Method of Supporting a Subterranean Conduit

Abstract

A method and apparatus for consolidating a formation penetrated by a wellbore utilize radial stress. The radial stress is created by loading the wellbore, wellbore casing or production pipe with preferably round, dense bead like materials. The shape and density of the bead like material transfers the axial direction of stress created by the vertical height of the bead like materials to a radial direction. The radial stress can also be generated by inflating an inflatable device. The radially directed stress can compact the geologic formation. This can include compaction of loose sand which otherwise may enter the production flow of hydrocarbon. The bead like materials can also support the wellbore casing or production piping from point loading. This can include point loading created by the movement of salt or other subterranean formations. The bead like materials can include barite, hematite, iron oxide, ilmenite, metal, alloy and combinations thereof.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]A subterranean wellbore, perforation hole, any tube, including casing, or tubing inside the wellbore or casing, can be called a subterranean conduit. These conduits are often under stress or pressure and, in some conditions, these conduits are not strong enough to withstand the stress or pressure. The conduits may fail and generate other problems, including interruptions of hydrocarbon production. This invention provides a method to provide a substantial radial stress to a subterranean conduit high enough to support the conduit to prevent its collapse or the collapse of a wellbore, casing or tubing. It also prevents sand production, prevents closure of a hydraulic fracture for hydrocarbon production and prevents or closes a micro-annulus. The provided radial stress is substantially uniform radially around a subterranean conduit to best support the conduit.[0002]During the production of hydrocarbon, the pressure of a well at a wellbore location and the pressur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026]Some wells are drilled through a thick layer of salt. Salt formations may be plastic and cannot support its overburden above it and may slowly deform over a long time under pressure and temperature. This encroachment normally has a preferred direction. Such encroachment onto casing generates point loading. C...

Problems solved by technology

The production of formation sand into a well has been a problem plaguing the oil and gas industry.

It has an adverse effect on well productivity and equipment.

But it can plug wells, erode equipment and settle in surface vessels.

Controlling formation sand is costly and usually involves slowing the production rate in some way.

Though the conventional methods of sand control can enable production for some extended time, failures can be observed from time to time.

Repairing a well may have a huge direct cost plus a loss of production.

These devices may not last for long due to erosion from sand grains.

Furthermore, the retaining screens or slotted liners are a two-dimensional filtering mechanism and tend to be plugged and production therefore is compromised.

However, even in most of gravel packs, a finite quantity of solids is still produced.

Due to the damage to the formation or to the gravel packing during operations, the production of hydrocarbon may suffer from a so called “skin” effect.

This means extra flow resistance is created by either the formation damage or the gravel packing damage.

During sand production, some gravel packing may be displaced by formation sand and exposing screens directly to sand causing erosion of the screens.

These voids 11 may cause subsidence and the well will eventually fail.

However, after some sand fines are produced, the formation near the wellbore behind the casing will become loose and sand production will be worsen quickly.

It is obvious that, even with cased hole gravel packing, the above mentioned problems can still occur.

Otherwise, the wellbore may soon collapse.

It has been difficult to ensure all the rock around a wellbore is consolidated evenly so that no channels that can produce sand are left.

Casing or...

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