The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. In a variety of well related applications, downhole completions are provided with flow control devices. The flow control devices have a plurality of operational positions and can be shifted between those operational positions at specific times during a downhole procedure. For example, the flow control devices may be shifted between a full flow position and a no flow position.
The flow control devices may comprise valves that are shifted by balls or darts dropped through the wellbore. In certain multi-stage fracturing system applications, for example, valves are placed in a plurality of well intervals and the flow of fracturing fluid to select intervals is controlled by the valves. The valves can be shifted from closed to open positions by balls or darts as the fracturing process is moved to sequential well intervals. At times, however, the use of balls or darts can be limiting with respect to efficiency and functionality. Additionally, there is no method of reversing the position of the valve with a dart or ball mechanism.
In general, the present invention provides a system and method in which a tool is used to selectively shift flow control devices or other well components in, for example, gravel packing applications. In one application, the tool further comprises a jetting device that can be used to deliver fluid downhole for well treatments or other applications. The tool may be deployed downhole via coiled tubing to selectively shift valves in a combined well treatment and sand control well system.
Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and:
In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.
The present invention generally relates to a system and method that utilize a tool for facilitating various downhole procedures. The tool may be deployed on coiled tubing to shift various downhole components. For example, the tool may comprise an actuation mechanism that is selectively actuated to shift valves, or other downhole components, between operational configurations. In certain applications, the tool also may comprise a jetting device to deliver various treatment fluids.
In one application, a well system is run into a wellbore and actuated to isolate a plurality of sections along the wellbore. The well system comprises a completion having flow valves that can be used to inject treatment fluid, e.g. solids laden fracturing fluid, into each of the sections. After the fluids have been placed into the screen annulus, the flow valves can be closed with the shifting tool. The completion also comprises a plurality of screen assemblies through which production fluid can flow into the well system following the treatment procedure. Each screen assembly also may comprise an isolation valve that can be used to selectively reduce or block flow through individual screen assemblies at specific isolated sections along the wellbore. In this embodiment, the well system also comprises the tool which is moved downhole into the completion via coiled tubing to interact with the flow valves and/or the isolation valves.
In some embodiments, the tool is utilized to deliver treatment fluid to select flow valves via the jetting device. In other embodiments, the treatment fluid may be delivered via: coiled tubing; coiled tubing in conjunction with the jetting device; production tubing annulus; annulus surround the coiled tubing; and other flow paths. These approaches may be used for many types of treatment fluids, including solids laden fluids, viscosified solids free fluids, slickwater fluids, and the like, and may be used to deliver fluids at any practical injection rate, including high injection rates. When delivery of the treatment fluid in a given well section is completed, the actuation mechanism of the tool can be actuated to engage and close the flow valve for that particular section. The treatment process can then be conducted at sequential well sections until treatment of the multi-stage well is completed. Upon completion of the well treatment, the tool can be used for cleanup procedures and other application related procedures. For example, the tool can fluidize and jet solids from the internal area of the well tubular by mobilizing the solids through an annulus formed between coiled tubing and production tubing, thereby enabling relocation and substantial removal of the solids. Further, the tool can be used to shift isolation valves to control the flow of production fluid into the completion through the screen assemblies at select sections of the wellbore.
The jetting device is designed to fluidize settled sand, proppant or gravel. Fluidizing creates a slurry and enables cleaning of the well down to the region of a flow valve within a specific well zone. Once the well zone is cleaned to expose the flow valve, the tool can be activated to, for example, enable closure of a flow valve that had been opened to allow access for placing the sand/proppant/gravel into an annulus area.
Generally, the jetting device comprises relatively small diameter orifices through which fluid is flowed under pressure to create jets with substantial energy. The jetting device can be used to deliver treatment fluids, e.g. stimulation fluids, but the orifices typically are not large enough to allow the flow of solids laden fluid (slurry) down through tubing and out through the jetting device. The gravel pack, fracpack, or other solids laden slurry can be delivered downhole along an annulus surrounding the tubing, e.g. coiled tubing, used to convey the tool downhole. For example, the slurry can be flowed down through the annulus and out through a flow valve in a specific well zone after opening the flow valve with the shifting tool. Once the sand/proppant/gravel has been placed, the jetting tool can be used to clean the well zone so as to allow the flow valve to be shifted to a closed position via the tool. Accordingly, many treatment procedures may utilize a gravel packing procedure in which slurry is flowed to a well zone through the annulus, and the tool can be used to shift appropriate flow valves. If the tool is equipped with a jetting device, the device can be used to fluidized excess sediment which is circulated from the well to enable access to the flow valve.
Referring generally to
The multi-stage treatment system 24 and the sand control system 26 are combined in a single tubing string/completion 32 deployed in wellbore 22 via a conveyance 34, such as coiled tubing, jointed tubing, or any other suitable conveyance. In the example illustrated, well system 20 is deployed into a generally vertical well extending down from a surface rig 36 or other deployment equipment positioned at a surface location 38. However, well system 20 also can be deployed into deviated wellbores, such as horizontal wellbores.
