EP1087099A1 - Verfahren zum Komplettieren von Bohrungen in Lockergesteinszonen - Google Patents

Verfahren zum Komplettieren von Bohrungen in Lockergesteinszonen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1087099A1
EP1087099A1 EP00306241A EP00306241A EP1087099A1 EP 1087099 A1 EP1087099 A1 EP 1087099A1 EP 00306241 A EP00306241 A EP 00306241A EP 00306241 A EP00306241 A EP 00306241A EP 1087099 A1 EP1087099 A1 EP 1087099A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
well bore
sand
slotted liner
annulus
zone
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00306241A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Philip D. Nguyen
Ronald G. Dusterhoft
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Original Assignee
Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/361,714 external-priority patent/US6446722B2/en
Application filed by Halliburton Energy Services Inc filed Critical Halliburton Energy Services Inc
Publication of EP1087099A1 publication Critical patent/EP1087099A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK 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
    • E21B43/10—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of completing a well in an unconsolidated subterranean zone, and particularly to a method whereby the migration of fines and sand with the fluids produced therefrom is reduced or prevented.
  • Oil and gas wells are often completed in unconsolidated formations containing loose and incompetent fines and sand, which migrate with fluids produced by the wells.
  • the presence of formation fines and sand in the produced fluids is disadvantageous and undesirable in that the particles abrade pumping and other producing equipment and reduce the fluid production capabilities of the producing zones in the wells.
  • unconsolidated subterranean zones have been stimulated by creating fractures in the zones and depositing particulate proppant material in the fractures to maintain them in open positions.
  • the proppant has heretofore been consolidated within the fractures into hard permeable masses to reduce the migration of formation fines and sands through the fractures with produced fluids.
  • gravel packs which include sand screens and the like have commonly been installed in the well bores penetrating unconsolidated zones. The gravel packs serve as filters and help to ensure that fines and sand do not migrate with produced fluids into the well bores.
  • a screen is placed in the well bore and positioned within the unconsolidated subterranean zone which is to be completed.
  • the screen is typically connected to a tool which includes a production packer and a cross-over, and the tool is in turn connected to a work or production string.
  • a particulate material which is usually graded sand, often referred to in the art as gravel, is pumped in a slurry down the work or production string and through the cross over whereby it flows into the annulus between the screen and the well bore.
  • the liquid forming the slurry leaks off into the subterranean zone and/or through the screen which is sized to prevent the sand in the slurry from flowing therethrough.
  • the sand is deposited in the annulus around the screen whereby it forms a gravel pack.
  • the size of the sand in the gravel pack is selected such that it prevents formation fines and sand from flowing into the well bore with produced fluids.
  • the sand bridges block further flow of the slurry through the annulus which leaves avoids in the annulus.
  • a method of completing an unconsolidated subterranean zone subject to migration of formation fines and sand with produced fluids, and penetrated by a well bore which method comprises:
  • the unconsolidated formation can be fractured prior to or during the injection of the particulate material into the unconsolidated producing zone, and the particulate material can be deposited in the fractures as well as in the annuli between the sand screen and the slotted liner and between the slotted liner and the well bore.
  • the method of this invention avoids or reduces the formation of sand bridges in the annulus between the slotted liner and the well bore thereby producing a very effective sand screen for preventing the migration of fines and sand with produced fluids.
  • the method of the present invention can be performed in either vertical or horizontal well bores which are open-hole or have casing cemented therein.
  • vertical well bore is used herein to mean the portion of a well bore in an unconsolidated subterranean producing zone to be completed which is substantially vertical or deviated from vertical in an amount up to about 15°.
  • horizontal well bore is used herein to mean the portion of a well bore in an unconsolidated subterranean producing zone to be completed which is substantially horizontal or at an angle from vertical in the range from about 15° to about 75°.
  • a vertical well bore 10 having casing 14 cemented therein is illustrated extending into an unconsolidated subterranean zone 12.
  • the casing 14 is bonded within the well bore 10 by a cement sheath 16.
  • a plurality of spaced perforations 18 produced in the well bore 10 utilizing conventional perforating gun apparatus extend through the casing 14 and cement sheath 16 into the unconsolidated producing zone 12.
  • a slotted liner 20 having an internal sand screen 21 installed therein whereby an annulus 22 is formed between the sand screen 21 and the slotted liner 20 is placed in the well bore 10.
  • the slotted liner 20 and sand screen 21 have lengths such that they substantially span the length of the producing interval in the well bore 10.
  • the slotted liner 20 is of a diameter such that when it is disposed within the well bore 10 an annulus 23 is formed between it and the casing 14.
  • the slots 24 in the slotted liner 20 can be circular as illustrated in the drawings, or they can be rectangular or other shape. Generally, when circular slots are utilized they are at least 1/2" in diameter, and when rectangular slots are utilized they are at least 3/8" wide by 2" long.
  • the slotted liner 20 and sand screen 21 are connected to a cross-over 25 which is in turn connected to a production string 28.
  • a production packer 26 is attached to the cross-over 25.
  • the cross-over 25 and production packer 26 are conventional gravel pack forming tools and are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the cross-over 25 is a sub-assembly which allows fluids to follow a first flow pattern whereby particulate material suspended in a slurry can be packed in the annuli between the sand screen 21 and the slotted liner 20 and between the slotted liner 20 and the well bore 10.
  • the particulate material suspension flows from inside the production string 28 to the annulus 22 between the sand screen 21 and slotted liner 20 by way of two or more ports 29 in the cross-over 25.
  • fluid is allowed to flow from inside the sand screen 21 upwardly through the cross-over 25 to the other side of the packer 26 outside of the production string 28 by way of one or more ports 31 in the cross-over 25.
  • flow through the cross-over 25 can be selectively changed to a second flow pattern (shown in FIGURE 3) whereby fluid from inside the sand screen 20 flows directly into the production string 28 and the ports 31 are shut off.
  • the production packer 26 is set by pipe movement or other procedure whereby the annulus 23 is sealed.
  • the annulus 23 between the slotted liner 20 and the casing 14 is isolated by setting the packer 25 in the casing 14 as shown in FIGURE 1.
  • a slurry of particulate material 27 is injected into the annulus 22 between the sand screen 21 and the slotted liner 20 by way of the ports 29 in the cross-over 25 and into the annulus 23 between the slotted liner 20 and the casing 14 by way of the slots 24 in the slotted liner 20.
  • the particulate material flows into the perforations 18 and fills the interior of the casing 14 below the packer 26 except for the interior of the sand screen 21.
  • a carrier liquid slurry of the particulate material 27 is pumped from the surface through the production string 28 and through the cross-over 25 into annulus 22 between the sand screen 21 and the slotted liner 20. From the annulus 22, the slurry flows through the slots 24 and through the open end of the slotted liner 20 into the annulus 23 and into the perforations 18.
  • the carrier liquid in the slurry leaks off through the perforations 18 into the unconsolidated zone 12 and through the screen 21 from where it flows through cross-over 25 and into the casing 14 above the packer 26 by way of the ports 31. This causes the particulate material 27 to be uniformly packed in the perforations 18, in the annulus 23 between the slotted liner 20 and the casing 14 and within the annulus 22 between the sand screen 21 and the interior of the slotted liner 20.
  • slotted liner 20 may be open below packer 26 to receive a flow of the slurry from production string 28 such that the slurry flows into both annulus 22 and 23 substantially simultaneously from cross-over 25 or the slurry may flow into just annulus 23 and then by way of the slots 24 into annulus 22 to pack as described above.
  • the pack of particulate material 27 formed filters out and prevents the migration of formation fines and sand with fluids produced into the well bore from the unconsolidated subterranean zone 12.
  • a horizontal open-hole well bore 30 is illustrated.
  • the well bore 30 extends into an unconsolidated subterranean zone 32 from a cased and cemented well bore 33 which extends to the surface.
  • a slotted liner 34 having an internal sand screen 35 disposed therein whereby an annulus 41 is formed therebetween is placed in the well bore 30.
  • the slotted liner 34 and sand screen 35 are connected to a cross-over 42 which is in turn connected to a production string 40.
  • a production packer 36 is connected to the cross-over 42 which is set within the casing 37 in the well bore 33.
  • the slotted liner 34 with the sand screen 35 therein is placed in the well bore 30 as shown in FIGURE 4.
  • the annulus 39 between the slotted liner 34 and the well bore 30 is isolated by setting the packer 36.
  • a slurry of particulate material is injected into the annulus 41 between the sand screen 35 and the slotted liner 34 and by way of the slots 38 into the annulus 39 between the slotted liner 34 and the well bore 30.
  • the particulate material slurry is free to flow through the slots 38 as well as the open end of the slotted liner 34, the particulate material is uniformly packed into the annulus 39 between the well bore 30 and slotted liner 34 and into the annulus 41 between the screen 35 and the slotted liner 34.
  • the pack of particulate material 40 formed filters out and prevents the migration of formation fines and sand with fluids produced into the well bore 30 from the subterranean zone 32.
  • the upper end of slotted liner 34 near packer 36 may be open to receive a flow of the slurry from production string 40.
  • the slurry passing through cross-over 42 may flow into both annulus 39 and 41 substantially simultaneously or into just annulus 39 and then by way of slots 38 and the lower open end of slotted liner 34 into annulus 41 to thereby avoid bridging.
  • the methods and apparatus of this invention are particularly suitable and beneficial in forming gravel packs in long-interval horizontal well bores without the formation of sand bridges. Because elaborate and expensive sand screens including shunts and the like are not required and the pack sand does not require consolidation by a hardenable resin composition, the methods of this invention are very economical as compared to prior art methods.
  • the particulate material utilized in accordance with the present invention is preferably graded sand which is sized based on a knowledge of the size of the formation fines and sand in the unconsolidated zone to prevent the formation fines and sand from passing through the gravel pack, i.e., the formed permeable sand pack 27 or 40.
  • the graded sand generally has a particle size in the range of from about 10 to about 70 mesh, U.S. Sieve Series. Preferred sand particle size distribution ranges are one or more of 10-20 mesh, 20-40 mesh, 40-60 mesh or 50-70 mesh, depending on the particle size and distribution of the formation fines and sand to be screened out by the graded sand.
  • the particulate material carrier liquid utilized which can also be used to fracture the unconsolidated subterranean zone if desired, can be any of the various viscous carrier liquids or fracturing fluids utilized heretofore including gelled water, oil base liquids, foams or emulsions.
  • the foams utilized have generally been comprised of water based liquids containing one or more foaming agents foamed with a gas such as nitrogen.
  • the emulsions have been formed with two or more immiscible liquids.
  • a particularly useful emulsion is comprised of a water based liquid and a liquified normally gaseous fluid such as carbon dioxide. Upon pressure release, the liquified gaseous fluid vaporizes and rapidly flows out of the formation.
  • the most common carrier liquid/fracturing fluid utilized heretofore which is also preferred for use in accordance with this invention is comprised of an aqueous liquid such as fresh water or salt water combined with a gelling agent for increasing the viscosity of the liquid.
  • aqueous liquid such as fresh water or salt water
  • gelling agent for increasing the viscosity of the liquid.
  • the increased viscosity reduces fluid loss and allows the carrier liquid to transport significant concentrations of particulate material into the subterranean zone to be completed.
  • gelling agents include hydratable polymers which contain one or more functional groups such as hydroxyl, cis-hydoxyl, carboxyl, sulfate, sulfonate, amino or amide.
  • Particularly useful such polymers are polysaccharides and derivatives thereof which contain one or more of the monosaccharides units galactose, mannose, glucoside, glucose, xylose, arabinose, fructose, glucuronic acid or pyranosyl sulfate.
  • Various natural hydratable polymers contain the foregoing functional groups and units including guar gum and derivatives thereof, cellulose and derivatives thereof, and the like. Hydratable synthetic polymers and co-polymers which contain the above mentioned functional groups can also be utilized including polyacrylate, polymeythlacrylate, polyacrylamide, and the like.
  • Particularly preferred hydratable polymers which yield high viscosities upon hydration at relatively low concentrations are guar gum and guar derivatives such as hydroxypropylguar and carboxymethylguar and cellulose derivatives such as hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and the like.
  • the viscosities of aqueous polymer solutions of the types described above can be increased by combining cross-linking agents with the polymer solutions.
  • cross-linking agents which can be utilized are multivalent metal salts or compounds which are capable of releasing such metal ions in an aqueous solution.
  • the above described gelled or gelled and cross-linked carrier liquids/fracturing fluids can also include gel breakers such as those of the enzyme type, the oxidizing type or the acid buffer type which are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the gel breakers cause the viscous carrier liquids/fracturing fluids to revert to thin fluids that can be produced back to the surface after they have been utilized.
  • the hydraulic fracturing process generally involves pumping a viscous liquid containing suspended particulate material into the formation or zone at a rate and pressure whereby fractures are created therein.
  • the continued pumping of the fracturing fluid extends the fractures in the zone and carries the particulate material into the fractures.
  • the particulate material is deposited in the fractures and the fractures are prevented from closing by the presence of the particulate material therein.
  • the subterranean zone to be completed can be fractured prior to or during the injection of the particulate material into the zone, i.e., the pumping of the carrier liquid containing the particulate material through the slotted liner into the zone.
  • the particulate material can be pumped into the fractures as well as into the perforations and into the annuli between the sand screen and slotted liner and between the slotted liner and the well bore.
  • the particulate may be consolidated utilizing substantially any of the conventionally known hardenable resin compositions.
  • test apparatus was comprised of a 5' long by 2" diameter plastic tubing for simulating a well bore. Ten equally spaced 5/8" diameter holes were drilled in the tubing along the length thereof to simulate perforations in a well bore. A screen was placed inside the tubing over the 5/8" holes in order to retain sand introduced into the tubing therein. No back pressure was held on the tubing so as to simulate an unconsolidated high permeability formation.
  • a section of 5/8" ID plastic tubing was perforated with multiple holes of 3/8" to 1/2" diameters to simulate a slotted liner.
  • the 5/8" tubing was placed inside the 2" tubing without centralization. Flow tests were performed with the apparatus in both the vertical and horizontal positions.
  • Two high leakoff zones in the casing were simulated by multiple 1" perforations formed therein. One zone was located close to the outlet. The other zone was located about 12 ft. from the outlet. Each perforation was covered with 60 mesh screen to retain proppant during proppant placement. Ball valves were connected to the perforations to control the fluid loss from each perforation. During the flow tests the ball valves were fully opened to allow maximum leakoff.
  • an aqueous hydroxypropyl guar linear gel having a concentration of 30 pounds per 1000 gallons was used as the carrier fluid.
  • a gravel slurry of 20/40 mesh sand having a concentration of 2 pounds per gallon was prepared and pumped into the fixture at a pump rate of about 1/2 barrel per minute. Sand quickly packed around the wire-wrapped screen and packed off the high leakoff areas of the perforations whereby sand bridges were formed.
  • the sand slurry flowed through the slots and open bottom of the slotted liner, bypassed the bridged areas and completely filled the voids resulting in a complete sand pack throughout the annuli between the sand screen and the slotted liner and between the slotted liner and the casing.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (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)
  • Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
EP00306241A 1999-07-27 2000-07-21 Verfahren zum Komplettieren von Bohrungen in Lockergesteinszonen Withdrawn EP1087099A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/361,714 US6446722B2 (en) 1997-10-16 1999-07-27 Methods for completing wells in unconsolidated subterranean zones
US361714 1999-09-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1087099A1 true EP1087099A1 (de) 2001-03-28

