Tubular apparatus for the continuous completion of hydrocarbon wells, and corresponding laying method

Abstract

Described herein is a tubular apparatus for the continuous completion of wells for hydrocarbons, of the type comprising a flexible cylindrical wall ( 11; 11 ′) defining inside it a hollow passage ( 19 ) suitable for being wound, in particular on a spool, and laid for use in the step of completion of a drilling well. According to the invention, said cylindrical wall ( 11; 11 ′) comprises a fabric ( 12, 13, 15; 12′, 13′, 15 ′) including inside it at least one gap ( 14; 14 ′), which develops in the axial direction of said cylindrical wall ( 11 ), said fabric ( 12, 13, 15; 12′, 13′, 15 ′) comprising means suitable for operating under traction ( 15; 15 ′) when within said at least one gap ( 14; 14 ′) a pressurized fluid ( 20 ) is present injected for stiffening the tubular apparatus ( 10; 10 ′).

1 . A tubular apparatus for the continuous completion of wells for hydrocarbons, of the type comprising a flexible cylindrical wall defining inside it a hollow passage, said tubular apparatus being suitable for being wound, in particular on a spool, and laid for use in the step of completion of a drilling well, said cylindrical wall comprising a fabric defining interwoven fibres and comprising inside it at least one gap which develops in the axial direction of said cylindrical wall, said tubular apparatus being characterized in that:
 said fabric defines by means of the respective interwoven fibres a three-dimensional structure, comprising:   an inner wall and an outer wall, which are parallel and delimit said at least one gap; and moreover   means suitable for operating under traction when inside said at least one gap a pressurized fluid is present injected for stiffening the tubular apparatus,   said means suitable for operating under traction comprising interconnection threads comprised in the interwoven fibres of the first, inner, wall and of the second, outer, wall that connect said first, inner, wall to said second, outer, wall through said gap.   
     
     
         2 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said first, inner, wall and said second, outer, wall comprise interwoven fibres of the fabric comprising warp and weft threads and said interconnection threads are weft threads or warp threads of said interwoven fibres. 
     
     
         3 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said cylindrical wall has a three-dimensional structure comprising a plurality of cells which develop in an axial direction of the tubular apparatus and identify said one or more gaps, walls of said cells functioning as said means suitable for operating under traction, said structure being in particular a honeycomb structure. 
     
     
         4 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said wall comprises an impermeabilizing material, in particular a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said fabric of the cylindrical wall comprises aramide fibres or carbon fibres. 
     
     
         6 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one gap is filled with said fluid injected under pressure, said fluid being in particular a resin or a cement or other material that is able to solidify. 
     
     
         7 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a plurality of concentric gaps, in particular two concentric gaps filled, respectively, with a resin and with its hardener and separated by a wall functionalized in such a way as to enable interchange of the fluids. 
     
     
         8 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said wall comprises cables for the transmission of electric power and/or laser beams and/or optical and/or electrical signals. 
     
     
         9 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it is comprised in a production-tubing system. 
     
     
         10 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it is comprised in a workover system for the repair of damaged pipes. 
     
     
         11 . The tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it is comprised in a casing of a drilling well. 
     
     
         12 . A method for laying a flexible tubular apparatus in a step of continuous completion of wells for hydrocarbons, characterized in that lowering in said well a tubular apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The laying method according to  claim 12 , said method being characterized in lowering said tubular apparatus in said well, and following upon said lowering operation injecting a fluid that is able to solidify in said at least one gap. 
     
     
         14 . The laying method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that it comprises lowering said tubular apparatus engaged to a weight. 
     
     
         15 . The laying method according to  claim 12 , characterized in that it comprises folding the free end of the tubular apparatus back outwards and securing it in the point of start of laying to obtain a folded-back portion, in particular lowering said tubular apparatus under its own weight or using drawing devices.