System for installation of well stimulating apparatus downhole utilizing a service tool string

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6216785
  • Patent Number
    6,216,785
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, March 17, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 17, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A service tool string (34) is releasably attached to a bottom hole assembly (18) and forms a production string as well as a work string. The tool (35) has a mandrel (102) and a slide valve assembly (68) mounted on the mandrel for relative sliding movement. Crossover ports (114, 124) are provided in the mandrel (102) and the slide valve assembly (68). Slide valve assembly (68) moves by gravity and spring action when not contacted by the bottom hole assembly (18) to a position in which ports (114, 124) are blocked as shown in FIG. 7B. Upon contact of slidable valve assembly (68) with the bottom hole assembly (18), slide valve assembly is moved upwardly for alignment of ports (114, 124) as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B. An equalizing valve (29) as shown in FIGS. 10-12 is effective to equalize the fluid pressure within the bottom hole assembly (18) with the fluid pressure outside the perforated casing section (23) so that in a reverse position as shown in FIG. 7B, the service tool (35) can be lifted to a position above the upper packer assembly (26) and above the bottom hole assembly (18). A diverter ball (132) seated on a ball catcher (134) is effective to divert the fracturing fluid outwardly through crossover ports (114, 124) as shown in FIG. 6B for downward flow through the annulus (27) into the formation adjacent the perforated casing section (23).
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates to a system including an apparatus and method for the installation of well stimulation apparatus downhole utilizing a service tool string for gravel packing a downhole formation, and more particularly to such a system in which the tool string forms the production string for production of the downhole formation to provide a one trip gravel pack and production system.




2. Background of the Invention




Heretofore, it has been common to provide well stimulating apparatus for fracturing a formation in which the apparatus is lowered within a well bore on the lower end of a service tool on a work string. The stimulating apparatus for hydraulic fracturing with a proppant, such as a sand slurry, may include a lower perforating gun which is utilized for perforating the well casing at the production zone, and a production screen or filter is then positioned. After perforation of the well casing, a gravel packing packer assembly is lowered by a service tool to a position where the production screen is adjacent the production zone. The packers are then set and the proppant is injected into the fissures of the formation upon actuation of a crossover tool member to open a crossover port for flow of the proppant downwardly in the annulus between the tool and casing to the perforated casing for fracturing the formation to increase the size of the fissures receiving the slurry. After injection of the proppant or hydraulic slurry into the producing zone and the actuation of the crossover tool member to block further downward flow, the service tool may be disconnected from the gravel packing packer assembly and the service tool string removed from the well by a suitable rig. Then, a production tubing string is lowered into the well and connected to the gravel packing packer assembly adjacent the upper packer for the production of a hydrocarbon fluid from the producing zone. The production tubing string is supported from a wellhead.




Such a process is time consuming and requires a rig for running in the production string and for removing the work string after the fracturing process has been completed. A single trip for a work string to provide perforation and sand control has commonly been used heretofore but the installation of production tubing has normally required a separate trip after the work string has been removed.




However, U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,379 dated Dec. 29, 1992 shows a sand packing system in which the well is perforated, gravel packed, and placed on production with a single trip of the tool string into the well. The system includes a crossover assembly having a closure mechanism operated to preclude downward fluid flow through the tool, to establish a downward slurry flow path, and to establish a carrier fluid return flow path. At the end of the gravel pack operation, the tool string is placed on production without tripping the tool string.




The '379 patent includes a crossover assembly that is effective to provide a first flow path from the interior of the tubing string at a location above the packer to the wellbore annulus below the packer, and is selectively operable to provide a second flow path from the interior of the tool string below the packer to the annulus in the wellbore above the packer. The operating mechanism associated with the crossover assembly includes a probe or dart assembly which is lowered into the well after the crossover assembly is in the well. A wireline is normally utilized for removal of the probe.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention discloses, a sand control completion system utilizing only one trip for the tool string which is placed on production after the perforation and gravel pack operations. Production tubing is used for the work string in the sand control completion system and is then used as the production string.




The tool utilizes only one flow path and provides for hydraulic fracturing as well as perforating in a single trip. The use of a single flow path permits relatively large internal diameters to be utilized which is desirable for high volume hydraulic fracturing. A fluid diversion ball or probe is pumped down the tool with the slurry for the gravel pack operation and is effective to divert the fracturing fluid through aligned crossover ports from the interior of the tool string to the annulus for flow out the perforated casing section at the production zone for fracturing the formation.




A gravel packing packer assembly includes a slidable sleeve mounted below the gravel pack packer. This slidable sleeve is alignable with a crossover port in the service tool housing when the crossover port is in a retracted crossover position. The crossover port is movable between an extended position in which the weight of the crossover port and force of the spring maintains the crossover port in an extended relation at the end of the service tool with the crossover ports out of alignment, and a retracted position in which the crossover port assembly contacts the gravel pack packer assembly and is moved to the retracted position in which the crossover ports are in alignment. The crossover port contacts the top of the gravel pack packer assembly for movement to the retracted position in the circulating position, and the secondary reverse position of the service tool.




In a reverse position for cleaning the interior of the tool string after the fracturing operation, the tool string is lifted above the upper packer and fluid flow down the annulus outside the tool is directed upwardly within the tool string to unseat the ball or probe for upward movement with the fluid for removal of the ball or probe without any separate step being required for removal. An equalizing valve adjacent the sand screen is effective to equalize the fluid pressure within the bottom hole assembly and the fluid pressure outside the sand screen is the reverse position of the tool.




After the fracturing and reversing steps have been completed, the tool string is raised to the position at which a surface controlled subsurface safety valve is required and the subsurface safety valve is installed. Then the tool string is run back to the gravel packing packer assembly with the service tool assembly acting as production seals and placed in a sealing relation within the gravel pack packer. Then, a tubing hanger may be landed for production. Thus, the tool string of the present invention forms the production string and the seal assembly on the tool string which is effective for the crossover assembly also functions as the production seal assembly.




Suitable monitoring apparatus may be provided to monitor the gauge pressure downhole during the hydraulic fracturing. After the hydraulic fracturing, suitable monitoring apparatus such as electromagnetic and telemetric devices may be utilized for permanent monitoring of selected parameters.




An object of the present invention is to provide a system to perforate, pack, and place a well on production with only a single trip of the work string which also functions as the production string.




Another object is to provide a work string for gravel packing of a well with the work string being a production string after packing of the well.




