System and method for controlling erosion of components during well treatment

Abstract

A technique is provided for use in treating one or more well zones by directing a treatment fluid downwardly through a delivery tube and then outwardly through one or more nozzles into a desired well zone. The treatment fluid is delivered downhole to the desired well zone and at least a portion of that fluid is directed laterally outward from the well treatment completion through the one or more nozzles. Each nozzle comprises a material that protects both the nozzle and proximate portions of the delivery tube from detrimental erosion due to the passage of treatment fluid.

1 . A system to facilitate a gravel packing operation, comprising:
 a shunt tube through which a gravel slurry is directed; and   a nozzle coupled to the shunt tube to direct a portion of the gravel slurry laterally outward from the shunt tube, the nozzle having a hardened insert region forming a flow path and extending through a wall of the shunt tube.   
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hardened insert region extends through the wall until it is flush with the inside diameter of the shunt tube. 
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hardened insert region extends through the wall and into an interior of the shunt tube. 
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle further comprises a retaining housing to hold the hardened insert region against the wall of the shunt tube. 
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the hardened insert region comprises a shoulder positioned to prevent movement of the hardened insert region into the shunt tube. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hardened insert region is secured directly to the wall of the shunt tube. 
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hardened insert region comprises a separate plate positioned in a corresponding opening formed in the wall, of the shunt tube. 
   
   
       9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the hardened insert region is retained with respect to the shunt tube from an interior of the shunt tube. 
   
   
       11 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the flow path within the nozzle is curvilinear. 
   
   
       12 . A method to facilitate a well treatment, comprising:
 flowing a slurry into a wellbore region through a delivery tube;   diverting at least a portion of the slurry laterally through a nozzle; and   protecting both the nozzle and the delivery tube from erosion with an insert located along a flow path into and through the nozzle.   
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein protecting comprises extending the insert through a wall of the delivery tube and into an interior of the delivery tube. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein protecting comprises extending the insert until the insert is generally flush with a wall surface defining an internal diameter of the delivery tube. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising holding the insert at a desired position with a retaining housing. 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising securing the nozzle to an interior surface of the delivery tube. 
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising securing the nozzle at an opening formed through the delivery tube. 
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein protecting comprises forming a portion of the insert as a plate fitted within an opening formed in the delivery tube. 
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising forming the nozzle to erode in a predetermined manner. 
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising providing the nozzle with a curvilinear flow path. 
   
   
       23 . A method, comprising:
 forming a nozzle with a material that limits the normal erosion otherwise incurred during passage of a gravel slurry through the nozzle; and   fastening the nozzle over a side opening of a tubular member through which the gravel slurry is delivered such that the material also protects the tubular member from erosion proximate the side opening.   
   
   
       24 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein forming comprises forming the nozzle with a retaining housing and an insert held at least partially within the retaining housing, the insert being formed of the material. 
   
   
       25 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein forming comprises forming the nozzle to extend through the side opening and to protrude into an interior of the tubular member. 
   
   
       26 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , wherein forming comprises forming the nozzle with a separate plate sized to fit within the side opening. 
   
   
       27 . A system, comprising:
 a nozzle for use in directing an erosive fluid from a delivery tube and into a wellbore region, the nozzle having an insert formed of a material to control erosion of both the nozzle and the delivery tube, the insert being positioned to extend through a wall of the delivery tube to at least an inside diameter of the delivery tube upon attachment of the nozzle to the delivery tube.   
   
   
       28 . The system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the nozzle comprises a retaining housing surrounding the insert. 
   
   
       29 . The system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the nozzle is formed from a material that erodes in a controlled manner to change a nozzle spray pattern.