Laminate pressure containing body for a well tool

Abstract

Apparatus if provided for use in wells, particularly wells that have high-pressure and high-temperature conditions in the well. The shells of completion equipment that is required to withstand the rigorous conditions in such wells are increased in strength by laminate layers that are formed of materials having higher yield strength than the yield strength of materials that can be used in well fluids.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention pertains to apparatus for use in wells. More particularly, pressure-containing apparatus is provided for use in high-pressure, high-temperature wells where wall thickness of apparatus is to be minimized and material selection is limited by well conditions.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]With energy prices at all time highs, companies involved in the discovery and production of hydrocarbons are pursuing deeper offshore oil and gas plays. As well depths increase, well architecture becomes more challenging. Geologists, geophysicists and petroleum engineers understand that as well depths increase, so does formation pressure and temperature. It is estimated that pressures of 30,000 psi and 500 deg F. and beyond may become commonplace in future wells. The industry acronym for High-Pressure and High-Temperature wells is HPHT. As HPHT conditions present themselves in deep wells, the equipment needed to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Apparatus is provided for allowing greater flow area in wells by strengthening pressure-containing shells or tubulars that are a part of completion equipment in the wells. Laminate layers made of materials having higher yield value than equipment that comes in contact with well fluids are added to completion equipment. The layers may be formed of cylinders, wound wire or other forms of materials. Metal matrix composite materials may be used.

Problems solved by technology

As well depths increase, well architecture becomes more challenging.

Substances present in fluids produced from HPHT wells are often detrimental to materials that form tubulars and well completion equipment.

One of the worst substances is hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which can cause stress corrosion cracking, especially of materials that have high yield strength.

Another substance that is often present in HPHT wells is carbon dioxide (CO2), which can cause weight loss corrosion.

When drilling a well, costs are much higher as depth increases.

Larger diameter, deeper holes become prohibitively expensive unless production flow area (inside diameter of the production tubing) is maximized.

The cost of drilling a well is much more expensive as the diameter and depth each increase.

Materials must be tailored to the environment, but use of the strongest materials may be inadvisable or prohibited due to NACE requirements to avoid chemical attack.

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