Multi-position Valve Fracturing and Sand Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional completion techniques in well fracturing and sand control require multiple trips with crossover tools and screens, leading to increased rig time, erosion risks, and limited flexibility in fracturing sequence and sand control operations.

Innovation Solution

A completion tubular with multi-position sliding sleeve valves that can be configured for fracturing and filtration, allowing for fracturing in any desired order and eliminating the need for crossover tools and separate sand control screens, enabling production without additional trips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional completion techniques use crossover tools and screens for fracturing and sand control, then sand control and fracturing can be performed, but rig time increases and equipment wear occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesand controlVSAvoidrig time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines sand control screens and fracturing operations into a single integrated completion string with multiple valves. This eliminates the need for separate crossover tools and multiple trips, as the same completion string performs both sand control and controlled fracturing of multiple zones in any desired sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The completion string is designed with multi-position valves that can perform multiple functions: isolating different zones, conducting fracturing operations, and enabling sand control. This universal design allows a single string to replace traditional multiple tools and operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional techniques require multiple trips with crossover tools for each zone, then discrete zone control is achieved, but device complexity and operational steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezone control flexibilityVSAvoidcompletion string complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The completion string is segmented into multiple independently controllable zones with individual valves. Each zone can be isolated or opened as needed, providing discrete control over multiple formations while maintaining a single integrated string design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If gravel packing is performed after fracturing using traditional methods, then sand control is achieved, but erosive wear on crossover tool occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesand controlVSAvoiderosive wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sand control screens are integrated into the completion string itself rather than using separate crossover tools. This eliminates the erosive wear problem because the gravel packing media flows through the integrated screens without contacting vulnerable crossover tool components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8291982B2Multi-position valve for fracturing and sand control and associated completion methods

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular.