Patent Application
20160010420
1. Field of the Disclosure
This disclosure relates generally to isolation systems deployed in multi-zone production wellbores that include communication lines to facilitate communication with downhole equipment.
2. Background
Wellbores are drilled in subsurface formations for the production of hydrocarbons (oil and gas). Modern wells can extend to great well depths, often more than 15,000 ft. Hydrocarbons are trapped in various traps or zones in the subsurface formations at different depths. Such zones are referred to as reservoirs or hydrocarbon-bearing formations or production zones and further include lower completion tools to control the flow therein. In a multi-zone well bore, it is often desired to create a flow barrier between the production zones and the upper well completion while still facilitating communication with the lower completion tools, particularly prior to running the upper completion tools.
The disclosure herein provides an isolation assembly that includes at least one communication line, wherein flow paths may be isolated.
In one aspect, an isolation system is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment contains a lower wet connect portion; a central production tubing; an isolation device associated with the central production tubing, and at least one communication line, wherein the at least one communication line is associated with the lower wet connect portion and is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device.
In another aspect, a method for isolating a lower completion is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes conveying an isolation assembly to the lower completion, the isolation assembly including a lower wet connect portion, at least one communication line, a central production tubing, and an isolation device and routing the at least one communication line through an inside diameter of the isolation device.
In another aspect, a completion system is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment contains a lower completion system; and an isolation system associated with the lower completion system including: a lower wet connect portion; a central production tubing; an isolation device associated with the central production tubing; and at least one communication line, wherein the at least one communication line is associated with the lower wet connect portion and the lower completion system and is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device.
Examples of the more important features of certain embodiments and methods have been summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims.
For a detailed understanding of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description thereof, wherein like elements are generally given same numerals and wherein:
The lower completion string 106 includes an inner pipe or tubular 120 and an outer pipe 130. The lower completion system 106 includes a sand screen 132 in lower pipe 130 proximate to the zone Z1 and a sand screen 122 in lower pipe 120 inside and proximate to the sand screen 132. The inner pipe also includes a sand screen 124 in front of the perforation 118b in Zone Z2. The lower completion string 106 further includes packers 142 and 144 isolate the annulus 152 between the casing 110 and the outer pipe 130 above and below the perforations 118a in zone Z1, while packers 144 and 146 isolate the annulus 152 between the casing 110 and the outer pipe 130 above and below the perforation 118b in zone Z2. In addition, lower completion system 106 includes packer 148 to isolate the annulus 154 between the inner pipe 120 and the outer pipe 130 above the zone Z1. In this manner, fluid 150a from zone Z1 flows only into the inner pipe 120 through the perforations 118a, sand screens 132 and 122 and fluid 150b from zone Z2 enters only into the annulus 154 above the zone Z2. Thus, in the string 100, fluid 150a from zone Z1 will flow uphole via the inner pipe 120 while fluid 150b from Zone Z2 will flow uphole via the annulus 154 between the inner pipe 120 and the outer pipe 130.
Additionally, a communication line 107 may be utilized in lower completion assembly 106 to facilitate monitoring and control of the fluid flow 150a, 150b that may be present in the lower completion assembly 106.
In an exemplary embodiment, isolation system 160 is associated with lower completion system 106 to isolate and control fluid flows 150a and 150b. Isolation system 160 includes a wet connect 162, packer 164, a first flow control device 166, a second flow control device 168, and a communication line 172. Isolation system 160 may be located to associate with the upper end of lower completion 106 and interface with upper packer 146. In an exemplary embodiment, a communication line 172 from the isolation system 160 is associated with the communication line 107 of the lower completion assembly 106 to facilitate monitoring and control of the fluid flow and any equipment that may be downhole of the isolation assembly 160. A non-limiting embodiment of a communication line and isolation system for use as the isolation system 160 is described in reference to
In an exemplary embodiment, seal 270 interfaces with an upper packer 146 of a lower completion system 106. Seal 270 may be any type of seal, including, but not limited to an isolating seal 270. Particularly, isolation seal 270 seals the central production tubing 274 against the inside diameter of the upper packer 146. Accordingly, isolation seal 270 provides a leakproof seal between the packer 146 and the central production tubing 274. Further, isolation seal 270 may assist in properly locating lower completion 106. In an exemplary embodiment, isolation seal 270 may be pre-installed and run in with the rest of isolation system 260. In an alternative embodiment, isolation seal 270 may be conveyed separately from the rest of isolation system 260. Communication line 272 may be associated or otherwise connected to a communication line 107 present in lower completion 106. In an exemplary embodiment, communication line 272 is stabbed or otherwise conveyed through isolation seal 270. In an certain embodiments, communication line 272 is routed inside the central production tubing 274 above the isolation seal 270 to be routed beyond the isolation seal 270 to be associated with the communication line 107.
