Method and Apparatus for Completion of Heavy Oil Unconsolidated Sand Reservoirs

Abstract

A method of completing a subterranean well having a well casing extending though an earth formation is provided, including the steps of: suspending an apparatus at a selected depth within the well casing; creating an unbalanced condition within the well casing; forming a lateral bore in the formation by jetting a pressurized fluid from the apparatus through a casing opening in the well casing and into the earth formation; receiving in the well casing through the casing opening fluid and formation debris created from forming the lateral bore; and lifting the fluid and formation debris received by the well casing upwardly through the well casing to the well surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of completing a subterranean well extending through an earth formation, the method comprising the steps of:
 creating an underbalanced condition in the well;   providing a nozzle in the well; and   pumping a pressurized fluid through said nozzle such that a jet of said pressurized fluid ejects from said nozzle and impinges on the earth formation creating a lateral bore in the earth formation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a flexible hose to which said nozzle is attached; and   extending said flexible hose fitted with said nozzle into the earth formation from the well.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of creating includes:
 injecting a stable foam into the well.   
     
     
         4 . A method of completing a subterranean well having a well casing extending though an earth formation, the method comprising the steps of:
 suspending an apparatus at a selected depth within the well casing;   creating an unbalanced condition within the well casing;   forming a lateral bore in the formation by jetting a pressurized fluid from said apparatus through a casing opening in the well casing and into the earth formation;   receiving in the well casing through the casing opening fluid and formation debris created from forming said lateral bore; and   lifting the fluid and formation debris received by the well casing upwardly through the well casing to the well surface.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said step of creating includes:
 injecting stable foam into the well casing.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said stable foam is injected from said apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said forming step includes:
 extending a hose having attached thereto and excavation nozzle from said apparatus and through the casing opening and into the earth formation.   
     
     
         8 . A method of completing a subterranean well having a well casing extending though an earth formation, the method comprising the steps of:
 suspending an apparatus at a selected depth within the well casing;   creating an underbalanced condition in the well casing;   forming a longitudinal casing slot through the well casing by jetting a high pressure abrasive fluid from said apparatus at said well casing to make a perforation in the well casing while translating said apparatus in one of a withdrawal or extending direction in the well casing;   forming a lateral bore in the formation by jetting a pressurized fluid from said apparatus through said casing slot and into the earth formation;   receiving in the well casing through the casing slot fluid and formation debris created from forming said lateral bore; and   lifting the fluid and formation debris received by the well casing upwardly through the well casing to the well surface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said step of creating includes:
 injecting stable foam into the well casing.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said stable foam is injected from said apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said forming step includes:
 extending a hose having attached thereto and excavation nozzle from said apparatus and through the casing opening and into the earth formation.   
     
     
         12 . A method of completing a subterranean well having a well casing extending though an earth formation, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a well perforation and completion tool including a body having a circumferential wall, an internal axial flow passage extending through an end of said body and terminating through said circumferential sidewall forming a side port, one or more lateral ports extending through said circumferential wall and providing fluid communication between said internal axial flow passage and a position exteriorly of said body, and an abrasive jet perforation nozzle disposed in each of said lateral ports;   suspending said well perforation and completion tool at a selected depth within the well casing;   pumping a high pressure abrasive fluid through said internal axial flow passage such that a jet of said high pressure fluid ejects out of each of said perforation nozzles to form a perforation in the well casing;   moving said well perforation and completion tool in the well casing while maintaining the azimuth position of said well perforation and completion tool relative to the well casing while pumping said high pressure fluid to form a casing slot through the well casing;   configuring said well perforation and completion tool for well completion;   creating an underbalanced condition in the well casing;   extending a hose having attached thereto an excavation nozzle from said apparatus through said side port and through said casing slot and into the earth formation; and   pumping a pressurized excavation fluid through said hose such that a jet of said pressurized excavation fluid ejects out of said excavation nozzle and impinges the earth formation to form a lateral bore in the earth formation while extending said hose.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of creating includes:
 pumping a stable foam through said internal axial flow passage such that said stable foam exits said side port and into the well casing.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step:
 engaging a guide tab with said casing slot to align said side port with said casing slot.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said engaging step said guide tab extends from said body and into said casing slot. 
     
     
         16 . A casing perforation and formation boring tool for use in connection with the completion of a subterranean well, the tool comprising:
 a body having a circumferential wall, an internal axial flow passage extending through an end of said body and terminating through said circumferential sidewall forming a side port, one or more lateral ports extending through said circumferential wall and providing fluid communication between said internal axial flow passage and a position exteriorly of said body, and a landing seat disposed across said internal axial flow passage at a position between said one or more lateral ports;   said internal axial flow passage configured to receive a tube therein;   said landing seat configured to receive a blanking plug to isolate said one or more lateral ports from said side port; and   an abrasive perforation nozzle disposed in each of said one or more lateral ports.   
     
     
         17 . The tool of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a well casing isolation seal carried by said body at a position downhole end from said side port.   
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a flexible hose disposed and extensible within said internal flow passage;   a hydraulic excavation nozzle connected to a downhole end of said flexible hose; and   a guide wheel guiding said distal end of said flexible hose through said side port.   
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a pipe disposed within said internal axial flow passage;   a pipe coupling connect to an uphole end of said pipe; and   a hydraulic excavation nozzles connected to a downhole end of said pipe, said hydraulic excavation nozzle aligned with said side port and configured to jet a stream of pressurized fluid flowing through said pipe.   
     
     
         20 . The tool of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 an alignment tab carried by said body and extensible between a retracted position and an extended position.