U.S. patent application number 14/421407 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for well screens with erosion resistant shunt flow paths.
The applicant listed for this patent is HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.. Invention is credited to Brandon T. Least, Jean-Marc Lopez, Jan Veit.
Application Number | 20150211341 14/421407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50828292 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150211341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Least; Brandon T. ; et
al. |
July 30, 2015 |
WELL SCREENS WITH EROSION RESISTANT SHUNT FLOW PATHS
Abstract
A well screen can include a shunt flow path, and an erosion
resistant layer between the shunt flow path and a body, the erosion
resistant layer comprising a coating applied to the body. A method
of constructing a well screen can include constructing a shunt flow
path having an erosion resistant layer therein, and positioning the
shunt flow path with the well screen, whereby the shunt flow path
can convey the erosive slurry between opposite ends of the well
screen. A system for use with a well can include a well screen
including a shunt flow path through which an erosive slurry flows
between sections of an annulus external to the well screen, and an
internal erosion resistant layer in the shunt flow path.
Inventors: |
Least; Brandon T.; (Dallas,
TX) ; Lopez; Jean-Marc; (Plano, TX) ; Veit;
Jan; (Plano, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50828292 |
Appl. No.: |
14/421407 |
Filed: |
November 27, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 27, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2012/066630 |
371 Date: |
February 12, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/227 ;
29/428 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
E21B 43/08 20130101; E21B 43/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/08 20060101
E21B043/08 |
Claims
1. A well screen, comprising: a shunt flow path; and an erosion
resistant layer between the shunt flow path and a body, the erosion
resistant layer comprising a coating applied to an interior of the
body.
2. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the erosion resistant layer
internally lines the shunt flow path.
3. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the erosion resistant layer
is positioned in a section of the shunt flow path having a reduced
cross-sectional area.
4. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the erosion resistant layer
is positioned in a section of the shunt flow path having a change
in direction.
5. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the erosion resistant layer
is positioned in a section of the shunt flow path comprising an
intersection between shunt tubes.
6. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the shunt flow path provides
fluid communication between opposite ends of the well screen.
7. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the shunt flow path provides
fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the well
screen.
8. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a steel
material.
9. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the erosion resistant layer
comprises a tungsten carbide material.
10. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the erosion resistant layer
is applied to an interior of a shunt tube.
11. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the erosion resistant layer
has a greater erosion resistance as compared to the body.
12. The well screen of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle which
provides fluid communication between the shunt flow path and an
exterior of the well screen, and wherein the coating lines an
interior of the nozzle.
13. A method of constructing a well screen, the method comprising:
constructing a shunt flow path having an erosion resistant layer
therein, the erosion resistant layer comprising a coating; and
positioning the shunt flow path with the well screen.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the constructing further
comprises positioning the erosion resistant layer between the shunt
flow path and a body, the erosion resistant layer having a greater
erosion resistance as compared to the body.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein a steel body surrounds the
shunt flow path, the steel body having the erosion resistant layer
therein, whereby the erosion resistant layer protects the steel
body from the erosive slurry.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the constructing further
comprises the erosion resistant layer internally lining the shunt
flow path.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the constructing further
comprises positioning the erosion resistant layer in a section of
the shunt flow path having a reduced cross-sectional area.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the constructing further
comprises positioning the erosion resistant layer in a section of
the shunt flow path having a change in direction.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the constructing further
comprises positioning the erosion resistant layer in a section of
the shunt flow path comprising an intersection between shunt
tubes.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the erosion resistant layer
comprises a tungsten carbide material.
21. The method of claim 13, further comprising connecting a nozzle
to the shunt flow path, whereby the nozzle can direct an erosive
slurry to an exterior of the well screen, the nozzle having the
erosion resistant layer therein.
22. The method of claim 13, wherein the shunt flow path can conveys
an erosive slurry between opposite ends of the well screen.
23. The method of claim 13, wherein the shunt flow path can conveys
an erosive slurry between an interior and an exterior of the well
screen.
24. A system for use with a well, the system comprising: a well
screen including a shunt flow path through which an erosive slurry
flows between longitudinal sections of an annulus external to the
well screen, and an internal erosion resistant layer in the shunt
flow path, the erosion resistant layer comprising a coating.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the erosion resistant layer is
positioned between the shunt flow path and a body, the erosion
resistant layer having a greater erosion resistance as compared to
the body.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the body comprises a steel
material.
27. The system of claim 24, wherein the erosion resistant layer
internally lines the shunt flow path.
