US 2002/0117301 A1 · SINGLE TRIP, MULTIPLE ZONE ISOLATION, WELL FRACTURING SYSTEM

Abstract

An apparatus and operating method allows the completion of multiple production zones in a single wellbore with a single downhole trip. The work string descends with a coaxially combined completion string and service string. The completion string is set into a previously set basement packer. The completion string includes a series of production screens, transverse flow orifices, isolation packers and collet indicating couplings, all prepositioned along the completion string length relative to the basement packer set location. The production sleeves and transverse flow orifices are selectively closed by axially sliding sleeves. The service string includes a crossover flow tool, a SMART collet tool, sleeve shifting tools and sleeve closing tools. With all orifice and screen closure sleeves closed, the procedure proceeds from the lowermost production zone to open the closure sleeves respective to the flow orifice and screens dedicated to a respective production zone. As each zone is completed, the respective flow orifices and screens are closed and the next higher zone orifices and screens are opened.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An apparatus for extracting fluids from a plurality of producing earth formations along a single wellbore comprising an elongated completion string, said completion string having:

a. a continuous internal bore opening along the length of said completion string;
b. upper and lower packers respective to each of said producing formations for isolating a respective annulus between said completion string and a wall of said wellbore;
c. respective to each producing formation, a flow orifice between said upper and lower packers, said flow orifice having a selectively displaced closure member;
d. respective to each producing formation, a flow screen between said upper and lower packers, said flow screen having a screen flow closure member;
and,
e. respective to each producing formation, a service string position indicator.

3 more elements

A method of completing a plurality of fluid producing zones within a single wellbore, said method comprising the steps of:

a. casing said wellbore along said production zones;
b. perforating a plurality of casing sections adjacent said production zones;
c. securing within said casing, a completion string having an internally continuous fluid flow bore and a surrounding annulus externally;
d. providing upper and lower packers around said completion string to isolate sections of said annulus corresponding to the perforated sections of said casing;
e. respective to each perforated section, providing a fluid flow orifice in said completion string between the internal bore of said completion string and said annulus;
f. respective to each perforated section, providing a production screen in said completion string between the internal bore of said completion string and said annulus;
g. respective to each perforated section, providing service string location surfaces at each of at least two alignment stations;
h. closing the fluid flow orifices and production screens respective to all but one of said perforated sections;
i. opening the fluid flow orifice and production screen respective to said one perforated section to pass a pressurized flow of formation fracturing fluid;
j. set-down positioning a crossover flow tool within said internal bore at a first alignment station adjacent said one perforated section to deliver a gravel slurry through the respective fluid flow orifice into said one annulus and returning slurry carrier fluid through the respective production screen and said crossover flow tool;
k. set-down positioning said cross-over flow tool at a second alignment station adjacent said one perforated section to flush said internal bore of residual gravel slurry above said crossover tool;
l. closing said one production screen and fluid flow orifice;
m. opening a second production screen and fluid low orifice respective to a second perforated section;
and,
n. repeating steps J through L in said second perforated section.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Single trip, multiple zone isolation, well fracturing system

Life of this patent

Single trip, multiple zone isolation, well fracturing system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11