CN101514621B - Rigless Sand Control in Multiple Zones - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a rig-less sand control tool string for a wellbore with multiple zones. The sand control appliance string includes a plurality of flow port arrangements, and a plurality of filter tube arrangements connected to corresponding circulation port arrangements. One of each set of flow port means and one of the screen means is configured to perform sand control with respect to a corresponding region of the wellbore. The flow port devices are selectively activatable to allow sand control to be selectively performed with respect to respective zones.

Description

Rigless Sand Control in Multiple Zones

technical field

The present invention relates generally to rig-less sand control in multiple zones.

Background technique

As part of a well completion, sand control is performed to prevent or reduce the amount of sand produced with hydrocarbons that enters the wellbore. Sand production can erode equipment, clog tubular structures installed within the wellbore, create downhole cavities, and cause other problems. Sand control can be performed in both openhole (a wellbore not lined with a casing or liner) and a cased or liner wellbore. One sand control technique used includes gravel packing, in which mud containing gravel is transported from the surface and deposited into an annulus between a sand-control screen and the wellbore.

However, traditional gravel-packing techniques have not been used effectively in multi-zone arrangements (where the wellbore is segmented into distinct zones, each of which must be gravel-packed independently). Typically, gravel packing equipment must be moved between gravel packing jobs relative to different areas, which is time consuming.

Contents of the invention

Generally, sand control tool strings are used in wellbores having multiple zones according to embodiments. The sand control appliance string has a plurality of flow port arrangements and a plurality of filter tube arrangements connected to the respective flow port arrangements. One of each set of flow port assemblies and one of the screen assemblies may be configured to perform sand control operations for a corresponding zone of the wellbore. The flow port devices are selectively activatable to allow sand control operations to be selectively performed with respect to respective zones.

Additional or alternative features will become apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 shows a sand control appliance string for an open hole according to an embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates a sand control tool string for a cased wellbore according to another embodiment.

Figure 3 illustrates a sand control appliance string according to yet another embodiment.

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary string incorporating a sand control appliance string according to any of Figures 1-3.

Detailed ways

In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced by one skilled in the art without these details and that numerous changes and modifications are possible from the detailed examples.

As used herein, the terms "upper" and "lower"; "above" and "below"; "upwardly" and "downwardly"; "upstream" and "downstream"; " and "below" are used to indicate a relative position above or below a given point or element in order to more clearly describe some embodiments of the present invention. However, when applied to devices and methods for deviated or horizontal wells, these terms may refer to left-to-right, right-to-left, or other appropriate relationships.

According to some embodiments, a sand control tool string may be used to perform selective sand control operations with respect to multiple zones in a wellbore. Regions of a wellbore refer to different segments of the wellbore, where the different segments may be isolated from one another, for example, by packers or other seals. Production of hydrocarbons may be performed from each zone. By arranging an operator capable of selectively controlling flow ports in different parts of the tool string corresponding to different areas, the sand control tool string can perform selective sand control operations in each area. Sand control operations can be performed relative to different areas without having to move the string of sand control equipment between different areas.

Although reference is made to producing hydrocarbons, it should be appreciated that sand control device strings may be used in other types of wells, such as wells used to produce fresh water.

In some embodiments, the sand control operation includes a gravel pack operation in which a gravel slurry is pumped down a string of tubing to a sand control tool string for communication through a selectively open set of ports to the tool string and The annulus area between boreholes. The gravel slurry generally includes a carrier, which includes gravel particles, to filter out particulates so that sand or other small particles do not enter the tubing string. Sand control device strings according to some embodiments may be used in open holes (not lined with casing or liner) or cased holes (lined with casing or liner).

According to some embodiments, a benefit of the sand control string is that after the sand control device has been placed to depth, sand control operations can be performed without well intervention equipment. Thus, components of the sand control appliance string can be operated without a drill rig (without a drill rig). The configuration without a rig saves the expense of having to build a rig. Drilling rigs generally include drilling units and other components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a sand control appliance string for an open hole 106 according to an embodiment. The open hole 106 is not lined with casing or liner. The sand control tool string in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of packers 100 , 102 , and 104 configured to define different regions within a wellbore 106 . Each packer 100 , 102 , and 104 has a seal that, when actuated, seals against the surface of the wellbore 106 , thereby defining a first (upper) region 108 and a second (lower) region 110 . Upper region 108 is between packers 100 and 102 , and lower region 110 is between packers 102 and 104 . Each zone 108 and 110 is adjacent to a respective formation 113, 115 that may contain hydrocarbons.

