Multi-zone frac-packing using screen-conveyed linear charges

Abstract

An assembly is disclosed which is usable with the well which comprises a base pipe having a plurality of apertures where each of the apertures contains a screen insert. The assembly also includes a plurality of perforating charges which are mounted to the outer surface of the base pipe in proximity to the screen inserts. In one embodiment, the perforating charges are conical shaped charges, while in another embodiment, the perforating charges are linear shaped charges. An assembly according to the present invention may be utilized to perforate and gravel pack one or more of downhole zones in a single trip downhole. Utilization of linear perforating charges avoids killing the well and prevents formation damage by kill-pills or kill-fluids. An assembly in accordance with the present invention thus reduces drilling time and costs and allows for total flexibility for the distance between stacked intervals.

1 . An assembly usable with a well, comprising: 
 a base pipe comprising a plurality of apertures where each of the apertures contains a screen insert; and    a plurality of perforating charges which are mounted to the outer surface of the base pipe in proximity to the screen inserts.    
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a detonating cord to communicate a detonating wave to the perforating charges.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the perforating charges are conical charges.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the perforating charges are linear shaped charges.  
   
   
       5 . An assembly usable with a well, comprising: 
 a base pipe comprising a plurality of tubular members with multiple, separate groups of said tubular members having screen inserts and said groups with screen inserts having tubular members without inserts interposed between them.    a plurality of perforating guns, one for each group of tubular members with screen inserts, each perforating gun comprising a plurality of perforating charges.    
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising a detonating cord to communicate a detonating wave to the perforating charges in a perforating gun.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the perforating charges are conical shaped charges.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the perforating charges are linear shaped charges.  
   
   
       9 . A method usable to perforate and gravel pack a plurality of zones of a well, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) placing a completion assembly across multiple zones, where the completion assembly includes a service tool and where for each zone the completion assembly includes a screen assembly and perforating charges.    (b) bounding each zone with a packer above and below the zone;    (c) detonating the perforating charges associated with the first zone to be gravel packed after the packers bonding that zone have been set;    (d) communicating a slurry through the assembly to perform a gravel packing operation in the zone to be gravel packed; and    (e) for each subsequent zone to be gravel packed, repositioning the service tool to the zone and repeating steps (c) and (d) for that zone after the packers bounding that zone are set.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the perforating charges are linear shaped charges.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the well comprises a casing and wherein the base pipe is concentrically located with respect to the casing.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the well comprises a casing and wherein the base pipe is eccentrically located with respect to the casing.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein all of the packers are set before the first zone is treated.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the packers for each zone are set as the service tool progress through each zone.  
   
   
       15 . A method usable to perforate and gravel pack a zone of a well, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) running an assembly using a service tool down into the well to the zone to be gravel packed, the assembly comprising a base pipe containing a plurality of apertures where each aperture contains a screen insert and a perforating gun located on the outside of the base pipe in proximity to the screen inserts where the perforating gun comprises a plurality of perforating charges;    (b) setting a packer above and below the zone to be gravel packed;    (c) detonating the perforating charges associated with the zone to be gravel packed; and    (d) communicating a slurry through the assembly to perform a gravel packing operating in the zone to be gravel packed.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the perforating charges are linear shaped charges.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the well comprises a casing and wherein the base pipe is concentrically located with respect to the casing.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the well comprises a casing and wherein the base pipe is eccentrically located with respect to the casing.