EP2859180B1

EP2859180B1 - Pipe for extracting reservoir fluids present in an underground reservoir and method of locally increasing the thickness of such a pipe

Info

Publication number: EP2859180B1
Application number: EP12719097.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans POLITIEK
Original assignee: HP Well Screen Holding BV
Current assignee: HP Well Screen Holding BV
Priority date: 2012-04-19
Filing date: 2012-04-19
Publication date: 2018-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-19
Also published as: WO2013157925A1; EP2859180A1

Description

The invention relates to a pipe for extracting reservoir fluids present in an underground reservoir, said pipe extending into said reservoir and comprising at least one flow control device for controlling the inflow of said reservoir fluids, which flow control device is arranged in an opening in the wall of the pipe.
Such a pipe comprising a flow control device is for example known from US patent US-B2-7,419,002 . The pipe of US-B2-7,419,002 comprises a nozzle arranged in a bore in the wall of the pipe. A disadvantage of the nozzle arranged in the bore in the wall is that the strength of the pipe is decreased by said bore. US 2011/0073313 discloses a pipe as in the preamble of claim 1. It is an object of the invention to overcome the disadvantage described above. In particular is it an object of the invention to provide a pipe comprising a flow control device of the type described in the preamble that has no reduction in strength.
This objective is achieved by a pipe of the type described in the preamble, which pipe according to the invention has a first thickness in a first area of the pipe comprising said flow control valve, and a second thickness in a second area of the pipe, which first thickness is greater than the second thickness for compensating for the loss of strength due to the presence of the opening.
As a result of the first thickness being greater than the second thickness the loss of strength of the pipe due to said opening is compensated for. This has the advantage that the risk of cracking or breaking of the pipe is reduced.
Said greater first thickness is especially advantageous if the flow control device of WO-A2-2011/095512 is used as the flow control device. The flow control device of WO-A2-2011/095512 is relatively large as compared to other known flow control devices, for example the nozzle of US-B2-7,419,002 , such that the loss in strength due to said opening is relatively large and compensation is even more preferred. For a description of the flow control device of WO-A2-2011/095512 this document is incorporated herein by reference.
In an embodiment of the pipe according to the invention said first area extends around the periphery of the pipe over a first length of the pipe.
In another embodiment of the pipe according to the invention said pipe comprises a cylindrical sleeve that is provided around the outer periphery of said pipe over said first length, which cylindrical sleeve comprises a second opening that is in register with the opening in the wall of the pipe, and wherein the first thickness is defined by the combined thickness of the pipe and the cylindrical sleeve.
Such a cylindrical sleeve has the advantage that it has an inner surface with a shape adapted to the outer surface of said pipe and may thus be easily mounted to said pipe.
Said cylindrical sleeve may be made of a material chosen from the group comprising metal, such as high tensile or stainless steel, and (carbon) fibre reinforced plastics.
Preferably said cylindrical sleeve is arranged in abutting relation with said pipe, such that no gap is present between the pipe and the cylindrical sleeve.
Such an abutting relation of said cylindrical sleeve with respect to said pipe has the advantage that a pressure loss, otherwise occurring in the gap between the pipe and the cylindrical sleeve, is at least reduced and preferably prevented. Also, the change is reduced that fluids and particles like sand and mud end up between the pipe and the cylindrical sleeve and thus the change on wear is reduced.
Practically said cylindrical sleeve is mounted to said pipe by means of shrinking, pressing, welding, or mounting means.
Said mounting means for example comprise dowel pins, bolts, screws or the like.
In even another embodiment of the pipe according to the invention said first length is in the range of between 0.05 and 0.5 m, preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 m.
Such a length is sufficient for compensating for the loss of strength due to the presence of the opening, which opening has a diameter that is adapted to the diameter of the flow control device. For example, the flow control device WO-A2-2011/095512 has a diameter of up to 50 - 70 mm and thus the opening may have a diameter of up to 50 - 70 mm.
Said first length may also be chosen in dependence of the number of flow control devices distributed over the periphery of the pipe and/or in dependence of the ground formation of the underground reservoir.
Preferably, said first thickness is equal to the height of the flow control valve.
Such a first thickness has the advantage that the flow control valve is completely contained in the wall of said pipe, such that said flow control valve does not extend beyond both the inner surface and the outer surface of the wall of the pipe.
In yet another embodiment of the pipe according to the invention, said pipe comprises an outer cylindrical sleeve that is mounted to said cylindrical sleeve in such a manner that an annular space is defined between the outer cylindrical sleeve and said cylindrical sleeve.
Said annular space is arranged as a flow channel for said extracted fluids, wherein in use said fluids flow via the annular space through said flow control valve into said pipe. For extracting fluids said flow channel is in medium through flow connection with the reservoir, preferably via a filter for filtering said fluid.
Optionally said cylindrical sleeve is provided with an outer threading and said outer cylindrical sleeve is provided with an inner threading, wherein said outer cylindrical sleeve is mounted to said cylindrical sleeve by tightening said outer cylindrical sleeve to said cylindrical sleeve.
Alternatively, said outer cylindrical sleeve is mounted to said cylindrical sleeve by means of shrinking, pressing, welding, or mounting means.
Said mounting means for example comprise dowel pins, bolts, screws or the like.
Such an outer cylindrical sleeve mounted to said cylindrical sleeve has the advantage that the axial displacement of the outer cylindrical sleeve with respect to said cylindrical sleeve during the running of the pipe in the reservoir is at least reduced, and preferably prevented.
An outer cylindrical sleeve mounted to said cylindrical sleeve by means of the above described mutually cooperating threadings or by means of said mounting means provides the additional advantage of being able to detach said outer cylindrical sleeve from said cylindrical sleeve in case access to said cylindrical sleeve and/or said flow control device is desired, for example for maintenance.
In again another embodiment of the pipe according to the invention said cylindrical sleeve and/or the outer cylindrical sleeve comprise(s) a tapering end zone that tapers in the direction of the wall of the pipe.
Such tapering end zone(s) have the advantage of guiding the pipe and the cylindrical sleeve(s) during running into the reservoir and for at least reducing, and preferably preventing, the pressure acting thereon.
The invention also relates to a method of locally increasing the thickness of a pipe for extracting reservoir fluids present in an underground reservoir, said method comprising the steps, to be performed in suitable sequence, of:

a) providing a piece of a determined material, an inner surface of said piece being adapted in form and size to a part of the outer periphery of said pipe;
b) providing an opening in said piece, which opening is adapted in form and size to an opening in a wall of said pipe for accommodating a flow control device; and
c) mounting said piece to said pipe such that the opening in said piece is in register with the opening in the wall of said pipe and such that the thickness of the pipe is locally increased in a first area of the pipe comprising said opening for compensating for the loss of strength due to the presence of the opening.

The method according to the invention has the advantage that the thickness of pipes already available for extracting reservoir fluids present in an underground reservoir is locally increased in a first area of the pipe comprising an opening for accommodating a flow control device for compensating for the loss of strength due to the presence of the opening.
Practically said piece is a cylindrical sleeve that is mounted around the outer periphery of said pipe over a first length of said pipe.
Step (c) may be performed by welding said piece or said cylindrical sleeve to said pipe, by mounting said piece or said cylindrical sleeve to said pipe by means of mounting means, or by shrinking or pressing said cylindrical sleeve to said pipe.
Preferably, step (c) is performed such that said piece or said cylindrical sleeve is arranged in abutting relation with said pipe, such that no gap is present between the pipe and said piece or said cylindrical sleeve.
Said determined material may be chosen from the group comprising metal, such as high tensile or stainless steel, and (carbon) fibre reinforced plastics.
The invention will be further elucidated with reference to figures shown in a drawing, wherein

figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of a part of the wall of the pipe according to the invention; and
figure 2 shows a cross section of the pipe of figure 1 at the location of a flow control device.

Figure 1 shows a wall of a pipe 1 for extracting reservoir fluids present in an underground reservoir (not shown). In use said pipe 1 extends into said reservoir. Said pipe 1 comprises an opening 2 in which a flow control device 3 is accommodated. The diameter of the opening 2 in figure 1 is approximately 30 mm. Due to the presence of the opening 2 the strength of the pipe 1 is reduced, such that said pipe 1 is prone to cracking or breaking. In order to compensate for the loss of strength of the pipe 1 the thickness of the pipe 1 is increased to a first thickness 15 in a first area of the pipe 1 comprising said flow control valve 3 by a cylindrical sleeve 5 that is provided around the outer periphery of said pipe 1 over a first length 4 of, in this example, 0.3 m. The cylindrical sleeve 5 comprises a second opening 6 having the same diameter as the opening 2 in the wall of the pipe 1 and that is in register with the opening 2, wherein the flow control device 3 is arranged in both said opening 2 and second opening 6. The first thickness 15 of the pipe 1 is defined by the combined thickness of the pipe 1 and the cylindrical sleeve 5 and is equal to the height 7 of the flow control device 3, such that the flow control device 3 is completely contained in the wall of said pipe 1 including said cylindrical sleeve 5. The first thickness 15 is, in this example, approximately 16 mm, which is greater than, in particular twice, a second thickness 16 in a second area of the pipe 1.
In figure 1 the cylindrical sleeve 5 is mounted to the pipe 1 by means of pressing. The cylindrical sleeve 5 is mounted to the pipe 1 in such a manner that the cylindrical sleeve 5 is arranged in abutting relation with said pipe 1, such that no gap is present between the pipe 1 and the cylindrical sleeve 5. At its axial end the cylindrical sleeve 1 has a tapering end zone 9. The end zone 9 tapers under an angle 8 with respect to the wall of the pipe 1, which angle 8 is preferably between 15-30°, for example approximately 20°. The tapering end zone 9 is provided for running the pipe 1 into the reservoir.
As is seen in figure 1 the pipe 1 further comprises an outer cylindrical sleeve 10 that is mounted to said cylindrical sleeve 5 in such a manner that an annular space 11 is defined between the outer cylindrical sleeve 10 and said cylindrical sleeve 5. The annular space 11 functions as a flow channel for said fluids that are extracted from the reservoir in which the pipe 1 extends. Upon extraction the fluids flow first through a filter 12, which filter 12 filters the fluid such that sand and other particles are prevented from entering, second through a second annular space 13 formed between said filter 12 and the wall of the pipe 1, third through the annular space 11 that is in medium through flow connection with the second annular space 13, fourth through the flow control device 3, and then into the pipe 1.
As is shown in figure 1, at its axial end the outer cylindrical sleeve 10 has a tapering end zone 14 that tapers under the same angle 8 of said cylindrical sleeve 5 with respect to the wall of the pipe 1, which angle 8 is thus also between 15-30°, for example approximately 20°. Both tapering end zones 9, 14 of respectively the cylindrical sleeves 5, 10 form a continuous tapering surface for running the pipe 1 into the reservoir.
In figure 1 the outer cylindrical sleeve 10 is mounted to the cylindrical sleeve 5 by means of pressing..
Figure 2 shows a cross section of the pipe 1 of figure 1 at the location of a flow control device 3. From this figure 2 it is clear that a plurality, in particular five, of flow control devices 3 are arranged in respective openings 2, 6 in the wall of the pipe 1, wherein the wall of the pipe 1 is formed by the pipe 1 itself and the cylindrical sleeve 5 and thus has the first thickness 15. The flow control devices 3 are equally distributed over the periphery of the pipe 1, at angles of approximately 72°. This arrangement of the plurality of flow control devices 3 is repeated over the length of the pipe 1. Preferably, a fixed distance is present between each arrangement of plurality of flow control devices 3. Instead of five flow control devices 3, each arrangement may comprise a chosen number of flow control devices 3, for example in the range of between 1 - 10 flow control devices 3.
The invention is not limited to the shown embodiment, but also extends to other variants falling within the scope of the appended claims.
For example the angle of the tapering end zones of the cylindrical sleeves 5, 10 may be any chosen angle, preferably lying in the range of between 15 - 30°. It is clear for the skilled person that a smaller angle of the tapering end zones results in an improved runnig of the pipe into the reservoir but increases the length of the cylindrical sleeves 5, 10. As such the angle of the tapering end zones is chosen as a compromise between running in and length of the cylindrical sleeves 5, 10.
The length of the cylindrical sleeve 5 may be any chosen length, as long as the sleeve 5 fully surrounds the flow control device 3, wherein said length preferably lies in the range of between 0.05 and 0.5 m, preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 m.
The thickness of the first area 15 may be chosen in accordance with the required strength of the pipe 1 and/or the height of the flow control device 3, and preferably lies in the range of 10 - 30 mm.