It should be noted that the packer 100 also isolates the region of the wellbore 106 above the packer from the upper region 108 , while the packer 104 isolates the region of the wellbore 106 below the packer 104 from the lower region 110 . The sand control appliance string is connected to the oil tubing string 112 to allow material, such as gravel pack slurry, to communicate through the oil tubing string 112 from the surface to the sand control appliance string.

Connected below the packer 100 is a circulation port arrangement 114 having a plurality of circulation ports 116. More generally, the circulation port arrangement 114 is replaced by a flow port arrangement having one or more flow ports. The circulation port arrangement 114 includes a sliding sleeve 118 (or other type of valve) that is operable between different positions to allow or block the bore 120 of the tool string passing through the circulation port 116 and the well annulus in the upper region 108 Connectivity between regions 122 .

Upper tee fitting 124 connects isolation oil line 126 to circulation port arrangement 114 . Upper tee fitting 124 also connects recirculation port assembly 114 to filter tube assembly 128 having filter tube 130 . The strainer assembly 128 is concentrically disposed about the spacer tubing 126 such that the annular region 132 is disposed between the spacer tubing 126 and the strainer assembly 128 . The filter tubes 130 of the filter tube assembly 128 may be formed into any configuration that allows fluid other than sand material or other specific materials larger than a certain size to flow through the filter tubes 130 . The filter tube 130 may be a slotted tube, a wire mesh, or any other structure capable of performing filtration of a particular substance larger than a predetermined size.

The lower end of the isolation oil pipe 126 is in sealing engagement with the lower end of the filter pipe device 128, for example, by a tee joint 134, or other sealing engagement devices can be provided with the seal at the lower end of the isolation oil pipe 126 in the grinding hole under the mating filter pipe. Below this sealed connection, hydraulic continuity is provided to the packer 102 .

The portion of the sand control appliance string used for the lower zone 110 in FIG. 1 is the same as that used for the upper zone 108 described above. The portion of the sand control tool string for the lower zone 110 includes a circulation port arrangement 140 (with a sliding sleeve 143 and a circulation port 141 ) connected below the packer 102, and an upper tee joint 142, wherein the upper tee joint 142 The circulation port assembly 140 is connected to the isolation oil line 144 and the strainer assembly 146 . Additionally, the portion of the sand control tool string for the lower zone 110 includes a lower tee joint 148 that connects the isolation tubing 144 and screen assembly 146 to the packer 104 .

It should be noted that the view of the section of the utility string for the upper zone 108 (in FIG. 1 ) is different from the view of the section of the utility string for the lower zone 110, which shows the filter tube A cross-sectional view of device 128 to show isolator tubing 126 and tee fittings 124 and 134 . Conversely, the view of the utility string portion for the lower region 110 shows a partial cross-sectional view of each tee joint 142 and 148 , spacer tubing 144 , and strainer assembly 146 .

In one embodiment, packers 100, 102, and 104 and circulation port devices 114 and 140 may be fracturing equipment that performs a fracturing operation (where treatment fluid is pumped into the surrounding formation to perform some fractures relative to the formation). deal with). Treatment fluids may include fracing fluids, acids, gels, foams, or other stimulation fluids. The circulation port devices 114, 140 and packers 100, 102, 104, which are part of the fracturing equipment, are suitable for sand control operations by adding the isolation tubing 126, 144 and the screen assembly 128, 146 to the utility string.

It should be noted that the particular configuration of Figure 1 is provided for example purposes. In other embodiments, other configurations of the described components (or alternative components) may be used.

