Resin-Coated Proppant Pack for Well Bore Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional well bore completion and stimulation methods, especially in slim hole wells, are costly and time-consuming due to the complexity of cementing and sand control techniques, making it challenging to efficiently complete and stimulate subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a liner with a jetting tool to create perforations in the well bore, introducing a resin-coated proppant slurry to fill the liner and annular space, allowing the proppant to consolidate into a pack, which acts as a permeable and strong support, eliminating the need for conventional cementing and sand control screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cementing and sand control techniques are used, then well bore integrity and sand control are achieved, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single proppant pack material that simultaneously provides well bore integrity (replacing cementing), sand control (replacing screens), and formation stimulation. The proppant pack serves as both a structural support element and a sand control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate cementing operations and sand control screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The proppant pack material performs multiple functions that were traditionally handled by separate systems: it provides mechanical support for well bore integrity, acts as a sand control barrier, enables fluid flow through permeable structures, and can be used in both completed and openhole well bores. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of operations required.
2Strength
If conventional cementing is used, then pipe string support and positioning are achieved, but the process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the well bore support function from the traditional cementing process and integrates it into the proppant pack system. Instead of using cement to support pipe strings, the proppant pack provides mechanical support while allowing the pipe string to be removed or modified, simplifying the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the support material from impermeable cement to permeable proppant pack. This parameter change allows the support material to maintain structural strength while enabling fluid flow, thereby simplifying the completion process and reducing complexity.
3Reliability
If sand control screens and gravel packing are used, then sand control is achieved, but the process becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sand control function with the well bore support and fluid flow functions into a single proppant pack system. The proppant pack simultaneously provides structural support, acts as a sand control barrier, and maintains permeability for fluid flow, eliminating the need for separate sand control screens and gravel packing operations.
4Productivity
If slim hole well bores are drilled, then drilling efficiency and cost savings are achieved, but cementing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the well bore support function from traditional cementing and integrates it into the proppant pack system, which is better suited for slim hole applications. The proppant pack can be effectively placed in the annular space of slim hole well bores without requiring complex cementing operations, thereby maintaining drilling efficiency while reducing cementing complexity.
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 provides an economical alternative to traditional cementing, enhances well bore integrity, improves sand control, and allows for efficient fluid flow in weakly consolidated formations, reducing costs and complexity in well bore completion and stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a stimulation fluid to a treatment interval of the well bore via the jetting tool, such that the stimulation fluid is introduced with sufficient pressure to create or enhance a plurality of perforations in the liner
Implementation Method 2
allowing the resin-coated proppant particulates in the interior of the liner to at least partially consolidate into a proppant pack
Implementation Method 3
forming conductive channels through which fluids may flow to the well bore
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are providing, including methods comprising providing a liner disposed within a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation, such that the well bore comprises an annular space between the exterior surface of the liner and the well bore wall; providing a jetting tool disposed within the liner; introducing a stimulation fluid to a treatment interval of the well bore via the jetting tool, such that the stimulation fluid is introduced with sufficient pressure to create or enhance a plurality of perforations in the liner in the treatment interval; introducing a proppant slurry comprising a plurality of resin-coated particulates to the treatment interval of the well bore; and allowing the resin-coated particulates to fill at least a portion of the liner in the treatment interval and at least a portion of the annular space in the treatment interval.