WO2016069278A1 - Flow distribution assemblies with shunt tubes and erosion-resistant shunt nozzles - Google Patents
Flow distribution assemblies with shunt tubes and erosion-resistant shunt nozzles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2016069278A1 WO2016069278A1 PCT/US2015/055703 US2015055703W WO2016069278A1 WO 2016069278 A1 WO2016069278 A1 WO 2016069278A1 US 2015055703 W US2015055703 W US 2015055703W WO 2016069278 A1 WO2016069278 A1 WO 2016069278A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- shunt
- shunt tube
- elongate slot
- length
- height
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/0078—Nozzles used in boreholes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B10/00—Drill bits
- E21B10/60—Drill bits characterised by conduits or nozzles for drilling fluids
- E21B10/61—Drill bits characterised by conduits or nozzles for drilling fluids characterised by the nozzle structure
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/10—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers
- E21B17/1007—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers for the internal surface of a pipe, e.g. wear bushings for underwater well-heads
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/04—Gravelling of wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/11—Perforators; Permeators
Definitions
- Such fluid injection operations are typically carried out by placing an injection string at a desired location within a wellbore.
- the injection string oftentimes includes a wellbore screen assembly that includes one or more sand screens arranged about perforated production tubing.
- the annulus between the sand screens and the wellbore wall is generally gravel-packed to mitigate the influx of formation sands derived from the surrounding subterranean formations.
- Packers are customarily set above and below sand screen assemblies to seal off the annulus in the zone where production fluids flow into the production tubing.
- the annulus around the sand screens is then packed with a gravel slurry, which comprises relatively coarse sand or gravel suspended within water or a gel and acts as a filter to reduce the amount of fine formation sand reaching the screens.
- annular sand bridges can form around the sand screen assembly that may prevent the complete circumscribing of the screen structure with gravel in the completed well. This incomplete screen structure coverage by the gravel may leave an axial portion of the sand screen exposed to the fine formation sand, thereby undesirably lowering the overall filtering efficiency of the sand screen structure.
- shunt tubes that longitudinally extend across the sand screens.
- the shunt tubes provide flow paths that allow the inflowing gravel slurry to bypass any sand bridges that may be formed and otherwise permit the gravel slurry to enter the annulus between the sand screens and the wellbore beneath sand bridges, thereby forming the desired gravel pack beneath it.
- FIG. 1 depicts a well system that can employ one or more principles of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 2A and 2B depict isometric and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of an exemplary shunt tube assembly.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B depict isometric and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of another exemplary shunt tube assembly.
- FIGS. 4A-4C depict views of yet another exemplary shunt tube assembly.
- FIGS. 5A-5B depict views of another exemplary shunt tube assembly.
- FIGS. 6A-6B depict views of another exemplary shunt tube assembly.
- the present disclosure generally relates to downhole fluid flow control and, more particularly, to flow distribution assemblies used to distribute fluid flow into surrounding subterranean formations.
- the presently disclosed embodiments enable relatively high rates of fluid flow through a flow distribution assembly during gravel packing and/or formation fracture packing operations.
- the exemplary flow distribution assemblies described herein include shunt tubes that extend along the exterior of a work string to allow for fluid communication.
- the shunt tubes include one or more shunt nozzles coupled to a sidewall of the shunt tube and have an elongate slot defined therethrough. The elongate slot may be aligned with an opening defined in the sidewall to provide fluid communication between the inner flow path of the shunt tube and an exterior thereof.
- the geometry (shape) of the elongate slot may allow for the same or greater cross- sectional flow area as would be provided by a shunt nozzle having a circular hole, but does not require the circular footprint.
- the shape of the elongate slot may help reduce erosion of the shunt nozzle by increasing the flow area, which has a direct correlation to reduction in velocity for similar flow rates.
- the well system 100 includes a wellbore 102 that extends through various earth strata and may have a substantially vertical section 104 that may transition into a substantially horizontal section 106.
- the upper portion of the vertical section 104 may have a liner or casing string 108 secured therein with, for example, cement 110.
- the horizontal section 106 may extend through a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation 112.
- the horizontal section 106 may be arranged within or otherwise extend through an open hole section of the wellbore 102. In other embodiments, however, the horizontal section 106 of the wellbore 102 may also be completed using casing 108 or the like, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- a work string 114 may be positioned within the wellbore 102 and extend from the surface (not shown).
- the work string 114 provides a conduit for fluids to be conveyed either to or from the formation 112.
- the work string 114 may be characterized as an injection string in embodiments where fluids are introduced or otherwise conveyed to the formation 112, but may alternatively be characterized as production tubing in embodiments where fluids are extracted from the formation 112 to be conveyed to the surface.
- the work string 114 may be coupled to or otherwise form part of a completion assembly 116 generally arranged within the horizontal section 106.
- the completion assembly 116 may include a plurality of flow distribution assemblies 118 axially offset from each other along portions of the completion assembly 116.
- Each flow distribution assembly 118 may include one or more sand screens 120 disposed about the outer surface of the work string 114.
- the sand screens 120 may comprise fluid-porous, particulate restricting devices made from a plurality of layers of a wire mesh that are diffusion bonded or sintered together to form a fluid porous wire mesh screen.
- the sand screens 120 may have multiple layers of a woven wire metal mesh material having a uniform pore structure and a controlled pore size that is determined based upon the properties of the formation 112.
- suitable woven wire mesh screens may include, but are not limited to, a plain Dutch weave, a twilled Dutch weave, a reverse Dutch weave, combinations thereof, or the like.
- the sand screens 120 may include a single layer of wire mesh, multiple layers of wire mesh that are not bonded together, a single layer of wire wrap, multiple layers of wire wrap or the like, that may or may not operate with a drainage layer.
- Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that several other sand screen 120 designs are equally suitable, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- Each flow distribution assembly 118 may further include one or more shunt tubes 122 that extend along the exterior of the work string 114 and the sand screens 120 and otherwise within an annulus 124 defined between the flow distribution assemblies 118 and the wall of the wellbore 102.
- the shunt tubes 122 may be configured to convey fluids to various fluid flow points along the axial length of the completion assembly 116 so that the fluid can be evenly distributed within an annulus 124 defined between the flow distribution assemblies 118 and the wall of the wellbore 102.
- the completion assembly 116 may prove useful in various wellbore operations, such as gravel- packing operations, fracture packing operations, and the like.
- the fluids that may be conveyed by the shunt tubes 122 may include, but are not limited to, a fracturing fluid, a proppant slurry, a gravel slurry, and any combination thereof.
- the shunt tubes 122 may include at least one transport tube that extends along all or substantially all of the completion assembly 116 and may further include one or more packing tubes that extend from the transport tube(s).
- the transport tube(s) may be open to the annulus 124 at its uphole end to receive the fluid therein to flow along the entire axial length of the transport tube(s).
- the fluid may enter the annulus 124 via a crossover sub (not shown), or the like, positioned within the work string 114 above the uppermost flow distribution assembly 118.
- the crossover sub discharges the fluid into the annulus 124 from the interior of the work string 114, and a portion of the fluid is received by the transport tube(s).
- each packing tube may include one or more openings or outlets that are able to discharge the fluid into the annulus 124 at predetermined locations.
- the transport tube(s) may also include one or more openings or outlets that are able to discharge the fluid into the annulus 124 at predetermined locations.
- the fluids discharged into the annulus 124 may contain solid particulates, such as gravel, proppant, and other solid debris that, over time, may tend to erode certain surfaces of the shunt tubes 122, such as the openings or outlets facilitate fluid discharge into the annulus 124.
- solid particulates such as gravel, proppant, and other solid debris that, over time, may tend to erode certain surfaces of the shunt tubes 122, such as the openings or outlets facilitate fluid discharge into the annulus 124.
- the fluid e.g., a gravel slurry
- the fluid flow points provided in the shunt tubes 122 may each include a shunt fitting and/or a shunt nozzle.
- the shunt fittings and the shunt nozzles associated with the shunt tubes 122 may be made of erosion-resistant materials and thereby provide an erosion-resistant exit pathway for fluids to exit the shunt tubes 122 into the annulus 124.
- FIG. 1 depicts the flow distribution assemblies 118 as being arranged in an open hole portion of the wellbore 102
- alternative embodiments are contemplated herein where one or more of the flow distribution assemblies 118 is arranged within a cased portion of the wellbore 102.
- FIG . 1 depicts the flow distribution assemblies 118 as being arranged in the horizontal section 106 of the wellbore 102
- those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the principles of the present disclosure are equally well suited for use in vertical wells, deviated wellbores, slanted wells, multilateral wells, combinations thereof, and the like.
- directional terms such as above, below, u pper, lower, u pward, downward, left, right, uphole, downhole and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure, the uphole direction being toward the surface of the well and the downhole direction being toward the toe of the well .
- FIGS. 2A and 2B are isometric and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of an exem plary shu nt tube assembly 200, according to one or more embodiments.
- the shunt tube assembly 200 (hereafter the "assembly 200") may be used in the exemplary well system 100 of FIG. 1. More particularly, the assembly 200 may be positioned or otherwise arranged at various points within one or more of the shunt tubes 122 of the flow distribution assemblies 118 of FIG . 1. As illustrated, the assembly 200 may include a shunt tube 202 and an associated shu nt fitting 204.
- the shunt tube 202 may be the same as or similar to any of the shu nt tu bes 122 of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the shunt tu be 202 may be a transport tube or a packing tube, as described above, and may be configured to convey flu ids from the annulus 124 (FIG. 1) to various fluid flow points along the axial length of the completion assembly 116 (FIG. 1) .
- At least one of the fluid flow points may correspond to the location of the shu nt fitting 204.
- the shunt fitting 204 may be positioned inline in the shunt tube 202. More particu larly, the shunt fitting 204 may interpose a first or upper portion 206a of the shunt tu be 202 and a second or lower portion 206b of the shunt tu be 202.
- the shunt fitting 204 may be attached to the upper and lower portions 206a, b of the shunt tube 202 at corresponding attachment locations 207a and 207b, respectively, via a variety of attachment means including, but not limited to, welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening (e.g.
- shu nt fitting 204 While only one shu nt fitting 204 is shown as positioned inline in the shunt tube 202, it will be appreciated that mu ltiple shunt fittings 204 may be connected inline in the shunt tube 202 to provide a corresponding mu ltiple nu mber of flu id flow point locations.
- the shunt tube 202 may be generally tu bular or, in other words, in the general shape of a tube or a condu it. As best seen in FIG. 2B, the shunt tu be 202 may provide a fluid conduit or inner flow path 208 for the flow of a flu id, as shown by the arrows A.
- the fluid A may be any of the fluids mentioned above including, but not limited to, a fracturing fluid, a gravel slurry, and any combination thereof.
- the shunt tube 202 and the shu nt fitting 204 are depicted as having a generally rectangu lar cross-sectional shape.
- the shunt tu be 202 and the shu nt fitting 204 may alternatively exhibit a circular cross-section or any other polygonal cross-section, such as triangular, square, trapezoidal, or any other polygonal shape.
- the shu nt tu be 202 and the shunt fitting 204 may exhibit a cross-sectional shape that is substantially oval or kidney shaped, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- the shunt fitting 204 may include an outlet 210 that fluidly commu nicates with the inner flow path 208.
- the outlet 210 may provide an opening or exit port for at least a portion of the fluid A to be discharged from the assembly 200.
- the outlet 210 may comprise a hole that is flush with the body of the shu nt fitting 204.
- the outlet 210 may comprise a nozzle featu re that extends from the body of the shu nt fitting 204 at an angle 212 (FIG. 2B) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shunt tube 202.
- the angle 212 may be any angle ranging between 1° and 179° with respect to the shunt tube 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle 212 is about 25° offset from the shunt tube 202 (i .e. , its longitudinal axis), but cou ld alternatively be greater or smaller than 25°, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- the shunt fitting 204 may be made of an erosion-resistant material .
- the erosion-resistant material may be, but is not limited to, a carbide (e.g. , tu ngsten, titanium, tantalu m, or vanadium), a carbide embedded in a matrix of cobalt or nickel by sintering, a cobalt alloy, a ceramic, a surface hardened metal (e.g. , nitrided metals, heat-treated metals, carbu rized metals, hardened steel, etc. ), a steel alloy (e.g. a nickel-chromium alloy, a molybdenum alloy, etc. ), a cermet-based material, a metal matrix composite, a nanocrystalline metallic alloy, an amorphous alloy, a hard metallic alloy, or any combination thereof.
- a carbide e.g. , tu ngsten, titanium, tantalu m, or vanadium
- the interior or inner walls of the shunt fitting 204 may be clad or coated with an erosion- resistant material, such as tu ngsten carbide, a cobalt alloy, or ceramic.
- the outlet 210 of the shu nt fitting 204 in particu lar may be clad or coated with the erosion-resistant material .
- the interior or inner walls of the shu nt fitting 204 may be clad with the erosion-resistant material via any suitable process including, but not limited to, weld overlay, thermal spraying, laser beam cladding, electron beam cladding, vapor deposition (chemical, physical, etc. ), any combination thereof, and the like.
- the shunt tube 202 may also be configu red to be erosion-resistant or otherwise comprise an erosion-resistant material .
- the shunt tube 202 may be made of a carbide or a ceramic.
- the shunt tu be 202 may be made of a metal or other material that is internally cladded with an erosion-resistant material such as, but not limited to, tungsten carbide, a cobalt alloy, or ceramic.
- the shunt tu be 202 may be made of a material that has been surface ha rdened, such as su rface hardened metals (e.g. , via nitriding), heat treated metals (e.g.
- the shu nt tu be 202, or a portion thereof, may be an Aramid-type fiber tu be, such as a Kevlar or other type of composite material .
- FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrated are isometric and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of another exemplary shunt tube assembly 300, according to one or more embodiments.
- the shu nt tube assembly 300 (hereafter the "assem bly 300") may be used in the exemplary well system 100 of FIG. 1 and may be similar in some respects to the assembly 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B and therefore may be best understood with reference thereto, where like nu merals indicate like components not described again in detail .
- the assembly 300 may include the shunt tu be 202, including the upper and lower portions 206a, b thereof.
- the assembly 300 may also include the shunt fitting 204, including the outlet 210 that fluidly communicates with the inner flow path 208 to provide an exit for at least a portion of the fluid A to be discharged from the shu nt tube 202.
- the outlet 210 may be a nozzle that extends from the body of the shunt fitting 204 at the angle 212 (FIG. 3B) .
- the assembly 300 may fu rther include a first or upper coupling assembly 302a and a second or lower cou pling assembly 302b.
- the upper coupling assembly 302a may include an upper coupling 304a and the lower cou pling assembly 302b may include a lower cou pling 304b.
- the upper and lower couplings 304a, b may be configured to be coupled or otherwise attached to opposing ends of the shu nt fitting 204.
- a first or upper end 306a of the shunt fitting 204 may be cou pled to the upper coupling 304a, and a second or lower end 306b of the shu nt fitting 204 may be cou pled to the lower cou pling 304b.
- the upper and lower couplings 304a, b may be cou pled to the upper and lower ends 306a, b of the shunt fitting 204, respectively, via a variety of attachment means including, but not limited to, welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening (e.g. , screws, bolts, pins, snap rings, etc. ), shrink fitting, interference fitting, or any combination thereof.
- the upper and lower cou plings 304a, b may be di rectly coupled or otherwise attached to the upper and lower portions 206a, b of the shu nt tube 202, respectively, such as via welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening (e.g. , screws, bolts, pins, snap rings, etc. ), shrink fitting, interference fitting, or any combination thereof.
- one or both of the u pper and lower coupling assemblies 302a, b may include an extension, such as an upper extension 308a and/or a lower extension 308b.
- the upper and lower extensions 308a, b may be similar in cross-sectional shape to the shunt tube 202.
- the upper and lower extensions 308a, b may be coupled or otherwise attached to the upper and lower cou plings 304a, b, respectively, and at the other end, the upper and lower extensions 308a, b may be coupled or otherwise attached to the upper and lower portions 206a, b of the shunt tu be 202, respectively.
- Such cou pling engagements of the upper and lower extensions 308a, b with the upper and lower cou plings 304a, b and the u pper and lower portions 206a, b of the shu nt tube 202 may be accomplished via any one of welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening (e.g.
- the assembly 300 may provide to a well operator.
- the upper and lower coupling assemblies 302a, b may allow the shunt fitting 204 to be coupled to the upper and lower couplings 304a, b, and optionally the upper and lower extensions 308a, b, offsite prior to being delivered to a well site. This may allow a manufacturer to properly braze the upper and lower couplings 304a, b to the shunt fitting 204, which may be made of a material that is difficult to weld, such as tungsten carbide.
- the upper and lower coupling assemblies 302a, b may be coupled to the upper and lower portions 206a, b of the shunt tube 202, respectively, using common attachment means, such as welding or brazing techniques, an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, shrink fitting, interference fitting, and any combination thereof.
- FIGS. 4A-4C illustrated are various views of yet another exemplary shunt tube assembly 400, according to one or more embodiments. More particularly, FIG. 4A depicts an isometric view of the shunt tube assembly 400 (hereafter the "assembly 400"), FIG. 4B depicts a cross- sectional side view of one embodiment of the assembly 400, and FIG. 4C depicts a cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of the assembly 400.
- the assembly 400 may be used in the exemplary well system 100 of FIG. 1 and may be similar in some respects to the assemblies 200 and 300 of FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3B and therefore may be best understood with reference thereto, where like numerals indicate like components not described again.
- the assembly 400 may include the shunt tube 202 for conveying the fluid A therethrough. Unlike the assemblies 200 and 300, however, the assembly 400 may further include a shunt nozzle 402 that extends from the shunt tube 202 at an angle 404 (FIGS. 4B and 4C) that provides an exit for at least a portion of the fluid A to be discharged from the assembly 400.
- the angle 404 may be any angle ranging between 1° and 179° with respect to the shunt tube 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle 404 is about 45° offset from the shunt tube 202, but could alternatively be greater or smaller than 45°, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- the shunt nozzle 402 may be a substantially tubular structure that fluidly communicates with an opening 406 defined in the shunt tube 202.
- the opening 406 may provide fluid communication between the inner flow path 208 of the shunt tube 202 and an exterior thereof.
- the shunt nozzle 402 may have a generally circu lar or cylindrical cross-sectional shape.
- the shunt nozzle 402 may alternatively have a polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as triangular, square, rectangu lar, trapezoidal, or any other polygonal shape.
- the shunt nozzle 402 may exhibit a cross-sectional shape that is substantially oval or kidney shaped, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- the shu nt nozzle 402 may also be made of an erosion-resistant material, such as those discussed above.
- the interior or inner surfaces of the shu nt nozzle 402 may be clad or coated with an erosion-resistant material, such as tungsten carbide, a cobalt alloy, or ceramic.
- the erosion-resistant material may be applied to the inner su rfaces of the shunt nozzle 402 before the shunt nozzle 402 is coupled to the shunt tu be 202.
- the erosion-resistant material may be applied to the inner surfaces of the shunt nozzle 402 after the shunt nozzle 402 is cou pled to the shu nt tube 202, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- the shunt nozzle 402 is depicted as being inserted into the opening 406 and otherwise coupled to the shu nt tube 202 as recessed into the opening 406.
- the shu nt nozzle 402 may be coupled to the shunt tube 202 within the opening 406 via a variety of attachment means including, but not limited to, welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening (e.g. , screws, bolts, pins, snap rings, etc. ), shrink fitting, interference fitting, or any combination thereof.
- the shu nt nozzle 402 is depicted as being aligned with the opening 406 and flush mounted to the outer surface of the shunt tube 202.
- the shunt nozzle 402 may be cou pled or otherwise attached to the outer surface of the shu nt tube 202 via one or more of welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening (e.g. , screws, bolts, pins, snap rings, etc. ), or any combi nation thereof.
- FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional isometric views, respectively, of another exemplary shunt tube assembly 500, according to one or more additional embodiments.
- the shunt tube assembly 500 (hereafter the "assembly 500") may be used in the exemplary well system 100 of FIG. 1 and may be similar in some respects to the assemblies 200, 300, and 400 described above, and therefore may be best understood with reference thereto, where like numerals indicate like components not described again.
- the assembly 500 may include a shunt tube 202 for conveying the fluid A therethrough.
- the assembly 500 may further include a shunt nozzle 502 that extends from a sidewall of the shunt tube 202.
- the shunt nozzle 502 may generally comprise a six-sided block having a first end 504a, a second end 504b opposite the first end 504a, a top 506a, a bottom 506b opposite the top 506a, a first side 508a, and a second side 508b opposite the first side 508a.
- the shunt nozzle 502 is formed in the general shape of a rectangular block, but could alternatively comprise a square block, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- An elongate slot 510 is defined through the shunt nozzle 502 and extends between the opposing first and second sides 508a, b.
- the elongate slot 510 has a length 512 and a height 514.
- the length 512 comprises a horizontal measurement of the elongate slot 510 generally parallel to the shunt tube 202 and extending in the direction generally between the first and second ends 504a, b.
- the height 514 comprises a vertical measurement of the elongate slot 510 generally orthogonal to the shunt tube 202 and extending in the direction generally between the top and bottom 506a, b.
- the elongate slot 510 also exhibits a depth 516, which comprises a measurement extending between the first and second sides 508a, b.
- the term "elongate slot” refers to an opening defined in the shunt nozzle 502 where magnitudes or measurements of the length 512 and the height 514 of the opening are dissimilar.
- the length 512 of the opening is greater than the height 514.
- the height 514 of the opening may alternatively be greater than the length 512, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- the elongate slot 510 may exhibit any cross-sectional shape where the length 512 of the opening is greater than the height 514.
- the cross-sectional shape of the elongate slot 510 is generally rectangular with rounded ends or corners, but could alternatively include sharp or squared off ends.
- the cross-sectional shape of the elongate slot 510 may be oval, ovoid, kidney shaped, a parallelogram, or any other polygonal cross-sectional shape where the length 512 is greater than the height 514.
- the geometry (shape) of the elongate slot 510 may prove advantageous in creating a smoother transition for the fluid A to exit the rectangular-shaped shunt tube 202, which may help reduce erosion. More particularly, the flow of the fluid A through the elongate slot 510 may be more laminar as compared to circular nozzles, and thereby exhibiting more favorable flow characteristics. Moreover, the geometry of the elongate slot 510 may allow for the same or greater cross-sectional flow area as would be provided by a shunt nozzle having a circular hole, but does not require the circular footprint, which may not physically fit on the sidewall of the rectangular shunt tube 202. Accordingly, the shape of the elongate slot 510 may help reduce the erosion of the shunt nozzle 502 by increasing the flow area, which has a direct correlation to the reduction in velocity for similar flow rates.
