Zonal Isolation of Telescoping Perforation Apparatus with Memory Based Material

Abstract

A method and apparatus for isolating formation zones preferably with a memory based material formed into an expansion element, with an outer diameter larger than a borehole, adjacent to a radially telescoping perforation element, converting the memory based expansion element to a stable, smaller, run-in diameter, running it into the borehole, then allowing the memory based material to expand and seal against the borehole wall. Expansion can be enhanced by expanding a mandrel on which the expansion element is formed. The expansion element separates two or more groups of outwardly radially telescoping perforation elements, to isolate formation zones and allow the perforation elements to access the isolated zones.

1 . A method for isolating formation zones of a well, said method comprising:
 forming an expansion element of memory based material on a base element, said expansion element having an original outer diameter larger than a selected borehole diameter;   providing at least one radially telescoping perforation element on said base element;   reducing the diameter of said memory based material to an interim outer diameter smaller than said selected borehole diameter;   stabilizing said memory based material at said interim outer diameter;   
     running said base element into a borehole to align said radially telescoping perforation element with a selected formation zone; and
 allowing said memory based material to radially expand to seal between said base element and said borehole, to thereby isolate said selected formation zone. 
 
   
   
       2 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming said memory based material on a hollow mandrel;   attaching said hollow mandrel to said base element; and   radially expanding said hollow mandrel.   
   
   
       3 . The method recited in  claim 2 , wherein said radial expansion of said hollow mandrel is employed prior to said radial expansion of said memory based material. 
   
   
       4 . The method recited in  claim 2 , wherein said radial expansion of said hollow mandrel is employed during said radial expansion of said memory based material. 
   
   
       5 . The method recited in  claim 2 , wherein said radial expansion of said hollow mandrel is employed after said radial expansion of said memory based material. 
   
   
       6 . The method recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 anchoring a hydro-mechanical expander within said base element; and   activating said hydro-mechanical expander to force a conical pig through said hollow mandrel, to achieve said radial expansion of said hollow mandrel.   
   
   
       7 . The method recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 lowering a conical pig through said base element on a work string; and   forcing said conical pig through said hollow mandrel with said work string, to achieve said radial expansion of said hollow mandrel.   
   
   
       8 . The method recited in  claim 7 , wherein said conical pig is pushed through said hollow mandrel. 
   
   
       9 . The method recited in  claim 7 , wherein said conical pig is pulled through said hollow mandrel. 
   
   
       10 . The method recited in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 pumping a conical pig through said base element with fluid pressure; and   forcing said conical pig through said hollow mandrel with said fluid pressure, to achieve said radial expansion of said hollow mandrel.   
   
   
       11 . A tool for accessing isolated formation zones of a well, said tool comprising:
 a tubular body; and   a substantially cylindrical expansion element formed on said tubular body, said expansion element being formed of memory based material, said expansion element having first and second stable states;   at least one radially telescoping perforation element on said tubular body adjacent to said expansion element, said at least one perforation element being adapted to access at least one selected formation zone;   wherein said memory based material in said first stable state has a first outer diameter larger than the diameter of the borehole of said well;   wherein said memory based material is selectively convertible to said second stable state at a second outer diameter smaller than said borehole diameter; and   wherein said memory based material is selectively convertible back to said first stable state at said first outer diameter.   
   
   
       12 . The tool recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a plurality of said radially telescoping perforation elements grouped in a plurality of groups, said groups being longitudinally separated along said tubular body; and   a plurality of said expansion elements, said expansion elements being arranged between said groups of perforation elements.   
   
   
       13 . The tool recited in  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of expansion elements are adapted to individually convert back to said first stable state at said first outer diameter. 
   
   
       14 . The tool recited in  claim 11 , wherein said memory based material comprises a memory based elastic foam. 
   
   
       15 . The tool recited in  claim 11 , wherein said at least one radially telescoping perforation element includes a sand control medium. 
   
   
       16 . The tool recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a first plurality of said radially telescoping perforation elements adapted to inject fluid into a formation zone; and   a second plurality of said radially telescoping perforation elements adapted to produce fluid from a formation zone;   wherein said first plurality of perforation elements and said second plurality of perforation elements are separated from each other by said at least one expansion element.   
   
   
       17 . A downhole completion method, comprising:
 delivering a tubular housing to a predetermined location downhole;   providing valving on said tubular to selectively allow flow through a wall that defines said housing to go through in a filtered or unfiltered condition;   isolating said valving in at least one producing zone in the wellbore;   expanding said tubular when located downhole;   treating said producing zone using the unfiltered position of said valving;   producing said producing zone with said valving in the filtered position.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 expanding said tubular only adjacent to where said isolating has occurred.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 associating telescoping members with said valving.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 using a memory based material for said isolating.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , comprising:
 performing said expanding before, during or after shape change of said memory material.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 using at least one sliding sleeve for said valving.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising:
 associating a screen material with said sliding sleeve.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19 , comprising:
 associating a screen material with said telescoping members.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , comprising:
 operating said sliding sleeve by longitudinal shifting or by rotation.