# US 8,540,026 B2 · Wellbore laser operations

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- Number: US 8,540,026 B2
- Document ID: US8540026B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/614,703
- Filed: 2012-09-13
- Published: 2013-01-10
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2009-06-29
- Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Applicants: Roger L. Schultz; Loyd E. East; Harold G. Walters; Billy Wilson McDaniel; Mohamed Y. Soliman; Neal Gregory Skinner
- Inventors: Roger L. Schultz; Loyd E. East; Harold G. Walters; Billy Wilson McDaniel; Mohamed Y. Soliman; Neal Gregory Skinner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540026B2

## CPC

- E21B 29/06: Cutting windows, e.g. directional window cutters for whipstock operations ({E21B29/005 and} E21B29/08 take precedence)
- E21B 29/02: by explosives or by thermal or chemical means {(freeing stuck objects by explosives E21B31/002)}
- E21B 43/11: Perforators; Permeators
- E21B 43/12: Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells (E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00)
- B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

## Abstract

Methods may include selecting a slot size of apertures to control sand production including formation fines in fluid from a subterranean zone. The slot size may be selected based on a distribution of sizes of particles in fluid from the subterranean zone. A laser may be used to form apertures with the selected slot size in a casing installed in a wellbore in the subterranean zone. Systems and apparatuses may be configured to perform the above operations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
selecting a slot size of apertures to control sand production including formation fines in fluid from a subterranean zone, the slot size selected based on a distribution of sizes of particles in the subterranean zone;
using a laser to form apertures with the selected slot size in a casing installed in a wellbore in the subterranean zone; and
sealing apertures in the wellbore using the laser to change a flow distribution of the wellbore in response to levels of particles in fluid being produced from the wellbore.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the slot size of apertures to control sand production including formation fines in fluid from the subterranean zone comprises selecting an aperture geometry in which the cross-section of individual apertures in the casing decrease with increasing distance from a central axis of the casing such that a smallest portion of each aperture is at the outer surface of the casing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the subterranean zone comprises an unconsolidated formation and selecting the slot size of the apertures to control sand production including formation fines in fluid in the formation comprises selecting an aperture geometry and distribution to maintain structural stability of the unconsolidated formation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the laser to change the flow distribution of the wellbore by forming further apertures in the wellbore using the laser.

### Claim 5

A method comprising:
selecting a slot size of apertures to control sand production including formation fines in fluid from a subterranean zone, the slot size selected based on a distribution of sizes of particles in the subterranean zone;
using a laser to form apertures with the selected slot size in a casing installed in a wellbore in the subterranean zone;
operating the laser to change a flow distribution of the wellbore in response to levels of particles in fluid being produced from the wellbore; and
sealing first apertures extending through the casing and forming second apertures extending through the casing of the wellbore, the second apertures having a different geometry than the first apertures.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein a width of the second apertures is smaller than a width of the first apertures.