EP2800867B1 - Gravel pack bypass assembly - Google Patents
Gravel pack bypass assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2800867B1 EP2800867B1 EP13702109.3A EP13702109A EP2800867B1 EP 2800867 B1 EP2800867 B1 EP 2800867B1 EP 13702109 A EP13702109 A EP 13702109A EP 2800867 B1 EP2800867 B1 EP 2800867B1
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- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- port
- borehole
- disposed
- screen
- bypass
- Prior art date
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 125
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 claims description 74
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 37
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 claims description 30
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 claims 5
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims 4
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 29
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011236 particulate material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002250 progressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/04—Gravelling of wells
Definitions
- Horizontal wells that require sand control are typically open hole completions.
- stand-alone sand screens have been used predominately in these horizontal open holes.
- operators have also been using gravel packing in these horizontal open holes to deal with sand control issues.
- the gravel is a specially sized particulate material, such as graded sand or proppant, which is packed around the sand screen in the annulus of the borehole.
- the gravel acts as a filter to keep any fines and sand of the formation from migrating with produced fluids.
- a prior art gravel pack assembly 20 illustrated in Figure 1A extends from a packer 14 downhole from casing 12 in a borehole 10, which is a horizontal open hole.
- a packer 14 downhole from casing 12 in a borehole 10, which is a horizontal open hole.
- operators attempt to fill the annulus between the assembly 20 and the borehole 10 with gravel (particulate material) by pumping slurry of fluid and gravel into the borehole 10 to pack the annulus.
- For the horizontal open borehole 10 operators can use an alpha-beta wave (or water packing) technique to pack the annulus.
- This technique uses a low-viscosity fluid, such as completion brine, to carry the gravel.
- the assembly 20 in Figure 1A represents such an alpha-beta type.
- a wash pipe 40 into a screen 25 and pump the slurry of fluid and gravel down an inner work string 45.
- the slurry passes through a port 32 in a crossover tool 30 and into the annulus between the screen 25 and the borehole 10.
- the crossover tool 30 positions immediately downhole from the gravel pack packer 14 and uphole from the screen 25.
- the crossover port 32 diverts the flow of the slurry from the inner work string 45 to the annulus downhole from the packer 14.
- another crossover port 34 diverts the flow of returns from the wash pipe 40 to the casing's annulus uphole from the packer 14.
- the slurry moves out the crossover port 32 and into the annulus.
- the carrying fluid in the slurry then leaks off through the formation and/or through the screen 25.
- the screen 25 prevents the gravel in the slurry from flowing into the screen 25.
- the fluids passing alone through the screen 25 can then return through the crossover port 34 and into the annulus above the packer 14.
- the gravel drops out of the slurry and first packs along the low side of the borehole's annulus.
- the gravel collects in stages 16a, 16b, etc., which progress from the heel to the toe in what is termed an alpha wave. Because the borehole 10 is horizontal, gravitational forces dominate the formation of the alpha wave, and the gravel settles along the low side at an equilibrium height along the screen 25.
- the gravel pack operation When the alpha wave of the gravel pack operation is done, the gravel then begins to collect in stages (not shown) of a beta wave. This forms along the upper side of the screen 25 starting from the toe and progressing to the heel of the screen 25. Again, the fluid carrying the gravel can pass through the screen 25 and up the wash pipe 40. To complete the beta wave, the gravel pack operation must have enough fluid velocity to maintain turbulent flow and move the gravel along the topside of the annulus. To recirculate after this point, operators have to mechanically reconfigure the crossover tool 30 to be able to washdown the pipe 40.
- FIG. 1B shows an example assembly 20 having shunts 50 and 52 (only two of which are shown).
- the shunts 50/52 for transport and packing are attached eccentrically to the screen 25.
- the transport shunts 50 feed the packing shunts 52 with slurry, and the slurry exits from nozzles 54 on the packing shunts 52.
- the gravel packing operation can avoid areas of high leak off in the borehole 10 that would tend to cause bridges to form and impair the gravel packing.
- Prior art gravel pack assemblies 20 for both techniques of Figures 1A-1B have a number of challenges and difficulties.
- the crossover ports 32/34 may have to be re-configured several times.
- the slurry pumped at high pressure and flow rate can sometimes dehydrate within the assembly's crossover tool 30 and associated sliding sleeve (not shown). If severe, settled sand or dehydrated slurry can stick to service tools and can even junk the well.
- the crossover tool 30 is subject to erosion during frac and gravel pack operations, and the crossover tool 30 can stick in the packer 14, which can create extremely difficult fishing jobs.
- US 2003/089495 A1 discloses a sand screen comprising a base pipe with openings cut directly thereon.
- the size, shape, and configuration of the openings may be varied depending on the filtration, inflow, and strength characteristics desired by the operator.
- the openings may be cut directly on the base pipe by use of water jet, laser, or saw cutting techniques.
- US 3134439 A relates to gravel packing a liner in the borehole of a well and more particularly to a method and apparatus utilizing a single trip into a well for washing a liner into the borehole of the well to the desired depth and packing the gravel in the space surrounding the liner.
- US 2008/283252 A1 discloses a technique for treating a plurality of well zones with a service tool during a single trip downhole.
- the service tool is run downhole to a selected well zone that is isolated for treatment. Following treatment of the well zone, the service tool is moved to a subsequent well zone isolated for treatment.
- the active length of the service tool can be adjusted to correspond with the well zone length to optimize the well treatment operation.
- US 2009/095471 A1 discloses an apparatus having a first outer tubular member and a first inner tubular member having a first space therebetween.
- the first inner tubular member can have a first internal bore.
- the apparatus can further include a second outer tubular member and a second inner tubular member having a second space therebetween.
- the second inner tubular member can have a second internal bore.
- a first coupling flowpath can be positioned between the first and second spaces.
- a second coupling flowpath can be positioned between the first and second internal bores.
- a selectively closeable flowpath can be positioned between the first coupling flowpath and the second coupling flowpath.
- US 2009/025923 A1 discloses a technique that is usable with a well.
- the technique includes running a screen assembly and a service tool as a unit into a well and using the service tool in connection with a sand control operation.
- the use of the service tool in connection with the sand control operation includes operating at least one valve of the screen assembly.
- the technique includes withdrawing the service tool from the well after the sand control operation and running a completion into the well to operate the valve(s) of the screen after the withdrawal.
- the subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.
- An excess slurry disposal apparatus and method of a gravel pack operation disposes of excess slurry from an inner string into the annulus around a gravel pack assembly.
- the apparatus has a body with a body passage communicating from a heel to a toe, and part of the body towards the toe can have a shoe track with a float shoe.
- the body can be any part of the gravel pack assembly disposed at some point in the borehole and does not necessarily need to be disposed at the shoe track. Nevertheless, reference may be made to the body being at or part of a shoe track for convenience.
- a closure is disposed on the shoe track and can control or selectively open and close fluid communication through the flow ports.
- the closure can be a check valve, a sliding sleeve, a rotating sleeve, a rupture disk, a screen, etc.
- a sliding sleeve for example, the closure can be moved by a shifting tool on the inner string to open or close fluid communication through the flow ports. Movement of the sleeve can also open and close fluid communication through the bypass. Alternatively, the bypass can always remain open and allow for fluid flow therethrough.
- the screen prevents at least some particulates in the fluid returns from passing into the shoe track so the gravel will fill the borehole annulus around the shoe track.
- the fluid returns bypass uphole of the sealed outlet ports and flow ports by going uphole through the bypass around the flow ports. At this point, the fluid returns can pass uphole in the gravel pack assembly.
- the shoe track can have a float shoe at the track's toe.
- the inner string can be moved to a selective position in the shoe track to seal one of its seals on one of the shoe track's seats. This isolates the tool's outlet portions to the float shoe so washdown fluid can be pumped out of the shoe track and around the borehole annulus.
- the apparatus having the shoe track can include other components for gravel pack operations.
- parts of the apparatus uphole of the shoe track can have additional flow ports, seats, and screens.
- the inner string can be moved to selective positions in the apparatus to seal the string's outlet ports with these other flow ports, and the inner string can communicate slurry from the outlet ports to the borehole annulus.
- the flow of slurry at these other flow ports can be used to gravel or frac pack the borehole around different portions of the apparatus in a toe-to-heel gravel packing operation. Some of these different portions of the apparatus can also be isolated from one another with packers or the like.
- Figure 2 shows a gravel pack assembly 100 having a liner 170 extending from a liner hanger 14 and having several gravel pack sections 102A-C separated by isolating elements 104.
- the assembly 100 segments several compartmentalized reservoir zones so that multiple gravel or frac pack operations can be performed separately in each zone.
- the isolating elements 104 and gravel pack sections 102A-C are deployed into the well in a single trip.
- the isolating elements 104 referred to herein as packers for convenience, can have one packer or a combination of packers to isolate the gravel pack sections 102A-C from one another.
- Any suitable packers can be used and can include hydraulic or hydrostatic packers 106 and swellable packers 107, for example, used alone or in combination with one another as shown.
- Each gravel pack section 102A-C can be similar to the gravel pack assemblies disclosed in incorporated U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 12/913,981 .
- each gravel pack section 102A-C has two screens 140A-B, alternate path devices or shunts 150, and housings 130A-B with flow ports 132A-B, although any of the other disclosed variations can be used.
- each section 102A-C can have other components disclosed in incorporated U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 12/913,981 .
- the inner string 110 can again be moved so that the outlet ports 112 isolates to upper flow ports 132B connected to the shunts 150. Slurry pumped down the inner string 110 can then fill the annulus around the lower end of the first gravel pack section 102A. Operations can then proceed with similar steps being repeated up the hole for each of the gravel pack sections 102B-C separated by the packers 104.
- FIGS. 3A-3B portions of the assembly 100 are shown set up for a washdown operation.
- the service tool 18 sits on the liner hanger 14 in the casing 12, and seals 16 on the service tool 18 do not seal in the liner hanger 14 so hydrostatic pressure can be transmitted past the seals 16.
- the distal end of the inner string 110 fits through the screen sections 140A-B of the lower section 102A, and one of the string's seals 114 seals against a seat 124 near a float shoe 122 on the assembly's shoe track 120.
- a bypass 200A Downhole, a bypass 200A is disposed near the float shoe 122 and can allow circulated fluid to pass to the borehole annulus during this process.
- the bypass assembly 200A can be a check valve, a screen portion, a movable sleeve, or other suitable device that allows flow of returns and not gravel from the borehole annulus to enter the assembly 100.
- the bypass assembly 200A as a screen portion can have any desirable length along the shoe track 120 depending on the implementation.
- the bypass 200A (if a screen or the like) can allow the circulated fluid to flow out of the shoe track 120 and into the borehole annulus, as circulated fluid is also allowed to pass out of the float shoe 122. If the bypass 200A uses a check valve that allows fluid returns into the shoe track 120, fluid flow out of the bypass 200A can be restricted during washdown. If the bypass 200A uses a movable sleeve, fluid flow in and out of the bypass 200A can be restricted during washdown by having the sleeve closed, which can be done with a suitable shifter on the inner string 110, for example.
- gravel packing can then be performed by moving the inner string 110 to the flow ports 132A to gravel pack the borehole annulus from toe-to-heel. After gravel packing at this first position, the inner string 110 can then be moved to the next flow ports 132B to further gravel pack the annulus around the shoe track and/or to dispose of excess slurry from the inner string 110.
- operators can evacuate excess slurry from the inner string 110 during gravel packing operations.
- the exterior space outside the shoe track 120 provides a volumetric space for disposing of any excess gravel remaining in the inner string 110 after gravel packing one or more sections 102A-B. Operators may also intentionally gravel pack around the shoe track 120 as opposed to using it for disposing of excess slurry.
- the shoe track 120 has the float shoe 122 that allows fluid flow out of the shoe track 120 and prevents flow into the shoe track 120, a path for return fluids is needed when slurry is pumped into the borehole annulus around the shoe track 120 to dispose of the excess slurry from the inner string 110.
- Figures 4A-4B show portions of the assembly 100 set up for sand disposal.
- operators deploy the inner string 110 to the second flow ports 132B on the gravel pack section 102A having the shoe track 120. This can be done after operators have reached sandout while pumping slurry at the section's first flow ports 132A in the first ported housing 130A or after gravel packing has been performed on other gravel pack sections (e.g., sections 102B-C on the assembly 100 of Figure 2 ). In any event, operators perform a sand disposal operation to clear the inner string 110 of excess slurry or to intentionally gravel pack around the shoe track 120.
- this second stage of pumping slurry may be used to further gravel pack the borehole 10.
- pumping the slurry through the shunts 150 enables operators to evacuate excess slurry from the string 110 to the borehole annulus around the shoe track 120 without reversing flow in the string from the main flow direction (i.e., toward the string's ports 112). This is in contrast to the typical practice of reversing the direction of flow by pumping fluid down an annulus to evacuate excess slurry from a string.
- the shunts 150 attached to the ported housing 130B above the lower screen section 140A can be used to dispose of excess gravel from the inner string 110 around the shoe track 120 (and optionally inside the shoe track 120 itself).
- the slurry travels from the outlet ports 112, through flow ports 132B, and through the shunts 150. From the shunts 150, the slurry then passes out side ports or nozzles 154 in the shunts 150 and fills the annulus around shoe track 120. This provides the gravel packing operation with an alternate path different from the assembly's primary path of toe-to-heel packing of the annulus with gravel.
- the shunts 150 carry the slurry down the lower screen section 140A so a wash pipe does not need to be disposed in the shoe track 120.
- the bypass assembly 200A disposed in the assembly 100 near the float shoe 122 allows fluid during this process to enter the assembly 100.
- the bypass assembly 200A can be a check valve, a screen portion, a sleeve, or other suitable device that allows the flow of fluid returns and not gravel from the borehole to enter the assembly 100.
- the bypass assembly 200A can have any desirable length along the shoe track 120 depending on the implementation so that the depicted size of the bypass assembly 200A is merely meant to be a representation.
- operations may reach a "sand out" condition or a pressure increase while pumping slurry at the flow ports 132B.
- a valve, rupture disc, or other closure device 156 in the shunts 150 can open so the gravel in the slurry can then fill inside the shoe track 120 after evacuating excess gravel around the shoe track 120. In this way, operators can evacuate more excess gravel inside the shoe track 120. As this occurs, fluid returns can pass out the lower screen section 140A, through the packed gravel, and back through upper screen section 140B to travel uphole.
- the lower ported housing 130A or other portions of the gravel pack assembly 100 can have a bypass, another shunt, or the like, which can be used to deliver fluid returns past the seals 114 and seats 134 and uphole. Details of other bypass assemblies according to the present disclosure are discussed later.
- FIG. 5 shows another gravel pack assembly 100 having a liner 170 extending from a liner hanger 14 and having several gravel pack sections 102A-C separated by packers 104 disposed in a borehole 10.
- this gravel pack assembly 100 can be similar to that discussed previously and to those disclosed in incorporated U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 12/913,981 .
- the bypass assembly 200B has flow ports 210, a screen 220, and a bypass channel 230.
- the flow ports 210 communicate with the borehole annulus.
- internal seats 214 are disposed uphole and downhole of the flow ports 210 for engaging seals of the inner string as discussed below.
- a reverse arrangement could also be used in which internal seals disposed uphole and downhole of the flow ports 210 can engages seats of the inner string.
