US 6,601,648 B2 · Well completion method

Abstract

An improved method of completing unconsolidated subterranean formations is provided whereby the necessity of expensive high density brine completion fluids is eliminated. Also, the drilling rig time is eliminated or reduced. In one embodiment, the method involves placing a bridge plug below the zone, and displacing drilling mud with a lighter weight completion fluid such as potassium chloride fluid whereby the lighter weight completion fluid does not in itself create a sufficient bottom hole hydrostatic well pressure to control the well. Except for monobore/tubingless completions, a production packer and production tubing string may be placed in the well, if not already in place from a prior completion. The wellhead tree is placed on the well, two subsurface safety valves may be installed in the tubing, and the rig may be released from the wellsite. Sufficient pressure may be applied at the surface to thereby increase the bottom hole hydrostatic pressure to amount sufficient to control the well. The zone is perforated through tubing with an electric line conveyed gun under pressure. A dual-screen (vent-screen) device to control formation sand production is deployed on electric line, braided line, or coiled tubing. The dual-screen device is placed on top of the bridge plug, and the well is Frac Packed, or gravel packed down the tubing. The excess proppant/sand is then flowed from the well, or coiled tubing is used to wash the excess out of the well. The zone is then put on production.

Claims29

Dependent claims

filling said wellbore with a completion fluid having a density such that a hydrostatic pressure of said completion fluid created within said wellbore adjacent said first production zone is less than said first production zone formation pressure;
providing a production packer above said first production zone;
installing production tubing within said well with a rig such that a bottom end of said production tubing is positioned above said first selected production zone;
applying an applied pressure to said wellbore such that a total pressure of said hydrostatic pressure and said applied pressure in said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone is greater than or equal said first selected production zone formation pressure;
perforating said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone;
positioning a dual-screen assembly in said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone;
and
pumping fracturing slurry around said dual-screen assembly and into said first selected production zone with sufficient force to fracture said first selected production zone.

5 more elements

A method of completing a well having a wellbore and one or more production zones comprising a first selected production zone with a first selected production zone formation pressure, comprising:

filling said wellbore with a completion fluid having a density less than about eleven pounds per gallon to thereby produce a hydrostatic pressure within said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone;
installing production tubing within said well with a rig such that a bottom end of said production tubing is positioned at a well depth above said one or more production zones;
applying an applied pressure to said wellbore such that a total pressure of said hydrostatic pressure and said applied pressure in said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone is greater than said first selected production zone formation pressure;
perforating said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone;
positioning a dual-screen assembly in said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone;
pumping fracturing slurry around said dual-screen assembly and into said first selected production zone.

3 more elements

A method of completing a well having a wellbore and one or more production zones comprising a first selected production zone with a first selected production zone formation pressure, said well comprising a second production zone at a well depth above said first selected production zone, said second selected production zone having a second selected production zone formation pressure, whereby after said first selected production zone is to be shut off then said second selected production zone is to be brought into production, said method comprising:

positioning a production packer at a well depth above said first selected production zone and above said second production zone;
positioning a production tubing string within said well such that a bottom end of said production tubing is positioned at a well depth above said first selected production zone and above said second selected production zone;
perforating said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone;
running a dual-screen assembly into said production string;
positioning said dual-screen assembly in said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone;
and
pumping fracturing slurry through said production tubing around said dual-screen assembly and into said first selected production zone.

4 more elements

A method for a monobore well completion wherein a well has one or more production zones comprising a first selected production zone with a first selected production zone formation pressure, said monobore well completion comprising at least one tubular string cemented in a wellbore such that said at least one tubular string has no production packer mounted therein, said method comprising:

perforating said at least one tubular string adjacent said first selected production zone;
running a dual-screen assembly into said at least one tubular string;
positioning said dual-screen assembly in said wellbore adjacent said first selected production zone within said at least one tubular string;
and
pumping fracturing slurry around said screen assembly and into said first selected production zone with sufficient force for fracturing said first selected production zone.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Well completion method

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Well completion method

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Abstract

Claims29