Multi-stage treatment system 24 comprises a plurality of isolation devices 40, e.g. packers, that can be actuated to isolate sections 42 along wellbore 24. The multi-stage treatment system 24 further comprises a plurality of flow valves 44 with a flow valve(s) 44 disposed in each section 42 between adjacent packers 40. The flow valve(s) 44 can be used to direct/inject treatment fluid into each isolated well section 42 during a treatment procedure. For example, flow valve(s) 44 can be used to direct a fracturing fluid into the surrounding formation 30 at each well section 42 to fracture the desired formation zones, thereby promoting the flow of production fluids to wellbore 22. In many applications, the treatment procedure is conducted at individual well sections 42 and progresses from one well section 42 to the next. In a specific application, the multi-stage treatment system 24 is used to conduct a well stimulation procedure by placing the flow valve(s) 44 between external packers 40 at multiple well sections 42. The packers 40 function to divide the well into manageable sections that enable stimulation and production specific to the interval bounded by packers at each end of that interval/well section. Examples of stimulation procedures include matrix stimulation, acid fracturing stimulation, gravel packing, frac packing and propped fracturing stimulation.
Upon completion of the treatment procedure, production fluid can be flowed from the various regions of formation 30 into screen assemblies 28 at each isolated well section 42. In the embodiment illustrated, packers 40, flow valves 44, and screen assemblies 28 are mounted on a tubular structure 46. The tubular structure 46 can be used to receive production fluids, e.g. oil, through screen assemblies 28 and also to receive a shifting tool/fluid delivery tool as discussed below.
In the example of
Referring to
The sliding sleeve 52 can be selectively actuated to block fluid flow from inside tubing string 32 to the surrounding formation 30 within specific well sections 42. It should be noted that other types of valves or mechanisms can be actuated by tool 50 to control the flow of treatment fluid through the tubing string and into each well section 42.
In the example illustrated in
Once well system 20 is deployed in wellbore 22, a gravel pack 62 can be formed in the annulus surrounding each screen 54. The gravel pack 62 is held in the annulus by the mechanical envelope of the screens 54 and the surrounding formation 30 and acts as a filter media in addition to the screen 54. The gravel packs 62 can be formed in an open hole or a cased hole. In the embodiment illustrated in
With additional reference to the enlarged view in
By way of example, actuation mechanism 76 may be coupled to one or more engagement members 78 that are selectively moved between a radially contracted position and a radially expanded position. In the radially expanded position, the engagement members 78 are positioned to engage and shift selected well components, e.g. flow valves 44 or isolation valves 56. The actuation mechanism 76 may comprise a variety of mechanisms that cooperate with engagement members 78 to move the engagement members to desired positions for engagement or disengagement. By way of example, actuation mechanism 76 may comprise one or more pistons, expansion chambers, solenoids, or other devices designed to selectively control the radial movement of the engagement members 78. Depending on the type of actuation mechanism, a variety of control lines 80 can be used to deliver control signals downhole to tool 50. By way of example, control line 80 may comprise a hydraulic control line, an electric control line, an optical fiber control line, pressure pulse actuation, or other suitable mechanisms for conveying control signals to actuation mechanism 76.
Referring generally to
The tool 50 and well system 20 can be used in a variety of well treatment and production applications. However, tool 50 also can be utilized with other types of completions and in other downhole, well related applications. In one application example, completion 32 is initially deployed in wellbore 22, as illustrated by block 82 in the flowchart of
At this stage of the process, a treatment procedure can be carried out by delivering a fluid down through coiled tubing 68 and out through orifices 72 of jetting device 70, as illustrated by block 86. By way of example, jetting device 70 may be placed proximate a selected flow valve 44, and treatment fluid may be discharged radially through the flow valve, into the desired well section 42, and into the surrounding formation 30. The treatment procedure may be, for example, a matrix acidizing procedure in which a stimulation fluid is injected at each well section 42 via the flow valve 44 located in that specific well section. The tool 50, and specifically shifting device 74, can be used to close each successive flow valve 44 to enable treatment applications at each successive well section 42. Coiled tubing 68 is simply withdrawn or deployed to selectively move tool 50 along the interior of completion 32. Each time one of the flow valves 44, or other valves, is to be shifted, a control signal is sent via control line 80 to actuation mechanism 76 and tool 50 is actuated to an engaged position, as illustrated by block 88. The selected valve is then shifted to the desired configuration, as illustrated by block 90. Subsequently, a desired additional well operation can then be continued, as illustrated by block 92.
For example, once a desired flow valve 44 is opened a treatment procedure can be carried out by delivering a fluid down the annulus surrounding coiled tubing 68. Normally, higher rejection rates can be employed when pumping down through the annulus area due to the larger area open to flow. By way of example, if only one flow valve 44 is open and all isolation valves 56 are closed, all treatment fluids are discharged radially through the open flow valve 44, into the desired well section 42, and into the surrounding formation 30. The treatment procedure may comprise, for example, a fracturing procedure in which a fracturing fluid carrying solid materials, e.g. sand/proppant/gravel, is injected at each well section 42 via the flow valve 44 located in that specific well section. In addition or alternatively, the treatment procedure may comprise a packing procedure, e.g. a gravel packing procedure, in which gravel packs 62 are formed in each well section 42. The tool 50, and specifically shifting device 74, can be used to close each successive flow valve 44 to enable treatment applications at each successive well section 42. Coiled tubing 68 is simply withdrawn or deployed to selectively move tool 50 along the interior of completion 32. Each time one of the flow valves 44, or other valves, is to be shifted, a control signal is sent via a control line 80 to actuation mechanism 76. As a result, the tool 50 is actuated to an engaged position in which it is able to shift the selected valve to the desired configuration.
Depending on the application, further procedures can be performed. For example, the well operation may comprise treating subsequent well sections 42. Additionally, the continued well operation may comprise production of well fluid following the treatment procedures. In the latter case, a desired formation fluid can be flowed into wellbore 22 and into completion 32 via the screen assemblies 28. The isolation valves 56 of screen assemblies 28 can be shifted via tool 50 to restrict or close off flow through specific screen assemblies as desired to improve production. For example, one or more of the well sections 42 may begin to produce gas, water or other undesirable fluids at some point during the life of the well. The use of integral isolation valves 56 enables an operator to selectively block the inflow of these undesirable fluids through the corresponding screen 54 when the corresponding well section 42 no longer adequately produces the desired production fluid, e.g. oil, aqueous based fluid, water, gas, bitumen, and the like.
The use of tool 50 on coiled tubing 68 provides a quick and efficient technique for shifting a variety of well components between component configurations. The ability to actuate tool 50 between engaged and disengaged positions further enables selective operation of numerous valves and other shiftable components within a given completion or completions. Accordingly, tool 50 can be employed in numerous well applications.
In
Once the wellbore is prepared, perforations 66 are formed in each of the well sections 42, as illustrated by block 96. The completion 32 of well system 20 is then run in hole, as illustrated by block 98, and the packers 40 are set to isolate well sections 42. Tool 50 is then run downhole on coiled tubing 68 and moved into completion 32, as illustrated by block 100. Again, tool 50 can be run at the time that completion string 32 is run, or tool 50 can be run at a later time when needed to shift selected well components.
A treatment procedure can then be performed in each isolated well section 42, as illustrated by block 102. The treatment procedure may comprise delivering treatment fluid to a desired well section 42 through jetting device 70. Additionally, the treatment procedure may comprise sequentially performing a fracturing procedure and/or gravel packing procedure at each of the isolated well zones 42 by pumping slurry down through the surrounding annulus. The sequential performance of procedures in successive well sections 42 is facilitated by tool 50 and shifting mechanism 74 which can be used to selectively close off flow of treatment fluid to well sections that have already been treated, as illustrated by block 104.
A final completion is then run downhole, as illustrated by block 106. The final completion may comprise a variety of production related completions, including completions designed for artificially lifting production fluids to a desired collection location. For example, an electric submersible pumping system can be delivered downhole to pump the fluids that collect within the well system 20. With the final completion in place, the well can be placed on production to deliver production fluids to the desired collection location, as illustrated by block 108. During production, the sliding sleeves 58 of screen assemblies 28 focus the fluid production and thus facilitate identification of well sections 42 that have high water cut or high gas influx. In the event the water cut or gas influx becomes excessive, a properly designed final completion allows tool 50 to be moved via coiled tubing to the appropriate isolation valve 56. The tool 50 is then activated to shift the valve to a closed or reduced flow position.
As described above, tool 50 and well system 20 can be constructed in a variety of configurations for use in many environments and applications. Additionally, the size and arrangement of the components can be adjusted according to the environment and according to the desired well procedures, e.g. treatment or production related procedures. A variety of jetting devices and actuation mechanisms can be used with tool 50 as desired for use with a given well system 20. Also, the packers or other isolation devices can be used in both open hole and cased hole applications. Various types of screens 54 and isolation valves 56 can be used in the screen assemblies 28. For example, the isolation valves 56 may comprise a variety of valve types that can be actuated between open flow and closed flow configurations. In some embodiments, the isolation valves 56 may selectively be actuated to positions of reduced flow in which some flow is allowed. Additionally, flow valves 44 can be selected to accommodate a variety of treatment fluids and treatment procedures.
Accordingly, although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this invention. Such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims.