METHOD AND STIMULATION SLEEVE FOR WELL COMPLETION IN A SUBTERRANEAN WELLBORE

Abstract

Stimulation sleeve (1) for well intervention in a subterranean wellbore, comprising: a housing (10) having a through channel (11) with a first end (11a) and a second end (11b), and one or more flow ports (14), and a sliding sleeve (13) disposed axially movable within the housing (10) to open or close said flow ports (14). Said sliding sleeve (13) is equipped with at least a first obturator seat (15) for receipt of a obturator (17) to partially or fully close fluid communication in the through channel (11) of the housing (10), and a time delay mechanism (20) to allow the sliding sleeve (13) to axially travel in the housing (10) at a predetermined speed to open or close said flow ports (14). The invention also discloses a method for well completion in a subterranean wellbore using a sliding sleeve (1).

Claims

1. A method for well completion in a subterranean wellbore, comprising the steps: running a tubing string with a number of stimulation sleeves into the wellbore, each stimulation sleeve comprises a housing having a through channel with a first end and a second end, one or more flow ports, and a sliding sleeve disposed axially movable within the housing to open or close said flow ports, dropping an obturator into a well stream in the tubing string and landing the obturator on a first obturator seat to partially or fully close fluid communication in the through channel of the housing, building up pressure to shift the sliding sleeve axially in the housing to open the flow ports, engaging a time delay mechanism for controlled travel of the sliding sleeve in the housing for holding the flow ports open a predetermined time, closing the flow ports after the sliding sleeve has moved the predetermined time, and retracting the obturator seat to release the obturator.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps: opening the flow ports by aligning longitudinal slits in the sliding sleeve with the flow ports, and closing the flow ports by allowing the longitudinal slots in the sliding sleeve to move out of alignment with the flow ports.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps: landing a second obturator in a second obturator seat, said second obturator seat being located upstream of the first obturator seat, and building up pressure to shift the sliding sleeve axially in the housing to re-open the flow ports by aligning production ports in the sliding sleeve with the flow ports.

4. The method according to claim 3, comprising the step: retracting the second obturator seat for releasing the second obturator after the production ports in the sliding sleeve are aligned with the flow ports.

5. The method according to claim 3, comprising the step: filling the production ports in the sliding sleeve with a dissolvable material that dissolves when exposed to well fluids.

6. The method according to claim 3, comprising the step: mechanically opening the production ports in the sliding sleeve, by applying pressure cycles on one or more dual action plugs.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising the step: conveying a shifting tool into the wellbore to shift the stimulation sleeves to open position after the stimulation is completed.

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising the steps: dropping a second obturator into the well stream in the tubing string, and landing the second obturator on the obturator seat to partially or fully close fluid communication in the through channel of the housing, building up pressure to shift the sliding sleeve axially in the housing to close the flow ports, engaging the time delay mechanism for controlled travel of the sliding sleeve in the housing for holding the flow ports open a predetermined time, and retracting the obturator seat to release the obturator.

9. A stimulation sleeve for well completion in a subterranean wellbore, comprising: a housing having a through channel with a first end and a second end, and one or more flow ports, and a sliding sleeve disposed axially movable within the housing for opening or closing said flow ports, said sliding sleeve is equipped with at least a first obturator seat for receipt of a obturator to partially or fully close fluid communication in the through channel of the housing, wherein a time delay mechanism is disposed in the stimulation sleeve to allow the sliding sleeve to axially travel in the housing at a predetermined speed to open or close said flow ports.

10. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 9, wherein the sliding sleeve comprises a first closed part for closing the flow ports and a second partially open part equipped with longitudinal slits for alignment with the flow ports, to open the flow ports.

11. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 10, wherein the sliding sleeve comprises a third closed part for closing the flow ports.

12. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 10, wherein the sliding sleeve comprises a fourth partially open part equipped with production ports for alignment with the flow ports, to open the flow ports.

13. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 12, wherein the production ports in the sliding sleeve are filled with a dissolvable material that dissolves when exposed to well fluids.

14. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 12, wherein the production ports in the sliding sleeve comprises one or more dual action plugs, which are opened by applying pressure cycles.

15. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 9, wherein the obturator seat comprises a plurality of radially placed and retractable plungers, said plungers being activated by the movement of the sliding sleeve.

16. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 15, wherein at least one gasket is placed upstream of said plungers.

17. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 9, wherein the sliding sleeve comprises a second obturator seat for receipt of a second obturator, said second obturator seat being located upstream of the first obturator seat, in order to build up pressure and to shift the sliding sleeve axially in the housing to open the flow ports by aligning the production ports in the sliding sleeve with the flow ports.

18. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 12, wherein the sliding sleeve comprises a second obturator seat for receipt of a second obturator, said second obturator seat being located upstream of the first obturator seat, in order to build up pressure and to shift the sliding sleeve axially in the housing to open the flow ports by aligning the production ports in the sliding sleeve with the flow ports.

19. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 9, wherein the time delay mechanism is accommodated in a hydraulic chamber on an inner surface of the housing, and comprises a metering device with a piston surface area and longitudinal holes, each of which contains a hydraulic metering orifice which separates two sides of the piston.

20. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 9, wherein the time delay mechanism is accommodated in a hydraulic chamber on an inner surface of the housing, and comprises a timing valve with a porous filter media rod that allows hydraulic fluid to pass from one side of the chamber to the other side of the chamber.

21. The stimulation sleeve according to claim 20, wherein the porous filter media rod is connected to a spring for regulation of how much of the porous media rod that is exposed to the hydraulic fluid.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMS

[0045] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 2a-2e show operation of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 4a-4h show operation of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows in detail an example of a landing profile of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows in detail an example of a time delay mechanism of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 7a-7p show application of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0053] FIG. 8a-8e show application of the second embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0054] The present invention relates to a stimulation sleeve 1 for well intervention in a subterranean wellbore 34, and comprises a housing 10 having a through channel 11 with a first end 11a and a second end 11b, one or more flow ports 14, and a sliding sleeve 13 disposed axially movable within the housing 10 to open or close the flow ports 14. The sliding sleeve 13 is equipped with at a first landing profile in the form of for instance an obturator seat 15, for instance a ball seat as seen in FIG. 1, for receipt of an obturator 17 in the form of for instance a drop ball or dart, to partially or fully close fluid communication in the through channel 11 of the housing 10. As seen in FIG. 3 the sliding sleeve 13 may also comprise a second landing profile in the form of a second obturator- or ball seat 15. The stimulation sleeve 1 further comprises a time delay mechanism 20 to allow the sliding sleeve 13 to axially travel or being displaced in the housing 10 at a predetermined speed to open or close the flow ports 14.

[0055] An example of the landing profile in the form of an obturator seat 15 is shown in more detail in FIG. 5, and comprises in one embodiment a plurality of spring loaded plungers 15a placed radially in the sliding sleeve 13. When the plungers 15a are forced against the inner surface 10a of the housing 10 they are pushed out into the sliding sleeve 13, i.e. the plungers 15a protrude inwardly in the sliding sleeve 13. The housing 10 may comprise a longitudinal compartment or cavity 23, 24 on the inside surface 10a, and when the plungers 15a in the sliding sleeve 13 passes the cavity 23, 24, the plungers 15a are allowed to retract to let the obturator 17 pass. As seen in FIG. 2e the plungers 15a are retracted in the cavity 24 and the obturator 17 can pass. FIG. 4g shows that the first sett of plunger 15a, being the first obturator seat 15, are retracted in the cavity 24 and the second sett of plungers 15a, being the second obturator seat 15, are retracted in the cavity 23.

[0056] In a further embodiment the obturator seat 15 can be made of a dissolvable material.

[0057] An example of a time delay mechanism 20 is shown in more detail in FIG. 6. The time delay mechanism 20 is connected to the sliding sleeve 13 and is accommodated in a longitudinal chamber or cavity 21 on the inside surface 10a of the housing 10. The cavity 21 is filled with a hydraulic fluid, such as oil. When the sliding sleeve 13 is axially displaced in the housing 10 the time delay mechanism 20 will hit a shoulder 21a and pressurized oil will be forced from one side P2 of the cavity 21 to the other side P1 of the cavity 21. Hence, the sliding sleeve 13 will travel at a predetermined speed. The time delay mechanism 20 can for instance comprise a timing valve with a porous filter media rod 30 that allows the pressurized oil to pass from P2 to P1. A spring 31 can regulate how much porous media rod 30 that is exposed, and the total permeability will change with delta pressure and the sliding sleeve 13 will travel at constant speed regardless of delta pressure between P1 and P2. The time delay mechanism 20 may further comprise a gasket in the form of for instance an O-ring 32 that seals against the inner surface 10a of the housing 10.

[0058] The time delay mechanism 20 can be a metering device accommodated in a hydraulic chamber on the inner surface of the housing 10, and comprise a piston surface area and longitudinal holes, each of which contains a hydraulic metering orifice which separates two sides of the piston.

[0059] The invention takes tubular form with an internal diameter which makes up a portion of the wellbore, and an outside diameter which is exposed to the annulus and formation. It is connected end to end with the lower completion tubulars. Any number of stimulation sleeves 1 can be deployed at intervals along the lower completion tubular string, all of which can function in the same way. The stimulation sleeve 1 according to the invention comprises the housing 10 with flow ports 14 that hydraulically connect the wellbore 34 to the formation. The flow ports 14 can be open to allow flow to or from the formation, or closed to prevent flow and contain pressure.

[0060] The position of the inner sliding sleeve 13 determines whether the flow ports 14 are open or closed.

[0061] The inner sliding sleeve 13 of a first embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2a-2e comprises an upper section with three distinct surfaces 13a-13c that can be located across the housing flow ports 14, depending on the sliding sleeve 13 positions. The lower surface 13a is solid, the middle surface 13b has machined holes in the form of for instance longitudinal slits 18, and the upper surface 13c is solid. When the tool is conveyed into the well, the inner sliding sleeve 13 is in its uppermost first position and the solid surface 13a blocks the housing flow ports 14, preventing flow through them. If the sleeve 13 moves down into a second position, the middle surface 13b can be aligned with the flow ports 14, and the longitudinal slits 18 in the sleeve 13 allows flow from the wellbore 34 through the flow ports 14 and into the formation. If the sleeve 13 moves down further past the second position, the upper surface 13c is then aligned with the flow ports 14 in a third position and contains pressure within the wellbore 34.

[0062] The inner sliding sleeve 13 has a middle section which comprises the time delay mechanism 20 in the form of for instance a piston surface area and machined longitudinal holes, each of which contains a hydraulic metering orifice which separates the two sides of the piston, as explained above in relation to the time delay mechanism 20. On both sides of the piston surface area is the hydraulic chamber 21 filled with hydraulic fluid. This hydraulic chamber 21 is balanced in pressure with the wellbore 34 under all steady state conditions.

[0063] The inner sliding sleeve 13 has a lower section which comprises the landing profile, as for instance explained above in relation to the obturator seat 15. The landing profile can be extended or retracted, depending on the position of the inner sleeve 13. While the sleeve 13 is in the first and second positions, the landing profile is extended, meaning the internal diameter is reduced and prevents any obturator of larger diameter from passing through it. When the sleeve 13 is in the third position, the landing profile is retracted to a larger ID, allowing any obturator of smaller diameter to pass through it.

[0064] If any obturator 17 with a smooth surface is prevented from passing the landing profile 15, the wellbore section above the obturator 17 is isolated from the wellbore section below the obturator. If pressure above the obturator is higher than the pressure below the obturator, a piston force results and acts to drive the inner sliding sleeve 13 in the downward direction. The speed at which the sliding sleeve 13 moves is controlled by the hydraulic orifices, i.e. the time delay mechanism 20, which allow the hydraulic fluid to meter from one side of the sleeve piston to the other side.

[0065] During well operations, one or more stimulation sleeves 1 are deployed into the well. Once the tubular string is positioned at the target depth, cementing operations can be conducted to place cement in the annulus. Alternatively to cement, the operator can choose to use open-hole packers to create the annular isolation between the sleeves and the rest of the well.

[0066] After annular isolation is established, the wellbore is pressure tested against the closed stimulation sleeves 1 and the remaining tubulars. Toe prep is then conducted, either through an intervention-based toe perforation method, or by opening a remotely operated toe sleeve, thereby creating a flow path at the bottom of the well.

[0067] When it is desirable to begin the stimulation operation, an obturator 17 is deployed into the well stream 48 of the wellbore 34 and pumped down to the uppermost stimulation sleeve 1. The obturator 17 makes contact with the obturator seat 15 in the stimulation sleeve 1, which in turn initiates the metering shift of the sliding sleeve 13 to the second position where the flow ports 14 are opened.

[0068] The stimulation stage is pumped through the open flow ports 14. Meanwhile, the sliding sleeve 17 continues to shift downward. The time at which the flow ports 14 remain open can be determined by using different number of orifices and/or using different permeability factor in the time delay mechanism 20.

[0069] At the predetermined time delay, the sliding sleeve 13 moves into the third position where the flow ports 14 are isolated. At the same time, the landing seat 15 retracts and allows the obturator 17 to pass the first stimulation sleeve 1 to the second stimulation sleeve 1 in the sequence, and the stimulation stage operation is repeated.

[0070] When the obturator 17 is released from the final stimulation sleeve 1 in the sequence, it continues down to the bottom of the well below the toe perforations or toe sleeve. Alternatively, it can land in a fixed landing profile above the toe sleeve, thereby creating a pressure tight tubular system, which may allow the operator to perform wellhead work without being exposed to a live well.

[0071] To open the stimulation sleeves 1 for production, wireline or coiled tubing intervention is performed using a shifting tool which locates inside the shifting profile of each sleeve. The sliding sleeve 13 is mechanically shifted to the open position. A checking valve allows the sleeve 13 to be shifted upwards without a hydraulic delay.

[0072] FIG. 2a-2e shows the above procedure of using the first embodiment. In FIG. 2a the stimulation sleeve 1 is run into the wellbore 34. In FIG. 2b the obturator 17 is landed in the obturator seat 15 and pressure is built up. The sliding sleeve 13 is thereafter shifted in the housing 10, as seen in FIG. 2c, and the flow ports 14 are open and the time delay mechanism 20 is activated. In FIG. 2d the sliding sleeve 13 shifts to the end of open position, and in FIG. 2e the sliding sleeve 13 moves to closed position, the obturator seat 15 retracts and the obturator 17 is released. The obturator 17 moves to the next stimulation sleeve 1.

[0073] FIGS. 3 and 4a-4h shows a second embodiment of the invention. The alternative configuration of the invention comprises a second landing profile in the form of a second obturator seat 15 which remains retracted in the first and second positions, but is then extended in the third position. The second obturator seat 15 can be used to shift the sliding sleeve 13 to a fourth open position by deploying a second obturator 17 into the well stream 48 of the wellbore 34 and pumping it through all the stimulation sleeves 1. In this configuration, it is desirable to prevent fluid leak off through the fourth position production ports 19 until all stimulation sleeves 1 have been shifted to the fourth position. This can be accomplished by using dissolvable material for plugs that are installed into the fourth position production ports 19 as a temporary barrier.

[0074] Another way to prevent leak off is to use dual action type plug design which are removed hydraulically from the fourth position production ports 19 by under balancing the well when the well is initially put on production. Flow from the formation into the wellbore removes the plugs and the well is produced as normal.

[0075] In FIG. 4a the stimulation sleeves 1 are run into the wellbore 34. The obturator 17 is in FIG. 4b landed in the lower obturator seat 15 and pressure is built up. In FIG. 4c the sliding sleeve 13 is shifting to open position and the time delay mechanism 20 is engaged. FIG. 4d shows that the sliding sleeve 13 has moved to end of open position, and in FIG. 4e the sliding sleeve 13 moves to closed position, the lower obturator seat 15 retracts and the obturator 17 moves to the next stimulation sleeve 1 and repeats the procedure. In FIG. 4f the second obturator 17 has landed in the upper obturator seat 15 and pressure is built to shift the sliding sleeve 13 to open position. In FIG. 4g the sliding sleeve has reached opening position and the dissolvable productions ports 19 are exposed to well fluid. The upper obturator seat 15 retracts and the obturator 17 is released and moves to the next stimulation sleeve 1 and repeats the procedure. In FIG. 4h the dissolvable material in the productions ports 19 are dissolved and production can start from that zone.

[0076] In all embodiments, mechanical wireline or coiled tubing intervention can be used to shift the sliding sleeve 13 back to the first closed position, to allow the stimulation operation to be repeated or to re-establish pressure integrity for other operations to take place.

[0077] Further, the production ports 19 can be lined with carbide insert to prevent erosion during proppant pumping.

[0078] FIG. 7a-7p show application of the first embodiment of the invention. As previously explained, a tubing string 36 with a number of stimulation sleeves 1 is run into the wellbore 34 and in position, and completion cement 42 installed. Toe 46 is closed with for instance wiper dart/plug 40, as seen in FIGS. 7a and 7b. FIG. 7c shows a cut away of the lower completion string showing seats 15 of each stimulation sleeve 1. Opening pressure operated toe sleeve 1 to create injection point at toe 46 of wellbore 34 and to inject into toe sleeve 1 is shown in FIGS. 7d and 7e.

[0079] In FIGS. 7f and 7g the obturator 17 is pumped down to land on the first obturator seat 15 to isolate completion below. Pressure is applied above the obturator 17 to cause the flow ports 14 of the stimulation sleeve 1 to open and the first stimulation treatment can be performed, see FIG. 7h. After the planned time delay, the flow ports 14 of the stimulation sleeve 1 are isolated, as shown in FIG. 7i. Continued application of pressure above the obturator 17 causes the obturator seat 15 to retract and releases the obturator 17, as shown in FIG. 7j. In FIG. 7k the obturator 17 lands in the obturator seat 15 of a second stimulation sleeve 1 and shift said stimulation sleeve 1 to open position.

[0080] FIGS. 71 and 7m show that the sequence continues for the remaining stimulation sleeves 1 in a manner identical to the first sleeve 1. At the end of stimulation, after all stimulation sleeves 1 have been treated, the obturator 17 is left at the bottom of the wellbore 34 and injection into the toe sleeve 1 can continue.

[0081] Optionally can a slick line, wireline or coiled tubing shifting tool 44 be conveyed to the bottom of the wellbore 34, and be pulled out to shift the stimulation sleeves 1 to open position, as shown in FIG. 7n. After retrieving the shifting tool 44 from the wellbore 34, the stimulation sleeves 1 are in the open position with the obturator seats 15 in extended to their original position, as seen in FIG. 7o.

[0082] FIG. 7p indicates that the well can be re-stimulated in nearly the same manner as the initial treatment by dropping another obturator 17. The difference is that all stimulation sleeves 1 begin in open position, and subsequently close after the time delay when the obturator 17 lands in each obturator seat 15. The second obturator 17 is dropped into the well stream 48 in the tubing 36 and the second obturator 17 land on the obturator seat 15 to partially or fully close fluid communication in the through channel 11 of the housing 10. Then building up pressure to shift the sliding sleeve 13 axially in the housing 10 to close the flow ports 14 by moving the longitudinal slits 18 in the sliding sleeve 13 out of aligning with the flow ports 14. For controlled travel of the sliding sleeve 13 in the housing 10 to hold the flow ports 14 open a predetermined time, the time delay mechanism 20 is engaged, and thereafter the obturator seat 15 is retracted to release the obturator 17. The procedure is repeated for all stimulations sleeves 1.

[0083] FIG. 8a-8e show application of the second embodiment of the invention. As mentioned previously, the second embodiment comprises a second obturator seat 15 that is extended when the first obturator seat 15 is retracted, as explained in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4a-4h, but otherwise is operated similar to the first embodiment. FIG. 8b shows that at the end of the final stimulation treatment, every stimulation sleeve 1 is closed and the second obturator seat 15 is extended.

[0084] In FIG. 8c the second obturator 17 is pumped into the well stream 48 of the wellbore 34. The second obturator 17 lands in each obturator seat 15 and shifts each stimulation sleeve 1 to a third closed position, whereby a dissolvable or mechanical retaining device prevents pressure or flow communication from tubing to formation, i.e. for instance through the production ports 19. The second obturator seat 15 retracts at the end of this movement and releases the second obturator 17. In FIG. 8d the second obturator 17 is pumped to the bottom of the wellbore 34, at which time all of the stimulation sleeves 1 are in the third closed position. An appropriate dissolving fluid can be injected into the well in order to dissolve the retaining devises in the productions ports 19, if they are of dissolvable type, or appropriate pressure activation can be used to remove mechanical retaining devices, as previously explained. As seen in FIG. 8e the well will then have all sleeve- or productions ports 19 open to allow production across the reservoir section.