Formation fracturing and gravel packing tool
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorColby M. Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A service tool for use in completion operations includes a fluid control apparatus therein. The apparatus permits variable regulation of fluid flow downhole, selective opening and closing of multiple fluid ports in the apparatus, protection against overpressurization and communication with the earth's surface. Each of these functions is accomplished by displacing a member of the apparatus with an electromechanical device. In particular, data transmission is performed by displacing the member relative to a fluid port to thereby produce pressure pulses in a fluid flowing therethrough.
Claims29
Apparatus for use with an item of equipment operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the item of equipment including a slurry delivery flow passage and an internal fluid return flow passage for returning a fluid portion of a slurry to the earth's surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a primary fluid port interconnectable in series with the fluid return flow passage, the slurry fluid portion flowing through the primary fluid port when the fluid portion is returned to the earth's surface;
- and
- a restrictor disposed adjacent the primary fluid port, the restrictor being selectively displaceable relative to the primary fluid port to thereby variably restrict flow of the slurry fluid portion through the primary fluid port.
Apparatus operatively positionable within a tool disposed in a subterranean well, the tool including an internal flow passage, the apparatus comprising:
- a flow blocking member selectively positionable relative to a flow port of the flow passage in a first position in which fluid flow is prevented through the flow port and a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through the flow port;
- a sensor capable of sensing fluid pressure within the flow passage;
- a processor interconnected to the sensor, the processor transmitting a signal in response to a level of fluid pressure indicated by the sensor;
- an engagement member;
- and
- an electromechanical device interconnected to the processor, the device being capable of displacing the engagement member in response to the processor signal to engage the blocking member and thereby cause displacement of the blocking member from the first position to the second position.
Apparatus operatively positionable within a tool disposed in a subterranean well, the tool including an internal flow passage, the apparatus comprising:
- a flow restrictor;
- a sensor capable of sensing fluid pressure within the flow passage;
- a processor interconnected to the sensor, the processor transmitting a signal in response to a level of fluid pressure indicated by the sensor;
- and
- an electromechanical device interconnected to the processor, the device displacing the flow restrictor in response to the processor signal to thereby restrict fluid flow through the flow passage.
A method of controlling fluid flow through an internal flow passage of a tool operatively positioned within a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring fluid pressure within the flow passage;
- providing primary and secondary flow ports, the primary and secondary flow ports being in parallel with each other and in series with the flow passage;
- positioning a flow blocking member in a first position relative to the secondary flow port in which the blocking member blocks fluid flow through the secondary flow port;
- and
- displacing the blocking member relative to the secondary flow port to a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through the secondary flow port in response to a monitored fluid pressure within the flow passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.