Apparatus and associated methods for gravel packing a subterranean well
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorClaude F. Griffith, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and associated methods for performing operations within a subterranean well overcome many disadvantages associated with perforating and fracturing and/or gravel packing in a single trip of a work string into the well. In a preferred embodiment, a method of producing fluids from a formation intersected by the well includes the step of setting a packer having a relatively large seal bore formed therethrough in the well before running the work string into the well. After the formation is perforated, the work string is displaced to position a seal assembly on the work string in the seal bore, thereby displacing the perforating guns through the packer, positioning a screen opposite the perforated formation, and enabling performance of gravel packing operations thereafter.
Claims40
A method of producing fluid from a formation intersected by a subterranean well, the well having a generally axially extending bore, the method comprising the steps of:
- operatively positioning a first packer within the wellbore, the first packer having a generally axially extending seal bore formed therethrough, the first packer being positioned relative to the formation, such that the formation is axially between the first packer and the earth's surface;
- suspending a work string within the wellbore, the work string including a generally axially extending seal assembly, a generally tubular screen assembly, and a second packer, the screen assembly being interconnected axially between the seal assembly and the second packer;
- perforating the formation utilizing a perforating device;
- sealingly engaging the seal assembly with the seal bore by inserting the seal assembly axially into the first packer;
- and
- setting the second packer.
A method of producing fluids from a formation intersected by a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing first, second, and third packers, the first packer being mechanically settable, the second packer being hydraulically settable, and the third packer having a seal bore formed axially therethrough;
- providing a generally tubular screen and a generally axially extending seal assembly, the seal assembly being capable of axial insertion into the seal bore and sealing engagement therewith;
- assembling a work string by interconnecting the first and second packers, the screen, and the seal assembly;
- setting the third packer within the well;
- and
- positioning the work string at a first position within the well so that the seal assembly sealingly engages the seal bore.
A method of producing fluids from a formation intersected by a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing first, second, and third packers, the third packer having a seal bore formed axially therethrough;
- providing a generally tubular screen and a generally axially extending seal assembly, the seal assembly being capable of axial insertion into the seal bore and sealing engagement therewith;
- providing a flapper valve;
- assembling a work string by interconnecting the first and second packers, the screen, the seal assembly, and the flapper valve;
- setting the third packer within the well;
- and
- positioning the work string at a first position within the well so that the seal assembly sealingly engages the seal bore.
Apparatus for producing fluids from a formation intersected by a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising:
- a first packer;
- a second packer operatively interconnected to the first packer;
- a generally tubular screen operatively interconnected to the second packer;
- and
- a generally axially extending seal assembly operatively interconnected to the screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.