1855results about "Cleaning apparatus" patented technology

Coatings for well screens that protect the screens from damage as they are inserted into the wellbore and once in the well, release reactive materials to react with and degrade potentially plugging materials such as drill solids, fluid filtercakes, fluid loss additives, and drilling fluids. The coatings can be specifically designed for individual well conditions and are comprised of a binder that either melts or dissolves within the wellbore and one or more reactive materials such as acids, enzymes, surfactants, chelants, oxidizers or free radical generators and the like which are released into the screen and the near wellbore area and which are effective in degrading or dissolving materials which could potentially plug the screen.

A method of the preparation and utilization of polymerized alpha-hydroxycarboxylic-acid-coated proppants for gravel pack and removal of filter cake that was deposited by reservoir drilling fluid. In a preferred example, polyglycolic-acid-coated sand is used to replace conventional gravel pack sand typically used for gravel packing. Under downhole conditions, the acidic by-product generated from the hydration of polyglycolic-acid-coated sand can break down acid-soluble and/or acid-breakable components embedded in the filter cake. This reaction enhances the filter cake removal and the flow of hydrocarbon from the producing formation. The polyglycolic-acid-coated sand may be produced by polymerizing a glycolic acid with a natural or synthetic proppant like 20-40 mesh commercial sand, at temperatures of about 210° F. or higher.

Methods are presented to induce a screenout during a subterranean formation fracturing or combined fracturing and gravel packing treatment having a viscoelastic surfactant-based carrier fluid by laying down a filter cake at least a portion of which is a base-soluble material, injecting proppant slurry, and causing hydrolysis and dissolution of the solid base-soluble material by adding base so that leak-off increases, the concentration of proppant in the fracture increases, and the proppant screens out. A method of gravel packing with a viscoelastic surfactant-based carrier fluid by laying down a filter cake at least a portion of which is a base-soluble material, injecting gravel, and causing hydrolysis and dissolution of the solid base-soluble material by adding base. Methods of slowing or accelerating the hydrolysis and dissolution are given, and addition of bridging-promoting materials is included.

A system and method of drilling and/or perforating uses a laser beam to remove material, such as to perforate the casing, cement and formation or drill a well bore. The system and method can further or alternately encompass material analysis that can be performed without removing the material from the well bore. The analysis can be performed apart from or in connection with drilling operations and/or perforating the casing, cement and formation. The analysis can be used in a feed back loop to adjust material removal, adjust material analysis, determine the location of future material removal, and for other uses.

A petroleum well having a well casing, a production tubing, a source of time-varying current, a downhole chemical injection device, and a downhole induction choke. The casing extends within a wellbore of the well. The tubing extends within the casing. The current source is located at the surface. The current source is electrically connected to, and adapted to output a time-varying current into, the tubing and/or the casing, which act as electrical conductors for providing downhole power and/or communications. The injection device having a communications and control module, a chemical container, and an electrically controllable chemical injector. The communications and control module is electrically connected to the tubing and/or the casing. The chemical injector is electrically connected to the communications and control module, and is in fluid communication with the chemical container. The downhole induction choke is located about a portion of the tubing and/or the casing. The chemical injector is electrically connected to the communications and control module, and is in fluid communication with the chemical container. The downhole induction choke is located about a portion of the tubing and/or the casing. The induction choke is adapted to route part of the electrical current through the communications and control module by creating a voltage potential between one side of the induction choke and another side of the induction choke. The communications and control module is electrically connected across the voltage potential. Also, a method is provided for controllably injecting a chemical into the well downhole, which may be used to: improve lift efficiency with a foaming agent, prevent deposition of solids with a paraffin solvent, improve a flow characteristic of the flow stream with a surfactant, prevent corrosion with a corrosion inhibitor, and/or prevent scaling with scale preventers.

A wash nozzle for wellbore washing operations has been invented, the wash nozzle, in one aspect having a central mandrel with a top, a bottom, and a fluid flow bore therethrough from top to bottom, at least one mandrel port through the central mandrel for fluid flow from within the central mandrel's fluid flow bore to an exterior of the central mandrel, a hollow sleeve rotatably mounted around the central mandrel, and at least one sleeve port through the sleeve for fluid flow from within the sleeve from the exterior of the central mandrel to an exterior of the sleeve, the at least one sleeve port defined by a wall on the sleeve. In one aspect the wash nozzle includes apparatus for selective rotation of the sleeve about the mandrel. In one aspect flow through the wash nozzle is stopped to effect sleeve rotation and, in one particular aspect, flow through the nozzle is then re-established. Methods have been invented using such wash nozzles for wellbore washing operations and/or cuttings removal.

Methods of diverting treating fluids in subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods basically comprise the following steps. A degradable particulate diverting material is placed in a subterranean zone that contains releasable water. A treating fluid is then introduced into the subterranean zone which is diverted by the degradable particulate diverting material therein. Thereafter, the degradable particulate diverting material is allowed to at least partially degrade in the presence of the released water in the subterranean zone.

A tubing string assembly for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes substantially pressure holding closures spaced along the tubing string, which each close at least one port through the tubing string wall. The closures are openable by a sleeve drivable through the tubing string inner bore.

Graft polymers are used as gas hydrate inhibitors.

The invention relates to a method for treating subterranean formation comprising providing distributed temperature sensors, injecting a treatment fluid and monitoring the temperature across the treatment interval during the injection process.

A flow conduit having at least one orifice is placed in the vicinity of a flow source, which in one non-limiting embodiment may be a hydrocarbon reservoir. The flow pathway between the orifice and the source is temporarily blocked with a degradable barrier. Once the flow pathway is physically placed, the degradable barrier is removed under the influence of an acid, a solvent, time and/or temperature. The flow source and the flow pathways are at least partially covered (and flow blocked by) a temporary coating such as a pseudo-filter cake formed by a viscoelastic surfactant-gelled aqueous drill-in fluid, and the flow conduit is extended to the flow source. The pseudo-filter cake is removed when viscosity is reduced by an internal breaker, and flow is then allowed. The method is useful in one context of recovering hydrocarbons where the flow conduit is a telescoping sleeve or tube that contacts the borehole wall.

Compositions and methods are given to prevent, alleviate and remedy water blocks and gas blocks (condensate block or condensate banking). Wettability modifiers are contacted with the formation to change the surfaces from water wet or oil wet to intermediate wet or gas wet. Preferred wettability modifiers include partially or completely fluorinated surfactants or polymers, for example fluorosilanes such as perfluorosilanes, urethane oligomers containing perfluoro alkyl moieties, fluoroacrylates, and fluoroalkyl containing terpolymers or their mixtures. Other examples include surfactants, for example viscoelastic surfactants such as cationic surfactants such as quaternary amines, and zwitterionic surfactants, such as betaines, optionally mixed with co-surfactants.

This invention proposes a method for completing an interval of an open-hole injection wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, said wellbore being communicating with the formation by way of an interface that comprises at least a filter cake invaded zone comprising bridging materials and other embedded solid materials, said method comprising the steps of injecting a clean-up fluid and contacting it with the filtercake for a period of time sufficient to loose some of the other solids embedded in the filter cake; removing the loosened solids by a high-rate displacement fluid comprising suspending additives; and then injecting a dissolving fluid comprising a diverter and an effective amount of a salt or acid capable of dissolving the bridging material.

Methods of drilling and completing open hole well bores and methods of removing filter cake comprised of a gelling agent and calcium carbonate are provided. A method of the invention for removing filter cake comprised of a gelling agent and calcium carbonate from the walls of an open hole well bore is basically comprised of the steps of contacting the filter cake with a delayed clean-up solution comprised of water and a formate ester and removing the clean-up solution from the well bore.

The present disclosure provides systems utilizing fiber optics for monitoring downhole parameters and the operation and conditions of downhole tools and controlling injection operations based on measurements in an injection well and/or a production well.

This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.

A system is provided that monitors at the wellsite injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through wellbores and controls the supply of such additives from remote locations. A pump supplies the selected additive from a source at the wellsite into the wellbore via a suitable supply line. A flow meter in the supply line measures the flow rate of the additive through the supply line and generates signals representative of the flow rate. A controller at the wellsite determines the flow rate from the flow meter signals and in response thereto controls the pump to control the flow rate of the additive to the well. The wellsite controller interfaces with a suitable two-way communication link and transmits signals and data representative of the flow rate, and other parameters to a second remote controller. The remote controller transmits command signals to the wellsite controller representative of any change desired for the flow rate. The wellsite controller is microprocessor based and may be programmed at the wellsite or by the remote controller to adjust the flow rate. The system of the present invention may be configured for multiple wells, with each well having a separate wellsite controller or a common wellsite controller.

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.

The present invention involves methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations, and more specifically, relates to improved methods and compositions for degrading filter cake deposited in a subterranean formation by effecting a uniform distribution of a filter cake breaker. One embodiment of the present invention provides a weighted encapsulated breaker comprising a breaker material; and, a coating material comprising a polymer material and a filler material having a specific gravity of at least about 6.5.

A method of treatment of subterranean formations in which leakoff through natural fractures is controlled through the use of fibers. The method involves pumping a mixture of a formation treatment fluid and a fiber into the formation for matrix stimulation, fracture stimulation, diversion, and/or water control. In carbonate formations, the formation treatment fluid is preferably an in situ gelled acid. The method optionally also involves pumping the same or a different formation treatment fluid without fiber.

A system and method for supplying an additive into a well is disclosed that includes estimating injection rates for the additives and setting of one or more fluid flow control devices in the well based on a computer model. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

A system includes one or more sensors configured to sense at least one characteristic of fluid entering a well, one or more sensors configured to sense at least one characteristic of fluid exiting a well; and one or more control systems that receive data from at least one of the sensors.

A composition, formulation, and method for removing water from a near-wellbore portion of a subterranean formation containing a crude oil and penetrated by a wellbore. The formulation contains alkylpolyglycoside, ethoxylated alcohol and linear alkyl alcohols. The composition contains a hydrocarbonaceous liquid, alkylpolyglycoside, ethoxylated alcohol and linear alkyl alcohol.

A microemulsion system is disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation.

A wellbore fluid including a peroxide degradable polymer and an encapsulated peroxide source. The peroxide degradable polymer may be a polysaccharide. The peroxide source may include an inorganic peroxide, including zinc and alkaline earth metal peroxides, such as magnesium peroxide. The encapsulating material may be a polymer, including enteric polymers. The release of peroxide, from peroxide sources generally, can be controlled by means of pH such that peroxide source can be activated, and peroxide released, by a change in pH. In a wellbore, this pH change can be effected by using produced fluids to lower the pH of a more basic wellbore fluid.

A well servicing system includes a computer-based system that monitors pumping or other service operations at a well site and monitors deliveries and withdrawals of chemicals at a bulk storage station. A GPS device or other location identifier provides a location value that identifies the location of the service vehicle. A GPS reading is triggered by actuation of the vehicle's parking brake, and the location value is recorded in association with a process-related transducer value. The transducer value is based on the service vehicle performing some type of service operation either at the well site or at the bulk storage station.

Canister, sealing method and composition for sealing a borehole. The canister includes a container with slurry inside the container, one or more slurry exits at one end of the container, a pump at the other end of the container, and a piston inside that pushes the slurry though the slurry exit(s), out of the container, and into a borehole. An inflatable packer outside the container provides stabilization in the borehole. A borehole sealing material is made by combining an oxide or hydroxide and a phosphate with water to form a slurry which then sets to form a high strength, minimally porous material which binds well to itself, underground formations, steel and ceramics.

On-Line and Off-Line methods of simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting an industrial water system are described and claimed. The methods involve the addition to the water of the industrial water system of a Compound selected from the group consisting of the alkali salts of chlorite and chlorate and mixtures thereof; and an acid, followed by allowing the water in the industrial water system to circulate for several hours. The reaction of the alkali salts of chlorite and chlorate and acid produces chlorine dioxide in-situ in the water of the industrial water system. The chlorine dioxide kills microorganisms and the acid acts to remove deposits upon the water-contact surfaces of the equipment. An alternative method involves the use of a chelating agent and a biocide. Other possible cleaning and disinfection reagents may be added as needed including corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, biocides, surfactants and reducing agents. These cleaning and disinfecting methods work in a variety of industrial water systems including cooling water and boiler water systems.

A system allows for sequential treatment of sections of a zone. Access to each portion can be with a sliding sleeve that has a specific internal profile. Pump down plugs can be used that have a specific profile that will make a plug latch to a specific sleeve. Pressure on the plug when latched allows a sequential opening of sleeves while zones already affected that are below are isolated. The pump down plugs have a passage that is initially obstructed by a material that eventually disappears under anticipated well conditions. As a result, when all portions of a zone are handled a flow path is reestablished through the various latched plugs. The plugs can also be blown clear of a sliding sleeve after operating it and can feature a key that subsequently prevents rotation of the plug on its axis in the event is later needs milling out.

A method of treating a well consists of introducing into the wellbore a biodegradable fluid system containing a blend of lactic acid ester, such as ethyl lactate, and a fatty acid ester, such as methyl soyate. The fluid system may be further in the form of a microemulsion that is formed by combining a blend with one or more emulsifiers, an alcohol, and water. The fluid system may be used in displacement, well remediation and stimulation as well as additional, alternative applications such as the cleaning of surface and/or downhole equipment.