Family

ID=23423165

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00306241A Withdrawn EP1087099A1 (de) 1999-07-27 2000-07-21 Verfahren zum Komplettieren von Bohrungen in Lockergesteinszonen

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1087099A1 (de)
AU (1) AU4886200A (de)
CA (1) CA2314392A1 (de)
NO (1) NO20003619L (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
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
US6588506B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2003-07-08 Exxonmobil Corporation Method and apparatus for gravel packing a well
US6644406B1 (en) 2000-07-31 2003-11-11 Mobil Oil Corporation Fracturing different levels within a completion interval of a well
US7464752B2 (en) 2003-03-31 2008-12-16 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Wellbore apparatus and method for completion, production and injection
US7870898B2 (en) 2003-03-31 2011-01-18 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Well flow control systems and methods

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK2474373T3 (en) 2008-08-29 2014-03-10 Basf Se A method of stabilizing subterranean formations with the curable urea-formaldehyde resin
CN111542676A (zh) * 2017-12-05 2020-08-14 沙特阿拉伯石油公司 井眼套管衬管打印

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3901318A (en) * 1974-06-19 1975-08-26 Baker Oil Tools Inc Method and apparatus for packing gravel in a subterranean well
US5058676A (en) * 1989-10-30 1991-10-22 Halliburton Company Method for setting well casing using a resin coated particulate
US5082052A (en) * 1991-01-31 1992-01-21 Mobil Oil Corporation Apparatus for gravel packing wells
US5415227A (en) * 1993-11-15 1995-05-16 Mobil Oil Corporation Method for well completions in horizontal wellbores in loosely consolidated formations
EP0909875A2 (de) * 1997-10-16 1999-04-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Verfahren zum Komplettieren von Bohrungen in Lockergesteinszonen

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3901318A (en) * 1974-06-19 1975-08-26 Baker Oil Tools Inc Method and apparatus for packing gravel in a subterranean well
US5058676A (en) * 1989-10-30 1991-10-22 Halliburton Company Method for setting well casing using a resin coated particulate
US5082052A (en) * 1991-01-31 1992-01-21 Mobil Oil Corporation Apparatus for gravel packing wells
US5415227A (en) * 1993-11-15 1995-05-16 Mobil Oil Corporation Method for well completions in horizontal wellbores in loosely consolidated formations
EP0909875A2 (de) * 1997-10-16 1999-04-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Verfahren zum Komplettieren von Bohrungen in Lockergesteinszonen

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6644406B1 (en) 2000-07-31 2003-11-11 Mobil Oil Corporation Fracturing different levels within a completion interval of a well
US7108060B2 (en) 2000-07-31 2006-09-19 Exxonmobil 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
US6588506B2 (en) 2001-05-25 2003-07-08 Exxonmobil Corporation Method and apparatus for gravel packing a well
US7464752B2 (en) 2003-03-31 2008-12-16 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Wellbore apparatus and method for completion, production and injection
US7870898B2 (en) 2003-03-31 2011-01-18 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Well flow control systems and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20003619L (no) 2001-01-29
NO20003619D0 (no) 2000-07-14
AU4886200A (en) 2001-02-01
CA2314392A1 (en) 2001-01-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5934376A (en) Methods and apparatus for completing wells in unconsolidated subterranean zones
US6446722B2 (en) Methods for completing wells in unconsolidated subterranean zones
US7100691B2 (en) Methods and apparatus for completing wells
US20040211559A1 (en) Methods and apparatus for completing unconsolidated lateral well bores
US6626241B2 (en) Method of frac packing through existing gravel packed screens
US6761218B2 (en) Methods and apparatus for improving performance of gravel packing systems
EP1447523B1 (de) Komplettieren von Bohrungen in Lockergesteinszonen
CA1246438A (en) Hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing method employing special sand control technique
CA2675823C (en) Hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation control in unconsolidated and weakly cemented sediments
US20020070019A1 (en) Methods and apparatus for completing wells in unconsolidated subterranean zones
CN112324412A (zh) 一种体积压裂形成复杂缝网的方法
EP1087099A1 (de) Verfahren zum Komplettieren von Bohrungen in Lockergesteinszonen
EP1160417A2 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Einbringen einer Fracpackung oder Kiespackung

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010312

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE DK FR GB IT NL

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20040317

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20040728