US2010212895A1PendingUtilityA1

Screen Flow Equalization System

33
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Feb 23, 2009Filed: Feb 23, 2009Published: Aug 26, 2010
Est. expiryFeb 23, 2029(~2.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Euin H. VickeryBenn VollEugene RattermanEddie G. BowenJohn Todd Broome
E21B 43/12
33
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

An assembly of inflow control devices on a string along with isolation devices can be delivered into an existing or newly delivered screen assembly that requires inflow control for balanced flow from the formation. In newly delivered screen assemblies, any gravel packing that needs to be done can be accomplished without the presence of the inflow devices for faster circulation and improved gravel deposition. External annular barriers can also be delivered with an original screen assembly in a new well installation. The inflow devices and barriers can be of a variety of designs and the internal string can be removable if the barriers are retrievable to facilitate further drilling or completion below the screen assembly.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A flow distribution assembly for a screen assembly located downhole, comprising:
 an inner tubular string assembly comprising at least one inflow control device and at least one isolator, said isolator selectively actuated into contact with the screen assembly when said inner tubular string is inserted downhole into the screen assembly to define at least two flow zones through which fluid flow is balanced.   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least one isolator comprises at least two isolators disposed on opposed ends of said inflow control device.   
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said at least one flow control device comprises a plurality of flow control devices with each pair of flow control devices having an isolator between them.   
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said flow control devices have differing resistance to the same flow rate of a predetermined fluid.   
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said at least two isolators comprises a plurality of isolators with at least on pair of adjacent isolators not having an inflow control device between them.   
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said isolators are retrievable to allow removal of said inner tubular string to facilitate access to the wellbore past said screen assembly.   
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said isolator comprises a swelling packer.   
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said isolator comprises a swelling packer.   
   
   
       9 . An assembly for balancing flow from a formation, comprising:
 an outer screen assembly defining an outer annulus between itself and a wellbore;   an inner tubular string assembly comprising at least one inflow control device and at least one inner isolator, said inner isolator selectively actuated into contact with the screen assembly when said inner tubular string is inserted downhole into the screen assembly to define at least two flow zones through which fluid flow is balanced, said inner tubular string assembly defining an inner annulus between itself and said outer screen assembly in which said isolator is disposed.   
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one external isolator disposed in said outer annulus.   
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said inner and outer isolators are axially aligned.   
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said inner and outer isolators are not axially aligned.   
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said external isolator comprises a swelling packer.   
   
   
       14 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said at least one isolator comprises at least two isolators disposed on opposed ends of said inflow control device.   
   
   
       15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein:
 aid at least one flow control device comprises a plurality of flow control devices with each pair of flow control devices having an isolator between them.   
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein:
 said flow control devices have differing resistance to the same flow rate of a predetermined fluid.   
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein:
 said at least two isolators comprises a plurality of isolators with at least on pair of adjacent isolators not having an inflow control device between them.   
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein:
 said isolators are retrievable to allow removal of said inner tubular string to facilitate access to the wellbore past said screen assembly.   
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said isolator comprises a swelling packer.   
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein:
 said isolator comprises a swelling packer.   
   
   
       21 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein:
 said at least one external isolator comprises a plurality of spaced isolators and said at least one internal isolator comprises a plurality of internal isolators, said internal and external isolators closest to each other are either axially aligned or misaligned with each other.   
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein:
 said outer annulus contains gravel between at least one pair of said outer isolators.   
   
   
       23 . A completion method for downhole use, comprising:
 providing an outer screen assembly in a wellbore to define an outer annulus;   inserting an inner assembly of a tubular string and at least one inflow control device and at least one internal isolator into the outer assembly that is already in the wellbore to define an inner annulus between said assemblies;   actuating the internal isolator into contact with the outer assembly;   defining by said internal isolator actuation a plurality of zones through the outer screen assembly for flow balancing therethrough.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising:
 gravel packing the outer annulus before inserting said inner assembly.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising:
 providing at least one external isolator in said outer annulus.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , comprising:
 setting said external isolator with swelling.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising:
 setting said internal isolator with swelling.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , comprising:
 providing at least one external isolator in said outer annulus;   setting said external isolator after said gravel packing.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , comprising:
 using a swelling packer for said external isolator.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising:
 providing, on said inner assembly, a plurality of spaced inflow control devices separated from each other with a plurality of internal isolators.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , comprising:
 providing different resistance to a given flow of a predetermined fluid among said inflow control devices.   
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising:
 setting said external isolator with said inner assembly.   
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 23 , comprising:
 making said internal isolator retrievable;   unsetting said internal isolator;   pulling the inner assembly out of said outer screen assembly;   conducting downhole operations beyond said outer screen assembly.

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