a control system remote from the crane and allowing one operator to control the crane and the logging winch.

The control system may be located in an auxiliary vehicle.

According to the invention, a system has been created for facilitating the hydraulic fracturing process in a well, comprising an automobile chassis of a crane having a cabin and a crane installed at the rear of the cabin, and a logging winch attached to the crane.

The system may comprise a mobile control station having a hydraulic fracturing control system and a perforation control system.

The logging winch can be attached to the tower of the crane.

The logging winch can be rotated with a crane.

The system may include at least one camera for monitoring the operating parameters of at least the crane and the logging winch.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the following is depicted:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a drilling rig with a crane and a mobile control station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of a crane base with a logging winch connected thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an example automobile chassis of a crane with a crane in a working position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the automobile chassis of the crane shown in FIG. 3, with a crane in a transport position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an example control system used to control and control parameters of perforation and fracturing processes according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a well with several sections in which perforation and fracturing are performed according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a perforation / fracturing procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to explain the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations and modifications of the described embodiments are possible.

The present invention generally relates to well preparation processes. In the preparation and construction of specific wells, perforation and hydraulic fracturing in a well are often used to facilitate the production of the required fluids, for example, oil, from an underground formation. The present invention generally combines aspects of perforation and fracturing technologies to increase the efficiency of these processes at a particular drilling site.

Efficiency is increased, at least in part, by combining the logging winch and the crane used in hydraulic fracturing. In at least some embodiments, the control and data acquisition systems for the logging winch can be combined with the control and monitoring systems for hydraulic fracturing. Such a combination eliminates the previous need for separate mobile logging units and also reduces the number of required personnel by combining perforation specialists with a hydraulic fracturing crew. In some cases, this reduces staff by at least two people.

In FIG. 1 illustrates a well site 20 having a well containing a wellbore 24 drilled in the formation 26. The wellbore 24 extends from the wellhead 28 located on the ground surface 30. Wellbore 24 provides access to equipment used in perforation and hydraulic fracturing operations designed to increase production of the required fluids from formation 26. As illustrated in the drawing, aspects of the perforation and hydraulic fracturing processes are combined to provide greater efficiency for the respective well preparation work plan.

For example, a combined perforation and fracturing unit 32 is used to deploy perforation equipment 34 in a wellbore 24 and remove perforation equipment 34 from a wellbore 24

- 2 008424 formation and hydraulic fracturing. In this embodiment, the combined installation 32 comprises a crane 36 and a logging winch 38 mounted directly on the crane 36. The combined installation 32 may also comprise a vehicle, such as a truck’s truck chassis 40, for transporting the combined crane and the logging winch. In this embodiment, the crane truck’s chassis 40 is a public road vehicle that allows the crane 36 and the logging winch 38 to be transported from one rig to another.

In the illustrated embodiment, equipment 34 comprises hydraulic fracturing equipment 42 and perforation equipment 44, such as a downhole hammer 46. A crane 36 is used to move equipment 34 to a predetermined location within the wellbore 24 using, for example, wireline 48. Logging winch 38 is used for supplying a conductive well-logging cable 50 to the wellbore 24 to enable the transmission of signals to the downhole perforator 46 to initiate perforation at a predetermined location inside the wellbore. A conductive wireline cable can also be used for other purposes, such as transmitting information during data collection. Accordingly, one vehicle can be used both for perforation and for hydraulic fracturing in a joint process, as opposed to the use of individual vehicles, separate crews and their separate operation.

According to other aspects of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, control system 52 can be used to control and control process parameters of both perforation and fracturing. For example, the control system 52 may include controls 54 for controlling the logging winch 38, as well as a computer control / data acquisition system for the logging cable. Additionally, the control system 52 may include control elements 56, the same as those used to control / control various parameters during hydraulic fracturing. The control system 52 can also be used to control the crane 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the control system 52 is located in a vehicle 58 that can be deployed on a drilling platform 20. For example, the vehicle 58 may include a camper with a fracturing control station in which hydraulic fracturing management and control system is combined with a control and monitoring system for logging winch 38, logging cable 50 and any data collection equipment providing transmitting signals through a logging cable 50.

As illustrated in the drawing, a communication line 60 extends between the crane truck chassis 40 and the vehicle 58. The communication line 60 may include a cable or other communication line of a similar type directly connecting the control system 52 to the logging winch, crane 36 and equipment 34. However, the communication line 60 may use other forms of communication, including wireless communication. Alternatively, the transmission of signals between the control system 52 and the truck chassis 40 may be via additional communication lines or communication networks. In this last embodiment, the control system 52 can be used to control / monitor the processes of perforation and hydraulic fracturing from a location remote from the drilling site 20.

In FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a variant of a joint installation 32. The logging winch 38 is attached to the crane 36 using the attachment unit 62. The attachment assembly 62 may include welded structures, fasteners, such as bolts or other devices, for firmly attaching the logging winch 38 to the crane 36. Thus, the logging winch 38 and the crane 36 can rotate together about a rotation axis 64. In most applications, the axis 64 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the crane chassis 40 is mounted.

In this embodiment, the crane 36 comprises a pivot base 66, which can be rotated using, for example, a hydraulic system, as in conventional cranes. The platform 68 and the crane tower 70 are mounted on the base 66. The logging winch 38 is attached to the tower 70 and can be rotated together with the tower 70, the platform 68 and the base 66 around the axis 64. The crane 36 further comprises a boom 72 mounted for rotation on the tower 70 by swivel 74. A drive 76, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is used to rotate the boom 72. The crane 36 also includes a drum 78, on which a rope 48 is wound. The drum 78 is mounted on an arm 80 that extends from the tower 70, and the drum rotates by motor nym device 82. An example of such a motor device 82 may be a hydraulic motor, to which hydraulic fluid is supplied through conduit 84. The hydraulic motor 82 can be turned to wind or unwind the rope 48 as required for the respective moving equipment 34 within wellbore 24.

The logging winch 38 comprises a frame 86 mounted on a crane 36. For example, the frame 86 can be attached by attaching 62 to the crane tower 70 so that the frame 86 extends from the axis 64 in substantially the same direction as the bracket 80 The logging winch 38 further comprises a logging drum 88 rotatably mounted on the frame 86. The logging drum 88 is rotated by a driving device 90, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. Respectively

- 3 008424, but the conductive wireline cable 50 can be wound or unwound by controlling the rotation of the wireline drum 88 by the motor device 90. The wireline cable 38 includes a guide arrow 92 mounted to rotate on the frame 86 through the support portion 94. The directional arrow 92 can be rotated with using drive 96, such as a hydraulic cylinder. The working fluid can be supplied to the hydraulic cylinder 96 and the device 90, for example, through the pipe 98. A wire guide 100 for the wireline cable is located on the arrow 92 to guide the conductive wireline 50 when the wireline 88 is rotated during punching / data collection.

In an embodiment in which hydraulically actuated components are used, such as hydraulic actuators 76 and 96, hydraulic drums 78 and 88, and a hydraulic rotary crane, pressurized working fluid may be supplied through a hydraulic control system 102, the same as commonly used for similar devices. The hydraulic control system 102 may have separate sections 104 for controlling various devices, for example, elements of a logging winch or elements of a crane. Additionally, the hydraulic control system 102 may be remotely controlled by a common control system 52.

An embodiment of a crane truck chassis 40 is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the vehicle’s chassis 40 for the crane is a vehicle chassis for moving on public roads, having the chassis itself 106 resting on the front wheels 108 and the rear wheels 110. The rear wheels 110 have two axles. However, the crane truck’s chassis 40 may contain one rear axle or several rear axles, depending on the weight of the equipment being transported, as well as local regulations on the use of cars on public roads.

Cab 112 is mounted on chassis 106, and integrated installation 32 is mounted on chassis 106 at the rear of cab 112. Combined installation 32 can be mounted on chassis 106 on a platform 114 supported by chassis 106. In this embodiment, integrated installation 32 is installed at the rear of platform 114 to provide a cargo area 116 between the cabin 112 and the integrated installation 32 for the transportation of materials, equipment, etc., which are used when carrying out work on perforation and / or hydraulic fracturing.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the truck chassis 40 of the crane is shown in the operating position. Accordingly, the crane 36 and the logging winch 38 are turned back from the truck’s chassis 40 and are in a raised position. In fact, the boom 72 contains at least one extendable section 118, which is angled to allow the wire 48 and the wireline 50 to be lowered down into the well 22. The wire 48 extends from the drum 78 to the distal end 120 of the extension 118 and then through the block or blocks 122. Similarly, the wireline 50 passes from the wireline 38 and through a block system 124 suspended under the distal end 120. It should be noted that outriggers (not shown) or other mechanisms can be used to ensure the stability of the vehicle the chassis 40 of the crane during operation of the crane 36.

After completion of the perforation and hydraulic fracturing operations at the drilling site 20, the truck’s truck chassis 40 can be moved to the transport position, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In other words, the wire 48 and the wireline 50 are wound, and the extension section 118 is retracted. Additionally, the crane 36 and the logging winch 38 are rotated together around the axis 64, and the boom 72, as well as the guide boom 92, are lowered for transportation to the next drilling site, where perforation / hydraulic fracturing will be carried out according to the work plan. Additionally, materials, equipment, and the like can be placed on platform 114 on cargo area 116. for transportation.

Another unique feature of the integrated unit 32 is that the processes of perforation and fracturing can be controlled by a single control system 52, as further illustrated in FIG. 5. The control system 52 may, for example, be placed in a vehicle 58 for easy transportation from one rig to another. At each drilling site, the control system 52 is connected to the integrated installation 32 via, for example, communication lines 60 for transferring data between an actuator, i.e. integrated installation 32, and a remote mobile control system.

As illustrated in the drawing, the control system 52 may be a computer-based control system having a processor or processors 124 for organizing data input / output. Additionally, the control system 52 may include a display 126 for visually presenting to the operator various information related to the operation of the crane, the operation of the logging winch, as well as information obtained during data collection in the well.

The system 52 may be connected, for example, to a number of elements, such as elements 128 and 130 for monitoring the operating parameters of a crane 36 and / or a logging winch 38. In this example, element 128 is a camera, such as a digital video camera, that is mounted on or in

- 4 008424 in the immediate vicinity of the crane 36 and / or the logging winch 38. The video camera 128 allows, for example, the operator to control the winding of the wire rope 48 or the wireline 50 during the perforation or hydraulic fracturing. Element 130 may include another video camera or sensor of a different type or another element that allows the operator to control the operating parameters of the crane and / or logging winch 38.

The control system 52 can also be used to directly control the operation of the crane 36 and the logging winch 38. For example, the control system 52 can be connected to a hydraulic control system 102 and to each of the control elements 104 that control the hydraulic inputs of the logging winch 38 and the crane 36 This allows an operator away from the vehicle 58 to control the operation of the joint unit 32 by, for example, raising and lowering the boom 72 and the guide rail s 92, the control speed and direction of rotation of the drum 78 and the drum 88, and controls rotation of the crane 36 and the wireline winch 38 about the axis 64.

Additionally, the control system 52 can be connected to the equipment 34 via a conductive wireline 50. This allows the operator to transmit control signals, for example, to a downhole drill 46 to initiate perforation. It also allows the operator to control various parameters related to the well. The existing equipment 34 includes special sensors or other tools capable of transmitting data to the control system 52 via a wireline 50. Accordingly, the operator potentially has an excellent ability to monitor and control various parameters of processes such as perforation and hydraulic fracturing, from one remote location. In addition, the mobile vehicle 58 allows you to move the control system from one rig to another.

For many applications, such as stepped hydraulic fracturing, the combined unit 32 increases the efficiency of perforating and hydraulic fracturing in several sections of the formation, for example, sections 134, 136, 138 of the formation, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Perforation channels 140 can be formed on each of a number of sections of the formation, and hydraulic fracturing can be carried out after completion of the perforation in each section. This allows hydraulic fracturing in different areas in different ways due to, for example, changes in water resistance from one section to another. In any case, the work can be performed by a crane 36 and a logging winch 38, combined on one single vehicle and one team, as opposed to the organization of joint work of individual vehicles and individual teams.

An example of the operation of the combined crane 36 and the logging winch 38 is described below with reference to FIG. 7.

First, the equipment 34 is lowered into the wellbore 24 with a crane 36 in step 142. The equipment 34 is moved on the rope 48 of the crane 36, and in the same way, the wireline 50 can also be lowered into the wellbore 24. When the equipment is in the desired location inside the wellbore 24, for example, in section 134 of the reservoir, perforation is performed in this section of the wellbore in step 144 by transmitting a signal through a conductive wireline 50 to the downhole perforator 46. After perforation in this section of the reservoir, fracturing is performed formation at stage 146.