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- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)
- Underground Or Underwater Handling Of Building Materials (AREA)
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Description
- This is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. Appl. No. 12/913,981, filed 28-OCT-2010 - This application is filed concurrently with U.S. Pat. Appl. No. _/_ and entitled "One Trip Toe-to-Heel Gravel Pack and Liner Cementing Assembly" (205-0260US), U.S. Pat. Appl. No. _/_ and entitled "Gravel Pack Inner String Adjustment Device" (205-0261US), and U.S. Pat. Appl. No. _/_ and entitled "Gravel Pack Inner String Hydraulic Locating Device" (205-0263US), which are also incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
- Some oil and gas wells are completed in unconsolidated formations that contain loose fines and sand. When fluids are produced from these wells, the loose fines and sand can migrate with the produced fluids and can damage equipment, such electric submersible pumps (ESP) and other systems. For this reason, completions can require screens for sand control.
- Horizontal wells that require sand control are typically open hole completions. In the past, stand-alone sand screens have been used predominately in these horizontal open holes. However, operators have also been using gravel packing in these horizontal open holes to deal with sand control issues. The gravel is a specially sized particulate material, such as graded sand or proppant, which is packed around the sand screen in the annulus of the borehole. The gravel acts as a filter to keep any fines and sand of the formation from migrating with produced fluids.
- A prior art
gravel pack assembly 20 illustrated inFigure 1A extends from apacker 14 downhole fromcasing 12 in aborehole 10, which is a horizontal open hole. To control sand, operators attempt to fill the annulus between theassembly 20 and theborehole 10 with gravel (particulate material) by pumping slurry of fluid and gravel into theborehole 10 to pack the annulus. For the horizontalopen borehole 10, operators can use an alpha-beta wave (or water packing) technique to pack the annulus. This technique uses a low-viscosity fluid, such as completion brine, to carry the gravel. Theassembly 20 inFigure 1A represents such an alpha-beta type. - Initially, operators position a
wash pipe 40 into ascreen 25 and pump the slurry of fluid and gravel down aninner work string 45. The slurry passes through aport 32 in acrossover tool 30 and into the annulus between thescreen 25 and theborehole 10. As shown, thecrossover tool 30 positions immediately downhole from thegravel pack packer 14 and uphole from thescreen 25. Thecrossover port 32 diverts the flow of the slurry from theinner work string 45 to the annulus downhole from thepacker 14. At the same time, anothercrossover port 34 diverts the flow of returns from thewash pipe 40 to the casing's annulus uphole from thepacker 14. - As the operation commences, the slurry moves out the
crossover port 32 and into the annulus. The carrying fluid in the slurry then leaks off through the formation and/or through thescreen 25. However, thescreen 25 prevents the gravel in the slurry from flowing into thescreen 25. The fluids passing alone through thescreen 25 can then return through thecrossover port 34 and into the annulus above thepacker 14. - As the fluid leaks off, the gravel drops out of the slurry and first packs along the low side of the borehole's annulus. The gravel collects in
stages borehole 10 is horizontal, gravitational forces dominate the formation of the alpha wave, and the gravel settles along the low side at an equilibrium height along thescreen 25. - When the alpha wave of the gravel pack operation is done, the gravel then begins to collect in stages (not shown) of a beta wave. This forms along the upper side of the
screen 25 starting from the toe and progressing to the heel of thescreen 25. Again, the fluid carrying the gravel can pass through thescreen 25 and up thewash pipe 40. To complete the beta wave, the gravel pack operation must have enough fluid velocity to maintain turbulent flow and move the gravel along the topside of the annulus. To recirculate after this point, operators have to mechanically reconfigure thecrossover tool 30 to be able to washdown thepipe 40. - Although the alpha-beta technique can be economical due to the low-viscosity carrier fluid and regular types of screens that can be used, some situations may require a viscous fluid packing technique that uses an alternate path. In this technique, shunts disposed on the screen divert pumped packing slurry along the outside of the screen.
Figure 1B shows anexample assembly 20 havingshunts 50 and 52 (only two of which are shown). Typically, theshunts 50/52 for transport and packing are attached eccentrically to thescreen 25. The transport shunts 50 feed thepacking shunts 52 with slurry, and the slurry exits fromnozzles 54 on thepacking shunts 52. By using theshunts 50/52 to transport and pack the slurry, the gravel packing operation can avoid areas of high leak off in theborehole 10 that would tend to cause bridges to form and impair the gravel packing. - Prior art gravel pack assemblies 20 for both techniques of
Figures 1A-1B have a number of challenges and difficulties. During a gravel pack operation in a horizontal well, for example, thecrossover ports 32/34 may have to be re-configured several times. During a frac pack operation, the slurry pumped at high pressure and flow rate can sometimes dehydrate within the assembly'scrossover tool 30 and associated sliding sleeve (not shown). If severe, settled sand or dehydrated slurry can stick to service tools and can even junk the well. Additionally, thecrossover tool 30 is subject to erosion during frac and gravel pack operations, and thecrossover tool 30 can stick in thepacker 14, which can create extremely difficult fishing jobs. - To deal with gravel packing in some openhole wells, a Reverse- Port Uphill Openhole Gravel Pack system has been developed as described in SPE 122765, entitled "World's First Reverse-Port Uphill Openhole Gravel Pack with Swellable Packers" (Jensen et al. 1009). This system allows an uphill openhole to be gravel packed using a port disposed toward the toe of the hole.
-
US 2010/294495A1 discloses an open hole completion apparatus including an outer tubing string disposed in an open hole portion of a wellbore. The outer tubing string includes a sand control screen and a shrouded closing sleeve. An inner tubing string is at least partially disposed within the outer tubing string. The inner tubing string includes a crossover assembly. -
US 2003/089495 A1 discloses a sand screen comprising a base pipe with openings cut directly thereon. The size, shape, and configuration of the openings may be varied depending on the filtration, inflow, and strength characteristics desired by the operator. The openings may be cut directly on the base pipe by use of water jet, laser, or saw cutting techniques. -
US 3134439 A relates to gravel packing a liner in the borehole of a well and more particularly to a method and apparatus utilizing a single trip into a well for washing a liner into the borehole of the well to the desired depth and packing the gravel in the space surrounding the liner. -
US 2008/283252 A1 discloses a technique for treating a plurality of well zones with a service tool during a single trip downhole. The service tool is run downhole to a selected well zone that is isolated for treatment. Following treatment of the well zone, the service tool is moved to a subsequent well zone isolated for treatment. When the lengths of the well zones to be treated are dissimilar, the active length of the service tool can be adjusted to correspond with the well zone length to optimize the well treatment operation. -
US 2009/095471 A1 discloses an apparatus having a first outer tubular member and a first inner tubular member having a first space therebetween. The first inner tubular member can have a first internal bore. The apparatus can further include a second outer tubular member and a second inner tubular member having a second space therebetween. The second inner tubular member can have a second internal bore. A first coupling flowpath can be positioned between the first and second spaces. A second coupling flowpath can be positioned between the first and second internal bores. A selectively closeable flowpath can be positioned between the first coupling flowpath and the second coupling flowpath. -
US 2009/025923 A1 discloses a technique that is usable with a well. The technique includes running a screen assembly and a service tool as a unit into a well and using the service tool in connection with a sand control operation. The use of the service tool in connection with the sand control operation includes operating at least one valve of the screen assembly. The technique includes withdrawing the service tool from the well after the sand control operation and running a completion into the well to operate the valve(s) of the screen after the withdrawal. - The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.
- An excess slurry disposal apparatus and method of a gravel pack operation disposes of excess slurry from an inner string into the annulus around a gravel pack assembly. In general, the apparatus has a body with a body passage communicating from a heel to a toe, and part of the body towards the toe can have a shoe track with a float shoe. The body, however, can be any part of the gravel pack assembly disposed at some point in the borehole and does not necessarily need to be disposed at the shoe track. Nevertheless, reference may be made to the body being at or part of a shoe track for convenience.
- The shoe track (i.e., body) defines flow ports communicating the body passage outside the shoe track to the surrounding borehole annulus.
