US20160369603A1 - Redressing method and redressed completion system - Google Patents
Redressing method and redressed completion system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160369603A1 US20160369603A1 US15/182,950 US201615182950A US2016369603A1 US 20160369603 A1 US20160369603 A1 US 20160369603A1 US 201615182950 A US201615182950 A US 201615182950A US 2016369603 A1 US2016369603 A1 US 2016369603A1
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- Prior art keywords
- production casing
- inflow section
- annular barrier
- casing
- zone
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/10—Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/124—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/124—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
- E21B33/1243—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space with inflatable sleeves
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/127—Packers; Plugs with inflatable sleeve
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/11—Perforators; Permeators
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/14—Obtaining from a multiple-zone well
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
- E21B43/26—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/10—Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/02—Subsoil filtering
- E21B43/08—Screens or liners
Definitions
- the present technology relates to a redressing method for arranging an inner production casing within an existing production casing in order to re-establish production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a malfunctioning well. Furthermore, the present technology relates to a redressed completion system for re-establishing production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a malfunctioning well.
- a redressing method for arranging an inner production casing within an existing production casing in order to re-establish production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a malfunctioning well having a top part, the existing production casing having a first inner diameter and being arranged in a borehole, the redressing method comprising:
- the inner production casing having an outer unexpanded diameter which is smaller than the first inner diameter of the existing production casing
- the redressing method as described above may comprise reducing a hydrostatic pressure of the well by redressing the existing production casing by means of the inner production casing.
- the initiating production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid through the inner production casing from the second zone may include perforating the inner production casing opposite the second zone.
- annular barriers of the inner production casing By isolating the first production zone and perforating the inner production casing opposite the second zone, a new production zone is created while isolating the first production zone. This is especially useful when the first production zone is depleted and is thus no longer producing, but fluid may still be produced from another zone.
- the annular barriers can be expanded by pressurising the inner production casing from one end.
- the redressing method may further comprise perforating the second zone before introducing the inner production casing into the existing production casing.
- the redressing method may further comprise fracturing or stimulating the first production zone or the second zone from within the inner production casing.
- the determining may be performed by means of a detecting unit in a downhole tool or in the inner production casing.
- the inner production casing comprises a first inner inflow section arranged between the first annular barrier and the second annular barrier, the inner production casing extending inside the existing production casing, and wherein the first annular barrier is expanded on one side of the first inflow section and the second annular barrier is expanded on the other side of the first inflow section of the existing production casing, thereby isolating the first inflow section and leading the hydrocarbon-containing fluid from the first production zone into the inner production casing through the inflow sections.
- the existing production casing may have a third inflow section opposite a third production zone
- the inner production casing may comprise a fourth annular barrier and a third inner inflow section arranged between the third annular barrier and the fourth annular barrier, the third annular barrier being expanded on one side of the third inflow section, and the fourth annular barrier being expanded on the other side of the third inflow section of the existing production casing, thereby isolating the third inflow section.
- the redressed completion system as described above may further comprise a detection tool configured to determine the inflow sections of the existing production casing.
- a screen may be arranged opposite the inflow sections of the existing production casing and/or the inner inflow sections of the inner production casing.
- a pump may be arranged at the top of the well.
- the existing production casing may comprise annular barriers for isolating a production zone.
- FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a redressed completion system having perforations
- FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an existing production casing being perforated opposite the second zone
- a first annular barrier 1 is is expanded on one side of the first inflow section 5 , 5 a of the existing production casing 4
- a second annular barrier 1 , 1 b is expanded on the other side of the first inflow section 5 of the existing production casing 4 , isolating the first inflow section 5 , 5 a and thereby leading the hydrocarbon-containing fluid from the first production zone 101 into the inner production casing 6 through the first inflow section 5 , 5 a and the first inner inflow section 16 .
- the annular barriers 1 , 1 a, 1 b may be expanded by pressurised fluid within the inner production casing 6 entering an expansion opening 22 . Subsequently, the inner production casing 6 is anchored in the top part 3 of the well 2 , e.g. by expanding an anchoring annular barrier 1 an providing the first inner inflow section 16 in the inner production casing 6 opposite the first inflow section 5 of the existing production casing 4 , as shown in FIG. 5 . Then production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid through the inner production casing is initiated.
- the well 2 may be self-producing when the completion is redressed or the first inner inflow section of the inner production casing 6 may be activated, e.g. by opening a sliding sleeve so that the sliding sleeve 24 (shown in FIG. 10 ) no longer blocks the inflow of fluid into the inner production casing 6 .
- the annular barriers 1 , 1 a, 1 b may be expanded by pressurised fluid inside the inner production casing 6 .
- the inner production casing 6 may be pressurised by an expansion tool 53 (shown in FIG. 9 ) isolating a zone opposite the expansion opening 22 (shown in FIG. 4 ), or the inner production casing 6 may be pressurised from the top by a pump 52 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the inner production casing 6 is closed by a closing means 23 , e.g. by dropping a closing means 23 in the form of a ball down the inner production casing 6 to close the end of the inner production casing 6 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , and then, the entire inner production casing 6 is pressurised, expanding all annular barriers 1 substantially simultaneously.
- the redressed completion system 100 of FIG. 7 comprises an existing production casing 4 having several inflow sections, and similarly, the inner production casing 6 has at least the same number plus at least one annular barrier 1 as inflow sections of the existing production casing 4 .
- the annular barriers 1 , 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d, 1 e are arranged in such a way that they two-by-two encapsulate one of the production zones 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 .
- the fourth production zone 104 is arranged closer to the top of the well than the third production zone 103 and the second production zone 102 . As can be seen in FIG.
- the existing production casing 4 is shorter in length than the inner production casing 6 , and the inner production casing overlaps most of the existing production casing.
- the inner production casing 6 thus extends further up the well towards the top of the well than the existing production casing 4 , and the anchoring of the inner production casing 6 is performed in an upper casing 25 of the existing production casing 4 .
- the redressing of the redressed completion system 100 thus eliminates the gap 26 between the upper casing 25 and the lower existing production casing 4 , and there is therefore no longer a risk of any intervention tools getting stuck in the gap 26 .
- the first annular barrier 1 is and the second annular barrier 1 , 1 b isolate a first production zone 101
- the second annular barrier 1 , 1 b and third annular barrier 1 is isolate a second production zone 102
- the third annular barrier 1 is and fourth annular barrier 1 , 1 d isolate a third production zone 103
- the fourth annular barrier 1 , 1 d and fifth annular barrier 1 le isolate a fourth production zone 104 .
- the existing production casing 4 comprises a worn out screen 20 a where the openings 33 in the screen have become too large due to the sand abrading the material surrounding the openings 33 and the openings 34 in the casing 4 , as shown in FIG. 9 . Therefore, a screen 20 of the inner production casing 6 is arranged opposite the first inflow section 5 a of the existing production casing. The screen 20 is fluidly connected to the inflow sections 5 , 16 . Thus, the completion is redressed by a not worn sleeve and the production can continue. As shown in FIG. 9 , the first and second annular barriers 1 , 1 a, 1 b are arranged offset in relation to the annular barriers 1 of the existing production casing 4 ; however still encapsulating the inflow section 5 of the existing production casing 4 .
- the second inflow section 5 b of FIG. 8 is closed, so in FIG. 8 , the inner production casing 6 does not overlap the entire existing production casing 4 also covering the second inflow section 5 b.
- the redressed completion system 100 is redressed to decrease the hydrostatic pressure, and no screens are used and the inner production casing 6 has annular barriers 1 encapsulating merely the production zone arranged closest to the top of the well, and the inner production casing 6 does not overlap the remaining production zones closer to the bottom 57 (shown in FIG. 8 ) of the well.
- the inner production casing 6 may, in some examples, be longer than the existing production casing 4 , and in other examples, shorter the existing production casing 4 .
- the inflow section 5 , 16 may comprise an inflow control device 38 , as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the existing production casing is perforated in a second zone 102 adjacent to the first production zone 101 .
- Arranging the first annular barrier on one side of the first inflow section and the second annular barrier on the other side of the inflow section is thus done to isolate an inflow of fluid from the first inflow section 5 from the first production zone 101 and initiate production from the second zone 102 becoming the new production zone.
- This way of redressing the completion is especially useful when the first production zone is depleted and is thus no longer producing, or at least not producing sufficiently.
- the first inflow section 5 of the existing production casing is encapsulated by expanding the expandable metal sleeves of the first annular barrier and the second annular barrier, thereby isolating the first inflow section, and the inner production casing is anchored in the top part of the well.
- the first inner inflow section 16 of the inner production casing is arranged opposite the second zone to the effect that hydrocarbon-containing fluid from the second zone flows in through the new perforations in the existing production casing and further in through the first inner inflow section 16 of the inner production casing.
- the first inner inflow section 16 is opened after the annular barriers have been set, e.g.
- the inner production casing can be pressurised to expand the annular barriers or the annular barriers can be expanded by pressurising a zone opposite the annular barriers.
- the first inner inflow section 16 of the inner production casing can be open when the annular barriers are expanded, and thus does not have to be opened afterwards.
- the inner production casing is perforated after the annular barriers have been expanded to initiate production.
- the step of perforating both the existing production casing and the inner production casing may be performed in one operation.
- the annular barrier 1 may not have an expansion opening and the annular space may comprise at least one thermally decomposable compound adapted to generate gas or super-critical fluid upon decomposition.
- This compound may be thermally decomposable below a temperature of 400° C. and may comprise nitrogen, or comprise nitrogen in the form of ammonium, nitrite, azide or nitrate.
- the compound may be selected from a group consisting of: ammonium dichromate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrite, barium azide, sodium nitrate, or a combination thereof.
- the compound may decompose at temperatures above 100° C., preferably above 180° C.
- hydrocarbon-containing fluid or well fluid any kind of fluid that may be present in oil or gas wells downhole, such as natural gas, oil, oil mud, crude oil, water, etc.
- gas is meant any kind of gas composition present in a well, completion, or open hole
- oil is meant any kind of oil composition, such as crude oil, an oil-containing fluid, etc.
- Gas, oil, and water fluids may thus all comprise other elements or substances than gas, oil, and/or water, respectively.
- a casing or production casing is meant any kind of pipe, tubing, tubular, liner, string etc. used downhole in relation to oil or natural gas production.
- a downhole tractor can be used to push the tool all the way into position in the well.
- the downhole tractor may have projectable arms having wheels, wherein the wheels contact the inner surface of the casing for propelling the tractor and the tool forward in the casing.
- a downhole tractor is any kind of driving tool capable of pushing or pulling tools in a well downhole, such as a Well Tractor®.
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Abstract
Description
- The present technology relates to a redressing method for arranging an inner production casing within an existing production casing in order to re-establish production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a malfunctioning well. Furthermore, the present technology relates to a redressed completion system for re-establishing production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a malfunctioning well.
- In existing wells, screens may be abraded to such an extent that the well produces too much sand, gravel, etc. Then, that part of the well is closed or the well is fully abandoned. In recent years with low oil prices, companies have focused on optimising existing wells rather than drilling new ones. This means that when existing wells are no longer producing sufficiently, new perforations are made and further stimulation operations are run. However, often this only increases the oil production by a few percentages, and there is therefore a need for a new solution for optimising production in existing, poorly producing wells.
- It is an aspect of the present technology to wholly or partly overcome the above disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. More specifically, it is an aspect to provide an improved completion system in which abandonment of at least part of the well having worn out or abraded screens or abandonment of poorly-producing wells is avoided.
- The above aspects, together with numerous other aspects, advantages and features, which will become evident from the below description, are accomplished by a solution in accordance with the present technology by a redressing method for arranging an inner production casing within an existing production casing in order to re-establish production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a malfunctioning well having a top part, the existing production casing having a first inner diameter and being arranged in a borehole, the redressing method comprising:
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- determining a first inflow section of the existing production casing opposite a first production zone, the first production zone being isolated from a second zone,
- providing the inner production casing, the inner production casing having a inner diameter which is substantially the same along an extension of the inner production casing, the inner production casing comprising a first annular barrier and a second annular barrier having a distance between them, each annular barrier comprising:
- a tubular metal part for mounting as part of the inner production casing,
- an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part and having an inner face facing the tubular metal part and an outer face facing an inner wall of the existing production casing, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with the tubular metal part, and
- an annular space between the inner face of the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal part,
- the inner production casing having an outer unexpanded diameter which is smaller than the first inner diameter of the existing production casing,
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- redressing the existing production casing by introducing the inner production casing into the existing production casing,
- arranging the first annular barrier on one side of the first inflow section and the second annular barrier on the other side of the inflow section, thereby isolating an inflow of fluid from the first inflow section,
- encapsulating the first inflow section of the existing production casing by expanding the expandable metal sleeves of the first annular barrier and the second annular barrier, thereby isolating the first inflow section,
- anchoring the inner production casing in the top part of the well,
- providing a first inner inflow section in the inner production casing opposite the first inflow section of the existing production casing or opposite the second zone, and
- initiating production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid through the inner production casing from the first production zone or the second zone.
- The redressing method as described above may comprise reducing a hydrostatic pressure of the well by redressing the existing production casing by means of the inner production casing.
- In an embodiment, the initiating production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid through the inner production casing from the second zone may include perforating the inner production casing opposite the second zone.
- By isolating the first production zone and perforating the inner production casing opposite the second zone, a new production zone is created while isolating the first production zone. This is especially useful when the first production zone is depleted and is thus no longer producing, but fluid may still be produced from another zone. By providing perforations after the annular barriers of the inner production casing have been expanded, the annular barriers can be expanded by pressurising the inner production casing from one end.
- Furthermore, the redressing method may further comprise perforating the second zone before introducing the inner production casing into the existing production casing.
- In addition, the redressing method may further comprise detecting a depleted production zone.
- Also, the redressing method may further comprise fracturing or stimulating the first production zone or the second zone from within the inner production casing.
- Further, the redressing method as described above may comprise determining a second inflow section of the existing production casing opposite a second production zone, wherein the providing an inner production casing may further comprise providing a third annular barrier, and arranging the second annular barrier on one side of the second inflow section and the third annular barrier on the other side of the second inflow section of the existing production casing.
- Also, the redressing method as described above may comprise determining a third inflow section of the existing production casing opposite a third production zone, wherein the providing an inner production casing may further comprise providing a fourth annular barrier, and arranging the third annular barrier on one side of the third inflow section and the fourth annular barrier on the other side of the third inflow section of the existing production casing.
- Moreover, the inner production casing may extend to the top of the well. Furthermore, the inner production casing may overlap most of the existing production casing.
- The anchoring the inner production casing in the top part of the well may comprise providing the inner production casing with an anchoring annular barrier.
- The redressing method according to the present invention may comprise arranging a screen opposite the first inner inflow section of the inner production casing.
- Additionally, the expandable metal sleeves may be expanded by introducing pressurised fluid into the annular space via the inner production casing.
- Further, the redressing method as described above may comprise closing the inner production casing before the expanding the expandable metal sleeves of the annular barriers.
- The determining may be performed by means of a detecting unit in a downhole tool or in the inner production casing.
- Also, the determining may be performed by consulting a completion diagram of the existing production casing.
- The present technology also relates to a redressed completion system for re-establishing production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a malfunctioning well having a top part, comprising:
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- an existing production casing arranged in the well and having a first inflow section opposite a first production zone,
- an inner production casing comprising a first annular barrier and a second annular barrier having a distance between them, each annular barrier comprising:
- a tubular metal part for mounting as part of the inner production casing, and
- an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part and having an inner face facing the tubular metal part and an outer face facing an inner wall of the existing production casing, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with the tubular metal part, and
- an annular space between the inner face of the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal part,
- wherein the inner production casing comprises a first inner inflow section arranged between the first annular barrier and the second annular barrier, the inner production casing extending inside the existing production casing, and wherein the first annular barrier is expanded on one side of the first inflow section and the second annular barrier is expanded on the other side of the first inflow section of the existing production casing, thereby isolating the first inflow section and leading the hydrocarbon-containing fluid from the first production zone into the inner production casing through the inflow sections.
- The inner production casing may have an unexpanded outer diameter which is smaller than a first inner diameter of the existing production casing, thereby reducing the hydrostatic pressure of the well.
- Also, the inner production casing may be anchored to the top part of the well.
- Moreover, the inner production casing may extend to a top of the well.
- Furthermore, the inner production casing may have an inner diameter which is substantially equal along the entire extension of the inner production casing.
- Additionally, the existing production casing may have a second inflow section opposite a second production zone, and the inner production casing comprises a third annular barrier and a second inner inflow section arranged between the second annular barrier and the third annular barrier, the second annular barrier being expanded on one side of the second inflow section and the third annular barrier being expanded on the other side of the second inflow section of the existing production casing, thereby isolating the second inflow section.
- Further, the existing production casing may have a third inflow section opposite a third production zone, and the inner production casing may comprise a fourth annular barrier and a third inner inflow section arranged between the third annular barrier and the fourth annular barrier, the third annular barrier being expanded on one side of the third inflow section, and the fourth annular barrier being expanded on the other side of the third inflow section of the existing production casing, thereby isolating the third inflow section.
- The redressed completion system as described above may further comprise a detection tool configured to determine the inflow sections of the existing production casing.
- Also, a screen may be arranged opposite the inflow sections of the existing production casing and/or the inner inflow sections of the inner production casing.
- Furthermore, the inner production casing may have an inner diameter which is substantially equal along the entire extension of the inner production casing.
- Moreover, the screen may be fluidly connected to the inflow sections.
- The inflow section may comprise an inflow control device.
- Further, a pump may be arranged at the top of the well.
- Additionally, the system may comprise an expansion tool.
- Also, the tubular metal part may comprise an expansion opening.
- The annular space may comprise at least one thermally decomposable compound adapted to generate gas or super-critical fluid upon decomposition.
- This compound may be thermally decomposable below a temperature of 400° C.
- The compound may comprise nitrogen, or comprise nitrogen in the form of ammonium, nitrite, azide or nitrate.
- The compound may be selected from a group consisting of: ammonium dichromate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrite, barium azide, sodium nitrate, or a combination thereof.
- Also, the compound may decompose at temperatures above 100° C., preferably above 180° C.
- Moreover, the inner production casing may comprise an anchoring annular barrier. Furthermore, the inner production casing may comprise closing means for closing the inner production casing before expansion.
- In addition, the existing production casing may comprise annular barriers for isolating a production zone.
- The present technology and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, which for the purpose of illustration show some non-limiting examples and in which
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FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a redressed completion system according to the present technology, -
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a redressed completion system having a detection tool submerged in the well, -
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an inner production casing being submerged into the well in its unexpanded condition, -
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the inner production casing in an expanded condition of the annular barriers, -
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the inner production casing being anchored to the top part of the well, -
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a redressed completion system having perforations, -
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a redressed completion system having a two-part existing production casing, -
FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another redressed completion system, -
FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of another redressed completion system having screens, -
FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of yet another redressed completion system having a sliding sleeve, -
FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an existing production casing being perforated opposite the second zone, -
FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of another redressed completion system where the new production zone is established in the second zone, and -
FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of another redressed completion system where the new production zone has been established in the second zone by perforating the inner production casing. - All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the present technology, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.
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FIG. 1 shows a redressedcompletion system 100 for re-establishing production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid in a malfunctioning well 2. The redressedcompletion system 100 comprises an existingproduction casing 4 arranged in a borehole in thewell 2. The existingproduction casing 4 has afirst inflow section first production zone 101 of a reservoir orformation 14. The redressedcompletion system 100 further comprises aninner production casing 6 having a firstannular barrier 1, is and a secondannular barrier tubular metal part 7 for mounting as part of theinner production casing 6, and anexpandable metal sleeve 8 surrounding thetubular metal part 7. Theexpandable metal sleeve 8 has aninner face 9 facing thetubular metal part 7 and anouter face 10 facing aninner wall 11 of the existingproduction casing 4. Eachend 12 of theexpandable metal sleeve 8 is connected with thetubular metal part 7, thereby defining anannular space 15 between theinner face 9 of theexpandable metal sleeve 8 and thetubular metal part 7. Theinner production casing 6 further comprises a firstinner inflow section 16 arranged between the first and secondannular barriers inner production casing 6 extending inside the existingproduction casing 4. A firstannular barrier 1, is is expanded on one side of thefirst inflow section production casing 4, and a secondannular barrier first inflow section 5 of the existingproduction casing 4, isolating thefirst inflow section first production zone 101 into theinner production casing 6 through thefirst inflow section inner inflow section 16. - The
inner production casing 6 has an unexpanded outer diameter Duo (shown inFIG. 3 ) which is smaller than a first inner diameter Di (shown inFIG. 3 ) of the existingproduction casing 4, and when theannular barriers well 2 since the hydrocarbon-containing fluid from thereservoir 14 only has to displace a substantially smaller fluid column than in the existing production casing. When hydrocarbon-containing fluid has been produced from a production zone for some time, the pressure in thereservoir 14 may drop or the screen through which the fluid enters may be worn out, and an excess amount of sand is produced along with the fluid. Then it is beneficial to insert aninner production casing 6 to reduce the inner diameter or to insert a new screen, so that the sand can no longer enter the producing production casing. In this way, the lifetime of thewell 2 is prolonged by redressing the redressedcompletion system 100 in an easy manner by encapsulating the inflow section of the existingproduction casing 4, so that the production fluid is led from theproduction zone 101 into the existingproduction casing 4 through theinflow section 5 and further into theinner production casing 6 through the firstinner inflow section 16. - The
completion system 100 is redressed by first determining thefirst inflow section production casing 4 opposite thefirst production zone 101, e.g. by a submerging adetection tool 50 into the existingproduction casing 4, as shown inFIG. 2 . Theinner production casing 6 having an inner diameter Di (shown inFIG. 10 ) which is substantially the same along the entire extension of the inner production casing is then provided, so that the hydrocarbon-containing fluid is able to flow in an uninterrupted manner along theinner production casing 6. Then the existingproduction casing 4 is redressed by introducing theinner production casing 6 into the existing production casing, as shown inFIG. 3 , which is possible due to the inner production casing having an outer unexpanded diameter which is smaller than the first inner diameter of the existing production casing. The firstannular barrier 1, is is arranged on one side of the firstinner inflow section 16 and on one side of thefirst inflow section 5, and the secondannular barrier 1, ibis arranged on the other side of theinner inflow section 16 and the other side of thefirst inflow section 5. Thus, thefirst inflow section production casing 4 is encapsulated by expanding theexpandable metal sleeves 8 of the first and secondannular barriers first inflow section FIG. 4 . Theannular barriers inner production casing 6 entering anexpansion opening 22. Subsequently, theinner production casing 6 is anchored in thetop part 3 of thewell 2, e.g. by expanding an anchoringannular barrier 1 an providing the firstinner inflow section 16 in theinner production casing 6 opposite thefirst inflow section 5 of the existingproduction casing 4, as shown inFIG. 5 . Then production of hydrocarbon-containing fluid through the inner production casing is initiated. Thewell 2 may be self-producing when the completion is redressed or the first inner inflow section of theinner production casing 6 may be activated, e.g. by opening a sliding sleeve so that the sliding sleeve 24 (shown inFIG. 10 ) no longer blocks the inflow of fluid into theinner production casing 6. - The
annular barriers inner production casing 6. Theinner production casing 6 may be pressurised by an expansion tool 53 (shown inFIG. 9 ) isolating a zone opposite the expansion opening 22 (shown inFIG. 4 ), or theinner production casing 6 may be pressurised from the top by apump 52, as shown inFIG. 1 . Theinner production casing 6 is closed by a closing means 23, e.g. by dropping a closing means 23 in the form of a ball down theinner production casing 6 to close the end of theinner production casing 6, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4 , and then, the entireinner production casing 6 is pressurised, expanding allannular barriers 1 substantially simultaneously. - The existing
production casing 4 may haveannular barriers 1 for isolating thefirst production zone 101, as shown inFIGS. 1-5 . As shown inFIG. 6 , the existingproduction casing 4 may also be a cemented casing in thatcement 55 is pumped into the annulus surrounding the existingproduction casing 4, and the production is thus established by perforating the existingproduction casing 4, the cement and theformation creating perforations 56. InFIG. 6 , theinner production casing 6 extending all the way up to the top of the well is not suspended/hung off inside the existingproduction casing 4, but is anchored in the well head, the “christmas tree” or the blowout preventer. - When determining the first inflow section, other inflow sections of the existing
production casing 4 may simultaneously be determined or detected, such as determining asecond inflow section 5b (shown inFIG. 7 ) of the existing production casing opposite asecond production zone 102, e.g. by means of adetection unit 58 in theinner production casing 6 or the detection tool 50 (shown inFIG. 2 ). In the event that the existingproduction casing 4 comprises asecond inflow section 5 b, theinner production casing 6 further comprises a third annular barrier is and the secondannular barrier 1 b on one side of thesecond inflow section 16 b and the third annular barrier is on the other side of thesecond inflow section 16 b of the existing production casing, as shown inFIG. 7 . The redressedcompletion system 100 ofFIG. 7 comprises an existingproduction casing 4 having several inflow sections, and similarly, theinner production casing 6 has at least the same number plus at least oneannular barrier 1 as inflow sections of the existingproduction casing 4. Theannular barriers production zones fourth production zone 104 is arranged closer to the top of the well than the third production zone 103 and thesecond production zone 102. As can be seen inFIG. 7 , the existingproduction casing 4 is shorter in length than theinner production casing 6, and the inner production casing overlaps most of the existing production casing. Theinner production casing 6 thus extends further up the well towards the top of the well than the existingproduction casing 4, and the anchoring of theinner production casing 6 is performed in anupper casing 25 of the existingproduction casing 4. The redressing of the redressedcompletion system 100 thus eliminates thegap 26 between theupper casing 25 and the lower existingproduction casing 4, and there is therefore no longer a risk of any intervention tools getting stuck in thegap 26. - Thus, the
inner production casing 6 ofFIG. 7 has a firstannular barrier annular barrier annular barrier annular barrier 1, 1 d, and a fifthannular barrier 1, 1 e. The firstannular barrier 1, is and the secondannular barrier first production zone 101, the secondannular barrier annular barrier 1, is isolate asecond production zone 102, the thirdannular barrier 1, is and fourthannular barrier 1, 1 d isolate a third production zone 103, and the fourthannular barrier 1, 1 d and fifthannular barrier 1, le isolate afourth production zone 104. - In
FIG. 8 , the existingproduction casing 4 comprises a worn outscreen 20 a where theopenings 33 in the screen have become too large due to the sand abrading the material surrounding theopenings 33 and theopenings 34 in thecasing 4, as shown inFIG. 9 . Therefore, ascreen 20 of theinner production casing 6 is arranged opposite thefirst inflow section 5 a of the existing production casing. Thescreen 20 is fluidly connected to theinflow sections FIG. 9 , the first and secondannular barriers annular barriers 1 of the existingproduction casing 4; however still encapsulating theinflow section 5 of the existingproduction casing 4. - The
second inflow section 5 b ofFIG. 8 is closed, so inFIG. 8 , theinner production casing 6 does not overlap the entire existingproduction casing 4 also covering thesecond inflow section 5 b. - In another example, the redressed
completion system 100 is redressed to decrease the hydrostatic pressure, and no screens are used and theinner production casing 6 hasannular barriers 1 encapsulating merely the production zone arranged closest to the top of the well, and theinner production casing 6 does not overlap the remaining production zones closer to the bottom 57 (shown inFIG. 8 ) of the well. Thus, theinner production casing 6 may, in some examples, be longer than the existingproduction casing 4, and in other examples, shorter the existingproduction casing 4. - The
inflow section inflow control device 38, as shown inFIG. 8 . - As shown in
FIG. 11 , before redressing the existing production casing by introducing the inner production casing into the existing production casing, the existing production casing is perforated in asecond zone 102 adjacent to thefirst production zone 101. Arranging the first annular barrier on one side of the first inflow section and the second annular barrier on the other side of the inflow section is thus done to isolate an inflow of fluid from thefirst inflow section 5 from thefirst production zone 101 and initiate production from thesecond zone 102 becoming the new production zone. This way of redressing the completion is especially useful when the first production zone is depleted and is thus no longer producing, or at least not producing sufficiently. - In
FIG. 12 , thefirst inflow section 5 of the existing production casing is encapsulated by expanding the expandable metal sleeves of the first annular barrier and the second annular barrier, thereby isolating the first inflow section, and the inner production casing is anchored in the top part of the well. When arranging the inner production casing inside the existing production casing, the firstinner inflow section 16 of the inner production casing is arranged opposite the second zone to the effect that hydrocarbon-containing fluid from the second zone flows in through the new perforations in the existing production casing and further in through the firstinner inflow section 16 of the inner production casing. The firstinner inflow section 16 is opened after the annular barriers have been set, e.g. by an intervention tool, so that the inner production casing can be pressurised to expand the annular barriers or the annular barriers can be expanded by pressurising a zone opposite the annular barriers. In the latter case, the firstinner inflow section 16 of the inner production casing can be open when the annular barriers are expanded, and thus does not have to be opened afterwards. - In
FIG. 13 , the inner production casing is perforated after the annular barriers have been expanded to initiate production. Depending on the condition of the existing production casing, the step of perforating both the existing production casing and the inner production casing may be performed in one operation. By isolating the first production zone and perforating the inner production casing opposite the second zone, a new production zone is established while the first production zone is being isolated. In order to fracture or otherwise stimulate the formation in thesecond zone 102, a plug may be set by a tool further down the inner production casing below the firstinner inflow section 16 or further down the inner production casing below theperforations 31B in the wall of the inner production casing, and then, the pressurised fluid can enter the firstinner inflow section perforations 31 in the existing production casing and into thesecond zone 102. - Instead of pressurising the entire
inner production casing 6 or a zone opposite an expansion opening of theannular barrier 1, theannular barrier 1 may not have an expansion opening and the annular space may comprise at least one thermally decomposable compound adapted to generate gas or super-critical fluid upon decomposition. This compound may be thermally decomposable below a temperature of 400° C. and may comprise nitrogen, or comprise nitrogen in the form of ammonium, nitrite, azide or nitrate. The compound may be selected from a group consisting of: ammonium dichromate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrite, barium azide, sodium nitrate, or a combination thereof. The compound may decompose at temperatures above 100° C., preferably above 180° C. - By fluid, hydrocarbon-containing fluid or well fluid is meant any kind of fluid that may be present in oil or gas wells downhole, such as natural gas, oil, oil mud, crude oil, water, etc. By gas is meant any kind of gas composition present in a well, completion, or open hole, and by oil is meant any kind of oil composition, such as crude oil, an oil-containing fluid, etc. Gas, oil, and water fluids may thus all comprise other elements or substances than gas, oil, and/or water, respectively.
- By a casing or production casing is meant any kind of pipe, tubing, tubular, liner, string etc. used downhole in relation to oil or natural gas production.
- In the event that the tool is not submergible all the way into the casing, a downhole tractor can be used to push the tool all the way into position in the well. The downhole tractor may have projectable arms having wheels, wherein the wheels contact the inner surface of the casing for propelling the tractor and the tool forward in the casing. A downhole tractor is any kind of driving tool capable of pushing or pulling tools in a well downhole, such as a Well Tractor®.
- Although the invention has been described in the above in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be evident for a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP15172292.3A EP3106605A1 (en) | 2015-06-16 | 2015-06-16 | Redressing method and redressed completion system |
EP15172292.3 | 2015-06-16 | ||
EP16155527.1 | 2016-02-12 | ||
EP16155527 | 2016-02-12 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20160369603A1 true US20160369603A1 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
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ID=56121106
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/182,950 Abandoned US20160369603A1 (en) | 2015-06-16 | 2016-06-15 | Redressing method and redressed completion system |
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US (1) | US20160369603A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3310991A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016202834A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4192375A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1980-03-11 | Union Oil Company Of California | Gravel-packing tool assembly |
US20080156496A1 (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2008-07-03 | Loyd East | Methods and Devices for Treating Multiple-Interval Well Bores |
US20130081459A1 (en) * | 2011-10-04 | 2013-04-04 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Production logging in horizontal wells |
US20140196887A1 (en) * | 2011-09-13 | 2014-07-17 | Welltec A/S | Annular barrier with safety metal sleeve |
US20150315890A1 (en) * | 2012-08-23 | 2015-11-05 | Exxon-Mobil, Upstream Research Company | Systems and methods for re-completing multi-zone wells |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6978840B2 (en) * | 2003-02-05 | 2005-12-27 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Well screen assembly and system with controllable variable flow area and method of using same for oil well fluid production |
GB2398585B (en) * | 2003-02-19 | 2005-04-13 | Schlumberger Holdings | A formation treatment assembly and method |
US8132621B2 (en) * | 2006-11-20 | 2012-03-13 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Multi-zone formation evaluation systems and methods |
EP2599955A1 (en) * | 2011-11-30 | 2013-06-05 | Welltec A/S | Pressure integrity testing system |
EP2642066A1 (en) * | 2012-03-23 | 2013-09-25 | Welltec A/S | Downhole detection system |
-
2016
- 2016-06-15 EP EP16728984.2A patent/EP3310991A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2016-06-15 WO PCT/EP2016/063704 patent/WO2016202834A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-06-15 US US15/182,950 patent/US20160369603A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4192375A (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1980-03-11 | Union Oil Company Of California | Gravel-packing tool assembly |
US20080156496A1 (en) * | 2006-06-09 | 2008-07-03 | Loyd East | Methods and Devices for Treating Multiple-Interval Well Bores |
US20140196887A1 (en) * | 2011-09-13 | 2014-07-17 | Welltec A/S | Annular barrier with safety metal sleeve |
US20130081459A1 (en) * | 2011-10-04 | 2013-04-04 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Production logging in horizontal wells |
US20150315890A1 (en) * | 2012-08-23 | 2015-11-05 | Exxon-Mobil, Upstream Research Company | Systems and methods for re-completing multi-zone wells |
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EP3310991A1 (en) | 2018-04-25 |
WO2016202834A1 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
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