Well Systems and Associated Methods Incorporating Fluid Loss Control

Abstract

A method of controlling fluid loss from a wellbore comprises the steps of: installing a completion string including a well screen and a fluid loss control device in the wellbore; then installing a production string in the wellbore; then engaging the production string with the completion string; and then operating the fluid loss control device by varying pressure in a fluid passage. A well system comprises a completion string including a fluid loss control device, a packer and a well screen, the packer being positioned between the fluid loss control device and the screen; and a production string including another packer and engaged with the completion string, the fluid loss control device being positioned longitudinally between the packers, and the fluid loss control device being operable in response to variation of pressure in a fluid passage.

1 . A method of controlling fluid loss from a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
 installing a completion string in the wellbore, the completion string including a well screen and a fluid loss control device;   then installing a production string in the wellbore;   then engaging the production string with the completion string; and   then operating the fluid loss control device by varying pressure in a fluid passage.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the operating step, the fluid passage comprises a first annulus formed between the wellbore and the production string. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the operating step further comprises increasing pressure in the first annulus to thereby close the fluid loss control device. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the engaging step further comprises inserting the production string within the completion string, thereby placing an actuator of the fluid loss control device in fluid communication with the first annulus via a second annulus formed between the production string and the completion string. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein in the engaging step, a packer of the completion string is positioned longitudinally between the fluid loss control device and the screen. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the production string includes a packer, and wherein the engaging step further comprises making a hydraulic wet connect connection between the fluid loss control device on a first side of the production string packer and the first annulus on an opposite second side of the production string packer. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operating step further comprises closing the fluid loss control device after the fluid loss control device is opened. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the operating step, the fluid passage comprises a conduit. 
   
   
       9 . A well system for use in a wellbore, the system comprising:
 a completion string including a fluid loss control device, a first packer and a well screen, the first packer being positioned longitudinally between the fluid loss control device and the well screen; and   a production string engaged with the completion string, the production string including a second packer,   wherein the fluid loss control device is positioned longitudinally between the first and second packers, and wherein the fluid loss control device is operable in response to variation of pressure in a fluid passage.   
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the passage comprises a conduit. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the passage comprises an annulus formed between the wellbore and the production string. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second packer is positioned longitudinally between the annulus and the hydraulic wet connect. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a latching device which releasably secures the production and completion strings, the latching device being positioned longitudinally between the fluid loss control device and the second packer. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a latching device which releasably secures the production and completion strings, the latching device being positioned longitudinally between the fluid loss control device and the first packer. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid loss control device is closable in response to variation of pressure in the passage. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid loss control device is openable in response to variation of pressure in an interior flow passage of the production string. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the wellbore is gravel packed about the well screen. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein pressure is transmitted between the passage and the fluid loss control device via a hydraulic wet connect. 
   
   
       19 . A method of controlling fluid loss from a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of:
 installing a completion string in the wellbore, the completion string including a well screen and a fluid loss control device;   then installing a production string in the wellbore;   then engaging the production string with the completion string;   then opening the fluid loss control device; and   then closing the fluid loss control device without intervention into the production string.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the closing step further comprises varying pressure in an annulus formed between the production string and the wellbore. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the opening step further comprises varying pressure in an interior flow passage of the production string. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein in the engaging step, the fluid loss control device is positioned longitudinally between a packer of the completion string and a packer of the production string. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein in the engaging step, the fluid loss control device is positioned between a packer of the completion string and a packer of the production string. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of gravel packing the wellbore about the well screen prior to the production string installing step.