- First seats disposed inside the shoe track's passage allow seals on the inner string to seal the string's outlet ports in fluid communication with the track's flow ports. A bypass disposed on the shoe track communicates the body passage on one side of the flow ports to the other side. For example, this bypass can be an internal conduit or passage communicating the downhole end of the shoe track's inner passage with the uphole end. Alternatively, the bypass can be an external conduit, such as a shunt tube, disposed outside the shoe track and extending from the one side of the flow ports to the other.
- A closure is disposed on the shoe track and can control or selectively open and close fluid communication through the flow ports. In general, the closure can be a check valve, a sliding sleeve, a rotating sleeve, a rupture disk, a screen, etc. As a sliding sleeve, for example, the closure can be moved by a shifting tool on the inner string to open or close fluid communication through the flow ports. Movement of the sleeve can also open and close fluid communication through the bypass. Alternatively, the bypass can always remain open and allow for fluid flow therethrough.
- When the closure is open and the string's outlet ports are sealed in fluid communication with the shoe track's flow ports, excess slurry in the inner string can be pumped into the borehole annulus around the shoe track by flowing the excess slurry from the string's outlet ports and into the borehole annulus through the track's flow ports. As this occurs, excess gravel collects around the shoe track, and fluid returns in the borehole annulus flow back into the shoe track through a screen disposed on the shoe track between the flow ports and the toe.
- As the fluid returns pass through it, the screen prevents at least some particulates in the fluid returns from passing into the shoe track so the gravel will fill the borehole annulus around the shoe track. Once inside the shoe track, the fluid returns bypass uphole of the sealed outlet ports and flow ports by going uphole through the bypass around the flow ports. At this point, the fluid returns can pass uphole in the gravel pack assembly.
- The shoe track can have a float shoe at the track's toe. For a washdown operation, the inner string can be moved to a selective position in the shoe track to seal one of its seals on one of the shoe track's seats. This isolates the tool's outlet portions to the float shoe so washdown fluid can be pumped out of the shoe track and around the borehole annulus.
- The apparatus having the shoe track can include other components for gravel pack operations. For example, parts of the apparatus uphole of the shoe track can have additional flow ports, seats, and screens. The inner string can be moved to selective positions in the apparatus to seal the string's outlet ports with these other flow ports, and the inner string can communicate slurry from the outlet ports to the borehole annulus. The flow of slurry at these other flow ports can be used to gravel or frac pack the borehole around different portions of the apparatus in a toe-to-heel gravel packing operation. Some of these different portions of the apparatus can also be isolated from one another with packers or the like.
- The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure.
-
-
Figs. 1A-1B illustrate gravel pack assemblies according to the prior art. -
Fig. 2 shows a gravel pack assembly according to the present disclosure having screen sections separated by packers. -
Figs. 3A-3B show portions of the gravel pack assembly inFig. 2 during a washdown operation. -
Figs. 4A-4B show portions of the gravel pack assembly inFig. 2 during filling of the annulus around the shoe track. -
Fig. 5 shows another gravel pack assembly according to the present disclosure having screen sections separated by packers and having a bypass assembly disposed on the shoe track. -
Fig. 6A shows portions of the gravel pack assembly inFig. 5 during a washdown operation. -
Fig. 6B shows a representative end-section of the bypass assembly ofFig. 5 with a sliding sleeve, bypass channels, and flow ports. -
Figs. 6C-1 and 6C-2 show a representative cross-section of the bypass assembly ofFig. 5 with the sliding sleeve able to open and close both the bypass channels and flow ports. -
Fig. 7 shows portions of the gravel pack assembly inFig. 5 during a sand disposal operation. -
Figs. 8A-8B show portions of the gravel pack assembly inFig. 5 having alternative bypass channels. -
Figs. 9A-9B show portions of the gravel pack assembly inFig. 5 having bypass channels in the form of exterior conduits. -
Figs. 10A-10C show how the disclosed bypass assembly can be incorporated into one of the gravel pack sections of an assembly. -
Fig. 11 shows another gravel pack assembly having a bypass assembly according to the present disclosure. -
Figure 2 shows agravel pack assembly 100 having aliner 170 extending from aliner hanger 14 and having severalgravel pack sections 102A-C separated by isolatingelements 104. Theassembly 100 segments several compartmentalized reservoir zones so that multiple gravel or frac pack operations can be performed separately in each zone. The isolatingelements 104 andgravel pack sections 102A-C are deployed into the well in a single trip. The isolatingelements 104, referred to herein as packers for convenience, can have one packer or a combination of packers to isolate thegravel pack sections 102A-C from one another. Any suitable packers can be used and can include hydraulic orhydrostatic packers 106 andswellable packers 107, for example, used alone or in combination with one another as shown. - Each
gravel pack section 102A-C can be similar to the gravel pack assemblies disclosed in incorporatedU.S. Pat. Appl. No. 12/913,981 . As such, eachgravel pack section 102A-C has twoscreens 140A-B, alternate path devices or shunts 150, andhousings 130A-B withflow ports 132A-B, although any of the other disclosed variations can be used. In addition, eachsection 102A-C can have other components disclosed in incorporatedU.S. Pat. Appl. No. 12/913,981 . - Turning briefly to gravel pack operations of the
assembly 100, aninner string 110 initially deploys in the firstgravel pack section 102A and performs a washdown. After washdown and setting of thepackers 104, theassembly 100 can commence with gravel or frac pack operations. The string'soutlet ports 112 with itsseals 114 isolate in fluid communication with thelower flow ports 132A in the firstgravel pack section 102A to gravel or frac pack the surrounding zone in a toe-to-heel configuration. - Once packing is completed at these
ports 132A, theinner string 110 can again be moved so that theoutlet ports 112 isolates toupper flow ports 132B connected to theshunts 150. Slurry pumped down theinner string 110 can then fill the annulus around the lower end of the firstgravel pack section 102A. Operations can then proceed with similar steps being repeated up the hole for each of thegravel pack sections 102B-C separated by thepackers 104. - As noted above, operators initially perform a washdown operation with the
assembly 100 before gravel packing. As shown inFigures 3A-3B , portions of theassembly 100 are shown set up for a washdown operation. Uphole inFigure 3A , theservice tool 18 sits on theliner hanger 14 in thecasing 12, and seals 16 on theservice tool 18 do not seal in theliner hanger 14 so hydrostatic pressure can be transmitted past theseals 16. Downhole inFigure 3B , the distal end of theinner string 110 fits through thescreen sections 140A-B of thelower section 102A, and one of the string'sseals 114 seals against aseat 124 near afloat shoe 122 on the assembly'sshoe track 120. - Operators circulate fluid down the
inner string 110, and the circulated fluid flows out the check valve in thefloat shoe 122, up the annulus, and around the unset packer of the liner hanger 14 (Fig. 3A ). Fluid returns can also flow in theassembly 100 through thescreens 140A-B and flow uphole past theliner hanger 14. - Downhole, a
bypass 200A is disposed near thefloat shoe 122 and can allow circulated fluid to pass to the borehole annulus during this process. Thebypass assembly 200A can be a check valve, a screen portion, a movable sleeve, or other suitable device that allows flow of returns and not gravel from the borehole annulus to enter theassembly 100. In fact, thebypass assembly 200A as a screen portion can have any desirable length along theshoe track 120 depending on the implementation. - During the washdown, the
bypass 200A (if a screen or the like) can allow the circulated fluid to flow out of theshoe track 120 and into the borehole annulus, as circulated fluid is also allowed to pass out of thefloat shoe 122. If thebypass 200A uses a check valve that allows fluid returns into theshoe track 120, fluid flow out of thebypass 200A can be restricted during washdown. If thebypass 200A uses a movable sleeve, fluid flow in and out of thebypass 200A can be restricted during washdown by having the sleeve closed, which can be done with a suitable shifter on theinner string 110, for example. - After washdown, gravel packing can then be performed by moving the
inner string 110 to theflow ports 132A to gravel pack the borehole annulus from toe-to-heel. After gravel packing at this first position, theinner string 110 can then be moved to thenext flow ports 132B to further gravel pack the annulus around the shoe track and/or to dispose of excess slurry from theinner string 110. - As discussed in the incorporated
U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 12/913,981 , for example, operators can evacuate excess slurry from theinner string 110 during gravel packing operations. The exterior space outside theshoe track 120 provides a volumetric space for disposing of any excess gravel remaining in theinner string 110 after gravel packing one ormore sections 102A-B. Operators may also intentionally gravel pack around theshoe track 120 as opposed to using it for disposing of excess slurry. - Because the
shoe track 120 has thefloat shoe 122 that allows fluid flow out of theshoe track 120 and prevents flow into theshoe track 120, a path for return fluids is needed when slurry is pumped into the borehole annulus around theshoe track 120 to dispose of the excess slurry from theinner string 110. To illustrate how slurry can be disposed around theshoe track 120, reference is made toFigures 4A-4B , which show portions of theassembly 100 set up for sand disposal. - As shown during sand disposal, operators deploy the
inner string 110 to thesecond flow ports 132B on thegravel pack section 102A having theshoe track 120. This can be done after operators have reached sandout while pumping slurry at the section'sfirst flow ports 132A in the firstported housing 130A or after gravel packing has been performed on other gravel pack sections (e.g.,sections 102B-C on theassembly 100 ofFigure 2 ). In any event, operators perform a sand disposal operation to clear theinner string 110 of excess slurry or to intentionally gravel pack around theshoe track 120. - To do this, operators position the
inner string 110 as shown inFigures 4A-4B . Here, the string'sseals 114 engage theseats 134 around thesecond flow ports 132B between thescreen sections 140A-B. Operators then pump slurry down theinner string 110 to theoutlet ports 112, and the slurry flows from theoutlet ports 112 and through the housing'sflow ports 132B. - In general, the slurry can flow directly out of the
flow ports 132B and into the surrounding annulus if desired. This is possible if one or more of theflow ports 132B communicate directly with the annulus and do not communicate with one of the alternate path devices orshunt 150. All the same, the slurry can flow out of theflow ports 132B and into the alternate path devices or shunts 150 for placement elsewhere in the surrounding annulus. As shown here, theshunts 150 can deliver the slurry toward the toe around theshoe track 120. Althoughshunts 150 are depicted in a certain way, any desirable arrangement and number of transport and packing devices for an alternate path can be used to feed and deliver the slurry. - Depending on the implementation, this second stage of pumping slurry may be used to further gravel pack the
borehole 10. Alternatively as noted previously, pumping the slurry through theshunts 150 enables operators to evacuate excess slurry from thestring 110 to the borehole annulus around theshoe track 120 without reversing flow in the string from the main flow direction (i.e., toward the string's ports 112). This is in contrast to the typical practice of reversing the direction of flow by pumping fluid down an annulus to evacuate excess slurry from a string. - To that end, the
shunts 150 attached to the portedhousing 130B above thelower screen section 140A can be used to dispose of excess gravel from theinner string 110 around the shoe track 120 (and optionally inside theshoe track 120 itself). As shown inFigure 4B , the slurry travels from theoutlet ports 112, throughflow ports 132B, and through theshunts 150. From theshunts 150, the slurry then passes out side ports ornozzles 154 in theshunts 150 and fills the annulus aroundshoe track 120. This provides the gravel packing operation with an alternate path different from the assembly's primary path of toe-to-heel packing of the annulus with gravel. - The
shunts 150 carry the slurry down thelower screen section 140A so a wash pipe does not need to be disposed in theshoe track 120. However, thebypass assembly 200A disposed in theassembly 100 near thefloat shoe 122 allows fluid during this process to enter theassembly 100. - As noted previously, the
bypass assembly 200A can be a check valve, a screen portion, a sleeve, or other suitable device that allows the flow of fluid returns and not gravel from the borehole to enter theassembly 100. As a screen, thebypass assembly 200A can have any desirable length along theshoe track 120 depending on the implementation so that the depicted size of thebypass assembly 200A is merely meant to be a representation. - Fluid returns enter the
shoe track 120 through thisbypass assembly 200A, and the returns flow out thefirst screen section 140A, through surrounding gravel, and back in theupper screen section 140B. This allows the fluid returns to go around the sealedports inner string 110 andassembly 100, eventually reaching theliner hanger 14 andunset service tool 18. - At some point, operations may reach a "sand out" condition or a pressure increase while pumping slurry at the
flow ports 132B. At this point, a valve, rupture disc, orother closure device 156 in theshunts 150 can open so the gravel in the slurry can then fill inside theshoe track 120 after evacuating excess gravel around theshoe track 120. In this way, operators can evacuate more excess gravel inside theshoe track 120. As this occurs, fluid returns can pass out thelower screen section 140A, through the packed gravel, and back throughupper screen section 140B to travel uphole. - In other arrangements of a bypass assembly, the lower ported
housing 130A or other portions of thegravel pack assembly 100 can have a bypass, another shunt, or the like, which can be used to deliver fluid returns past theseals 114 andseats 134 and uphole. Details of other bypass assemblies according to the present disclosure are discussed later. -
Figure 5 shows anothergravel pack assembly 100 having aliner 170 extending from aliner hanger 14 and having severalgravel pack sections 102A-C separated bypackers 104 disposed in aborehole 10. As before, thisgravel pack assembly 100 can be similar to that discussed previously and to those disclosed in incorporatedU.S. Pat. Appl. No. 12/913,981 . - The
assembly 100 has another embodiment of ashoe track 120 having abypass assembly 200B at the end of thegravel pack assembly 100. As shown, thebypass assembly 200B andshoe track 120 can be a separate section on thegravel pack assembly 100, being separated from thegravel pack sections 102A-B by one ormore packers 104. Alternatively, thebypass assembly 200B can be incorporated into thegravel pack section 102A at the end of theassembly 100 without being separate from thesection 102A in a way similar to the other bypass arrangement ofFigures 3A-3B and4A-4B . - After gravel packing other
gravel pack sections 102A-B, operators preferably evacuate excess slurry from theinner string 110 as noted previously and use the exterior space outside theshoe track 120 for disposing of any gravel remaining in theinner string 110. Accordingly, theinner string 110 deploys to theshoe track 120, and excess slurry is pumped down and out of theinner string 110 and into the borehole annulus around theshoe track 120 as discussed previously. Meanwhile, thebypass assembly 200B allows fluid returns to enter alower screen 220 and bypass the inner string'sports 112 so the fluid returns can go uphole to the surface. - Further details of the
shoe track 120 andbypass assembly 200B are shown inFigures 6A through 7 . Looking first atFigure 6A , thebypass assembly 200B hasflow ports 210, ascreen 220, and abypass channel 230. Theflow ports 210 communicate with the borehole annulus. To control fluid flow through theseflow ports 210,internal seats 214 are disposed uphole and downhole of theflow ports 210 for engaging seals of the inner string as discussed below. A reverse arrangement could also be used in which internal seals disposed uphole and downhole of theflow ports 210 can engages seats of the inner string. - As a further option to control flow through the
flow ports 210, thebypass assembly 200B also has aclosure 240 as shown. Theclosure 240 can selectively open and close fluid communication through theflow ports 210. When closed, for example, theclosure 240 prevents fluid returns, annulus fluids, gravel, and the like from passing back into theshoe track 120 during washdown, production, or other operations. When opened, however, theclosure 240 allows slurry to pass out of theflow ports 210 so gravel can pack around theshoe track 120 in the borehole annulus. Although shown inFigure 6A , use of theclosure 240 may not be necessary in all implementations. In other words, controlling fluid communication can be achieved merely by the positioning the seals on the inner string within thebypass assembly 200B (or by the positioning ports on the inner string relative to seals on thebypass assembly 200B). - Various forms of
closure 240 could be used to control or selectively open and close fluid communication through theflow ports 210. For example, theclosure 240 can include a sliding sleeve, a rotating sleeve, a screen, a check valve allowing flow out but not into theshoe track 120, a rupture disk, or other device for selectively permitting/restricting fluid communication through theflow ports 210. These can be used alone or in combination with one another. As specifically shown inFigure 6A , theclosure 240 is a sliding sleeve that can be shifted opened and closed relative to theflow ports 210. Shifting of the slidingsleeve 240 can be achieved using ashifting tool 116 known in the art. - The
bypass channels 230 in this arrangement are internal channels or passages that are defined in thebypass assembly 200B and bypass theseats 214 and theflow ports 210. Although shown intersecting, theflow ports 210 andbypass channels 230 are actually offset from one another around the circumference of theshoe track 120 so that they do not intersect with one another. For example,Fig. 6B shows a representative end-section of thebypass assembly 200B with thebypass channels 230 andoutlet ports 210 offset around the circumference of thebypass assembly 200B. Other configurations could be used. - As noted above, the sliding
sleeve 240 can move inside theassembly 200B to open or close theflow ports 210. As such, thebypass channels 230 may always remain open, while theflow ports 210 can be opened and closed. As an alternative, movement of the slidingsleeve 240 can also open and close fluid communication through thebypass channels 230. For example,Figures 6C-1 and 6C-2 shows representative cross-sections of thebypass assembly 200B with the slidingsleeve 240 movable in theassembly 200B. - When the
sleeve 240 as shown inFigure 6C-1 is moved to close theflow ports 210, a portion of thesleeve 240 closes off thechannels 230 in theassembly 200B. In this example, thechannels 230 can run longitudinally through theassembly 200B and can have a portion that runs circumferentially. A valve, stem, orother member 241 of thesleeve 240 can close off fluid communication through the circumferential portion of thechannel 230. By contrast, when thesleeve 240 as shown inFigure 6C-2 is moved to open theoutput ports 210, thevalve 241 of thesleeve 240 opens fluid communication of thechannels 230 in theassembly 200B. -
Figures 6C-1 and 6C-2 are merely representative of one way to open and close fluid communication for both theflow ports 210 and thechannels 230 with the movement of thesleeve 240. With the benefit of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various sub assemblies, seals, and the like would be needed to construct the representations and will also appreciate that other arrangements could be used to open and close theflow ports 210 andchannels 230 with a sliding sleeve orother closure 240 according to the present disclosure. - For its part, the
screen 220 inFigure 6A can be any suitable screen for use downhole and can be a wire-wrapped screen, a slotted liner, a mesh screen, etc. Moreover, thescreen 220 can have any desirable length along theshoe track 120 depending on the implementation. Together, thescreen 220 andbypass channels 230 allow fluid returns during the sand disposal operation described below to return up the annulus between theinner string 110 and theshoe track 120. - Turning with more specificity now to
Figure 6A , theassembly 100 with theshoe track 120 andbypass assembly 200B is shown set up for an initial washdown operation. Theinner string 110 deploys in theshoe track 120, and one of theseals 114 on the end of theinner string 110 seals inside theshoe track 120 against thedownhole seat 214. Operators pump washdown fluid through theinner string 110, and the circulated fluid passes thecheck valve 126 in thefloat shoe 122 and passes out the shoe'sports 124. - As the circulated fluid flows out the
float shoe 122, the fluid then passes up the annulus and around the unset packer of theliner hanger 14 uphole on theassembly 100. The circulated fluid may also flow out of the bypass assembly'sscreen 220, which may not be an issue during the washdown procedure. Theclosed sleeve 240 on theshoe track 120, however, closes off theflow ports 210 on theshoe track 120. Additionally, theclosed sleeve 240 can close off communication through thebypass channel 230 if arranged to do so. - Turning now to
Figure 7 , theassembly 100 with theshoe track 120 andbypass assembly 200B is shown set up for a sand disposal operation. As discussed before, operators preferably evacuate excess slurry from theinner string 110 after gravel packing one or more sections (102) and can use the exterior space outside theshoe track 120 for disposing of any slurry remaining in theinner string 110. - As shown in
Figure 7 , the inner string'sseals 114 locate and seal on theseats 214 uphole of thebypass screen 220 in the sand disposal position. Theseals 114 can use elastomeric or other types of seals disposed on theinner string 110, and theseats 214 can be polished seats or surfaces inside theshoe track 120 to engage theseals 114. Slurry is pumped through theinner string 110, and the pumped slurry exits from thestring 110 and passes through theports float shoe 120. (Ashunt 150 or the like could be used to direct the slurry if desired.) - As the slurry fills the annulus, fluid returns then flow through the
screen 220, which prevents the gravel from entering thegravel pack assembly 100. The returns then flow up theshoe track 120 to thebypass channels 230. Here, thebypass channels 230 allow the fluid returns to flow up from theshoe track 120 and past theclosure 240, theseats 214, and theflow ports 210. This allows the fluid returns to go around the engagedseals 114 andseats 214, circumventing the flow out theinner string 210. As noted previously, thebypass channels 230 can always be opened, or they can be opened and closed by movement of thesleeve 240. In other words, shifting of the slidingsleeve 240 can open and close fluid communication through thebypass channel 230 as well as theflow ports 210. - Leaving the
bypass channels 230 uphole of theseats 214 and seals 114, the fluid returns exit into the annulus between theinner string 110 and theliner 170. Eventually, the fluid returns pass out of theliner 170 to thecasing 12. In this way, the fluid returns can be delivered all the way uphole in theassembly 100 without needing to enter theinner string 110. - To prevent any potential sand from entering the
bypass channels 230, the channels' entrances can be protected with sand screens (not shown). As is known, sand capable of collecting above theinner string 110 could cause thestring 110 to stick. Therefore, addition of a screen at the entrance of thebypass channels 230 could further prevent sand from flowing up into the space above theclosing sleeve 240. - As shown in
Figure 7 , thebypass channels 230 can be one or more channels defined in the housing of theassembly 200B bypassing theseats 214,ports 210, and the slidingsleeve 240. For its part, thesleeve 240 can be accessed by tool movement and anappropriate shifter 116 on theinner string 110 to move it relative to theoutlet ports 210 between opened and closed positions. (Theshifter 116 may be positioned elsewhere on thestring 110 other than its position diagrammed in the Figures, and theshifter 116 may be able to open and close thesleeve 240 in opposing directions using features well known in the art.) - The
bypass assembly 200B can uses a number of different types of bypass channels. As shown inFigures 8A-8B , for example,channels 232 for thebypass assembly 200B can have a different configuration and can be defined in part of theseats 214. In another alternative shown inFigures 9A-9B ,channels 234 can use shunt tubes or other conduits disposed externally to theshoe track 120 to allow the fluid returns to flow outside of theports 210 and thesleeve 240 and then back into the space between theinner string 110 and theshoe track 120. With the benefit of the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that these and other configurations can be used for the bypass channels. - These other configurations can provide a number of additional benefits. For example, the entrances to the
channels 232 inFigures 8A-8B have gun drilledholes 233 formed transverse to the face of thedownhole seat 214. As shown inFigure 8A , theinner string 110 can be positioned in thebypass assembly 200B with thedownhole seal 114 positioned uphole of the gun-drilledholes 233 for thechannels 232. In this position, theholes 233 of thechannels 232 can receive fluid returns entering thescreen 220 during sand disposal so thechannels 232 can bypass theoutlet ports 210 andseals 114 as before. - Alternatively as shown in
Figure 8B , theinner string 110 can position with thedownhole seal 114 downhole of the gun-drilledholes 233, essentially isolating thechannels 232 from the lower portion of theshoe track 120. In this position, theholes 233 of thechannels 232 can receive fluid exiting the inner string'sports 112 without passing to theshoe track 120. Moreover, reverse flow can communicate fluid from uphole in theassembly 100, to thechannels 232, and into the inner string'sports 112. The versatility of this configuration can have a number of advantageous for other procedures, such as cleaning out components, performing chemical injection, and other operations available in the art. - The