Claims

Pipe (1) for extracting reservoir fluids present in an underground reservoir, said pipe (1) extending into said reservoir and comprising at least one flow control device (3) for controlling the inflow of said reservoir fluids, which flow control device (3) is arranged in an opening (2) in the wall of the pipe, wherein the pipe has a first thickness (15) in a first area of the pipe comprising said flow control valve, and a second thickness (16) in a second area of the pipe, which first thickness is greater than the second thickness for compensating for the loss of strength due to the presence of the opening, wherein said first area extends around the periphery of the pipe over a first length of the pipe, characterised in that the pipe comprises a cylindrical sleeve (5) that is provided around the outer periphery of said pipe over said first length, which cylindrical sleeve comprises a second opening (6) that is in register with the opening in the wall of the pipe, and wherein the first thickness is defined by the combined thickness of the pipe and the cylindrical sleeve (5).
Pipe according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical sleeve (5) is made of a material chosen from the group comprising metal, such as high tensile or stainless steel, and fibre reinforced plastics, said fibres being optionally carbon fibres.
Pipe according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said sleeve (5) is arranged in abutting relation with said pipe, such that no gap is present between the pipe and the cylindrical sleeve.
Pipe according to any of claims 1 - 3, wherein said cylindrical sleeve (5) is mounted to said pipe by means of shrinking, pressing, welding, or mounting means.
Pipe according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 4, wherein said first length is in the range of between 0.05 and 0.5 m, preferably between 0.2 and 0.3 m.
Pipe according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 5, wherein the first thickness (15) is equal to the height of the flow control valve.
Pipe according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 6, comprising an outer cylindrical sleeve (10_) that is mounted to said cylindrical sleeve (5) in such a manner that an annular space is defined between the outer cylindrical sleeve and said cylindrical sleeve.
Pipe according to claim 7, wherein said cylindrical sleeve (5) is provided with an outer threading and said outer cylindrical sleeve is provided with an inner threading, and wherein said outer cylindrical sleeve is mounted to said cylindrical sleeve by tightening said outer cylindrical sleeve to said cylindrical sleeve.
Pipe according to claim 7, wherein said outer cylindrical sleeve is mounted to said cylindrical sleeve by means of shrinking, pressing, welding, or mounting means.
Pipe according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 9, wherein said cylindrical sleeve and/or the outer cylindrical sleeve comprise(s) a tapering end zone (14) that tapers in the direction of the wall of the pipe.
Method of locally increasing the thickness of a pipe (1) for extracting reservoir fluids present in an underground reservoir, said method comprising the steps, to be performed in suitable sequence, of:
a) providing a piece (5) of a determined material, an inner surface of said piece being adapted in form and size to a part of the outer periphery of said pipe;

b) providing an opening (6) in said piece, which opening is adapted in form and size to an opening (2) in a wall of said pipe for accommodating a flow control device (3); and

c) mounting said piece to said pipe such that the opening in said piece is in register with the opening in the wall of said pipe and such that the thickness of the pipe is locally increased in a first area of the pipe comprising said opening for compensating for the loss of strength due to the presence of the opening, wherein said piece is a cylindrical sleeve (5) that is mounted around the outer periphery of said pipe over a first length of said pipe.
Method according to claim 11, wherein step (c) is performed by welding said piece or said cylindrical sleeve (5) to said pipe, by mounting said piece or said cylindrical sleeve to said pipe by means of mounting means, or by shrinking or pressing said cylindrical sleeve to said pipe.
Method according to any of the preceding claims 11 - 12, wherein step (c) is performed such that said cylindrical sleeve is arranged in abutting relation with said pipe, such that no gap is present between the pipe and said piece or said cylindrical sleeve.
Method according to any of the preceding claims 11 - 13, wherein said determined material is chosen from the group comprising metal, such as high tensile or stainless steel, and fibre reinforced plastics, said fibres being optionally carbon fibres.