Another object is to provide such a system in which the lower end of the service tool is positioned above the bottom hole assembly in the reverse position to allow unrestricted fluid flow from the annulus up the lower end of the service tool.




Another object is to provide such a system in which an equalizing valve in the bottom hole assembly permits equalizing of fluid pressure within the bottom hole assembly with fluid pressure outside the sand screen in the reverse position.




An additional object is to provide such a system which allows a surface controlled subsurface safety valve to be easily inserted within the work string after gravel packing of the well by raising the work string above the bottom hole assembly to the desired position of the subsurface safety valve.




Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification and drawings.











DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a schematic view of a bottom hole assembly for isolating a production zone and including a service tool releasably connected to the upper end of the bottom hole assembly;





FIGS. 2A-2D

are sectional view in sequence of the service tool mounted within the upper portion of the bottom hole assembly shown in

FIG. 1

;





FIGS. 2E and 2F

are sequential sectional views of the lower portion of the bottom hole assembly shown in

FIG. 1

mounted within a perforated casing section and including a sump packer and production string with an equalizing valve;





FIGS. 3A and 3B

are sequential sectional views of the service tool hydraulically connected to the bottom hole assembly with the upper packer and slips in engagement with the casing for sealing the annulus;





FIGS. 4A and 4B

are sequential sectional views showing the service tool engaging the slidable sleeve mounted below the gravel pack packer, and moving a releasable slide valve ring into a closed position over the ports in the outer housing of the slidable sleeve;





FIGS. 5A and 5B

are sequential sectional views showing a circulating position of the service tool after a ball has been dropped down the tool string with a crossover port shown in open position for transverse alignment of the crossover ports in the tool string for directing the circulating fluid upwardly along the annulus;





FIGS. 6A and 6B

are sequential sectional views of the service tool in a squeeze position for fracturing formation by gravel packing of the production zone with the sliding sleeve of the service tool in alignment with the crossover port in the housing of the bottom hole assembly for directing the fracturing fluid down the annulus to the perforated casing section;





FIGS. 7A and 7B

are sequential sectional views of the service tool in a reverse position with the service tool raised out of engagement with the bottom hole assembly to allow the upward flow of fluid within the interior of the tool string for unseating the ball;





FIGS. 8A and 8B

are sequential sectional views of the service tool raised above the bottom hole assembly to the depth location of the surface controlled subsurface safety valve for installation of the safety valve;





FIGS. 9A and 9B

are sequential sectional views of the service tool mounted within the bottom hole assembly in a final position for production with a production seal assembly on the service tool shown in sealing relation with the bottom hole assembly;





FIG. 10

is an enlarged sectional view of the equalizing valve adjacent the sand screen showing the relief valve in an intermediate operable position;





FIG. 11

is a sectional view similar to

FIG. 10

showing the relief valve in an open position; and





FIG. 12

is a sectional view similar to

FIGS. 10 and 11

but showing the relief valve in a closed position.











DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of the invention, and more particularly to

FIG. 1

, a casing


10


is shown mounted within a bore hole


12


in the earth formation having a production or zone of interest at


14


. Casing


10


is normally secured by cement within borehole


12


as well known.




A bottom hole assembly shown generally at


18


is received within casing


10


. Casing


10


has a perforated casing section


23


including perforations


22


. Perforated casing section


23


is normally perforated by a separate perforating string having a perforating gun on its lower end prior to the insertion of bottom hole assembly


18


.




Bottom hole assembly


18


include a lower, packer assembly generally indicated at


24


and an upper packer assembly generally indicated at


26


for isolation of the production zone


14


. An annulus


27


is defined between bottom hole assembly


18


and casing


10


. A gravel pack screen indicated at


28


is positioned between packers


24


,


26


adjacent perforations


22


. An equalizing valve is shown at


29


above screen


28


effective to equalize fluid pressure between the inner bore of bottom hole assembly


18


and annulus


27


outside screen


28


. After the perforating of casing section


23


, bottom hole assembly


18


is lowered to the position of

FIG. 1

with lower packer assembly


24


and upper packer assembly


26


set as will be described further below. Lower packer assembly


24


designated a Model 18L or “Quantum” type packer may be purchased from Dowell Schlumberger of Houston, Tex. Upper packer assembly


26


designated as a “Quantum” HS packer may also be purchased from Dowell Schlumberger of Houston, Tex.




A service tool string or work string shown generally at


34


suspends bottom hole assembly


18


for installation and acts also as the production string after the gravel pack operation. Service tool string


34


includes a service tool


35


connected to the lower end of a tubing string


36


. An upper annulus


37


is formed between tubing string


36


and casing


10


. At the completion of the perforating and gravel packing operation, production commences directly through the service tool string


34


without removal or substitution of the service tool string


34


. Thus, tool string


34


is arranged for completion of the entire gravel pack operation and for sealing against bottom hole assembly


18


for production. By utilizing the tool string


34


as both a work string and a production string for a sand control completion system, a one trip sand control run can be made with production tubing for the work string. Such an arrangement eliminates a trip commonly utilized heretofore where a service tool string has been utilized for well completion and then removed from the well with a separate production string with production seals run in the well in a separate trip for production.




Referring now to

FIGS. 2E and 2F

, the lower portion of bottom hole assembly


18


is shown adjacent the perforated casing section


23


. Bottom hole assembly


18


has an outer housing


38


forming outer annulus


27


with outer casing


10


. Housing


38


has perforations


40


adjacent a sand screen


43


. An inner slidable isolation sleeve


42


is received within housing


38


and has a slide valve


44


over openings


46


in sleeve


42


. Slide valve


44


remains in a closed position over openings


46


until tool string


34


is utilized as a production string for product flowing through screen


42


as shown in

FIGS. 9A and 9B

. Slide valve


44


is moved mechanically to open position when the tool string is utilized as a production string by a shifting tool via slick line or coiled tubing. The sliding sleeve may be opened and closed repeatedly. Equalizing valve


29


is also mounted on the upper end portion of slidable sleeve


42


and will be explained further in

FIGS. 10-12

for the reverse position of tool


35


.




Lower packer assembly


24


forms a sump packer including an elastomeric packer member


54


and slips


56


set against casing


10


for the lower end of annulus


27


. As indicated previously, lower packer assembly


24


is sold as a Model 18L or “Quantum” type packer by Dowell Schlumberger of Houston, Tex.




Referring now particularly to

FIGS. 2A-2D

, the upper portion of bottom hole assembly


18


is shown releasably connected to service tool


35


which is inserted within bottom hole assembly


18


. Bottom hole assembly


18


which includes outer housing


38


has an upper packer sub


58


with internal threads


60


and an upper annular shoulder or abutment


62


adjacent threads


60


acts as a stop engaging tool string


34


when tool string


34


is releasably connected to bottom hole assembly


18


. upper packer assembly


26


of bottom hole assembly


18


includes an elastomeric packer member


64


and slips


66


. A slidable actuating sleeve assembly


68


is secured to housing


38


by shear pins


70


. An upper ring


72


is provided adjacent elastomeric packer member


64


. An outer sleeve


74


is secured to slidable sleeve assembly


68


by shear pins


76


adjacent slips


66


. A fluid piston


78


shown in

FIG. 2B

is selectively energized through port


80


from internal fluid pressure. Wedge members


82


on slidable sleeve assembly


68


are positioned adjacent slips


66


. For setting packer assembly


26


, the fluid pressure down service tool string


34


is increased to a predetermined amount and exerted against piston


78


for shearing of shear pins


70


, and thus applies a load through sleeve


74


into ring


72


for engaging and squeezing elastomeric packer member


64


into sealing relation with casing


10


. Then upon a further increase in fluid pressure in service tool string


34


to a higher predetermined amount, shear pins


76


are sheared with wedge members


82


camming slips


66


radially outward for biting into casing


10


thereby to set packer assembly


26


as shown in

FIGS. 3A and 3B

for isolation of production zone


14


as well known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,957 dated Sep. 5, 1989, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein for all purposes, shows a suitable upper packer assembly and hydraulic release for the service tool. As indicated above, a suitable upper packer assembly is sold as a “Quantum” HS packer by Dowell Schlumberger of Houston, Tex.




Housing


38


of bottom hole assembly


18


has a lower annular abutment


86


as shown in

FIG. 2D

which acts to actuate a crossover valve sleeve for tool


35


as will be explained further. Housing


38


as shown in

FIG. 2C

has a laterally opening or port


88


therein and a slidable valve member


90


is positioned over openings


88


in a closed position. Slidable fingers


92


have upper ends


94


fitting in an annular groove


96


in housing


38


in the closed position of port


88


. For opening of port


88


in a crossover position, abutment


97


is engaged by tool


35


as will be explained further hereinafter for movement of slidable valve member downwardly with fingers


92


to open or uncover crossover port


88


.




Service tool


35


is shown in

FIGS. 2A-2D

releasably connected to bottom hole assembly


18


. As shown particularly in

FIG. 2A

, tool


35


is received within upper packer sub


58


and has external threads


104


on collet fingers engaging internal threads


60


of upper packer sub


58


. A release piston


106


is actuated by external pressure and internal port


108


vents the pressurized fluid allowing piston


106


to move upwardly for a hydraulic release of tool


35


from bottom hole assembly


18


if desired. A suitable hydraulic release and locator assembly is sold as a “Quantum” hydraulic release assembly by Dowell Schlumberger of Houston, Tex.




As shown particularly on

FIGS. 2C and 2D

, a mandrel


110


of service tool


35


has a lower end


112


and a crossover port


114


adjacent lower end


112


. Production seals


115


are mounted about the outer periphery of mandrel


110


. Crossover port


114


is formed through mandrel


110


. Mounted about the outer periphery of mandrel


110


and extending downwardly from the lower end


112


of mandrel


110


is a crossover slide valve assembly generally indicated at


116


and forming an important feature of this invention. Slide valve assembly


116


includes an outer sleeve


118


having internal shoulder


119


for engaging mandrel end


112


in a retracted position of sleeve


118


shown in FIG.


2


C. Sleeve


118


has an upper end


120


engaging an abutment


122


on mandrel


110


. A crossover port


124


in sleeve


118


is aligned with crossover port


114


in mandrel


110


in the position of FIG.


2


C. Slidable valve


90


in a closed position prevents communication of crossover ports


114


,


124


with crossover port


88


in bottom hole assembly


18


. Sleeve


118


has a lower shoulder


127


at its lower end and an adjacent shoulder


129


spaced upwardly from shoulder


127


.





FIGS. 4A and 4B

show slidable valve assembly


116


in an extended position. A spring


126


is biased between stops or abutments


131


on mandrel


110


and sleeve


118


of slidable valve assembly


116


to continuously urge valve assembly


116


to an extended position. The extended position of slide valve assembly


116


is shown also in

FIGS. 8A

,


8


B and


9


A,


9


B as will be explained further. Slide valve assembly


116


is urged by resistance of collet fingers


130


on the lower shoulder


123


of bottom hole assembly


18


to the extended position and spring


126


merely assists slide valve assembly


116


in movement to an extended position when lower end


127


or shoulder


129


of slide valve assembly


116


are not engaged with an internal stop or abutment on bottom hole assembly


18


for movement to a retracted position. The travel distance between extended and retracted positions of slide valve assembly


116


relative to mandrel


110


is shown in

FIG. 4B

(and also

FIGS. 7B

,


8


B) by distance D. Service seals


128


are provided about the outer periphery of sleeve


118


. Also as shown in

FIG. 4B

, collet fingers


92


hold slide valve


90


in a closed position. Downward movement of service tool


35


from the position of

FIG. 4B

effects downward movement of collet fingers


92


into abutting relation with abutment


97


for downward movement of slide valve


90


and opening of crossover port


88


as shown in FIG.


6


B. Downward movement of the service tool positions the recess of collet fingers


130


over lower shoulder of sleeve


90


, engaging sleeve


90


until collet


130


is forced inward by the seal bore internal diameter of bottom hole assembly


18


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 5A and 5B

, service tool


34


is shown in a circulating position prior to hydraulic fracturing. In the circulating position, the lower end of the slidable valve assembly


116


is seated on and engages inner shoulder


62


of bottom hole assembly


18


to move slide valve assembly


126


to a retracted position in which upper end


120


is in engagement with shoulder


122


on mandrel


110


. Shoulder


119


on slide valve assembly


116


also is in engagement with end


112


of mandrel


110


in the retracted position. In the circulating position, ports


114


and


124


are in alignment at a location above the bottom hole assembly


18


. A ball


132


is dropped down the bore of the service tool string


36


and seats on ball catcher


134


to block and divert fluid flow outwardly in annulus


37


between tool


35


and casing


10


for upward flow of fluid from annulus


37


for circulation.




