Abstract:
A permeable material compacting method includes positioning permeable material around a mandrel, rotating the permeable material about an axis of the mandrel, longitudinally moving at least one tapered surface against the permeable material and reducing a radial thickness of the permeable material between a surface of the mandrel and the at least one tapered surface.
Abstract:
A screen section is made with variable resistance to flow in the screen material to balance the flow along the screen length. In one variation different discrete zones have screens configured for different percentages of open area while all have the same particle filtration capability. In another variation discrete portions have differing amounts of overlapping screen portions so as to balance flow without affecting the particle size screened. The cross-sectional shape of a wire wrap underlayment for the screen is made closer to trapezoidal to decrease the angle of opening for the incoming flow paths toward the base pipe. In this manner flow resistance is reduced and flow is increased due to reduced turbulence.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for increasing fluid flow characteristics within a hydrocarbon production tubing string (18) within a wellbore (10). An expansion member (28) is passed through the interior flowbore (30) of one or more production tubing string members (26). The expansion member smoothes the interior surface of the flowbore and may radially expand the interior surface of the flowbore (30).
Abstract:
A sealing element that swells on exposure to well fluids present or added to the wellbore is assembled to the mandrel in a manner to induce circumferential stresses proximately to the inside diameter of the element so as to resist the tendency of the inside diameter of the element to grow during the swelling process. A vacuum and a pressure method are described. Leak paths between the mandrel and the sealing element are minimized or eliminated as a result.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a formation may include a frac tool having at least one port in selective fluid communication with the formation, and an inflow control device having a flow control path configured to provide a predetermined pressure drop for a flowing fluid. The inflow control device may have a flow coupler configured to provide selective fluid communication with the at least one port.
Abstract:
A production system includes, a tubular having a plurality of sets of ports therethrough spaced longitudinally therealong positionable within a structure, at least one screen radial of the tubular defining an annulus between the structure and the at least one screen, at least one solids control mechanism configured to fill the annulus, and a plurality of flow restrictors. At least one of the flow restrictors is in operable communication with each of the plurality of sets of ports and is configured to generate different restrictions to a same flow rate through each of the plurality of sets of ports.
Abstract:
A flow conduit may have at least one orifice, which conduit is in the vicinity of a flow source. The source is at least partially covered (and flow blocked by) an optional temporary coating or barrier (e.g. filter cake). The flow pathway between the orifice and the source is temporarily blocked with a degradable material. A delayed degradation material layer is present over or covering the degradable material. The delayed degradation material layer degrades at a rate slower than the degradable barrier. The degradable material and delayed degradation material layer disintegrate (e.g. via time, temperature, a solvent). The degradable material optionally produces a product that removes the temporary coating. The method is useful in one context of recovering hydrocarbons where the flow conduit is the casing or liner of the well and the flow source is a subterranean reservoir where the coating is filter cake.
Abstract:
A fracturing operation is done in open hole. The annular space is spanned by telescoping members that are located behind isolation valves. A given bank of telescoping members can be uncovered and the telescoping members extended to span the annular space and engage the formation in a sealing manner. Pressurized fracturing fluid can be pumped through the telescoped passages and the portion of the desired formation fractured. In a proper formation, cementing is not needed to maintain wellbore integrity. In formations that need annular space isolation, the string in a preferred embodiment can have an external material that grows to seal the annular space in lieu of a traditional cementing operation.
Abstract:
A non-ballistic tubular perforating system (10,110) includes a tubular (14) having a wall (18) with perforations (22) therethrough, and plugs 5 (26) positioned within the perforations (22) that are configured to dissolve in response to exposure to a first environment thereby creative of a second environment that can dissolve or increase porosity of cement.