28. The system of claim 24, wherein the erosion resistant layer is
positioned in a section of the shunt flow path having a reduced
cross-sectional area.
29. The system of claim 24, wherein the erosion resistant layer is
positioned in a section of the shunt flow path having a change in
direction.
30. The system of claim 24, wherein the erosion resistant layer is
positioned in a section of the shunt flow path comprising an
intersection between shunt tubes.
31. The system of claim 24, wherein the shunt flow path provides
fluid communication between opposite ends of the well screen.
32. The system of claim 24, wherein the shunt flow path provides
fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the well
screen.
33. A well screen, comprising: a shunt flow path; a nozzle which
provides fluid communication between the shunt flow path and an
exterior of the well screen; and an erosion resistant layer which
lines the shunt flow path and an interior of the nozzle.
34. The well screen of claim 33, wherein the shunt flow path
provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the well
screen.
35. The well screen of claim 33, wherein the nozzle comprises a
steel body having the erosion resistant layer therein, whereby the
erosion resistant layer protects the steel body from an erosive
slurry.
36. The well screen of claim 33, wherein the erosion resistant
layer comprises a tungsten carbide material.
37. The well screen of claim 33, wherein the erosion resistant
layer comprises a coating applied in the shunt flow path and to the
interior of the nozzle.
38. The well screen of claim 33, wherein the erosion resistant
layer has a greater erosion resistance as compared to a body of the
nozzle.
39. The well screen of claim 33, wherein the erosion resistant
layer has a greater hardness as compared to a body of the nozzle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and
operations performed in conjunction with subterranean wells and, in
one example described below, more particularly provides well
screens with erosion resistant shunt flow paths.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Shunt tubes are sometimes used to provide alternate paths
for slurry flow in an annulus between a tubular string (such as, a
completion string) and a wellbore. In this manner, the slurry can
bypass blockages or restrictions (such as, sand bridging) in the
annulus.
[0003] However, slurries (such as, proppant or gravel slurries) can
be erosive to well screen components. Therefore, it will be
appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the arts of
constructing and utilizing screens for use in wells.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional view of
a well system and associated method which can embody principles of
this disclosure.
[0005] FIGS. 2 & 3 are elevational and partially
cross-sectional views of a well screen which may be used in the
system and method.
[0006] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a shunt tube assembly which
may be used in the well screen.
[0007] FIGS. 5 & 6 are representative cross-sectional views of
examples of nozzles which may be used with the shunt tube
assembly.
[0008] FIGS. 7 & 8 are representative cross-sectional views of
examples of sections of the shunt tube assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10 for
use with a well, and an associated method, which system and method
can embody principles of this disclosure. However, it should be
clearly understood that the system 10 and method are merely one
example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in
practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible.
Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to
the details of the system 10 and method described herein and/or
depicted in the drawings.
[0010] In the FIG. 1 example, a tubular string 12 is positioned in
a wellbore 14 lined with casing 16 and cement 18. An annulus 20 is
formed radially between the tubular string 12 and the wellbore
14.
[0011] In other examples, the wellbore 14 could be uncased or open
hole, the wellbore could be generally horizontal or inclined, etc.
The annulus 20 is not necessarily concentric, since the tubular
string 12 could be to one side or another of the wellbore 14,
etc.
[0012] It is desired in the FIG. 1 example to fill the annulus 20
with "gravel" about well screens 24 connected in the tubular string
12. For this purpose, a slurry 22 is flowed into the annulus 20,
for example, from a surface location.
[0013] The slurry 22 in this example is erosive and may comprise a
particulate portion (e.g., sand, gravel, proppant, etc.) and a
liquid portion. The liquid portion may flow inwardly through the
well screens 24 into the tubular string 12, and/or out into a
formation 26 surrounding the wellbore 14 (e.g., via perforations,
not shown, formed through the casing 16 and cement 18), leaving the
particulate portion in the annulus 20 about the well screens
24.
[0014] If a fracturing operation is performed, the particulate
portion (e.g., proppant, etc.) can flow into fractures formed in
the formation 26. Such gravel packing, fracturing, etc., operations
are well known to those skilled in the art and so are not described
further herein. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to any
particular gravel packing or fracturing operation being performed
in the wellbore 14.
[0015] Part of the slurry 22 is also permitted to flow through
shunt tube assemblies 28 extending through the screens 24. The
shunt tube assemblies 28 provide multiple alternate paths for the
slurry 22 flow, in order to prevent voids in the particulate
portion which accumulates about the tubular string 12.
[0016] In the FIG. 1 example, each of the shunt tube assemblies 28
provides fluid communication between sections of the annulus 20 on
opposite ends of a corresponding screen 24. In addition, as
described more fully below, each of the shunt tube assemblies 28
includes nozzles (not visible in FIG. 1) which direct flow of the
slurry 22 outward into the annulus 20 along the screen 24, so that
a more even distribution of the slurry in the annulus is
achieved.
[0017] Referring additionally now to FIGS. 2 & 3, an example of
a well screen 24 is representatively illustrated in elevational and
partially cross-sectional views. The screen 24 may be used in the
system 10 and method of FIG. 1, or the screen may be used in other
systems and methods.
[0018] In FIG. 2, a perforated outer shroud 30 of the screen 24 is
removed, so that two shunt tube assemblies 28 are visible. The
outer shroud 30 is shown in FIG. 3.
[0019] Note that the shunt tube assemblies 28 are positioned in a
non-concentric annular space between the outer shroud 30 and a
filter 32 which encircles a perforated base pipe 34 of the screen
24. The filter 32 could comprise a mesh, wire wrap, sintered, woven
or other type of filter material.
[0020] A flow passage 36 which extends longitudinally through the
base pipe 34 also extends longitudinally in the tubular string 12
when the screen 24 is used in the system 10 and method of FIG. 1.
Thus, the liquid portion of the slurry 22 can flow inwardly through
the outer shroud 30, the filter 32 and the base pipe 34, and into
the flow passage 36. In other examples, if fracturing of the
formation 26 is desired, flow of the liquid portion into the
passage 36 may be restricted or prevented, until after the
fracturing operation.
[0021] Referring additionally now to FIG. 4, an example of one of
the shunt tube assemblies 28 is representatively illustrated, apart
from the screen 24. In this view, it may be seen that the assembly
28 includes generally parallel tubes 38, 40.
[0022] The slurry 22 can flow completely through the tube 38 (e.g.,
from one screen 24 to another), but a lower end 42 of the tube 40
may be closed off, so that the slurry 22 is directed outward from
the tube 40 via nozzles 44. In some examples, the slurry 22 can
flow outwardly through the lower end 42 of the tube 40, and through
the nozzles 44.
[0023] At this point it should be recognized that the shunt tube
assemblies 28 described herein are merely one example of a wide
variety of different ways in which a shunt flow path can be
provided for a slurry in a well. It is not necessary for the shunt
tube assemblies 28 to be constructed as depicted in the drawings,
the shunt tube assemblies are not necessarily positioned between
the outer shroud 30 and the filter 32 or base pipe 34, the nozzles
44 are not necessarily connected to one of two parallel tubes, the
shunt flow path does not necessarily extend through tubes, etc.
Thus, it will be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is
not limited to the details of the screen 24, shunt tube assemblies
28 or nozzles 44 as described herein or depicted in the
drawings.
[0024] Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, an enlarged scale
cross-sectional view of a portion of the tube 40 and a nozzle 44 is
representatively illustrated. In this view, it may be seen that the
nozzle 44 directs the slurry 22 to flow from an internal shunt flow
path 46 to an exterior of the screen 24 (e.g., into the annulus
20).
[0025] An erosion resistant layer 48 protects the nozzle 44 and
tube 40 from erosion due to the flow of the erosive slurry 22. The
erosion resistant layer 48 internally lines the tube 40 and the
nozzle 44 in the FIG. 5 example.
[0026] Preferably, the erosion resistant layer 48 has a hardness
and/or erosion resistance which is greater than that of the tube 40
and nozzle 44. In this manner, the layer 48 resists erosion due to
flow of the slurry 22.
[0027] In some examples, the layer 48 may comprise tungsten carbide
or another relatively hard and erosion resistant material. The tube
40 and nozzle 44 may be made of a softer, more ductile material
which is also more susceptible to erosion (such as, mild steel,
etc.). For example, the nozzle 44 may include a body 50 which is
made of steel.
[0028] In this manner, the tube 40 and nozzle 44 can be relatively
inexpensive to manufacture, but with the layer 48 therein, the
assembly 28 is more capable of resisting erosion due to the slurry
22 flow. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to
any particular material used for the tube 40, nozzle 44 and/or
layer 48.
[0029] The erosion resistant material may be applied to the
interior of the tube 40 and nozzle 44 using various techniques,
such as, coating, spraying, explosive forming, molding, etc. The
erosion resistant layer 48 may be formed by flame spray, including
high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray. The scope of this
disclosure is not limited to any particular technique for providing
the layer 48 in the tube 40 or nozzle 44.
[0030] In the FIG. 6 example, the entire tube 40 is not lined with
the erosion resistant layer 48. Instead, a section including the
nozzle 44 is separately constructed with the layer 48 therein, and
this section is incorporated into the tube 40 (e.g., by welding,
threading, slip fitting, etc.). In this manner, the area most
susceptible to erosion (the nozzle 44 and adjacent section of the
tube 40) is provided with the erosion resistant layer 48, and the
remainder of the tube 40 is more economical to manufacture.
[0031] Referring additionally now to FIG. 6, an enlarged scale
cross-sectional view of an intersection of the tubes 38, 40 is
representatively illustrated. In this view, it may be seen that the
slurry 22 can flow from the tube 38 to the tube 40, which directs
the slurry 22 to flow from an internal shunt flow path 46 to an
exterior of the screen 24 (e.g., into the annulus 20).
[0032] The flow path 46 has a smaller cross-sectional area in the
tube 40, and so a velocity of the slurry 22 in the tube 40 can
increase. Such increased velocity can cause increased erosion near
the intersection of the tubes 38, 40.
[0033] An erosion resistant layer 48 protects the intersection of
the tubes 38, 40 from erosion due to the flow of the erosive slurry
22. The erosion resistant layer 48 internally lines the
intersection of the tubes 38, 40 in the FIG. 5 example.
[0034] Preferably, the erosion resistant layer 48 has a hardness
and/or erosion resistance which is greater than that of the tubes
38, 40. In this manner, the layer 48 resists erosion due to flow of
the slurry 22.
[0035] In some examples, the layer 48 may comprise tungsten carbide
or another composite or relatively hard and erosion resistant
material. The tubes 38, 40 may be made of a softer, more ductile
material which is also more susceptible to erosion (such as, mild
steel, etc.). For example, the tube 40 may include a body 50 which
is made of steel.
[0036] In this manner, the tubes 38, 40 can be relatively
inexpensive to manufacture, but with the layer 48 therein, the
assembly 28 is more capable of resisting erosion due to the slurry
22 flow. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to
any particular material used for the tubes 38, 40, and/or layer
48.
[0037] The erosion resistant material may be applied to the
interior of the tubes 38, 40 using various techniques, such as,
cladding, coating, spraying, explosive forming, molding, etc. The
scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular technique
for providing the layer 48 in the tubes 38, 40.
[0038] In the FIG. 7 example, a section of the tube 40 in which the
slurry 22 is induced to change direction is lined with the erosion
resistant layer 48. In this manner, erosive effects due to the
change in direction of the slurry 22 flow are mitigated.
[0039] Note that it is not necessary that all of either of the
tubes 38, 40 be entirely lined with the erosion resistant layer 48.
Instead, any separate section of the tube(s) 38 and/or 40 can be
separately constructed with the layer 48 therein, and this section
incorporated into the tube(s) 38, 40 (e.g., by welding, threading,
slip fitting, etc.). Alternatively (or in addition), the layer 48
can be applied to any or all sections of the tube(s) 38, 40. In
this manner, the areas most susceptible to erosion (e.g., areas
experiencing relatively high velocity slurry 22 flow, areas where
the slurry flow experiences a change in direction, etc.) can be
provided with the erosion resistant layer 48, and the remainder of
the tube(s) 38, 40 can be more economical to manufacture.
[0040] It may now be fully appreciated that the above disclosure
provides significant advancements to the art of constructing well
screens. In examples described above, the screen 24 is provided
with shunt tube assemblies 28 in which nozzles 44 thereof have an
erosion resistant layer 48 therein.
[0041] A well screen 24 is provided to the art by the above
disclosure. In one example, the screen 24 can include a shunt flow
path 46, and an erosion resistant layer 48 between the shunt flow
path 46 and a body 50, the erosion resistant layer 48 having a
greater erosion resistance as compared to the body 50.
[0042] The erosion resistant layer 48 may internally line the shunt
flow path 46. The erosion resistant layer 48 may be positioned in a
section of the shunt flow path 46 having a reduced cross-sectional
area, and/or in a section of the shunt flow path 46 having a change
in direction, and/or in a section of the shunt flow path 46
comprising an intersection between shunt tubes 38, 40.
[0043] The shunt flow path 46 may provide fluid communication
between opposite ends of the well screen 24, and/or between an
interior and an exterior of the well screen 24.
[0044] The body 50 can comprise a steel material. The erosion
resistant layer 48 can comprise a tungsten carbide material.
[0045] The erosion resistant layer 48 may comprise a coating
applied to an interior of a shunt tube 38, 40.
[0046] A method of constructing a well screen 24 is also described
above. In one example, the method can comprise: constructing a
shunt flow path 46 to direct an erosive slurry 22 to an exterior of
the well screen 24, the shunt flow path 46 having an erosion
resistant layer 48 therein, and positioning the shunt flow path 46
with the well screen 24, whereby the shunt flow path 46 can convey
the erosive slurry 22 between opposite ends of the well screen
24.
[0047] The constructing step can include positioning the erosion
resistant layer 48 between the shunt flow path 46 and a body 50,
the erosion resistant layer 48 having a greater erosion resistance
as compared to the body 50.
[0048] A steel body 50 may surround the shunt flow path 46, the
steel body 50 having the erosion resistant layer 48 therein,
whereby the erosion resistant layer 48 protects the steel body 50
from the erosive slurry 22.
[0049] A system 10 for use with a well is also described above. In
one example, the system 10 can include a well screen 24 including a
shunt flow path 46 through which an erosive slurry 22 flows between
sections of an annulus 20 external to the well screen 24, and an
internal erosion resistant layer 48 in the shunt flow path 46.
[0050] Another well screen 24 is provided to the art by the
disclosure above. In one example, the screen 24 can include a shunt
flow path 46 and a nozzle 44 which provides fluid communication
between the shunt flow path 46 and an exterior of the well screen
24. The nozzle 44 has an erosion resistant layer 48 therein.
[0051] The erosion resistant layer 48 can comprise a coating which
internally lines both the nozzle 44 and the shunt flow path 46.
[0052] The shunt flow path 46 can also provide fluid communication
between opposite ends of the well screen 24 (e.g., via the tube
38). The nozzle 44 can include a steel body 50 having the erosion
resistant layer 48 therein, whereby the erosion resistant layer 48
protects the steel body 50 from an erosive slurry 22.
[0053] The erosion resistant layer 48 may comprise a tungsten
carbide material. The erosion resistant layer 48 may comprise a
coating applied in the shunt flow path 46 and to an interior of the
nozzle 44. The erosion resistant layer 48 can extend into the shunt
flow path 46.
[0054] The erosion resistant layer 48 can have a greater erosion
resistance and/or hardness as compared to a body 50 of the nozzle
44.
[0055] A method of constructing a well screen 24 is described above
in which, in one example, comprises: connecting a nozzle 44 to a
shunt flow path 46, whereby the nozzle 44 can direct an erosive
slurry 22 to an exterior of the well screen 24, the nozzle 44 and
shunt flow path 46 having an erosion resistant layer 48 therein;
and positioning the shunt flow path 46 with the well screen 24,
whereby the shunt flow path 46 can convey the erosive slurry 22
between opposite ends of the well screen 24.
[0056] Also provided to the art by the above description is a
system 10 for use with a well. The system 10 can include a well
screen 24 including a shunt flow path 46 through which an erosive
slurry 22 flows between sections of an annulus 20 external to the
well screen 24, and a nozzle 44 which directs the erosive slurry 22
from the shunt flow path 46 to the annulus 20, the nozzle 44 and
shunt flow path 46 having an internal erosion resistant layer
48.
[0057] Although various examples have been described above, with
each example having certain features, it should be understood that
it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be
used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features
described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined
with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any
of the other features of those examples. One example's features are
not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the
scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the
features.
[0058] Although each example described above includes a certain
combination of features, it should be understood that it is not
necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any
of the features described above can be used, without any other
particular feature or features also being used.
[0059] It should be understood that the various embodiments
described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as
inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various
configurations, without departing from the principles of this
disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of
useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is
not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.
[0060] In the above description of the representative examples,
directional terms (such as "above," "below," "upper," "lower,"
etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying
drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope
of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions
described herein.
[0061] The terms "including," "includes," "comprising,"
"comprises," and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in
this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus,
device, etc., is described as "including" a certain feature or
element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include
that feature or element, and can also include other features or
elements. Similarly, the term "comprises" is considered to mean
"comprises, but is not limited to."
[0062] Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful
consideration of the above description of representative
embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many
modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other
changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes
are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example,
structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other
examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. Accordingly, the
foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being
given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope
of the invention being limited solely by the appended claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *