Isolation packer inflated by a fluid filtered from a gravel laden slurry

Abstract

Tools and methods for completing a wellbore that comprise an isolation packer with a particulate filter and inflatable element. The isolation packer is adapted to direct a gravel laden slurry to the particulate filter, where the filter removes a substantial amount of the particulate matter from the gravel laden slurry thereby producing an inflating fluid that is substantially free of particulate matter. The inflating fluid then inflates the inflatable element thereby creating a seal in the wellbore.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention generally relates to inflatable packers used to complete subterranean wells and in particular to hydraulically actuated inflatable packers. More specifically, this invention relates to hydraulically actuated inflatable packers that are inflated by a fluid filtered from a gravel laden slurry or other fluid with suspended solids. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Oil and natural gas may be obtained from subterranean geologic formations, referred to as reservoir, by drilling wells that penetrate hydrocarbon-bearing formations. In order to obtain hydrocarbons from a wellbore, the well usually must be completed. [0003] Well completion involves the design, selection, and installation of equipment and materials in or around a wellbore for conveying, pumping, or controlling the production or injection of fluids from and / or to the wellbore. After a well has been completed, production of oil and gas may begin. Sand or silt flowing into the wellbore from ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] This invention offers a number of benefits over conventional wellbore completion tools. Usually a pre-gravel pack trip would be undertaken to isolate a sump area, for instance, with a cement plug or an open hole packer. This pre-gravel pack trip comprise additional steps that are costly, time consuming and are often difficult to perform and unreliable in their outcome. The present invention provides a means of achieving the desired results in the same trip into the well as the gravel pack operation. The ability to inflate the inflatable isolation packer during a gravel pack completion can save time and expense by eliminating an additional trip into the well.

Problems solved by technology

This pre-gravel pack trip comprise additional steps that are costly, time consuming and are often difficult to perform and unreliable in their outcome.

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