- the length 512 of the elongate slot 510 may be constant along the depth 516 between the opposing first and second sides 508a, b. In other embodiments, however, the magnitude of the length 512 may vary along the depth 516, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In such embodiments, for example, the length 512 may taper outward from the first side 508a to the second side 508b along the depth 516, or alternatively taper inward from the first side 508a to the second side 508b. In other embodiments, the length 512 may vary (i.e., undulate) along the depth 516 between the opposing first and second sides 508a, b, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
- the height 514 of the elongate slot 510 may be constant across the length 512 of the elongate slot 510, but may alternatively vary across the length 512.
- the elongate slot 510 may define a channel 518 that extends along the depth 516 between the opposing first and second sides 508a, b and exhibits a height 520 that is greater than the height 514.
- the channel 518 may comprise a portion of the elongate slot 510 where the height 514 increases as compared to remaining portions of the elongate slot 510.
- the channel 518 may comprise a generally round conduit that extends along the depth 516. In other embodiments, however, the channel 518 may exhibit other cross-sectional shapes, such as oval, ovoid, polygonal, or any combination thereof, where the height 514 along the length 512 is increased .
- the shunt nozzle 502 may be aligned with the opening 406 and flush mou nted to the outer surface of the shunt tube 202. More particularly, the elongate slot 510 may be aligned with the opening 406, and the first side 508a of the shunt nozzle 502 may be coupled or otherwise secured to the outer surface of the shunt tube 202 via one or more of welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening (e.g., screws, bolts, pins, snap rings, etc.), or any combination thereof.
- the elongate slot 510 provides fluid commu nication between the inner flow path 208 of the shunt tube 202 and the exterior and thereby provides an exit for at least a portion of the flu id A to be discharged from the assembly 500.
- the elongate slot 510 may extend at an angle 522 (FIG. 5B) with respect to the shunt tu be 202.
- the angle 522 may be any angle ranging between 1° and 179° with respect to the shu nt tu be 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle 522 is about 75° offset from the shunt tu be 202, but cou ld alternatively be greater or smaller than 75°, without departing from the scope of the disclosu re.
- the shu nt nozzle 502 may alternatively be made with a variety of heat-treated stainless steels such as, but not limited to, 410SST, 135MY, or 30MY (SAE designations).
- SAE designations such as, but not limited to, 410SST, 135MY, or 30MY (SAE designations).
- using such basic metallic materials may prove advantageous in allowing simpler manufactu ring construction, where basic welding practices and other securing means can be used.
- the interior or inner surfaces of the shunt nozzle 502 may be clad or coated with an erosion-resistant material, such as tungsten carbide, a cobalt alloy, or ceramic.
- an erosion-resistant material such as tungsten carbide, a cobalt alloy, or ceramic.
- the erosion-resistant material may be applied to the inner surfaces of the shunt nozzle 502 before it is coupled to the shunt tube 202.
- the erosion-resistant material may be applied to the inner surfaces of the shunt nozzle 502 after it is coupled to the shunt tube 202, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate isometric and cross-sectional isometric views, respectively, of another exemplary shunt tube assembly 600, according to one or more additional embodiments.
- the shunt tube assembly 600 (hereafter the "assembly 600") may be used in the exemplary well system 100 of FIG. 1 and may be similar in some respects to the assembly 500 of FIGS. 5A-5B and therefore may be best understood with reference thereto, where like numerals indicate like components not described again.
- the assembly 600 may include a shunt tube 202 for conveying the fluid A therethrough.
- the assembly 600 may further include the shunt nozzle 502, as generally described above.
- An elongate slot 602 is defined through the shunt nozzle 502 and extends between the opposing first and second sides 508a, b.
- the elongate slot 602 has the length 512, the height 514, and the depth 516, where the length 512 and the height 514 of the elongate slot 602 are dissimilar.
- the length 512 is depicted as greater than the height 514, but could alternatively be smaller than the height 514, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- the elongate slot 602 may exhibit any cross-sectional shape where the length 512 of the opening is greater than the height 514.
- the cross-sectional shape of the elongate slot 602 is generally rectangular with rounded corners, but could alternatively exhibit a cross- sectional shape that is oval, ovoid, kidney shaped, a parallelogram, or any other polygonal cross-sectional shape where the length 512 is greater than the height 514.
- the shunt nozzle 502 and, more particularly, the elongate slot 602 may be aligned with the opening 406 and flush mou nted to the outer surface of the shunt tu be 202 via one or more of welding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fastening (e.g., screws, bolts, pins, snap rings, etc.), or any combination thereof.
- the elongate slot 602 provides fluid communication between the inner flow path 208 of the shunt tube 202 and the exterior and thereby provides an exit for at least a portion of the fluid A to be discharged from the assembly 600.
- the elongate slot 602 may extend at the angle 522 (FIG . 6B) with respect to the shunt tu be 202 and to inner flow path 208.
- assemblies 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 described herein are generally described with reference to injection operations, where a flu id A is injected into a surrounding formation 112 (FIG. 1) via the shu nt tubes 202 and associated shu nt fittings 204 or shunt nozzles 402, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the assemblies 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 may alternatively be used in production operations (e.g., reverse-flow operations), without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- the flow of another fluid may instead be drawn into the shunt tubes 202 via the shu nt fittings 204 or shu nt nozzles 402, 502, or 602 and subsequently into the inner flow path 208 to be produced to the surface.
- another fluid such as a formation fluid
- the erosion-resistant characteristics of the shunt tubes 202 and the shunt fittings 204 and shu nt nozzles 402, 502, or 602 allow the fluids to be produced without causing detrimental eroding .
- Embodiments disclosed herein include:
- a shunt tube assembly that includes a shunt tu be having an inner flow path for a flu id and defining an opening in a sidewall of the shu nt tu be, and a shunt nozzle cou pled to the sidewall and having an elongate slot defined therethrough and aligned with the opening to provide flu id communication between the inner flow path and an exterior of the shunt tube, wherein the elongate slot has a length and a height, and the length is dissimilar to the height.
- a method that includes introducing a flow distribution assembly into a wellbore on a work string, the flow distribution assembly including at least one shunt tube extending along an exterior of the work string and having an inner flow path for a fluid and defining an opening in a sidewall of the shunt tube, conveying the fluid into the inner flow path from an annulus defined between the work string and the wellbore, and discharging at least a portion of the fluid from the at least one shunt tube at a shunt nozzle coupled to the sidewall and having an elongate slot defined therethrough and aligned with the opening to provide fluid communication between the inner flow path and the annulus, wherein the elongate slot has a length and a height, and the length is dissimilar to the height.
- each of embodiments A and B may have one or more of the following additional elements in any combination :
- Element 1 wherein the shunt tube is rectangular and the length is a horizontal measurement of the elongate slot generally parallel to the shunt tube, and the height is a vertical measurement of the elongate slot generally orthogonal to the shunt tube.
- Element 2 wherein the length is greater than the height.
- Element 3 wherein the shunt nozzle is a six-sided block comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a top and a bottom opposite the top, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the elongate slot extends between the first and second sides.
- Element 4 wherein the length of the elongate slot is constant between the first and second sides.
- Element 5 wherein the length of the elongate slot varies between the first and second sides.
- Element 6 wherein the height of the elongate slot is constant across the length of the elongate slot.
- Element 7 wherein the height of the elongate slot varies across the length of the elongate slot.
- Element 8 wherein the elongate slot defines a channel where the height is increased as compared to remaining portions of the elongate slot.
- Element 9 wherein the channel exhibits a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular, oval, ovoid, polygonal, and any combination thereof.
- Element 10 wherein the shunt nozzle is coupled to the sidewall by at least one of welding, brazing, an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, and any combination thereof.
- Element 11 wherein the elongate slot extends from the shunt tube at an angle ranging between 1° and 179° with respect to the shunt tube.
- the shunt nozzle comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a carbide embedded in a matrix of cobalt or nickel by sintering, a cobalt alloy, a ceramic, a surface-hardened metal, a steel alloy, a chromium alloy, a nickel alloy, a cermet-based material, a metal matrix composite, a nanocrystalline metallic alloy, an amorphous alloy, a hard metallic alloy, or any combination thereof.
- Element 13 wherein an inner surface of the shunt nozzle is clad with an erosion-resistant material selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a cobalt alloy, and a ceramic.
- Element 14 further comprising preventing erosion of the shunt fitting, wherein the shunt nozzle comprises an erosion-resistant material selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a ceramic, a cobalt alloy, a surface-hardened metal, stainless steel, a nickel-chromium alloy, a molybdenum alloy, and a chromium steel.
- Element 15 further comprising preventing erosion of an inner surface of the shunt nozzle, wherein the inner surface of the shunt nozzle is clad with an erosion-resistant material selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a cobalt alloy, and a ceramic.
- Element 16 further comprising preventing erosion of the at least one shunt tube, wherein the at least one shunt tube comprises an erosion-resistant material selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a ceramic, a cobalt alloy, a surface-hardened metal, and a composite.
- Element 17 wherein the elongate slot defines a channel where the height is increased along the length as compared to remaining portions of the elongate slot.
- Element 18 wherein the shunt tube is rectangular and the length is a horizontal measurement of the elongate slot generally parallel to the shunt tube and the height is a vertical measurement of the elongate slot generally orthogonal to the shunt tube, and wherein the length is greater than the height.
- exemplary combinations applicable to A and B include: Element 3 with Element 4; Element 3 with Element 5; Element 7 with Element 8; and Element 8 with Element 9.
- compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values.
- the phrase "at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e. , each item).
- the phrase "at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items.
- the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2015339739A AU2015339739C1 (en) | 2014-10-31 | 2015-10-15 | Flow distribution assemblies with shunt tubes and erosion-resistant shunt nozzles |
US15/515,592 US20170298711A1 (en) | 2014-10-31 | 2015-10-15 | Flow distribution assemblies with shunt tubes and erosion-resistant shunt nozzles |
GB1704517.0A GB2545591B (en) | 2014-10-31 | 2015-10-15 | Flow distribution assemblies with shunt tubes and erosion-resistant shunt nozzles |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201462073240P | 2014-10-31 | 2014-10-31 | |
US62/073,240 | 2014-10-31 |
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WO2016069278A1 true WO2016069278A1 (en) | 2016-05-06 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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PCT/US2015/055703 WO2016069278A1 (en) | 2014-10-31 | 2015-10-15 | Flow distribution assemblies with shunt tubes and erosion-resistant shunt nozzles |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20170298711A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2015339739C1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2545591B (en) |
MY (1) | MY181105A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016069278A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
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JP2018185195A (en) * | 2017-04-25 | 2018-11-22 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Clearance measuring device, clearance measuring sensor and clearance measuring method |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US11174711B2 (en) * | 2017-02-17 | 2021-11-16 | Chevron U.S.A. Inc. | Methods of coating a sand screen component |
US10787864B1 (en) * | 2019-05-01 | 2020-09-29 | Robertson Intellectual Properties, LLC | Web protectors for use in a downhole tool |
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US20080128129A1 (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-06-05 | Yeh Charles S | Gravel packing methods |
US20080314588A1 (en) * | 2007-06-20 | 2008-12-25 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and method for controlling erosion of components during well treatment |
US20130112399A1 (en) * | 2011-11-09 | 2013-05-09 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Erosion Resistant Flow Nozzle for Downhole Tool |
WO2014018210A1 (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2014-01-30 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc | Pipe-in-pipe shunt tube assembly |
US20140238657A1 (en) * | 2013-02-28 | 2014-08-28 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Erosion Ports for Shunt Tubes |
-
2015
- 2015-10-15 US US15/515,592 patent/US20170298711A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-10-15 GB GB1704517.0A patent/GB2545591B/en active Active
- 2015-10-15 MY MYPI2017700894A patent/MY181105A/en unknown
- 2015-10-15 WO PCT/US2015/055703 patent/WO2016069278A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-10-15 AU AU2015339739A patent/AU2015339739C1/en active Active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080128129A1 (en) * | 2006-11-15 | 2008-06-05 | Yeh Charles S | Gravel packing methods |
US20080314588A1 (en) * | 2007-06-20 | 2008-12-25 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and method for controlling erosion of components during well treatment |
US20130112399A1 (en) * | 2011-11-09 | 2013-05-09 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Erosion Resistant Flow Nozzle for Downhole Tool |
WO2014018210A1 (en) * | 2012-07-24 | 2014-01-30 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc | Pipe-in-pipe shunt tube assembly |
US20140238657A1 (en) * | 2013-02-28 | 2014-08-28 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Erosion Ports for Shunt Tubes |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP2018185195A (en) * | 2017-04-25 | 2018-11-22 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Clearance measuring device, clearance measuring sensor and clearance measuring method |
US11073378B2 (en) | 2017-04-25 | 2021-07-27 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | Clearance measurement device, clearance measurement sensor, and clearance measurement method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2545591B (en) | 2019-04-24 |
US20170298711A1 (en) | 2017-10-19 |
AU2015339739C1 (en) | 2018-09-13 |
MY181105A (en) | 2020-12-17 |
AU2015339739B2 (en) | 2018-04-12 |
GB201704517D0 (en) | 2017-05-03 |
GB2545591A (en) | 2017-06-21 |
AU2015339739A1 (en) | 2017-04-06 |
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