Wellbore stimulation and completion
OwnerPeter Clive Winch, Ian Grayinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and device for stimulating and completing a drilled wellbore in a productive formation. The device comprises a pipe having a plurality of weakened portions and containing a propellant material. When the propellant is ignited it produces rapidly expanding gaseous combustion products which puncture the weakened portions of the pipe. The expanding gas fractures the surrounding formation thereby stimulating the formation to production. The pipe remains in the wellbore and is used for collecting oil and gas from the formation.
Claims14
A device for the stimulation and completion of a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising:
- a wellbore casing section having a plurality of weakened portions penetratable to leave apertures in a sidewall of said wellbore casing section, said wellbore casing being adapted for coupling to other wellbore casings;
- a propellant material contained within said wellbore casing section so as to be run into the wellbore with said wellbore casing section, said propellant material producing expanding gaseous combustion products when ignited, for penetrating the weakened portions of said wellbore casing section and producing apertures in the sidewall thereof;
- and
- one or more igniter means fixed in said wellbore casing section for igniting said propellant material;
- said wellbore casing section being suitable, after combustion, for remaining in said wellbore and for enabling formation fluid to be pumped into or from the wellbore via said apertures.
A method of stimulating and completing a wellbore including the steps of:
- positioning a wellbore casing section having weakened portions and containing a propellant material in a wellbore at a productive formation;
- igniting the propellant material in said wellbore casing section to produce expanding gaseous combustion products to cause a perforation of said wallbore casing section at the weakened portions and fracturing of the surrounding formation;
- and
- collecting formation fluid from the formation through said wellbore casing section for production thereof, wherein the wellbore casing section remains in the wellbore and formation fluid enters said wellbore casing section through the perforated weakened portions.
A device for the stimulation and completion of a well bore in a subterranean formation comprising:
- a pipe having a plurality of weakened portions penetratable to leave apertures in the pipe;
- a liquid propellant post-loaded into said pipe, said liquid propellant material producing expanding gaseous combustion products when ignited, for penetrating the weakened portions of said pipe;
- one or more igniter means in said pipe for igniting said liquid propellant material;
- and
- said pipe being suitable, after combustion, for enabling fluid to be pumped into or from the wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.