Multiple zone well completion method and apparatus
OwnerGilman A. Hillinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a system and method for completing a well for the collection of fluids from a plurality of subterranean zones at different depths. The system includes a fluid pathway along which a first and second fluid travel. The first and second fluids form an interface that is moved along the fluid pathway to cause the formation of a fracture in the zones. The pressure at any point along the fluid pathway depends upon the position of the interface.
Claims25
A method for completing a well for the collection of fluids from a plurality of subterranean zones at different depths, the well having a wellbore extending from an accessible upper end through the plurality of zones with a conduit positioned in the wellbore to define a fluid pathway including the conduit and an area between the conduit and the wellbore, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a first fluid having a first density into the fluid pathway;
- introducing a second fluid having a second density different from the first density into the fluid pathway, wherein the first and second fluids produce within the wellbore a first fluid pressure on a first zone adjacent to an interface between the first and second fluids with the first fluid pressure being sufficient to form a fracture in the first zone;
- and
- changing the position of the interface to a location along the fluid pathway adjacent to a second zone to produce a second fluid pressure on the second zone with the second fluid pressure being sufficient to form a fracture in the second zone.
A system for fracturing a plurality of subterranean zones, comprising:
- a wellbore extending from an accessible upper end into the zones to be fractured;
- a conduit located within the wellbore, the conduit extending from the earth's surface to a location below the deepest zone to be fractured and communicating with an area between the wellbore and the conduit at a location at or below the deepest zone to be fractured to define a fluid pathway including the conduit and the area between the conduit and the wellbore, the fluid pathway contacting the portion of the zone to be fractured;
- a first fluid positioned along the fluid pathway in the wellbore;
- and
- a second fluid positioned along the fluid pathway in the wellbore, the second fluid having a different density than the first fluid and forming an interface with the first fluid, wherein the fluid pressure exerted on the zones to be fractured is varied by altering the position of the interface along the fluid pathway.
A method for completing a well for the production of fluids from sediments, the well having a wellbore extending from an accessible upper end into the formation with a conduit positioned within the wellbore to define a fluid pathway including the conduit and an area between the conduit and the wellbore, comprising the steps of:
- introducing a first fluid and a second fluid of different densities into the wellbore, wherein the first fluid has a pressure gradient along the fluid pathway greater than the fracture extension pressure gradient of the sediments to be fractured;
- and
- positioning an interface between the first and second fluids adjacent to the sediments to be fractured to produce a sufficient fluid pressure on the sediments to form a fracture in the sediments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.