When the first fracturing operation is completed, the equipment rises to the next section of the well / formation, such as section 136, and the wireline 50 is wound to avoid sagging at step 148. Then, perforation is performed at this section at step 150. After perforation, fracturing can be carried out the formation at stage 152. These operations can be repeated for other areas until the perforation and hydraulic fracturing of the formation are carried out in all areas of the wellbore where it is required. After the last hydraulic fracturing operation, the equipment rises from the wellbore 24 in step 154. The crane 36 and the logging winch 38 can then be moved to the transport position, and the crane truck 40 can be used to move the equipment to the next drilling site.

It should be noted that the crane truck chassis 40 and the control system vehicle 58 may have a different configuration. Additionally, equipment used for perforation and hydraulic fracturing may vary depending on the specific objectives of the work performed, the equipment available, the environment, and other factors. Also, the size and configuration of the crane and the logging winch may vary depending on the types of work being carried out for which the combined installation is used.

Accordingly, although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the ideas of the invention. Accordingly, such modifications should be included within the scope of the present invention, limited by the claims.

Claims (28)

CLAIM 1. A method of hydraulic fracturing in a well, comprising using a crane to lower the hydraulic fracturing equipment into the wellbore and perforating by lowering the conductive wireline cable into the wellbore using a logging winch mounted on a crane. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which when performing perforation, a signal is supplied to the downhole perforator through a conductive wireline cable. 3. The method according to claim 1, in which when performing perforation, a logging winch is installed on the tower of the crane. 4. The method according to claim 1, including perforation of the borehole section and hydraulic fracturing in this section of the wellbore. 5. The method according to claim 4, including perforation of the second section of the wellbore and hydraulic fracturing in the second section of the wellbore. 6. The method according to claim 1, including controlling the crane and the logging winch by means of a control system remote from the crane. 7. The method according to claim 1, including controlling the crane and the logging winch by means of a control system located in a separate vehicle. 8. The method according to claim 1, comprising using a video camera to control the operation of at least a crane and a logging winch. 9. A method of providing equipment for facilitating hydraulic fracturing in a well, the use of a crane for moving hydraulic fracturing equipment into the wellbore and installing a wireline winch directly on the crane. 10. The method according to claim 9, including the installation of a crane on an automobile chassis of a crane to ensure its transportability. 11. The method of claim 10, including connecting the control system to the crane and the logging winch. 12. The method according to claim 10, including the placement of the control system in a mobile control station separately from the automobile chassis of the crane. 13. The method according to claim 9, in which the logging winch is mounted on the crane with the possibility of its rotation together with the crane. 14. The method of stepwise hydraulic fracturing, including installing a logging winch directly on a crane, suspending equipment on a first section of a wellbore using a crane, blasting a hole puncher on a first section of a wellbore by supplying an explosion signal through a logging cable connected to the logging winch, hydraulic fracturing formation in the first section of the wellbore, lifting equipment to the second section of the wellbore, winding part of the logging cable using a logging swan Ki mounted on a crane. 15. The method according to 14, including the movement of the crane by means of an automobile chassis of the crane. 16. The method according to 14, in which when installing the logging winch attach the logging winch to the tower of the crane. 17. The method according to 14, comprising repeating the processes of perforation and hydraulic fracturing in a number of sections of the wellbore. 18. The method according to 14, including the control of the crane and the logging winch by means of a control system located in a separate vehicle. 19. A system for facilitating the process of hydraulic fracturing in a well, comprising a crane and a logging winch mounted on a crane. 20. The system of claim 19, comprising a truck crane chassis on which a crane is mounted. 21. The system according to claim 19, in which the logging winch is attached to the crane with the possibility of rotation with him as a whole. 22. The system of claim 19, comprising a control system remote from the crane and controlling one operator with a crane and a logging winch. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the control system is located in an auxiliary vehicle. 24. A system for facilitating hydraulic fracturing in a well, comprising a crane truck chassis having a cabin and a crane mounted at the rear of the cabin, and a logging winch attached to the crane. 25. The system according to paragraph 24, comprising a mobile control station having a hydraulic fracturing control system and a perforation control system. 26. The system according to paragraph 24, in which the logging winch is attached to the tower of the crane. - 6 008424 27. The system according to paragraph 24, in which the logging winch is rotatable with a crane. 28. The system according to paragraph 24, containing at least one camera for monitoring the operating parameters of at least the crane and the logging winch.