Flow from lower completion 106 may continue upward from packer 146 and isolation seal 270. Inner flow 150a is contained by inner flow path 276 of central production tubing 274. Similarly, outer flow 150b is contained by outer flow path 278 of central production tubing 274 and casing 110. Inner flow 150a flows upward to a first flow control device 266. Outer flow 150b flow upward in the annulus around inner flow 150a. In an exemplary embodiment, outer flow 150b may flow outside of the central production tubing 274 via a first flow crossover 280. Accordingly, the outer flow 150b may flow in the annulus between the casing 110 and the central production tubing 274. Similarly, communication line 272 may cross over from within the central production tubing 274 to be routed outside and along the central production tubing 274 at the first flow crossover 280. In an exemplary embodiment, communication line 272 remains disposed outside and along central production tubing 274 until communication line 272 interfaces with isolation device 264.
Inner flow 150a in inner flow path 276 of central production tubing 274 is controlled by a first flow valve 266. In an exemplary embodiment, first flow valve 266 is a tubular flow valve. The tubular flow valve may be any valve known in the art. First flow valve 266 interacts with flow 150a to allow, restrict, or arrest flow within inner flow path 276. After the fluid flow 150a interacts with the first flow valve 266 flow continues upward toward the lower portion of wet connect 262 wherein flow may be directed towards upper completion tools or other additional equipment.
A second flow valve 268 is used to isolate the outer flow 150b. In an exemplary embodiment, second flow valve 268 is an annular flow valve. The annular flow valve may be any valve known in the art. Before entering second flow valve 268, in certain embodiments, outer flow 150b may flow into a second flow crossover 282 to be within the outer flow 278 path of the central production tubing 274. After crossing over, the outer flow 150b may be controlled by second flow valve 268.
The isolation device 264 isolates flow 150b allowing second flow valve 268 to control flow 150b. Device 264 seals against the casing 110 to locate and isolate isolation system 260. Device 264 may be any isolating device, including but not limited to a packer. Communication line 272 is conveyed through device 264. In an exemplary embodiment, communication line 272 is run through the inside diameter of device 264. In certain embodiments, a feed through device 264 that has a specialized conduit for communication line 272 within the inner diameter of device 264 is used to route communication line 272 through device 264.
A third flow crossover 284 may be used to allow the outer flow 150b to flow in the annulus between the central production tubing 274 and the casing 110 beyond the device 264 to allow flow to upper completion tools. Similarly, communication line 272 may cross over from being routed along the central production tubing 274 to being run within the central production tubing 274.
The lower portion of wet connect 262 allows for isolation system 260 to be associated with upper completion tools and communications lines from the surface. The use of a wet connect system allows for communication connections to be made downhole and other harsh environments. The lower portion of wet connect 262 may receive an upper portion of a wet connect connection to locate the upper completion tools, and further facilitate fluid flow and communication between isolation system 260 and the upper completion tools. Communication line 272 may be connected to the lower extent of wet connect 262 to be routed along isolation assembly 260.
Therefore in one aspect, the present disclosure provides an isolation system including a lower wet connect portion; a central production tubing; and at least one communication line associated with the lower wet connect portion. In various embodiments, the system includes an isolation device associated with the central production tubing. Further, in certain embodiments the at least one communication line is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device. In certain embodiments, the at least one communication line is disposed through a conduit of the isolation device. In other embodiments, the at least one communication line is disposed outside the central production tubing below the isolation device. In various embodiments, the system further includes an isolation seal associated with the central production tubing. In certain embodiments, the at least one communication line is disposed through the isolation seal. Further, the at least one communication line may be disposed inside the central production tubing above the isolation seal.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for isolating a lower completion, the method including conveying an isolation assembly to the lower completion, the isolation assembly including a lower wet connect portion, at least one communication line, and a central production tubing. In various embodiments, the method includes an isolation device associated with the central production tubing. Further, in certain embodiments the at least one communication line is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device. In certain embodiments, the at least one communication line is disposed through a conduit of the isolation device. In other embodiments, the at least one communication line is disposed outside the central production tubing below the isolation device. In various embodiments, the method further includes an isolation seal associated with the central production tubing. In certain embodiments, the at least one communication line is disposed through the isolation seal. Further, the at least one communication line may be disposed inside the central production tubing above the isolation seal.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides completion system including a lower completion system, and an isolation system associated with the lower completion system including a lower wet connect portion; a central production tubing; and at least one communication line associated with the lower wet connect portion. In various embodiments, the system includes an isolation device associated with the central production tubing. Further, in certain embodiments the at least one communication line is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device. In certain embodiments, the at least one communication line is disposed through a conduit of the isolation device. In other embodiments, the at least one communication line is disposed outside the central production tubing below the isolation device.