shunt tube channels 234 ofFigure 9A with theirinlets 235 disposed in thedownhole seat 214 can offer similar benefits as thechannels 232 ofFigures 8A-8B . Moreover, theshunt tube channels 234 ofFigure 9B show how theinlets 235 can be positioned a distance down theshoe track 120, which may enable theinlets 235 to avoid interference from any components of theinner string 110 disposed in thebypass assembly 200B. - Although the
bypass assembly 200B has been shown on the end of thegravel pack assembly 100 at theshoe track 120, it will be appreciated that other parts of theassembly 100 can also include features of such abypass assembly 200B. For example, a gravel pack section 102 as inFigures 2 or5 , which lacks a shoe track and float shoe, can include features of the disclosedbypass assembly 200B. In general, the body of such a section 102 may be similar to that shown previously, but would lack a float shoe at its end so that the inner passage could communicate with another downhole gravel pack section 102. - For example,
Figures 10A-10B show how abypass assembly 200C can be incorporated into one of thegravel pack sections 102B of anassembly 100. As shown, theassembly 100 has many of the same components discussed previously so they are not addressed again. Yet, the gravel pack sections, such assection 102B shown in detail, includes abypass assembly 200C according to the present disclosure incorporated into the lower portedhousing 130A. Theother section 102A has abypass assembly 200C along with a float shoe. - As shown in
Figure 10A , thesection 102B includes the lower portedhousing 130A withflow ports 132A, alower screen section 140A, an upperported housing 130B withflow ports 132B,shunt tubes 150, and anupper screen section 140B, which are arranged similar to previous arrangements. Thelower housing 130A includes abypass screen 220 and bypass channels (i.e.,shunt tube channels 234 in this depiction). Theflow ports 132A on thehousing 130A haveseats 214 and a closure or slidingsleeve 240 - During gravel packing operations, the inner string's
outlet ports 112 can be isolated with theflow ports 132A while the slidingsleeve 240 is open. Slurry pumped down theinner string 110 can flow out of theports section 102B. Slurry will flow uphole to gravel pack around thescreen sections 140A-B in a toe-to-heel configuration. Some slurry may flow downhole with fluid returns coming throughbypass screen 220 and passing through thebypass channels 234. - When gravel packing is completed at these
first flow ports 132A, theinner string 110 can be lifted to the next stage so that theoutlet ports 112 communicate with theupper flow ports 132B, which communicate with theshunt tubes 150. As shown inFigures 10A-10B , theshunt tubes 150 may terminate in theborehole annulus 150 and may not communicate internally into the assembly near the toe of thisgravel pack section 102B as in previous examples. - With
string 110 in this position, slurry pumped through theinner string 110 travels into theshunt tubes 150 and into the borehole annulus near the toe of thisgravel pack section 102B to pack this toe section or evacuate excess slurry. All the while, fluid returns from this second stage can enter theassembly 100 through thebypass screen 220, flow up thesection 102B, and bypass theisolated outlet ports 112 and flowports 132B. To bypass theisolated ports screen section 140A and back in throughscreen section 140B as in previous arrangements (i.e.,Fig. 4B ). As an alternative shown inFigure 10C , the upperported housing 130B in thisassembly 100 can have a similar arrangement ofbypass channels 236 for a more direct path for the fluid returns to bypass theisolated ports - Although the disclosed bypass assemblies (i.e., 200A, 200B, and 200C) have been shown used with a toe-to-heel
gravel pack assembly 100, the disclosed bypass assembly can be used with other gravel pack assemblies. For example,Figure 11 shows another gravel pack assembly 100' having aliner hanger 170 extending from aliner hanger 14 and having ascreen 145 separated by apacker 104. Abypass assembly 200D, similar to those disclosed previously, is disposed uphole of thescreen 145. - As before, a
shoe track 120 at the end of the assembly 100' can have aninternal seat 124 so theinner string 110 can seal one of itsseals 114 thereon and circulate washdown fluid out thefloat shoe 122. After washdown, theinner string 110 can be lifted to thebypass assembly 200D uphole of thescreen 145 and set up for gravel packing operations. - As shown in the detail of
Figure 11 , theclosure 240 is opened (with ashifter 116 or the like), and theseals 114 on theinner string 110 seal with theseats 214 inside theassembly 200D. Operators pump slurry down theinner string 110, and the slurry passes out theports screen 145 in a conventional heel-to-toe configuration. Fluid returns pass through the screen 140 and travel up to thebypass assembly 200D. Inside theassembly 200D, the fluid returns pass into the channels, which are shown here asshunt tube channels 234 although other configurations could be used. Eventually, the fluid returns can pass up theliner 170 and into thecasing 12. - When gravel packing is complete, the sliding
sleeve 240 can then be closed to prevent fluid communication with the borehole annulus during production. Theshunt tube channels 234 can remain as they are because they would simply operate to convey production fluid or the like along the assembly 100'. As evidenced by this assembly 100', thebypass assembly 200D can operate as an external crossover tool disposed on the screen assembly 100' itself. This arrangement can greatly simplify the typical components needed to gravel pack a borehole in a conventional heel-to-toe configuration. - Although only one section of
screen 145 and onebypass assembly 200D are shown inFigure 11 , the assembly 100' can have any number ofscreens 145 andbypass assemblies 200D disposed along its length. Moreover, various packer arrangements can be used between sections ofscreens 145 andbypass assemblies 200D to compartmentalize separate zones of theborehole 10. - The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that elements of one embodiment can be combined with or exchanged for components of other embodiments disclosed herein. Reference has been made herein to use of the gravel pack assemblies in boreholes, such as open boreholes. In general, these boreholes can have any orientation, vertical, horizontal, or deviated. For example, a horizontal borehole may refer to any deviated section of a borehole defining an angle of 50-degrees or greater and even over 90-degrees relative to vertical.
- In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.
Claims (20)
- A gravel pack apparatus for a borehole (10), comprising:a body (100) having a body passage communicating from a heel to a toe, the body (100) defining first and second body ports (132A-B) communicating the body passage with the borehole (10), the second body port (132B) defined uphole of the first body port (132A) and disposed in fluid communication via the borehole (10) with the first body port (132A);an inner string (110) movably deploying in the body passage and defining an outlet port (112), the inner string (110) moved to a first selective position in the body passage selectively sealing the outlet port (112) with the first body port (132A) and communicating gravel pack slurry from the inner string (110) to the borehole (10) the inner string (110) moved to a second selective position in the body passage selectively sealing the outlet port (112) with the second body port (132B) and communicating the gravel pack slurry from the inner string (110) to the borehole (10);means (140, 220) disposed in fluid communication via the borehole (10) with the first and second body ports (132A-B) for screening fluid returns of the gravel pack slurry from the borehole (10) into the body passage; andmeans (230, 232, 234, 236) disposed on the body (100) for bypassing the fluid returns in the body passage from one side of the first body port (132A) to another side of the first body port (132A).
- The apparatus of claim 1, whe
rein the screening means comprises a first screen (220) disposed on the body (100) between the first body port (132A) and the toe and communicating the body passage with the borehole (10), the first screen (220) passing fluid returns of the gravel pack slurry from the borehole (10) into the body passage; and
wherein the bypassing means comprises a bypass channel (230) disposed on the body (100) and communicating the body passage on one side of the first body port (132A) to another side of the first body port (132A), the bypass channel (230) passing the fluid returns in the body passage past the outlet port (112) of the inner string (110) selectively sealed with the first body port (132A). - The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bypassing means comprises at least one of:a conduit (234) disposed outside the body (100), the conduit (234) having an inlet communicating on the one side of the first body port (132A) and having an outlet communicating on the other side of the first body port (132A); andan internal passage (232) defined in the body (100), the internal passage (232) having an inlet communicating on the one side of the first body port (132A) and having an outlet communicating on the other side of the first body port (132A); anda screen at the one side of the first body port (132A) restricting passage of at least some particulate in the fluid returns from entering the bypass (230).
- The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises means (240) for selectively controlling fluid communication of the outlet port (112) through the first body port (132A).
- The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first body port (132A) comprises a check valve, a sliding sleeve (240), a rotating sleeve, a rupture disk, or a screen controlling fluid communication through the first body port (132A).
- The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first body port (132A) comprises a closure (240) disposed on the body (100) and selectively opening and closing fluid communication through the first body port (132A), and wherein the closure (240) selectively opens and closes fluid communication through the bypass (230).
- The apparatus of claim 2,
wherein the body (100) comprises seats (214) disposed on each side of the first body port (132A), and wherein the inner string (110) comprises seals (114) disposed on each side of the outlet port (112) and sealing with the seats (214), whereby the inner string (110) moved to the first selective position in the body passage seals the seals (114) with the seats (214) and isolates the outlet port (112) in fluid communication with the first body port (132A). - The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises means (233, 241) for selectively controlling fluid communication through the means (230) for bypassing the fluid returns.
- The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the bypassing means (230, 232, 234, 236) disposed on the body (100) for bypassing the fluid returns further comprises at least one of:means for isolating the outlet port (112) in fluid communication with the first body port (132A) and an inlet (233) on the one side of the first body port (132A), andan inlet (233) defined in one of the seats (214), and wherein the inner string (110) moved to a third selective position in the body passage seals the seals (114) with the seats (214) and isolates the outlet port (112) in fluid communication with the first body port (132A) and the inlet (233) of the bypass (230).
- The apparatus of claim 2,
wherein the body (100) defines a third body port (124) downhole of the screening means or the first screen (220) toward the toe, the third body port (124) disposed in fluid communication via the borehole (10) with the screening means or the first screen (220); and
wherein the inner string (110) moved to a third selective position in the body passage seals the outlet port (112) in fluid communication with the third body port (124), and optionally wherein the third body port (124) comprises a valve permitting fluid flow out the body passage to the borehole (10) and preventing fluid flow from the borehole (10) into the body passage. - The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the screening means comprises:a second screen (140B) disposed on the body (100) uphole of the second body port (132B) and disposed in fluid communication via the borehole (10) with the first screen (220), the second screen (140B) communicating the body passage with the borehole (10) and passing the fluid returns of the gravel pack slurry from the borehole (10) into the body passage, .
- The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising
a third screen (140A) disposed on the body (100) between the first and second body ports (132A-B) and disposed in fluid communication via the borehole (10) with the first screen (220), the third screen (140A) communicating the body passage with the borehole (10) and passing the fluid returns of the gravel pack slurry from the borehole (10) into the body passage. - The apparatus of any one of claims 2, wherein the body (100) comprises at least one of:an alternative path device (150) disposed along the body (100) and communicating the second body port (132B) with the borehole (10); andanother bypass (236) disposed on the body (100) and communicating the body passage on one side of the second body port (132B) to another side of the second body port (132B); andan isolating element (104) disposed uphole of the second body port (132B) and isolating portions of the borehole (10) from one another.
- A gravel packing method for a borehole (10), the method comprising:deploying an inner string (110) inside a body (100) disposed in a borehole (10), the body (100) having a toe and a heel;isolating fluid communication of an outlet port (112) on the inner string (110) to a first flow port (132A) in the body (100);pumping gravel pack slurry in the inner string (110) into the borehole (10) by flowing the gravel pack slurry from the outlet port (112) into the borehole (10) through the first flow port (132A);flowing fluid returns from the borehole (10) into the body (100) through a first screen (220) disposed on the body (100) between the first flow port (132A) and the toe;bypassing the fluid returns in the body from downhole to uphole of the sealed outlet port (112) and the first flow port (132A) by communicating the fluid returns through a bypass (230, 232, 234, 236) disposed on the body (100);isolating fluid communication of the outlet port (112) to a second flow port (132B) in the body (100), the second flow port (132B) defined uphole of the first flow port (132A) and disposed in fluid communication via the borehole (10) with the first flow port (132A); andpumping the gravel pack slurry in the inner string (110) into the borehole (10) by flowing the gravel pack slurry from the outlet port (112) into the borehole (10) through the second flow port (132B).
- The method of claim 14, wherein isolating fluid communication of the outlet to the first flow port comprises sealing seals (114) disposed on each side of the outlet port (112) on the inner string (110) against seats (214) disposed on each side of the first flow port (132A) inside the body (100).
- The method of claim 14, wherein isolating fluid communication of the outlet port (112) to the first flow port comprises selectively opening a closure (240) on the first flow port (132A), and wherein bypassing the fluid returns through the bypass (230) comprises selectively opening the bypass (230) with the opening of the closure (240).
- The method of claim 14, wherein bypassing the fluid returns comprises flowing the fluid returns through a conduit (234) of the bypass (230) disposed outside the body (100).
- The method of claim 14, wherein bypassing the fluid returns comprises flowing the fluid returns through an internal passage (232) of the bypass (230) disposed inside the body (100).
- The method of any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising flowing the fluid returns from the borehole (10) into the body (100) through a second screen (140A-B) disposed on the body (100) at least uphole of the first body port (132A) and disposed in fluid communication via the borehole (10) with the first screen (220).
- The method of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein flowing the gravel pack slurry from the outlet port (112) into the borehole (10) through the second flow port (132B) further comprises communicating the gravel pack slurry from the second flow port (132B) to the borehole (10) through an alternative path device (150) disposed along the body (100).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/345,500 US9085960B2 (en) | 2010-10-28 | 2012-01-06 | Gravel pack bypass assembly |
PCT/US2013/020247 WO2013103787A2 (en) | 2012-01-06 | 2013-01-04 | Gravel pack bypass assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2800867A2 EP2800867A2 (en) | 2014-11-12 |
EP2800867B1 true EP2800867B1 (en) | 2019-02-20 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP13702109.3A Active EP2800867B1 (en) | 2012-01-06 | 2013-01-04 | Gravel pack bypass assembly |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2800867B1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112014016801A8 (en) |
SG (1) | SG11201403347XA (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013103787A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3983645A4 (en) * | 2019-06-13 | 2023-03-01 | Services Pétroliers Schlumberger | Cementing and sand control system and methodology |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3134439A (en) * | 1960-06-27 | 1964-05-26 | Gulf Oil Corp | Gravel packing apparatus |
US6749024B2 (en) * | 2001-11-09 | 2004-06-15 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Sand screen and method of filtering |
US20080283252A1 (en) * | 2007-05-14 | 2008-11-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and method for multi-zone well treatment |
US7950454B2 (en) * | 2007-07-23 | 2011-05-31 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Technique and system for completing a well |
US8511380B2 (en) * | 2007-10-10 | 2013-08-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Multi-zone gravel pack system with pipe coupling and integrated valve |
US8267173B2 (en) * | 2009-05-20 | 2012-09-18 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Open hole completion apparatus and method for use of same |
-
2013
- 2013-01-04 SG SG11201403347XA patent/SG11201403347XA/en unknown
- 2013-01-04 WO PCT/US2013/020247 patent/WO2013103787A2/en active Application Filing
- 2013-01-04 EP EP13702109.3A patent/EP2800867B1/en active Active
- 2013-01-04 BR BR112014016801A patent/BR112014016801A8/en active Search and Examination
Non-Patent Citations (1)
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3983645A4 (en) * | 2019-06-13 | 2023-03-01 | Services Pétroliers Schlumberger | Cementing and sand control system and methodology |
US11905788B2 (en) | 2019-06-13 | 2024-02-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Cementing and sand control system and methodology |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2013103787A3 (en) | 2014-03-06 |
WO2013103787A2 (en) | 2013-07-11 |
BR112014016801A2 (en) | 2017-06-13 |
SG11201403347XA (en) | 2014-07-30 |
BR112014016801A8 (en) | 2017-07-04 |
RU2014132393A (en) | 2016-02-27 |
EP2800867A2 (en) | 2014-11-12 |
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