In operation, the sand control tool string enters the open hole 106 at the end of the tubing string 112 . Packers 100 , 102 , and 104 are configured to isolate zones 108 and 110 once the sand control tool string is positioned downhole at the target location. In one embodiment, the packers 100 , 102 , and 104 are set up by first closing the circulation ports of the circulation port arrangements 114 , 140 . Pressure is then built up within the bore 120 of the tubing string 112 and sand control tool string to facilitate setting the packers 100, 102, and 104. The packer can be set by dropping a ball, moving the packer with a concentric string deployment tool, or moving the packer with a coil tubing deployment tool or by a control line.

After the packer is set, the circulation port device 140 for the lower zone 110 is actuated and the circulation port 141 of the circulation port device 140 is opened. This may be accomplished in one example by implementing a dropped ball (not shown) such that the ball engages a sliding sleeve 143 within the circulation port device 140 . The balls provide a fluid seal for the sliding sleeve 143 such that pressure exerted within the tubing string 112 and the sand control tool string moves the sliding sleeve 143 to open the circulation port 141 . In an alternative implementation, the sliding sleeve 143 (another type of valve) of the circulation port arrangement 140 can be opened mechanically, for example by using a moving tool running within the tubing string 112 and the sand control tool string. In yet another implementation, a control line may run from a surface location to the sand control implement string, where the control line may be a hydraulic control line, an electrical control line, or a fiber optic control line. The application of a hydraulic, electrical or optical signal in the control line can then be used for the purpose of opening the port 141 of the circulation port device 140 . A further alternative technique for opening port 141 is a mobile tool deployed through coiled tubing.

Once the circulation port 141 of the circulation port arrangement 140 has been opened, the gravel slurry can be pumped down the tubing string 112 into the bore 120 of the sand control implement string and out through the circulation port 141 of the circulation port arrangement 140 and into the lower zone 110 within the borehole annulus 150 . The gravel packing operation results in gravel packing of the borehole annulus 150 within the down zone 110 .

Once the gravel pack of the lower zone 110 is complete, a cleaning operation may be performed wherein any sand in the tubing string 112 and the sand control device string may be removed by performing a flowback to the surface. Once the cleaning operation is complete, the circulation port 141 of the circulation port arrangement 140 is closed.

Gravel packing may then be performed relative to the upper zone 108 by opening the circulation ports 116 of the upper circulation port arrangement 114 (using similar techniques as for the circulation port arrangement 140 used for the lower zone 110). The gravel slurry may then be pumped down the tubing string 112 and out through the circulation port 116 and into the wellbore annulus 122 (as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 ). Once the gravel packing of the borehole annulus 122 within the upper zone 108 has been completed, a cleaning operation is performed followed by closure of the circulation port 116 .

Then, in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , isolation tubing 126 and 144 are pierced to allow hydrocarbon product from formation 112 , 114 to pass through filter tubing 130 , 141 and into the sand control appliance string. Piercing may be performed by running an explosive device or cutting tool within the tubing string 112 and the sand control device string. Piercing creates an opening in the isolation tubing. The produced hydrocarbons pass up the sand control device string through the tubing string 112 to the surface. In an alternate embodiment, the isolation tubing may be provided with a product port and associated valve (such as a sliding sleeve) that may be actuated to an open position to allow hydrocarbons to flow into the sand control appliance string without having to pierce the isolation tubing 126 and 144 in the inner hole.

As noted above, FIG. 1 illustrates a sand control appliance string for an open hole 106 . In an alternative embodiment, a modified version of the sand control tool string may be used in a cased wellbore, such as cased wellbore 200 in FIG. 2 . Cased wellbore 200 is lined with casing 202 . The sand control device string of FIG. 2 may also be connected with the oil string 112 . The sand control appliance string of Figure 2 shares most of the same components as the sand control appliance string of Figure 1 (common parts are designated with the same reference numerals). The sand control device string of FIG. 2 differs from the sand control device string of FIG. 1 in that the lower packer 104 of the sand control device string of FIG. 1 is isolated by the perforations shown in the sand control device string of FIG. 2 Device (perforation packer) 204 replaces. A perforating gun string 206 is connected below the perforating packer 204 . FIG. 2 shows the perforating gun string 206 in a released state, where the perforating gun string has been released from the perforating packer 204 . However, in an initial state the perforating gun string 206 is connected to the perforating packer 204 .

In operation, the sand control tool string of FIG. 2 is run into the cased borehole 200 and to a position in which the perforating gun string 206 is positioned adjacent to the zones 108 and 110 . The first location of the sand control tool string is the perforation location. The perforating gun string is activated (eg, by using tubing pressure, mechanical force, hydraulic control lines, electrical control lines, or fiber optic control lines). When perforating gun barrel string 206 is activated, it fires a perforating jet through sleeve 202 forming perforations 208 in upper region 108 and perforations 210 in lower region 110 . The perforating packer 204 may be provided with a quick release mechanism 208 that allows the perforating gun string 206 to be disengaged from the perforating packer 204 to allow the perforating gun string 206 to drop to the bottom of the wellbore 200 . Once the gun string 206 is fired, the gun string 206 may be automatically released by the quick release mechanism 208 . Alternatively, the quick release mechanism 208 may be actuated by tubing pressure, mechanical force, hydraulic control, electrical control, or fiber optic control.

After perforating, the wellbore 200 is killed (eg, by filling the wellbore with a heavy fluid or by activating an isolation valve), and the perforation packer 204 is loosened. This allows the sand control tool string of Figure 2 to be moved to the gravel pack position (by lowering the tool string further into the wellbore 206). In the gravel pack location, packers 100, 102, 204 straddle regions 108, 110 as described above.

After the sand control device string has been moved to the gravel pack position, the same gravel packing operation as described for the sand control device string of Figure 1 is performed by the sand control device string of Figure 2 .

Figure 3 shows an alternative utility string that may be used. In the example of FIG. 3 , three zones 300 , 302 and 304 are defined using packers 306 , 308 , 310 and 312 . In the configuration of FIG. 3 , no sand control is performed with respect to regions 302 and 304 . Accordingly, the portion of the utility string within regions 302 and 304 does not include sand control devices. In each region 302 and 304, the utility string of FIG. 3 includes a corresponding circulation port arrangement 314, 316 (eg, which may be used for fracturing or stimulation operations).

The utility string portion within region 300 includes circulation port arrangement 318 and sand control device 320 having sand control string 322 . It should be noted that the configuration of the circulation port device 318 and the sand control device 320 is different from that described in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 . In FIG. 3 , the isolation tubing is not used in the sand control device 320 .

The circulation port arrangement has a sliding sleeve 324 with a filter layer for controlling fluid flow through the circulation port 326 . As an example, the filter layer could be coils or screens or wool or any media to prevent sand generation. The wire wound slip sleeve 324 is a conventional slip sleeve that is wrapped with wire to prevent sand from entering the bore 328 of the appliance string.

The utility string also has a production packer 330 that is connected above packer 306 by tubing section 332 . It should be noted that production packer 330 is positioned against casing 334 in casing portion 336 of the wellbore. The portion of the utility string below the production packer 330 is within an open hole section 338 that has no liner pipe or liner.

Although only one area 300 is described as requiring sand control, it should be noted that for additional areas, the arrangement of the utility strings inside area 300 may be reused to perform sand control in other areas. In such configurations, selective activation of respective circulation port devices may be performed to perform selective sand control with respect to multiple zones.

Figure 4 shows a sand control tool string 400 (which may be any tool string in Figures 1-3), which is carried on the tubing string 112 and positioned in a wellbore 402 (which may be open hole 106, 338 or casing Tube wellbore 206). Tubing string 112 extends from wellhead equipment 408 located at surface 116 . The surface 116 may be land, or alternatively, the surface 116 may be the seabed in the context of a subsea well.

FIG. 4 also shows control line 404 extending from well head equipment 408 to sand control tool string 400 . The control line 404 may be a hydraulic control line, an electrical control line, or a fiber optic control line (or the aforementioned some combinations).

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, numerous modifications and changes will become apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (25)

1. sand control utensil tubing string that is used to have the well in a plurality of zones comprises:

A plurality of flowing ports devices; With

A plurality of chimney filter devices that are connected to corresponding flowing ports device; Wherein in every group of said flowing ports device and the said chimney filter device is configured to carry out sand control with respect to the corresponding zone of well; Wherein said flowing ports device can optionally be activated under the situation of no rig, to allow carrying out sand control with respect to corresponding regioselectivity ground.

2. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 1, each all comprises the sand control chimney filter wherein said a plurality of chimney filter devices.

3. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the packer that is provided with to bore hole, and the said packer that is set up defines said a plurality of zone.

4. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 1 comprises that also at least one is connected to the control line of said flowing ports device, with the opening and closing of the flowing ports of controlling corresponding flowing ports device.

5. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said flowing ports device has sliding sleeve, and it activates to engage said sliding sleeve through falling into ball.

6. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sand control utensil tubing string can use the well head equipment operation of no rig.

7. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the perforating gun tubing string, and it can be activated in the corresponding zone of well, to produce perforation.

8. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sand control utensil tubing string has the perforation position and the second place, and said perforation position allows to activate the perforating gun tubing string, and the said second place allows to carry out sand control.

9. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 8 also comprises the perforation packer that is connected to said perforating gun tubing string.

10. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 9, wherein said perforation packer have quick release mechanism after activating said perforating gun tubing string, to discharge this perforating gun tubing string.

11. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 9, wherein said perforation packer are connected between in the said sand control installation one and the said perforating gun tubing string.

12. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the isolation oil pipe, wherein said sand control installation is arranged on around the corresponding isolation oil pipe.

13. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 12, wherein each all defines ring betwixt to sand control installation and isolation oil pipe.

14. sand control utensil tubing string as claimed in claim 12, wherein each isolation oil pipe all is configured to punctured to allow fluid to flow to the endoporus of said sand control utensil tubing string from stratum on every side.

15. a method of in well, carrying out sand control comprises:

Sand control utensil tubing string is reduced in the well with a plurality of zones, and wherein said sand control utensil tubing string has many to circulating port device and chimney filter device; With

Under the situation of no rig, optionally activate said circulating port device to carry out optionally sand control with respect to corresponding zone.

16. method as claimed in claim 15 wherein optionally activates said circulating port device and comprises:

Activate the first circulating port device,, make gravel slurry can be communicated to the well ring in the first area in said a plurality of zone to open the circulating port in the said first circulating port device;

Close the said first circulating port device; With

Activate the second circulating port device in the said circulating port device,, make gravel slurry can be communicated to the well ring in the second area in said a plurality of zone to open the circulating port in the said second circulating port device.

17. method as claimed in claim 15 is wherein carried out said sand control and is comprised that carrying out gravel fills.

18. method as claimed in claim 17 also comprises:

After said a plurality of zones are filled by gravel, puncture the isolation oil pipe of contiguous corresponding chimney filter device, to allow to get into the endoporus of said sand control utensil tubing string from the fluid that contiguous stratum produces.

19. method as claimed in claim 18 wherein punctures said isolation oil pipe and comprises and use a kind of in blast and the cutting tool.

20. method as claimed in claim 17 also comprises the valve in the oil pipe that activates contiguous said chimney filter device, to allow to get into from the fluid that contiguous stratum produces the endoporus of said sand control utensil tubing string.

21. method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sand control utensil tubing string has packer, and said method also is included in said packer is set in the bore hole, wherein carries out sand control and is included in the zone of said bore hole and carries out sand control.

22. method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sand control utensil tubing string has packer, and said method also is included in said packer is set in the cased wellbores, wherein carries out sand control and is included in the zone of said cased wellbores and carries out sand control.

23. a system comprises:

Tubing string; With

Be connected to the sand control utensil tubing string of said tubing string, in the well with a plurality of zones, said sand control utensil tubing string comprises:

A plurality of flowing ports devices; With

A plurality of chimney filter devices that are connected to corresponding flowing ports device, wherein in every group of said flowing ports device and the said chimney filter device is configured to carry out sand control with respect to the corresponding zone of well,

Wherein said flowing ports device can optionally be activated under the situation of no rig, to allow carrying out sand control with respect to corresponding regioselectivity ground.

24. system as claimed in claim 23 comprises that also at least one is connected to the control line of said flowing ports device, with the opening and closing of the flowing ports of controlling corresponding flowing ports device.

25. system as claimed in claim 24, wherein said at least one control line comprises a kind of in hydraulic control line, electric control line and the fibre optics control line.

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