Patent Grant
12006800
A wellscreen may be used on a production string in a hydrocarbon well and especially in a horizontal section of the wellbore. Typically, the wellscreen has a perforated basepipe surrounded by a screen that blocks the flow of particulates into the production string. Even though the screen may filter out particulates, some contaminants and other unwanted materials can still enter the production string.
To reduce the inflow of unwanted contaminants, operators can perform gravel packing around the wellscreen. In this procedure, gravel (e.g., sand, proppant, etc.) is placed in the annulus between wellscreen and the wellbore by pumping a slurry of carrier fluid and gravel down a workstring and redirecting the slurry to the annulus with a crossover tool. As the gravel fills the annulus, it becomes tightly packed and acts as an additional filtering layer around the wellscreen to prevent the wellbore from collapsing and to prevent contaminants from entering the production string.
Ideally, the gravel uniformly packs around the entire length of the wellscreen, completely filling the annulus. However, during gravel packing, the slurry may become more viscous as carrier fluid is lost into the surrounding formation and/or into the wellscreen. Sand bridges can then form where the fluid loss occurs, and the sand bridges can interrupt the flow of the slurry and prevent the annulus from completely filling with gravel.
As shown in
The carrier liquid in the slurry normally flows into the formation and/or through the wellscreen 20 itself. However, the wellscreen 20 is sized to prevent the gravel from flowing through the wellscreen 20. This results in the gravel being deposited or “screened out” in the annulus 16 between the wellscreen 20 and the wellbore 14 to form a gravel-pack around the wellscreen 20. The gravel, in turn, is sized so that it forms a permeable mass (i.e., a gravel pack) that allows produced fluids to flow through the mass and into the wellscreen 20 but blocks the flow of particulates into the wellscreen 20.
As the slurry flows, the formation may have an area PA of highly permeable material, which draws liquid from the slurry. In addition, fluid can pass through the wellscreen 20 into the interior of the production tubing 15 and then back up to the surface. As the slurry loses fluid at the permeable area PA and/or the wellscreen 20, the remaining gravel G may form a sand bridge B that can prevent further filling of the annulus 16 with gravel G. Such bridges B block further flow of the slurry through the annulus 16, thereby preventing the placement of sufficient gravel G below the bridge B in top-to-bottom packing operations or above the bridge B in bottom-to-top packing operations.
To overcome sand-bridging problems, shunt tube systems, such as shown in
Current shunt tube systems used for open hole gravel packing operation may have two transport tubes and two pack tubes that provide individual flow paths for the gravel pack slurry. These tubes are located external to the sand screen. For example,
To communicate the alternate path from slurry between the adjacent wellscreens 20a-b, jumper tubes 44 are disposed between the shunt tubes 40a-b and connected with connectors 42. In this way, the shunt tubes 40a-b and the jumper tubes 44 maintain the flow path outside the length of the wellscreen assembly 10, even if a borehole's annular space is bridged, for example, by a loss of integrity in a part of the formation.
As shown in
Either way, the shunt tubes 40a-b stop at a certain length from the ends of the wellscreens 20a-b to allow handling room when the wellscreens 20a-b are joined together with the coupling 30 at the rig. Once the wellscreens 20a-b are joined, their respective shunt tubes 40a-b are linearly aligned, but there is still a gap between them. Continuity of the shunt tubes' flow path is typically established by installing the short, pre-sized jumper tubes 44 in the gap.
Each jumper tube 44 may use connectors 42 at each end that contains a set of seals and is designed to slide onto the end of the jumper tubes 44 in a telescoping engagement. When the jumper tube 44 is installed into the gap between the shunt tubes 40a-b, the connectors 42 are driven partially off the end of the jumper tube 44 and onto the ends of the shunt tube 40a-b until the connectors 42 are in a sealing engagement with both shunt tubes 40a-b and the jumper tube 44.
There may be a concern that debris or protruding surfaces of the wellbore can dislodge the connectors 42 from sealing engagement with the tubes 40a-b and 44 while running the wellscreen assembly 10 into the wellbore. Therefore, a device called a split cover 34 as shown in
Typically, the split cover 32 is perforated with large openings that do not inhibit movement of the gravel and slurry. Primarily, the split cover 32 acts as a protective shroud so that the wellscreen assembly 10 does not get hung up on the support rings 28a-b when running in hole or so the jumper tubes 44, connectors 42, and shunt tubes 40a-b are not damaged during run in.
As noted, proppant or gravel in gravel pack or frac pack operations is placed along the length of a sand face completion whether it is open hole or cased hole. To place the gravel in a gravel pack operation, the carrier fluid carries the gravel to the sand face to pack the void space between the sand face and the sand screens 24a-b. In a frac pack operation, the carrier fluid carriers the gravel to fracture the reservoir rock and to increase the sand face/gravel contact area. Then, the annular space is packed with the gravel between the cased or open hole and the sand screens 24a-b.
To leave a fully supported gravel pack in the annulus, the carrier fluid dehydrates and leaves the gravel in a fully supported position. Depending on the operation, dehydration occurs through the reservoir sand face into the reservoir and/or through the wellscreens 20a-b and up the production tubing. When fluid dehydrates through the wellscreens 20a-b, there must be an adequate open area that provides access to flow paths allowing the carrier fluid to return up the well.
Most wellscreen assemblies 10 have blank areas or gaps 60 near the basepipe connections where the wellscreens 20a-b are made up when running in hole. These blank areas 60 on the wellscreen assembly 10 provide no open area for fluid dehydration. Consequently, gravel pack settling is unstable in these blank areas 60, creating unstable pack sections around the sand screens' blank area 60 having voids or space. Gravel that has been packed uphole might eventually migrate or shift due to fluid flow and gravity. This shifting can expose sections of the screen and may lead to a loss of sand control.
During gravel packing of the assemblies of
This can lead to failure to achieve a complete gravel pack because it is more difficult for the gravel pack slurry to dehydrate over the non-permeable section in the blank area 60 between the deployed wellscreens 20a-b. As noted, the primary non-permeable sections of the wellscreens 20a-b are usually blank areas 60 used for pipe handling such as required when moving wellscreens 20a-b on the rig and when making the connections to run-in hole. Blank areas 60 can also be used for centralizers (not shown) that are used to centralize the wellscreens 20a-b and keep them concentric in casing or open hole.
Incomplete gravel packs may result in loss of sand control. Additionally, as the industry has become more automated, tongs and slips are used more frequently when running wellscreens 20a-b into the well. This handling equipment requires more handling room on the wellscreens 20a-b, which reduces the available permeable area of the screens 24a-b.
In one technique to deal with these issues for open hole, operators accept that the annulus 16 between the wellbore 14 and screens 24a-b will not pack completely. However, operators attempt to control the gravel pack process in such a way that the coverage of the permeable screens 24a-b can be more complete. The wellbore 14 is then expected to fill the voids in the annulus 16 after the gravel pack operation.
In cased wells that are often vertical or less than 45-degrees deviated, it is believed that gravity may assist the gravel pack process and help the gravel pack sand settle and create a complete pack. Historically, cased hole gravel pack screens 24a-b offered maximum permeable area on the basepipe 22a-b but at the expense of handling room for power tongs. The screen length was short with few connections, and the screen weight was not designed to be very heavy so less efficient make up processes were needed to make connections that did not require much handling room.
In another technique to deal with these problems, a leak-off system can extend over the blank area 60 of the wellscreens 20a-b to allow fluid to dehydrate through the leak-off system from the non-permeable blank area 60 to the permeable screens 24a-b. As shown in
To that end, the subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.
According to the present disclosure, a completion assembly is assembled by grips of rig components at a rig. The completion assembly is configured to position in a borehole. The assembly comprises a plurality of wellscreens. Each of the wellscreens comprises a basepipe, and each of the basepipes define a bore.
Each of the basepipes comprises ends, an intermediate section, and a primary filter. The ends are configured to couple adjoining ones of the basepipes together. The intermediate section is disposed between the ends and defines a plurality of intermediate perforations in communication with the bore. The primary filter is disposed at the intermediate section and is configured to filter communication from the borehole to the intermediate perforations. The ends of the adjoining ones of the basepipes coupled together defining a blank area between the primary filters.
At least one of the wellscreens comprises a plurality of end perforations, which are defined in at least one of the ends and are disposed in communication with the bore. The at least one end comprises a foil and a gripping section.
The foil is disposed adjacent the end perforations and is configured to filter communication from the blank area to the bore. The gripping section is disposed adjacent the end perforations and is configured to be gripped by one of the grips of the rig components in assembling the completion assembly.
In one arrangement of the assembly, wherein each of the basepipes can comprise: support rings disposed on the ends of the basepipe, each of the support rings defining one or more passages; and one or more transport tubes disposed along the basepipe and extending between the one or more passages in the support rings. The assembly can further comprise one or more jumper tubes disposed across the blank annular area between the ends of the adjoining ones of the basepipes and connecting the one or more transport tubes together. Each of the basepipes can comprise a shroud disposed along the basepipe and extending between the support rings, the shroud defining a plurality of flow openings therethrough.
In another arrangement of the assembly, the at least one foil can comprise a secondary filter disposed about the end perforations on the at least one end of the at least one basepipe and being supported with end rings affixed to the at least one basepipe at the at least one end. The secondary filter can be configured to filter communication from the blank annular area to the end perforations. The gripping section can comprise a sleeve disposed about the secondary filter and being supported on the end rings. The sleeve can define a plurality of flow openings configured to communicate the blank annular area with the secondary filter.
For this arrangement, the flow openings can comprise perforations defined through the sleeve or slots defined along the sleeve.
For this arrangement, each of the basepipes can comprise: support rings disposed on the ends of the basepipe, each of the support rings defining one or more passages; and one or more transport tubes disposed along the basepipe and extending between the one or more passages in the support rings. The support ring on at least one end can be disposed in abutment between one of the end rings of the secondary filter and another end ring of the primary filter or is disposed in spaced relation relative to one of the end rings of the secondary filter.
In yet another arrangement of the assembly, the at least one foil can comprise a sleeve disposed on the at least one end of the at least one basepipe about the end perforations. The sleeve can define a plurality of elongated slits communicating therethrough, and the sleeve can provide an exterior gripping surface for the gripping section. The sleeve can comprise edges welded to the at least one end of the at least one basepipe. An interior of the sleeve can comprise a plurality of channels defined longitudinally therealong. The elongated slits can be defined circumferentially about the sleeve, longitudinally along the sleeve, or a combination thereof.
In another arrangement of the assembly, the at least one foil can comprise a plurality of plugs disposed in the end perforations. The plugs can be configured to filter communication from the blank annular area to the end perforations. The gripping section can comprise a sleeve disposed on the at least one end of the at least one basepipe and having flow openings exposed to the end perforations. The plugs are recessed in the flow openings, and the sleeve provides an exterior gripping surface for the gripping section.
In this arrangement, the sleeve can comprise edges welded to the at least one end of the at least one basepipe. Each of the plugs can comprise: a support ring affixed to the at least one basepipe; and an insert disposed in the end perforation and supported by the support ring, wherein the insert comprises a secondary filter.
In yet another arrangement of the assembly, the at least one foil can comprise a secondary filter disposed inside the bore of the at least one end. The gripping section comprises an exterior gripping surface provided on the at least one end of the at least one basepipe.
In this arrangement, the secondary filter can comprise a screen comprising wire wrapped about ribs disposed longitudinally inside the bore of the at least one end. The secondary filter can be disposed inside the bores of the ends of the adjoining ones of the basepipes coupled together. The secondary filter can comprise end caps disposed respectively in the bores, each of the end caps disposed between an end of the secondary filter and a shoulder in the bore of the adjoining ones of the basepipes coupled together.
In the assembly, the primary filter can comprise a screen disposed on the basepipe, the screen comprising wire wrapped about ribs disposed longitudinally along the basepipe. In the assembly, each of the primary filters can filter carrier fluid from a slurry communicated in the borehole and can hold gravel from the slurry in the annulus at least adjacent the primary filters. The at least one foil can filter the carrier fluid from the slurry communicated in the borehole and can hold the gravel from the slurry in the blank annular area at least adjacent the at least one foil. Finally, the gripping section can provide a uniform outer dimension against which the gravel is held in the blank annular area.
According to the present disclosure, a method is used for running wellscreens from a rig into a borehole. The rig has at least one grip of a rig component. Each of the wellscreens has a basepipe, and each basepipe has a primary filter disposed about intermediate perforations defined in the basepipe between ends of the basepipe.
The method comprises: supporting a first of the wellscreens at the rig; making up a second of the wellscreens to the first wellscreen at the rig by connecting the ends of the first and second wellscreens together; and passing the first and second connected wellscreens downhole from the rig. At least one of the steps of supporting the first wellscreen and making up the second wellscreen to the first wellscreen comprises gripping the at least one grip of the rig component on a gripping section disposed adjacent end perforations on at least one of the ends of at least one of the basepipes, the gripping section having foil disposed adjacent the end perforations, the foil being configured to filter communication through the end perforations.
Supporting the first wellscreen at the rig can comprise gripping completion slips for the at least one grip of the rig component on the gripping section disposed adjacent the end perforations on the end of the basepipe of the first wellscreen; and/or can comprise engaging a collar on a shoulder on the end of the basepipe of the first wellscreen; and supporting the collar on a table at the rig.
The method can further comprise connecting one or more jumper tubes between opposing ends of one or more transport tubes disposed along the first and second wellscreens.
Passing the first and second connected wellscreens downhole from the rig can comprise passing the first and second connection wellscreens from the rig at least until the end of the second wellscreen is at the rig. The steps of supporting and making up can be repeated to connect a third wellscreen to the second wellscreen.
In the method, making up the second wellscreen to the first wellscreen can comprise gripping a first jaw of a first tong as the at least one grip of the rig component on the gripping section disposed adjacent the end perforations on the end of the basepipe of the second wellscreen. Here, connecting the ends of the first and second wellscreens together can comprise gripping a second jaw of a second tong on a coupling attached to the end of the first wellscreen, and tightening the end of the basepipe of the second wellscreen to the coupling by rotating the second wellscreen with the first tong.
The method can also comprise preassembling, before running from the rig, each of the wellscreens to have the primary filter disposed about the intermediate perforations defined in the basepipe between the ends of the basepipe. This preassembling can comprise preassembling the at least one end of the at least one basepipe to have the gripping section and the foil adjacent the end perforations. The step of preassembling the at least one end of the at least one basepipe to have the gripping section and the foil adjacent the end perforations can comprise one of: assembling a secondary filter as the foil on the at least one end and disposed about the end perforations, and supporting a sleeve as the gripping section on the at least one end and disposed about the secondary filter; forming slits in a sleeve, the slits configured to filter therethrough, and affixing the sleeve on the at least one end about the end perforations; and forming openings in a sleeve, affixing the sleeve on the at least one end with the end perforations exposed to the openings, and affixing secondary filters adjacent the end perforations and recessed in the openings of the sleeve.
In the method, making up the second wellscreen to the first wellscreen can comprise making up the first and second wellscreens with a secondary filter as the foil inserted in the bore of the at least one end. Gripping the at least one grip of the rig component on the gripping section disposed adjacent end perforations on the at least one end of the at least one of the basepipe can comprise gripping the at least one grip of the rig component on an external gripping surface of the at least end.
The method can further comprise: running the first and second wellscreens into the borehole; conducting a slurry of carrier fluid and gravel into a portion of an annulus of the borehole around the first and second wellscreens; filtering the carrier fluid from the slurry in the portion of the annulus into a bore of the basepipes of the first and second wellscreens though the primary filters; leaking the carrier fluid from the slurry in a blank annular area between the ends of the first and second wellscreens by filtering the carrier fluid through the foil adjacent the end perforations; and foiling the gravel from the slurry in the blank annular area about the gripping section on the at least one end.
The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure.
The basepipe 110 defines a bore 112 for conveying production fluids once the assembly 100 is installed in the borehole. Ends 111a-b of the basepipe 110 are configured to couple to the basepipes (not shown) of other assemblies using couplings 106. For example, threads on the ends 111a-b of the basepipe 110 couple together with threaded couplings 106 to join the wellscreen assembly 100 with other wellscreen assemblies or tubulars. Typically, a completion has multiple wellscreen assemblies 100 connected in series by such couplings 106 to form a completion string for use in a cased or open borehole (not shown).
An intermediate section 102 of the assembly 100 is disposed on the basepipe 110 between the ends 111a-b. The intermediate section 102 defines a plurality of intermediate perforations 114 in communication with the bore 112. A primary filter 120 is disposed about the basepipe 110 at the intermediate section 102 and is configured to filter communication from a borehole annulus to the basepipe's bore 112 through the intermediate perforations 114. The primary filter 120 can include any type of filter media for use downhole, including metal mesh, pre-packed screens, protective shell screens, wire screen, or filters of other construction. As shown here, the primary filter 120 can be a wire-wrapped screen.
Shunt or transport tubes 130 can run along the length of the primary filter 120 and can deliver or transport slurry in an alternate path during gravel pack or frack pack operations. Support rings 116 support the transport tubes 130 at the opposing ends of the wellscreen assembly 100 and hold the shunt tubes 130 in place. For example, each support ring 116 can define one or more passages 117 through which ends of one or more transport tubes 130 disposed along the basepipe 110 extend. Although not shown, pack tubes can communicate off the transport tubes 130 in the intermediate section to deliver slurry around the filter 120. These pack tubes can also exit at passages 117 of the support ring 116. As is known, such pack tubes communicate with the transport tubes 130 and receive portion of the transported slurry. The pack tubes (140) have exits or nozzles along their length to distribute the slurry along the primary filters 120. Slurry may also exit the open end of the pack tube into the blank annular area 108.
Ends of the transport tubes 130 extend from the support rings 116, and jumper tubes 135 are disposed inside a blank annular area 108a-b between the coupled ends 111a-b of the basepipe 110 to interconnect the ends of the transport tubes 130 on the adjoining assemblies (not shown) together across the couplings 106. Connectors 132 having seals can connect the ends of the jumper tube 135 with the ends of the transport tubes 130.
A shroud 104 can be disposed along the basepipe 110 and can extend between the support rings 116 to cover the primary filter 120. The shroud 104 typically defines a plurality of coarse flow openings 105 therethrough. Such a shroud 104 may be preferred when the assembly 100 is used in an open hole.
At least one of the ends 111a-b of the basepipe 110 defines a plurality of end perforations 115 in communication with the blank annular area 108a-b. Additionally, at least one permeable gripping section 107a-b is disposed on the at least one end 111a-b at the end perforations 115. As shown here, both ends 111a-b include perforations 115 and permeable gripping section 107a-b, but other arrangements are possible.
The size, number, and distribution of the perforations 115 are configured to provide enough fluid flow from the blank annular area 108a-b for the purposes of leak off of carrier fluid, but are configured to retain the integrity of the basepipe 110a-b for handling and running in a completion string.
As noted in more detail below, the at least one permeable gripping section 107a-b is configured to filter communication from the blank annular area 108a-b into the end perforations 115. As also noted below, an external surface of the at least one permeable gripping section 107a-b is configured to be handled by mechanical grips of pipe handling components, such as completion slips, jaws of a tong device, slips of an elevator, and the like (
The power tong 72 includes two or more sections movable relative to each other to open and close a central opening 73. A rotor (not shown) disposed in the power tong 72 is coupled to a motor assembly (not shown), and jaws 74 are attached to the rotor. During operation, the jaws 74 of the power tong 72 can move radially being driven hydraulically to secure against (grip) and release from an end 111b of a wellscreen's tubular, a coupling 106, or the like and to accommodate tubulars of various diameters. With the jaws 74 secured against the tubular's end 111b, the jaws 74 rotate with the rotor to rotate the wellscreen assembly 100b about a longitudinal axis during make up and break out of a tubular connection.
As shown, the backup tong 76 is disposed underneath the power tong 72 in a manner so that a longitudinal axis extends through the central openings 73, 77 of the power tong 72 and backup tong 76. Similar to the power tong 72, the backup tong 76 can include two or more sections movable relative to each other to open and close the central opening 77. The backup tong 76 also further includes jaws 58 that can be driven hydraulically to secure against (grip) and release from an end 111a of a wellscreen's tubular, a coupling 106, or the like and to accommodate tubulars of various diameters.
To run the wellscreens assemblies 100a-b in the borehole, a first (lower) one of the wellscreen assemblies 100a can be supported in completion slips 82 of the rig floor 80. In particular, the completion slips 82 can be used to grip directly on a reinforced external surface of a permeable gripping section 107a disposed about end perforations (115) on the wellscreen's end 111a. Gripping of other portions of the wellscreen assembly 100a, such as the shroud, filter 120a, and the like are not possible to support the weight of the wellscreen assembly 100a and any connected completion string.
The first wellscreen assembly 100a can have the coupling 106 already made up on the end 111a. A second (upper) one of the wellscreen assemblies 100b is then made up to the first wellscreen assembly 100a by threading its end 111a to the coupling 106. Handling of this upper wellscreen assembly 100b involves gripping an upper end (not shown) of this wellscreen assembly 100b using an elevator (not shown).
Different types of elevator can be used for handling the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b, including collar-type and slip-type elevators. The slip-type elevator can grip directly on a reinforced external surface of an upper permeable gripping section 107a disposed on the upper end 111a of the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b. The collar-type elevator may use features of the coupling 106 to support handling the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b.
As an alternative, a collar system can be used in the handling of the wellscreens 100a-b. An example of such a collar system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,337,263, which is incorporated herein by reference. The collar system includes an application-specific collar (not shown), a sliding collar table 83 at the rig floor 80, and a hydraulically operated automated side-door (ASD) elevator (not shown). The collar fits on the upper end 111a of the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b and acts as the interface between basepipe 110 and handling equipment. The sliding collar table 82 has a larger pass-through diameter to enable the pass-through of completion assemblies. The elevator engages the collar to handle the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b, and the collar is landed onto the sliding collar table 83. The elevator is opened, and the next connection is picked up and made up to the string. Once the connection is done, the sliding collar table 83 is opened, and the completion string is lowered into the well.
Either way, the tong device 70 can be used to tighten the connection between the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b. In particular, once the connection is initially made, the ends 111b of the wellscreen assembly 100b and the coupling 106 are then gripped using mechanical jaws 74, 78 of the tong device 70. As noted previously, the tong device 70 includes power and backup tongs 72, 76 that can have their separation adjusted and that can be moved horizontally on the rig floor 80 to fit the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b and coupling 106 through their central openings 73, 77. The tongs' mechanical jaws 74, 78 can then be hydraulically driven to secure against (grip) and tighten the assemblies 100a-b and coupling 106 together. As will be appreciated, alternative steps and an alternative order of steps can be performed to make up the connection between the ends 111a-b and coupling 106.
As noted, at least one of the mechanical jaws 74, 78 can grip on a reinforced external surface of a permeable handling or gripping section 107a-b disposed about end perforations (115) on at least one of the ends 111a-b. As noted, the permeable gripping section 107a-b is configured to filter communication to the end perforations (115). As shown here, both ends 111a-b may have a permeable gripping section 107a-b that can be gripped with the mechanical jaws 74, 78, elevators, completion slips 82, etc.
Using the tong device 70, the connection of the ends 111a-b of the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b by the coupling 106 is then tightened. For example, the end 111a of the lower wellscreen assembly 100a can be held stationary with the completions slips 82 that engages the gripping section 107a. The backup tong 76 can grip the coupling 106 with its jaws 78, and the power tong 72 can grip the gripping section 107b with its jaws 54. By operating the tong device 70, the end 111b of the upper wellscreen assembly 100b can be rotated with the mechanical jaws 54 that engage the gripping section 107b to make up the connection to the coupling 106.
Once tightened to the proper torque, the mechanical jaws 54, 58 are released, and the tong device 70 is moved away. Further steps can then be performed. In particular, one or more jumper tubes (135) can be connected between opposing ends of one or more transport tubes (130) disposed along the wellscreens 100a-b that extend from the support rings 116. An intermediate shroud (not shown) can be placed in the blank area 108 between the support rings 116. For example, a cylindrical shroud (not shown) can slide down the upper wellscreen assembly 100b and can be affixed to the support rings 116, such as by threading to the support rings 116 or affixing to the support rings 116 with set screws, cap screws, or the like (not shown). Alternatively, a split cover shroud can be positioned in the blank area 108, enclosed around the connection, and affixed to the support rings 116.
The completion slips 82 can be released, and the connected wellscreens 100a-b can then be passed through the rig floor 80 until the end of the second wellscreen assembly 100b is at the rig floor 80. At this point, the assembly steps can be repeated to connect another wellscreen assembly (100) or a tubing stand to the completion string being run in the borehole.
Having an understanding of the wellscreen assembly 100 according to the present disclosure with its at least one permeable gripping section 107, discussion now turns to particular embodiments of the present disclosure.
In
As before, each of the assemblies 100a-b includes a basepipe 110a-b having a primary filter 120a-b disposed about the intermediate perforations 114 in the basepipe 110a-b. As shown here, the primary filters 120a-b on the assemblies 100a-b include wire-wrapped screens. For example, the primary filter 120a in
As before, each of the assemblies 100a-b includes support rings 116, 116′ disposed thereon for supporting shrouds 104. In
As before, each of the assemblies 100a-b includes shunt tubes 130 that are supported along the primary screens 120a-b. As shown in
Additionally, the assembly 100 can also include two pack tubes 140 for dispersing slurry during gravel pack operations. These pack tubes 140 can be used to deliver slurry out of nozzles (not shown) adjacent the primary filters (120a-b) of the wellscreens 100a-b. As shown in
As noted previously, the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b have permeable gripping sections 107a-b where leak-off fluid can be filtered from the blank annular area 108 between the connected ends 111a-b of the basepipes 110a-b and where mechanical grips (e.g., slips, jaws, and the like (
Both ends 111a-b of the connected basepipes 110a-b may have a reinforced foil 150 as shown. Alternatively, one reinforced foil 150 may be provided at one end 111a-b and not the other of the connected basepipes 110a-b. As best shown in
As disclosed herein, these reinforced foils 150 are configured to filter fluid communication from the borehole annulus (and annular blank area 108) through the end perforations 115 and into the bores 112 of the basepipes 110a-b. For example, the reinforced foils 150 at least partially include secondary filters 151. Other arrangements can be used.
The fluid communication through the foils 150 is first used for leak-off of carrier fluid in the slurry used to gravel pack about the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b so that the blank annular area 108 can be more evenly packed with gravel. The fluid communication through the reinforced foils 150 may then also provide additional production flow into the bore 112 once the assemblies 100a-b are packed in the borehole with annular gravel pack.
As also disclosed herein, these reinforced foils 150 are also configured for handling the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b during assembly steps. In particular, the reinforced foils 150 provide reinforced areas or surfaces on the ends 111a-b of the basepipes 110a-b for engagement by grips (e.g., slips, jaws, and the like (
Accordingly, the reinforced foils 150 provide a leak-off path and provide a reinforced gripping surface for the assemblies 100a-b when used in gravel pack and frac pack operations. The foils 150 are already affixed to the basepipes 110a-b before handling, before the connections are made up between the adjoining wellscreen assemblies 100a-b, and before the jumper tubes 135 have been installed. In fact, the foils 150 are preassembled on the basepipes 110a-b along with the primary filters 120a-b, support rings 116, and the like.
In the present embodiment and as best shown in
As shown in
Alternatively, the amount of surface area for screening provided by the secondary filters 151 of the foils 150 may be configured to be less than provided by the primary filters 120a-b. In this way, using any of these various differences, the foils 150 can provide leak-off capabilities during gravel pack operations, but wellbore fluids would tend to flow more preferentially through the primary filters 120a-b during production operations due to the greater amount of open surface area of the primary filters 120a-b. Other configurations can be used and can be configured for a particular implementation.
As noted herein, the disclosed assemblies 100a-c are disposed in a borehole with gravel packed in the annulus. Gravel, proppant, or the like is packed in the annulus between the assemblies 100a-b and the borehole. As the slurry travels in the annulus, the return fluid leaks off through the primary filters 120a-b to pack the gravel about the primary filters 120a-b.
The foils 150 cover the blank connection in the annular area 108 between the basepipes 110a-b. In addition to providing a gripping surface for gripping and handling the basepipes 110a-b, the foils 150 provides a surface to hold or retain the gravel in the annular space between the foils 150 and the borehole. As will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure, the foils 150 are suited for the typical gripping and handling forces encountered when handling the wellscreens 100a-b and running in hole.
As best shown in the detail of
The wellscreen assembly 100a-b provides more open area for the gravel to dehydrate. Additionally, the foils 150 provides an external tubular wall on the assembly 100a-b that can help the gravel packing to be more uniform at the coupling 106. The external tubular wall of the foils 150 may be concentric or eccentric to the primary filter 120 and to the surrounding borehole. Either way, the external tubular wall of the foil 150 provides a consistent annular space to fill with gravel with reduced variations that could cause premature bridging in the casing and/or open hole. In this way, the foils 150 provide a secondary sand control function for the standard screens of the primary filters 120a-b.
As discussed above, the foils 150 of
These wellscreen assemblies 100a-b are similar to those disclosed previously so that like reference numerals are used for comparable elements. Again, reinforced foils 160 are used for the permeable gripping sections 107a-b where leak off fluid can be filtered from the blank annular area 108 between the connected ends 111a-b of the basepipes 110a-b and where mechanical grips, slips, jaws, etc. (
In the present embodiment, the reinforced foils 160 include sleeves 170 disposed on the end 111a-b of the basepipe 110a-b about the end perforations 115. As shown in
The inner circumference of the sleeve 170 can include a plurality of scalloped channels 176 or the like defined longitudinally therealong. These channels 176 can allow fluid to pass between the sleeve 170 and basepipe end 111a so the fluid entering through the slits 174 can communicate with the end perforations 115. The channels 176 may not extend to the ends of the sleeves 170. For manufacturing purposes, however, the channels 176 may be formed to extend to the ends of the sleeves 170. Either way, the welds at the end of the sleeve 170 will close off the channels 176 and any annular gap between the sleeve 170 and end 111a so that proppant cannot pass.
These wellscreen assemblies 100a-b are similar to those disclosed previously so that like reference numerals are used for comparable elements. Again, reinforced foils 160 are used for the permeable gripping sections 107a-b where leak off fluid can be filtered from the blank annular area 108 between the connected ends 111a-b of the basepipes 110a-b and where mechanical grips, slips, jaws, etc. (
In the present embodiment, the foils 160 include a sleeve 170 disposed on the end 111a-b of the basepipe 110a-b about the end perforations 115. The sleeve 170 defines a plurality of flow openings 172 communicating therethrough. As shown in this example, the flow openings 172 can be elongated, thin slits defined longitudinally along the sleeve 170 and arranged about the circumference of the sleeve 170. Other shapes or arrangement of the flow slits 172 could be used. The size and width of the slits 172 can be controlled to facilitate dehydration of the slurry during gravel pack. For example, depending on the proppant used in the slurry, the slits 172 can be machined to a slit width of 0.09-in. The length and number of the slits 172 can also be configured to maintain structural integrity of the sleeve 170 for gripping and handling purposes.
The inner circumference of the sleeve 170 can include a plurality of scalloped channels 176 or the like defined longitudinally therealong. These channels 176 can allow fluid to pass between the sleeve 170 and basepipe end 111a so the fluid can communicate with the end perforations 115. The channels 176 may not extend to the ends of the sleeves 170. For manufacturing purposes, the channels 176 may be formed to extend to the ends of the sleeves 170. Either way, the welds at the end of the sleeve 170 will close off the channels 176 and any annular gap between the sleeve 170 and end 111a so that proppant cannot pass.
From
These wellscreen assemblies 100a-b are similar to those disclosed previously so that like reference numerals are used for comparable elements. Again, foils 180 are used for the permeable gripping sections 107a-b where leak off fluid can be filtered from the blank annular area 108 between the connected ends 111a-b of the basepipes 110a-b and where mechanical grips, slips, jaws, etc. (
In the present embodiment, the foils 180 include a sleeve 182 disposed on the end 111a-b of the basepipe 110. For example, the sleeve 182 can have edges welded to the basepipe 110. The sleeve 182 has openings 184 exposed to the end perforations 115. A plurality of plugs 186 are disposed in the end perforations 115 and are exposed to the blank annular area 108 through the openings 184 in the sleeve 182.
Each of the plugs 186 can include a support 188a and an insert 188b. The support 188a is affixed to a surface of the basepipe 110 around the end perforation 115, is affixed in the end perforation 115, is affixed in the exposed openings 184 in the sleeve 182, or is affixed in a combination of these. For example, the support 188a can have a threaded or interference fit with the perforation 115, or the support 188a can be bonded, welded, etc. to the basepipe 110, perforation 115, or the like. The insert 188b is supported in the end perforation 115 by the support 188a. The insert 188b can include a filter material, mesh, sintered metal, or the like. Either way, the insert 188b can provide a secondary filter that allows for leakoff of carrier fluid from the gravel pack slurry so the proppant can dehydrate in the annular blank area 108 during gravel pack operations.
During operations to make up the toolstring and run the wellscreen assemblies 100 of
Once the connection is made, operators then position the jumper tubes (135) and connectors (132) in the blank area 108 to interconnect the shunt tubes 130 between the assemblies 100a-b. At this point, any further split cover or shroud can be installed, and the wellscreen assemblies 100a-b can be run through the rig floor to set up for the next connection.
These wellscreen assemblies 100a-b are similar to those disclosed previously so that like reference numerals are used for comparable elements. Again, a foil 190 is used for the permeable gripping sections 107a-b where leak off fluid can be filtered from the blank annular area 108 between the connected ends 111a-b of the basepipes 110a-b and where mechanical grips, slips, jaws, etc. (
In the present embodiment, the foil 190 include a secondary filter 191 disposed inside the bores 112 of the connected basepipes 110a-b. The secondary filter 191 can include a wire-wrapped screen having wire 192 wrapped about ribs 194, which are affixed to opposing end sleeves 196. Other types of filter media can be used for the foil 190, such as mesh, etc.
The end sleeves 196 are disposed in the bores 112. Each of the end sleeves 196 is disposed between an end of the secondary filter 191 and a shoulder 113 in the bore 112. The end sleeve 196 can have a seal 198 (e.g., O-ring) for sealing inside the bore 112.
As shown in
To run the wellscreens 100a-b of
Mechanical grips, slips, jaws, etc. (
As shown in
For example,
In the other example,
As will be appreciated, any of the internal secondary filters 191 for the foils 190 disclosed above may need to float or have some clearance inside the bores (counterbores) between shoulders to avoid buckling when the connections are made up between the basepipes 110a-b. Although it may not be necessary, the reinforced sections 107a-b of the basepipes 110a-b as disclosed herein can be treated with surface hardening or other surface treatment to facilitate the handling disclosed herein.
As disclosed herein, improved open area of the wellscreens provides better dehydration of the gravel pack slurry allowing for a more complete pack of the annulus between the wellbore to the wellscreens. The permeable gripping sections of the present disclosure overcome the problem found in most wellscreens for long horizontal open hole wells, which tend to have significant pipe handling blank section often exceeding 10% of each basepipe or of the entire deployed length. The increasing permeable length of the wellscreens provided by permeable gripping sections of the present disclosure can create a longer effective screen length and can improve productivity of the well or if rate stays the same reduce the risk of erosion.
To do this, the blank non-permeable areas on the wellscreens are converted to permeable areas, in effect maximize the open area or permeable area of the screen joints. At the same time, the permeable gripping sections retain the functionalities of pipe handling while providing additional sand control.
The permeable gripping sections of the wellscreens are made more robust to endure the gripping force and torque of slips, tongs, and the like without damaging the secondary filters or screens. The permeable gripping sections can include a permeable metal sleeve disposed over a screen secured to the basepipe through welded rings, such as end rings. In another method, the handling areas of the basepipe can be perforated with or without a counter sink. Sand retention buttons can then be installed or secured in the perforations to provide sand control while enduring the forces and torques applied during make up or break out of the connection. In yet another method, the handling areas of the basepipes can be perforated and can be machined inside their diameter to retain secondary filters or screens inside the basepipes that provide sand retention capabilities.
Reference to gravel packing herein may equally refer to frack packing. Use of the terms such as screen and filter may be used interchangeably herein. The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. For example, although the assemblies 100 disclosed herein have shown use of shunt tubes, it will be appreciated that assemblies can lack shunt tubes and jumper tubes. It will also be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter.
In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.
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