Re-completion Liner Perforation Alignment for Well Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well re-completion methods face challenges in effectively stimulating unstimulated zones of a subterranean formation due to the presence of existing perforations in the casing string, leading to inefficient reservoir fluid production.
Innovation Solution
The method involves inserting a re-completion liner with perforations aligned to the casing string perforations, allowing for the flow of a completing fluid to stimulate the subterranean formation through both existing and new perforations, while controlling fluid flow in the annular space to enhance production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a re-completion liner is inserted within a casing string that includes existing perforations, then the ability to stimulate unstimulated zones is improved, but the complexity of the well structure increases due to the annular space and multiple perforation layers
Solution Approach 1:
The re-completion liner is inserted within the existing casing string, creating a nested structure where the liner conduit is positioned inside the casing conduit. This allows the system to maintain the original well structure while adding new functionality through the inner liner, enabling stimulation of unstimulated zones without completely replacing the existing casing.
Solution Approach 2:
The well structure is divided into separate functional segments: the outer casing string with existing perforations for previously stimulated zones, and the inner re-completion liner with new perforations for unstimulated zones. This segmentation allows independent control and stimulation of different zones through separate fluid flow paths.
2Productivity
If perforations are created in both the re-completion liner and casing string, then access to unstimulated zones is improved, but the difficulty of controlling fluid flow increases due to multiple flow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The annular space between the re-completion liner and casing string acts as an intermediary flow path that can be controlled with flow control devices. This intermediary structure allows regulation of fluid distribution between the inner liner perforations and outer casing perforations, enabling precise control over which zones receive stimulation fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic flow control capabilities through flow control devices that can be adjusted or activated/deactivated as needed. This allows the fluid flow paths to be dynamically controlled, enabling selective stimulation of different zones and flexible management of the multiple perforation layers.
3Reliability
If the existing perforations and re-completion liner are permanently sealed, then well integrity is improved, but the ability to re-stimulate zones is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains the capability to recover and reuse the well structure for future stimulation operations. Rather than permanently sealing the perforations, the design allows for future re-completion operations where new liners can be inserted or existing flow control devices can be modified, enabling repeated stimulation cycles as reservoir conditions change.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases the rate of reservoir fluid production from unstimulated zones and allows for re-stimulation of previously stimulated zones, improving overall well productivity without permanently sealing the re-completion liner or existing perforations.
Implementation Method 1
perforating the re-completion liner and the casing string to create a plurality of liner perforations and a plurality of re-completion perforations
Implementation Method 2
stimulating the subterranean formation by flowing a completing fluid through the plurality of liner perforations and the plurality of re-completion perforations
Data Source
AI summary
The well includes a wellbore with a casing string that extends within the wellbore, defining a casing conduit including existing perforations. A re-completion liner extends within the casing conduit and defines a liner conduit therein, and an annular space extends between the re-completion liner and the casing string. Systems and methods include perforating the re-completion liner to create liner perforations and perforating the casing string to create re-completion perforations that are generally aligned with respective liner perforations, stimulating the subterranean formation by flowing a completing fluid through the plurality of liner perforations and re-completion perforations, controlling flow of a fluid within the annular space, and/or producing a reservoir fluid from the subterranean formation and through both the existing perforations and the re-completion perforations.