Next, referring to

FIGS. 6A and 6B

a squeeze position for hydraulic fracturing of formation


14


is shown. In the squeeze position, collet fingers


92


are cammed out of engagement with groove


96


by tool


35


and move downwardly against stop


97


to permit downward movement of slide valve


90


thereby to place crossover port


88


in communication with crossover ports


114


and


124


. Annular shoulder


126


on slide valve assembly


116


engages abutment


86


on bottom hole assembly


18


to move slide valve assembly


116


to a retracted position in which ports


114


and


124


are in alignment. Annular seals


128


about sleeve


118


are in sealing engagement with bottom hole assembly


18


. Collet fingers


92


have been moved downwardly against shoulder


97


by tool


35


for movement of slide valve


90


to an open position with crossover ports


114


,


124


and


88


in aligned position.




Fracturing fluid flows down the annulus


27


between the bottom hole assembly


18


and casing


10


to the production zone for flow through perforations


22


in perforated casing section


23


into the formation. Ball


132


on ball catcher


134


diverts the fracturing fluid through aligned ports


114


,


124


and


88


into annulus


27


. After the fracturing fluid has flowed into the formation under a predetermined pressure at a predetermined flow rate for a time sufficient to open the fissures, tool string


34


is lifted to a reverse position as shown in

FIGS. 7A and 7B

. In the reverse position, tool


35


is lifted above the bottom hole assembly


18


as shown in

FIGS. 7A and 7B

and a suitable slurry is pumped down annulus


37


for removal of the fracturing fluid from the service tool string


36


. Diverter ball


132


is lifted from ball catcher


134


by the upward fluid flow and moves upwardly with the fluid within the bore of the tool string


102


for removal from the tool string


34


.




To equalize the fluid pressure within bottom hole assembly


18


with the fluid pressure outside bottom hole assembly


18


in the annulus


27


adjacent sand screen


28


for effective operation of the reverse position shown in

FIGS. 7A and 7B

, equalizing valve


29


is provided above slidable sleeve


42


as shown schematically in

FIGS. 1 and 2E

, and specifically in

FIGS. 10-12

. By equalizing the internal pressure within bottom hole assembly


18


with the external fluid pressure in the adjacent formation, the reversing fluid is easily directed from annulus


37


above bottom hole assembly


18


into the lower end of tool


35


as shown in

FIGS. 7A and 7B

. The equalizing valve


29


shown in

FIGS. 10-12

is mounted above slidable sleeve


42


as shown schematically in FIG.


2


E. Equalizing valve


29


includes an upper sub


142


and a lower sub


144


with an outer housing


146


extending between subs


142


and


144


. Lower sub


144


is connected to slidable sleeve


42


. In some instances, an isolation tube may be utilized connecting sleeve


42


. An upper operating piston is shown at


148


responsive to external fluid pressure from port


150


. Spring


152


is mounted between piston


148


and an annular poppet valve generally indicated at


154


. A collet


156


having collet fingers is provided adjacent operating piston


148


and is effective to transfer force from upper piston


148


to the concentric poppet valve


154


. A plurality of fluid ports


158


are provided about the circumference of outer housing


146


and extend through housing


146


and sub


144


to the interior or bore of valve


29


. Annular poppet valve


154


blocks fluid flow through ports


158


in the closed position shown in

FIG. 11

in which the internal pressure is greater than or equal to the external pressure or external pressure is below the pressure required to force piston


148


over collet


156


. When the external pressure exceeds the internal pressure, piston


148


responsive to a differential pressure actuates collet fingers


156


to counteract the load on valve


154


and hold poppet valve


154


closed. When piston


148


snaps over collet


156


, valve


154


is allowed to move up a distance D


1


to the position of

FIG. 12

for opening of ports


158


to provide equalization of the internal and external pressures. Upon equalizing of external and internal fluid pressures, the internal fluid pressure and spring force acting against piston


148


recocks collet fingers


156


to return poppet valve


154


to the closed position of FIG.


11


.

FIG. 10

shows poppet valve


154


in a run in position for installation of equalizing valve


29


within bottom hole assembly


18


with collet fingers


156


transferring force between piston


148


and poppet valve


154


. External pressure tends to push piston


148


down and valve poppet


154


up. The preload in spring


152


holds valve poppet


154


closed while piston


148


applies a greater load through collet


156


. When collet


156


snaps, the piston


148


applied load is lost and poppet valve


154


opens.




After the reverse operation for a subsea well, tool string


34


is lifted around 400 feet from the sea floor for installation of the surface controlled subsurface safety valve shown generally at


164


by connection between pipe sections of tool string


34


. The subsurface safety valve


164


includes suitable fluid connections for operation thereof from a surface location.




After insertion of subsurface safety valve


164


, tool string


34


is then lowered as a production string into bottom hole assembly


18


as shown in

FIGS. 9A and 9B

. Tool string


34


is installed for production with production seals


115


engaging bottom hole assembly


18


as shown. In the producing position shown in

FIGS. 9A and 9B

slide valve assembly


116


is in an extended position and is positioned above slide valve member


90


and openings


88


in bottom hole assembly


18


. Slide valve


44


shown particularly in

FIG. 2F

is moved mechanically to an open position of production openings


46


by a suitable shifting tool.




OPERATION




In operation, as shown particularly in

FIG. 1

with casing section


23


previously perforated, bottom hole assembly


18


connected to service tool string


34


is lowered within the borehole adjacent pay zone


14


. Lower packer assembly


24


is set above production zone


14


and upper packer assembly


26


is set above production zone


14


.




A circulating position is shown in

FIGS. 5A and 5B

in which shoulder


129


of slidable valve assembly


116


on the end of tool


35


contacts shoulder


62


on upper packer sub


58


of bottom hole assembly


18


. Contact of slidable valve assembly


116


with shoulder


62


moves sleeve assembly


116


upwardly relative to mandrel


114


for alignment of ports


114


and


124


. In this position, ball


132


is dropped down the bore of tool string


34


and seats on ball catcher


134


for diverting the downward flow of circulating fluid through aligned ports


114


and


124


into annulus


37


between tool string


34


and casing


10


for suitable circulation of the fluid.




Next, the tool string


34


is lowered within bottom hole assembly


18


to the squeeze or gravel pack position shown in

FIGS. 6A and 6B

with slidable sleeve assembly


116


contacting annular shoulder


86


as shown in

FIG. 6B

to move slidable sleeve assembly


68


upwardly to a retracted position for alignment of ports


114


and


134


in a crossover position. In this position, fingers


92


are moved out of engagement with annular groove


96


and against abutment


97


by slidable sleeve assembly


68


for movement of slide valve


90


downwardly as shown in

FIG. 6B

for opening of ports


88


to communicate annulus


27


with the bore of tool string


34


through ports


114


,


124


and


88


in the crossover position. Fracturing fluid is diverted by ball


132


and the downward flow of pressurized fracturing fluid in annulus


27


is forced outwardly through the perforations


22


into the formation for hydraulic fracturing of pay zone


14


with a suitable proppant.




After the squeeze or gravel pack operation has been completed, tool string


34


is hydraulically released from bottom hole assembly


18


and raised to the reverse position shown in

FIGS. 7A and 7B

in which tool string


34


is positioned above the upper packer assembly


26


. To allow fluid transfer, the equalizing valve shown at


29


in FIG.


1


and particularly in

FIGS. 10-12

is actuated so that the fluid pressure within bottom hole assembly


18


is equalized with the fluid pressure outside bottom hole assembly


18


. The flow of fluid in the reverse operation is down annulus


37


between the tool string


34


and casing


10


and up the bore of the tool string


34


. Ball


132


moves upwardly with the fluid in the reverse position as shown in FIG.


7


B and is removed from the service tool string


34


.




After the reverse operation, tool string


34


is lifted to a position for installation of a surface control subsurface safety valve such as shown at


164


in FIG.


8


A. Tool string


34


may be lifted around 400 feet, for example, from the sea floor for a subsea well for installation of subsurface safety valve


164


at the desired height in service tool string


34


which becomes the production tool string. After installation of subsurface safety valve


164


, the tool string


34


which also forms the production string is lowered into bottom hole assembly


18


as shown in

FIGS. 9A and 9B

for production with production seals


115


engaging the upper sub


62


of bottom hole assembly


18


and slidable valve assembly


116


in an extended position. Slide valve


44


is moved upwardly or downwardly by a suitable shifting tool to open openings


40


for production.




It is apparent from the above that the utilization of a service tool string as a production string is effective in eliminating a trip in the well which is normally provided from a rig. The tool or work string is not removed from the wellbore but forms the production string. The tool string


34


includes a slidable valve assembly


116


about the tool mandrel which moves by engagement of collet


130


to an extended position closing crossover ports


114


,


124


in the tool mandrel


112


and slidable valve assembly


116


. The crossover ports


114


,


124


in the sliding valve assembly and the tool mandrel are aligned only when the lower end of slide valve assembly


116


is engaged and moved upwardly to a retracted position relative to the tool mandrel


112


. Such an arrangement provides a highly effective valve assembly for the circulating position, the gravel pack position, and the reverse position. In the reverse position the service tool


35


is moved out of the upper packer assembly


26


of bottom hole assembly


18


to permit the reverse flow of fluid for removal of any proppant or the like from tool string


34


. A diverter


102


is easily moved upwardly with the reverse flow of fluid for removal from the service tool string


34


. An equalizer valve


29


as shown in

FIGS. 10-12

is effective to equalize the fluid pressure within bottom hole assembly


18


as service tool


35


is moved between operational positions. The production seals


115


and


128


are easily carried by the service tool


35


.




While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of the preferred embodiment will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. Apparatus for a one trip gravel pack and production system in which a single tubing string within an outer casing of a borehole is utilized as a work string during fluid fracturing of a production zone adjacent a perforated casing section and then utilized as a production string after fracturing of said production zone; said apparatus comprising:a bottom hole assembly within the casing having an outer housing with an upper packer assembly above the production zone, a lower packer assembly below the production zone, with the upper packer assembly and the lower packer assembly being used for sealing an annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing, a screen adjacent a perforated section of the casing in the production zone, and a crossover port in said outer housing extending to said annulus; a service tool having a lower end, being suspended from the tubing string, being releasably connected at said lower end to said bottom hole assembly and having a mandrel and an outer slide valve assembly mounted about said mandrel, said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly each having a crossover port therein; and means providing relative axial movement between said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly carried thereby to permit alignment of said crossover ports for said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly with said crossover port of said outer housing for flow of fracturing fluid down said annulus into said production zone in a fracturing operation.
  • 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer slide value assembly is mounted on said mandrel for movement between a retracted position in which said crossover ports in said mandrel and said said outer slide value assembly are aligned for fluid flow therethrough and an extended position in which said crossover ports are out of alignment to block fluid flow therethrough.
  • 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein abutment means on said bottom hole assembly engages said slide outer valve assembly upon downward movement of said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for effecting movement of said slide outer valve assembly to a retracted position in which said crossover ports in said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly are aligned.
  • 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein means permit movement of said outer slide valve assembly to an extended position on said mandrel when said outer slide valve assembly is disengaged from said bottom hole assembly for blocking fluid communication between said crossover ports in said mandrel and said slide valve assembly.
  • 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bottom hole assembly has a slide valve over said crossover port therein to close said crossover port; and said outer slide valve assembly is effective to move said slide valve from said crossover port to open said crossover port in said bottom hole assembly in a crossover position for the fracturing operation.
  • 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mandrel has a bore a diverter seat is mounted in the bore of said mandrel adjacent said crossover port in said mandrel; and a diverter member on said diverter seat diverts fracturing fluid from the bore of said mandrel outwardly through the aligned crossover ports into said annulus during the fracturing operation.
  • 7. Apparatus for a one trip gravel pack and production system in which a single tubing string within an outer casing of a borehole is utilized as a work string during fluid fracturing of a production zone adjacent a perforated casing section and then utilized as a production string after fracturing of said production zone; said apparatus comprising:a bottom hole assembly within the casing having an outer housing with an upper packer assembly above the production zone, a lower packer assembly below the production zone, with the upper packer assembly and the lower packer assembly being used for sealing an annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing, a screen adjacent a perforated section of the casing in the production zone, and a crossover port in said outer housing extending to said annulus; a service tool having a lower end, being suspended from the tubing string, being releasably connected at said lower end to said bottom hole assembly and having a mandrel and an outer slide valve assembly mounted about said mandrel, said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly each having a crossover port therein; and means providing relative axial movement between said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly carried thereby to permit alignment of said crossover ports for said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly with said crossover port of said outer housing for flow of fracturing fluid down said annulus into said production zone in a fracturing operation; wherein said outer slide valve assembly is mounted on said mandrel for movement between a retracted position in which said crossover ports in said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly are aligned for fluid flow therethrough and an extended position in which said crossover ports are out of alignment to block fluid flow therethrough; and wherein abutment means on said bottom hole assembly adjacent said upper packer assembly engages said outer slide valve assembly upon downward movement of said mandrel for effecting movement of said outer slide valve assembly to a retracted position in which said crossover ports for said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly are aligned at a position above said bottom hole assembly for the diverting of fluid flow down the tubing string outwardly through said aligned crossover ports into the annulus between said service tool and said casing for upward flow of fluid in said annulus in a circulating position of the apparatus.
  • 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said mandrel has a bore a diverter seat is mounted in the bore of said mandrel adjacent said crossover port in said mandrel, and a diverter member on said diverter seat diverts fluid from the bore of said mandrel outwardly through the aligned crossover ports into the annulus between said service tool and said casing at a position above said upper packer assembly.
  • 9. Apparatus for a one trip gravel pack and production system in which a single tubing string within an outer casing of a borehole is utilized as a work string during fluid fracturing of a production zone adjacent a perforated casing section and then utilized as a production string after fracturing of said production zone; said apparatus comprising:a bottom hole assembly within the casing having an outer housing with an upper packer assembly above the production zone, a lower packer assembly below the production zone, with the upper packer assembly and the lower packer assembly being used for sealing an annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing, a screen adjacent a perforated section of the casing in the production zone, and a crossover port in said outer housing extending to said annulus; a service tool having a lower end, being suspended from the tubing string, being releasably connected at said lower end to said bottom hole assembly and having a mandrel and an outer slide valve assembly mounted about said mandrel, said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly each having a crossover port therein; and means providing relative axial movement between said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly carried thereby to permit alignment of said crossover ports for said mandrel and said outer slide valve assembly with said crossover port of said outer housing for flow of fracturing fluid down said annulus into said production zone in a fracturing operation; wherein said service tool is lifted to a location above said upper packer assembly in a reverse position after fracturing of the production zone; and an equalizing valve is provided in said bottom hole assembly to equalize the external fluid pressure outside the bottom hole assembly with the internal fluid pressure inside the bottom hole assembly so that the flow of fluid in the annulus between the service tool and the casing above the bottom hole assembly is easily directed into the bore of the tubing string above the upper packer assembly for upward flow to a surface location in a reverse position after the fracturing operation.
  • 10. Apparatus for a one trip gravel pack and production system in which a single tubing string within an outer casing in a borehole is utilized as a work string during fluid fracturing of a production zone adjacent a perforated casing section and then utilized as a production string after fracturing of said production zone; said apparatus comprising:a bottom hole assembly within the casing having an outer housing with an upper packer assembly above the production zone; a service tool suspended from said tubing string and positioned in a reverse operation after fracturing at a location above said upper packer assembly of said bottom hole assembly for the downward flow of fluid down the annulus between said tool and said casing at a position above the upper packer assembly; and an equalizing valve in said bottom hole assembly to equalize the external fluid pressure outside the bottom hole assembly with the internal fluid pressure inside the bottom hole assembly; the downward flow of fluid in the annulus between said service tool and said casing being directed upwardly into a bore at the bottom of said service tool at a position above said upper packer assembly for upward flow of fluid in said tubing string to a surface location.
  • 11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said equalizing valve comprises an outer tubular housing and a plurality of ports extending through said outer housing to the interior of said bottom hole assembly, an annular valve member carried by said housing and positioned across said ports to block fluid flow through said ports in a closed position and to permit fluid flow in an open position through said ports from outside said bottom hole assembly to inside said bottom hole assembly, said valve member movable to an open position when external fluid pressure outside said bottom hole assembly exceeds internal fluid pressure inside said bottom hole assembly in a reverse operation of said apparatus after fracturing of the production zone for equalizing the internal and external fluid pressures.
  • 12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said equalizing valve has a piston urging said annular valve member to an open position, said piston responsive to external fluid pressure outside said bottom hole assembly.
  • 13. A gravel pack apparatus suspended within a casing from a production tubing string for gravel packing a production zone of a wellbore and for producing from the wellbore through said production tubing after gravel packing in a single trip of said tubing string within said wellbore; said gravel pack apparatus comprising:a bottom hole assembly including an upper packer assembly above the production zone, a lower packer assembly below the production zone for sealing an annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing, and a screen adjacent a perforated section of the casing in the production zone; a service tool having a lower end and an upper end, being releasably connected at said lower end to said bottom hole assembly, connected at said upper end to the production tubing string and having production seals thereon for sealing against said bottom hole assembly when said service tool is assembled onto said bottom hole assembly for production; said service tool carrying a crossover assembly having a ball seat for a movable diverter member, a lateral opening above said ball seat, and a slidable sleeve about said lateral opening having a crossover port for alignment with said lateral opening in one position to permit the downward flow of a slurry within the tubing string outwardly into the annulus between said bottom hole assembly and casing below said upper packer assembly and into the production zone for packing thereof; the downward flow of slurry maintaining said diverter member on said ball seat; and said service tool being operatively connected to said bottom hole assembly during packing of said production zone, said service tool being operatively disconnected from said bottom hole assembly after packing of said production zone and raised to a position above said upper packing assembly for reversing of fluid flow with fluid flow being down the annulus between said casing and said service tool and then up said service tool at a location above said upper packer assembly for unseating of said diverter member and movement of said diverter member upwardly with said fluid flow.
  • 14. The gravel pack apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein a plurality of annular production seals are positioned about said service tool, said service tool being lowered within said bottom hole assembly after reversing of fluid flow or sealing engagement of said annular production seals with said bottom hole assembly for production.
  • 15. The gravel pack apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bottom hole assembly has an outer housing with a crossover port therein alignable with said lateral opening and crossover port in said slidable sleeve in a fracturing position of said apparatus.
  • 16. The gravel pack apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein a slidable valve member is effective to open said crossover port in said outer housing in the fracturing operation.
  • 17. A gravel pack apparatus suspended within a casing from a production tubing string for gravel packing a production zone of a wellbore and for producing from the wellbore through said production tubing after gravel packing in a single trip of said tubing string within said wellbore; said gravel pack apparatus comprising:a bottom hole assembly including an upper packer assembly above the production zone, a lower packer assembly below the production zone for sealing an annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing, and a screen adjacent a perforated section of the casing in the production zone; a service tool having a lower end and an upper end, being releasably connected at said lower end to said bottom hole assembly, being connected at said upper end to the production tubing string and having production seals thereon for sealing against said bottom hole assembly when said service tool is assembled onto said bottom hole assembly for production; said service tool carrying a crossover assembly having a ball seat for a movable diverter member, a lateral opening above said ball seat, and a slidable sleeve about said lateral opening having a crossover port for alignment with said lateral opening in one position to permit the downward flow of a slurry within the tubing string outwardly into the annulus between said bottom hole assembly and casing below said upper packer assembly and into the production zone for packing thereof; the downward flow of slurry maintaining said diverter member on said ball seat; and said service tool being operatively connected to said bottom hole assembly during packing of said production zone, said service tool being operatively disconnected from said bottom hole assembly after packing of said production zone and raised to a position above said upper packing assembly for reversing of fluid flow with fluid flow being down the annulus between said casing and said service tool and then up said service tool at a location above said upper packer assembly for unseating of said diverter member and movement of said diverter member upwardly with said fluid flow; wherein an isolation sleeve is positioned concentrically inwardly of said screen to isolate the production zone from the bore of the bottom hole assembly; and wherein a valve is positioned in said isolation sleeve for movement to an open position when external fluid pressure outside said bottom hole assembly is greater than the internal fluid pressure within said bottom hole assembly to equalize the internal fluid pressure with the external fluid pressure.
  • 18. A method for packing a production zone of a wellbore and for producing from said production zone after packing in a single trip of a service tool and tubing string within the borehole; said method comprising the steps of:lowering a bottom hole assembly within the borehole from the service tool and tubing string; setting an upper packer assembly against a casing in the borehole at opposed sides of the production zone; providing a crossover assembly for the service tool having a mandrel and including a crossover port in the mandrel and a crossover port in a slide valve assembly that is carried by said mandrel and that is mounted about said mandrel for relative axial movement; providing a stop on said bottom hole assembly for contacting said slide valve assembly upon lowering of said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for fracturing of said production zone; and lowering said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for injecting fracturing fluid in the annulus between said bottom hole assembly and said casing with said slide valve assembly contacting said stop and moving said slide valve assembly and crossover port therein to an aligned position with said crossover port in said mandrel to provide fluid flow from the bore of said mandrel outwardly through said aligned crossover ports in said mandrel and slide valve assembly into the annulus for downward flow into the production zone in the packing position of the service tool.
  • 19. The method as set forth in claim 18 including the steps of:providing a diverter seat within said mandrel adjacent said crossover port therein; and dropping a-diverter member down said tubing string for seating on said diverter seat to divert fluid flow outwardly from the bore of said mandrel into said annulus for downward flow.
  • 20. A method as set forth in claim 18 including the steps of:raising said service tool and tubing string after fracturing of said production zone to a position above said upper packing assembly of said bottom hole assembly; and then reversing the flow of fluid to provide fluid flow down the annulus between the service tool and the casing above the bottom hole assembly and then up the service tool and tubing string at a location above the bottom hole assembly.
  • 21. The method as set forth in claim 19 including the steps of:raising said service tool and tubing string after fracturing of said production zone to a position adjacent the upper packing assembly of said bottom hole assembly; and then reversing the flow of fluid to provide fluid flow down the annulus between the service tool and the casing, and then up the service tool and tubing string with a ball being carried upwardly in the tubing string for removal by the upward fluid flow in the service tool.
  • 22. A method for packing a production zone of a wellbore and for producing from said production zone after packing in a single trip of a service tool and tubing string within the borehole; said method comprising the steps of:lowering a bottom hole assembly within the borehole from the service tool and tubing string; setting an upper packer assembly against a casing in the borehole at opposed sides of the production zone; providing a crossover assembly for the service tool having a mandrel and including a crossover port in the mandrel and a crossover port in a slide valve assembly that is carried by said mandrel and that is mounted about said mandrel for relative axial movement; providing a stop on said bottom hole assembly for contacting said slide valve assembly upon lowering of said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for fracturing of said production zone; lowering said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for injecting fracturing fluid in the annulus between said bottom hole assembly and said casing with said slide valve assembly contacting said stop and moving said slide valve assembly and crossover port therein to an aligned position with said crossover port in said mandrel to provide fluid flow from the bore of said mandrel outwardly through said aligned crossover ports in said mandrel and slide valve assembly into the annulus for downward flow into the production zone in the packing position of the service tool; raising said service tool and tubing string after fracturing of said production zone to a position above said upper packing assembly of said bottom hole assembly; reversing the flow of fluid to provide fluid flow down the annulus between the service tool and the casing above the bottom hole assembly and then up the service tool and tubing string at a location above the bottom hole assembly; and equalizing an internal fluid pressure inside the bottom hole assembly with an external fluid pressure outside the bottom hole assembly in the reverse position of the service tool.
  • 23. A method for packing a production zone of a wellbore and for producing from said production zone after packing in a single trip of a service tool and tubing string within the borehole; said method comprising the steps of:lowering a bottom hole assembly within the borehole from the service tool and tubing string; setting an upper packer assembly against a casing in the borehole at opposed sides of the production zone; providing a crossover assembly for the service tool having a mandrel and including a crossover port in the mandrel and a crossover port in a slide valve assembly that is carried by said mandrel and that is mounted about said mandrel for relative axial movement; providing a stop on said bottom hole assembly for contacting said slide valve assembly upon lowering of said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for fracturing of said production zone; lowering said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for injecting fracturing fluid in the annulus between said bottom hole assembly and said casing with said slide valve assembly contacting said stop and moving said slide valve assembly and crossover port therein to an aligned position with said crossover port in said mandrel to provide fluid flow from the bore of said mandrel outwardly through said aligned crossover ports in said mandrel and slide valve assembly into the annulus for downward flow into the production zone in the packing position of the service tool; providing a diverter seat within said mandrel adjacent said crossover port therein and dropping a diverter member down said tubing string for seating on said diverter seat to divert fluid flow outwardly from the bore of said mandrel into said annulus for downward flow; raising said service tool and tubing string after fracturing of said production zone to a position adjacent the upper packing assembly of said bottom hole assembly; reversing the flow of fluid to provide fluid flow down the annulus between the service tool and the casing, and then up the service tool and tubing string with a ball being carried upwardly in the tubing string for removal by the upward fluid flow in the service tool; raising said service tool and tubing string after fracturing of said production zone to a position above said upper packing assembly of said bottom hole assembly; and equalizing an internal fluid pressure inside the bottom hole assembly with an external fluid pressure outside the bottom hole assembly in the reverse position of the service tool.
  • 24. A method for packing a production zone of a wellbore and for producing from said production zone after packing in a single trip of a service tool and tubing string within the borehole; said method comprising the steps of:lowering a bottom hole assembly within the borehole from the service tool and tubing string; setting an upper packer assembly against a casing in the borehole at opposed sides of the production zone; providing a crossover assembly for the service tool having a mandrel and including a crossover port in the mandrel and a crossover port in a slide valve assembly that is carried by said mandrel and that is mounted about said mandrel for relative axial movement; providing a stop on said bottom hole assembly for contacting said slide valve assembly upon lowering of said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for fracturing of said production zone; lowering said mandrel within said bottom hole assembly for injecting fracturing fluid in the annulus between said bottom hole assembly and said casing with said slide valve assembly contacting said stop and moving said slide valve assembly and crossover port therein to an aligned position with said crossover port in said mandrel to provide fluid flow from the bore of said mandrel outwardly through said aligned crossover ports in said mandrel and slide valve assembly into the annulus for downward flow into the production zone in the packing position of the service tool; reversing the flow of fluid after the fracturing operation to provide fluid flow down the annulus between the service tool and casing and then up the service tool; raising the service tool and tubing string to a predetermined height above said bottom hole assembly for a surface controlled subsurface safety valve; inserting said surface controlled subsurface safety valve within said tubing string at a predetermined location; and then lowering said service tool and tubing string in said bottom hole assembly to a producing position for production through said service tool and said tubing string.
  • 25. A method for packing a production zone of a wellbore utilizing a bottom hole assembly suspended within a casing from a service tool on a tubing string for producing fluid from the wellbore through said tubing string and said service tool, said method for packing the production zone and producing from the production zone being accomplished in a single trip of the tubing string within the borehole; said method comprising the steps of:lowering the tubing string within the borehole along with the service tool and bottom hole assembly; setting an upper packer assembly carried by said bottom hole assembly adjacent the production zone; providing a crossover assembly for said service tool including crossover ports movable to an open position to permit fluid flow from a bore of said service tool to the annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing, the crossover assembly movable to a closed position blocking alignment of said crossover ports to block fluid flow from the bore of said service tool to the annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing; dropping a diverter member down said tubing string for seating on a seat within the service tool for blocking fluid flow down service tool and diverting fluid flow in an open position of said crossover assembly from the bore of said service tool through said crossover ports to said annulus for packing of said production zone with a suitable gravel pack slurry; raising said service tool after packing of said production zone to a position adjacent the upper packer assembly; then reversing the flow of fluid in a reverse position to provide fluid flow down the annulus above the upper packer assembly between the service tool and the casing, and then up the service tool and tubing string with said diverter member being carried upwardly by the upward fluid flow in the service tool; lowering the service tool within the bottom hole assembly for connection to said bottom hole assembly in sealing relation in a producing position; and then producing from said production zone through said service tool and tubing string.
  • 26. The method as set forth in claim 25 including the steps of:providing a slidable sleeve for said crossover assembly having a crossover port therein alignable with a crossover port in a mandrel of said tool; mounting said sleeve for movement to a closed position when said service tool is not engaged with said bottom hole assembly; and providing a stop in said bottom hole assembly for engagement by said sleeve when said tool is lowered within said bottom hole assembly with said tool moving downwardly relative to said sleeve to said open position of said crossover ports.
  • 27. The method as set forth in claim 26 including the step of:providing an upper stop in said bottom hole assembly for engagement with said sleeve in a circulating position With said diverter member seated on said seat at a position above said upper packing assembly.
  • 28. The method as set forth in claim 26 including the step of:providing a lower stop in said bottom hole assembly for engagement with said sleeve in the reverse position with said diverter member seated on said seat at a position below said upper packing assembly.
  • 29. A method for packing a production zone of a wellbore utilizing a bottom hole assembly suspended within a casing from a service tool on a tubing string for producing fluid from the wellbore through said tubing string and said service tool, said method for packing the production zone and producing from the production zone being accomplished in a single trip of the tubing string within the borehole; said method comprising the steps of:lowering the tubing string within the borehole along with the service tool and bottom hole assembly; setting an upper packer assembly carried by said bottom hole assembly adjacent the production zone; providing a crossover assembly for said service tool including crossover ports movable to an open position to permit fluid flow from a bore of said service tool to the annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing, the crossover assembly movable to a closed position blocking alignment of said crossover ports to block fluid flow from the bore of said service tool to the annulus between the bottom hole assembly and the casing; dropping a diverter member down said tubing string for seating on a seat within the service tool for blocking fluid flow down service tool and diverting fluid flow in an open position of said crossover assembly from the bore of said service tool through said crossover ports to said annulus for packing of said production zone with a suitable gravel pack slurry; raising said service tool after packing of said production zone to a position adjacent the upper packer assembly; reversing the flow of fluid in a reverse position to provide fluid flow down the annulus above the upper packer assembly between the service tool and the casing, and then up the service tool and tubing string with said diverter member being carried upwardly by the upward fluid flow in the service tool; lowering the service tool within the bottom hole assembly for connection to said bottom hole assembly in sealing relation in a producing position; producing from said production zone through said service tool and tubing string; raising said service tool and tubing string from said reverse position to a predetermined location above said bottom hole assembly for a surface controlled subsurface safety valve; inserting said surface controlled subsurface safety valve within said tubing string at said predetermined location; and then lowering said service tool within said bottom hole assembly for connection to said bottom hole assembly in a producing position.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/079,445 filed Mar. 26, 1998.

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4540051 Schmuck et al. Sep 1985
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5373899 Dore et al. Dec 1994
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5598890 Richard et al. Feb 1997
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5931229 Lehr et al. Aug 1999
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/079445 Mar 1998 US