U.S. patent application number 12/478092 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-17 for method and apparatus for modifying flow.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schlumberger Technology Corporation. Invention is credited to Ives D. Loretz, Nitin Y. Vaidya.
Application Number | 20090308619 12/478092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41413720 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090308619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Loretz; Ives D. ; et
al. |
December 17, 2009 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING FLOW
Abstract
Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for packing off or
choking a radial flow port through a tubular. In some embodiments,
the apparatuses and methods comprise a support element and a
polymeric element surrounding the support element. The polymeric
element closes or chokes the radial flow port when contacted with
the tubular.
Inventors: |
Loretz; Ives D.; (Houston,
TX) ; Vaidya; Nitin Y.; (Missouri City, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHLUMBERGER RESERVOIR COMPLETIONS
14910 AIRLINE ROAD
ROSHARON
TX
77583
US
|
Assignee: |
Schlumberger Technology
Corporation
Sugar Land
TX
|
Family ID: |
41413720 |
Appl. No.: |
12/478092 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61060912 |
Jun 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/387 ;
166/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/12 20130101;
E21B 33/138 20130101; E21B 34/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/387 ;
166/179 |
International
Class: |
E21B 33/12 20060101
E21B033/12 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for packing off a radial flow port through a
tubular comprising: a support element; and a polymeric element
surrounding the support element, wherein the polymeric element
closes the radial flow port when contacted with the tubular.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the polymeric element is a
swellable elastomer.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the polymeric element is an
elastomer.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the polymeric element is
swellable.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the polymeric element swells in
the presence of oil.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the polymeric element swells in
the presence of a water-containing fluid.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support element is a radial
spring element.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support element is an
expandable tubular element.
9. A method for closing a radial flow port through a tubular
comprising: providing a pack off element radially inward from the
radial flow port, wherein the pack off element comprises a support
element and a polymeric element; contacting the polymeric element
with the radial flow port to close the radial flow port.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the polymeric element is a
swellable elastomer.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the polymeric element is an
elastomer.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the polymeric element is
swellable.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the polymeric element swells in
the presence of oil.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the polymeric element swells in
the presence of a water-containing fluid.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the support element is a radial
spring element.
16. The method of claim 9 wherein the support element is an
expandable tubular element.
17. An apparatus for choking flow through a radial flow port
through a tubular comprising: a support element; and a polymeric
element surrounding the support element, wherein the polymeric
element chokes flow through the radial flow port when contacted
with the tubular.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the support element is a
radial spring element.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the support element is an
expandable tubular element.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the polymeric element is an
elastomer.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 61/060,912 filed on Jun. 12, 2008,
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Well completion equipment is used in a variety of well
related applications involving, for example, the production of
fluids. The completion equipment is deployed in a wellbore and
often comprises one or more devices or valves for controlling fluid
flow in the well. Particularly, in some circumstances, a flow
control device will control the radial flow of fluid through a
tubular element.
[0003] If a flow control device malfunctions or becomes inoperable,
the impact of such failure can be significant. For example, it may
disrupt production, permanently affect productivity, and/or require
additional capital and workover expenditures. Because the potential
cost of a failure may be substantial, measures may be taken up
front to mitigate the risk of malfunction or failure.
[0004] One method to mitigate risk is shown in FIG. 1, wherein a
tubular 10, has flow ports 20 therethrough. The flow ports,
although shown schematically, may be openings in a flow control
device such as an inflow control device (ICD). If it is desirable
to close off flow ports 20 (e.g., because of a malfunction causing
the flow ports to undesirably remain open), a straddle sleeve 30
may be deployed downhole, via slick line, coiled tubing, or any
other suitable conveyance method. The straddle sleeve is comprised
of seals 40 and locating and locking profile 60. When run in hole,
the sleeve 30 is run until the locking profile 60 engages with a
similarly shaped locating and locking profile that has been cut
into the inside of the tubular 10. This method may seal off the
faulty flow ports, but it also undesirably restricts the
throughbore ID of the tubular 10. This reduction of throughbore ID
may impact future access to lower zones and may choke production
through the affected tubular section.
SUMMARY
[0005] Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for packing off
or choking a radial flow port through a tubular. In some
embodiments, the apparatuses and methods comprise a support element
and a polymeric element surrounding the support element. The
polymeric element closes or chokes the radial flow port when
contacted with the tubular. In some embodiments, the polymeric
element may comprise an elastomer and/or a swellable material. In
some embodiments, the support element may be a radial spring or an
expandable tubular element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a straddle sleeve installed
to close flow ports.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a device installed to close
flow ports.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a device installed to close
flow ports.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a tubular 110, having
recess 160, flow ports 120, and locating profile 150. In operation,
prior to intervention, tubular 110 and flow ports 120 may be a flow
control device, such as an ICD or flow control valve. If a failure
or default occurs, flow ports 120 may undesirably remain in the
open position. By way of example only, in the case of a production
ICD, this may be undesirable because once water begins flowing
through the ICD, it may be desirable to close off the ICD to reduce
the water in the production fluids.
[0010] In order to remedy the failure of the flow ports to properly
close, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an intervention element
comprising contracted radial spring element 140 and flexible member
130 is run in hole adjacent to the location of the malfunctioning
flow ports. One way of locating the proper placement for the
intervention element is by the use of a locator element on the
running tool used to run the intervention device (not shown). The
locator element preferably have a profile to match the locator
profile of the tubular 150. No particular locator profile is
necessary, so long as it is sufficient to allow the operator to
locate flow ports 120 to be close off. Once in place, the radial
spring element 140 is allowed to expand into recess 160. Once
expanded, flexible member 130 is pressed against tubular 110 and
prevents flow through flow ports 120. The expansion may be
triggered by the running tool releasing tension on the spring or by
some other mechanism. For example, the spring could be held in a
contracted state by a material that is designed to degrade or
dissolve in the wellbore conditions, e.g., due to temperature or
reaction with wellbore fluids.
[0011] In preferred embodiments, flexible member 130 is an
elastomeric polymer that maintains its integrity in wellbore
conditions. By way of example only, flexible member 130 may be an
oil swellable elastomer made of elastomers that contain
polyolefins, polybutadiene or polysioprene. The flexible member can
be made of a water swellable elastomer. The flexible member may, if
needed for the application, be a swellable material that swells in
the presence of hydrocarbon fluids, water-containing fluids, brine,
or any combination. By way of example only, the swellable material
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,991 may be used. U.S. Pat. No.
7,373,991 teaches, among other things, an elastomeric composition
comprising the reaction product of a linear or branched polymer
having residual ethylenic unsaturation with an ethylenically
unsaturated organic monomer having at least one reactive moiety
selected from acid, acid anhydride, and acid salt, or allyl
alcohol, the elastomeric composition formed into an oilfield
element.
[0012] In addition, flexible member 130 may be a sleeve that
completely surrounds spring element 140 or spring member 140 may be
embedded or molded, completely or partially within flexible member
130, such that flexible member 130 and spring member 140 are a
unitary body. In these configurations, the spring acts as a
back-up, anti-extrusion device, and seal energizer for the flexible
member.
[0013] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a tubular 210,
having recess 250, flow ports 220, and locating profile 260. In
operation, prior to intervention, tubular 210 and flow ports 220
may be a flow control device, such as an ICD or flow control valve.
As discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, if a failure or default
occurs, flow ports 220 may undesirably remain in the open position.
By way of example only, in the case of a production ICD, this may
be undesirable because once water begins flowing through the ICD,
it may be desirable to close off the ICD to reduce the water in the
production fluids.
[0014] In order to remedy the failure of the flow ports to properly
close, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an intervention element
comprising an expandable element 240 and flexible member 230 is run
in hole adjacent to the location of the malfunctioning flow ports.
One way of locating the proper placement for the intervention
element is by the use of a locator element on the running tool used
to run the intervention device (not shown). The locator element
preferably have a profile to match the locator profile of the
tubular 260. No particular locator profile is necessary, so long as
it is sufficient to allow the operator to locate flow ports 220 to
be closed off. Once in place, the expandable element 240 is
expanded into recess 250. Once expanded, flexible member 230 is
pressed against tubular 210 and prevents flow through flow ports
120.
[0015] With respect to expansion mechanisms, any acceptable
expandable element can be used. Nonexclusive examples of expansion
elements that may be used are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,398,831 and
7,185,709 and European Patent No. EP1717411. The expansion
mechanism of U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,831 utilizes, e.g., a device
having a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape.
Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that
are connected to each other at their ends. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No.
7,185,709 teaches, e.g., an expandable bistable device. EP1717411,
for example, teaches a mechanism for deforming a tubular radially
outwardly (i.e., expanding the tubular).
[0016] As above, in preferred embodiments, flexible member 230 is
an elastomeric polymer that maintains its integrity in wellbore
conditions. By way of example only, flexible member 230 may be an
oil swellable elastomer made of elastomers that contain
polyolefins, polybutadiene or polysioprene. The flexible member can
be made of a water swellable elastomer. Flexible member 230 may
also be a swellable material, such as is described above. In
addition, flexible member 230 may be a sleeve that completely
surrounds expandable element 240 or expandable member 240 may be
embedded or molded, completely or partially within flexible member
230, such that flexible member 230 and expandable member 240 are a
unitary body. In these configurations, the expandable element acts
as a back-up, anti-extrusion device, and seal energizer for the
flexible member.
[0017] In alternative embodiments, rather than completely block the
flow of fluids through the flow ports, the apparatus may contain
radial flow ports which only choke the flow of fluids through the
flow ports. For example, the total flow area of the radial flow
ports in the expandable device may preferably be less than that of
the flow ports being choked.
[0018] Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *