1. Field of Invention
The present invention pertains to shunt tubes used in subsurface well completions, and particularly to shunt tubes having multiple entrances.
2. Related Art
Conduits providing alternate or secondary pathways for fluid flow are commonly used in well completions. The alternate pathways allow fluid to flow past and emerge beyond a blockage in a primary passageway. In prior art embodiments, the single entrance to an alternate pathway conduit could be covered, blocked, or otherwise become inaccessible to the fluid, thereby preventing the alternate pathway conduit from performing its intended function. Such blockage could occur, for example, when the conduit happened to be positioned on the bottom wall of a horizontal bore. Alternatively, if low viscosity fluids are used in an alpha beta wave pack, or should pumping fail, the conduit may become blocked. Therefore, there is a continuing need for improved entrance mechanisms to provide more reliable access to the alternate pathway conduits.
The present invention provides for multiple pathways by which fluid can enter one or more alternate pathway conduits. Entrance tubes can be arranged such that their spacing prevents all of them from being simultaneously obstructed, covered, or otherwise blocked.
Advantages and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawings, and claims.
In the embodiment of
Because shunt tube 12 is an alternate pathway conduit, used to convey fluid past a blockage, it may be desirable to restrict fluid from entering entrance tubes 18 until shunt tube 12 is needed. That could be done by placing restriction members 26 such as valves or rupture discs across the openings of entrance tubes 18. By using rupture discs, for example, flow into entrance tubes 18, and therefore shunt tube 12, would be prevented under normal operating pressures. However, if a blockage (bridging) occurred, pressure in the annular region could be increased until one or more discs burst, allowing fluid to pass.
In the embodiment shown in
In operation, a fluid such as a gravel slurry or fracturing fluid is pumped into an annular region between a production zone of the well and base pipe 16. Often the fluid is initially pumped through a work string down to a crossover mechanism which diverts the flow into the annular region some distance below the well surface. In any case, when the fluid encounters entrance tubes 18, it flows into entrance tubes 18 and travels through passageway 20. Because entrance tubes 18 are azimuthally arranged, there is always at least one open fluid path through entrance tubes 18 into central passageway 14 of shunt tube 12. That insures the fluid can pass into shunt tube 12.
The operation of the alternative embodiment is similar. The fluid is pumped into the annulus. When bridging occurs, the fluid backs up and the pressure increases. The fluid finds the openings of channels 30 and, in the absence of restrictor devices, flows into channels 30 and into shunt tubes 12. In those embodiments employing restrictor members 26, the fluid may be restricted from passing into the relevant passageway until the restriction member 26 therein is defeated.
Although only a few example embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/359,568 filed Feb. 25, 2002.
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60359568 | Feb 2002 | US |