Apparatuses, systems, and methods for injecting fluids into a subterranean formation

Abstract

There is provided apparatuses, systems, and methods for effecting injection of injection fluids into a subterranean formation, including: a bundled plurality of fluid-conducting conduits.

1 . An apparatus for effecting injection of injection fluids into a subterranean formation, including bundled conduits comprising:
 a plurality of fluid-conducting conduits, each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, independently, including a respective conduit fluid passage and a respective at least one first fluid communication feature, such that a plurality of first fluid communication features is provided, wherein each one of the first fluid communication features, independently, includes one of:   (a) a first fluid conducting port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the first fluid conducting port is respective, externally of the respective fluid-conducting conduit; and   (b) a first frangible portion adapted to fracture to define a first fluid conducting port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the first frangible portion is respective, externally of the respective fluid-conducting conduit;   a carrier conduit including, respective to each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, at least one second fluid communication feature, such that a plurality of second fluid communication features is provided, wherein each one of the second fluid communication features, independently, includes one of:   (a) a second fluid conducting port for conducting fluid, received from at least one first fluid conducting port of the fluid-conducting conduit to which the second fluid conducting port, of the carrier conduit, is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation; and   (b) a second frangible portion adapted to fracture to define a second fluid conducting port for conducting fluid, received from at least one first fluid conducting port of the fluid-conducting conduit to which the second frangible portion, of the carrier conduit, is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation;   wherein the plurality of fluid-conducting conduits is disposed within the carrier conduit; and wherein the carrier conduit is disposed in sealing engagement, or substantially sealing engagement, with the plurality of fluid-conducting conduits such that sealing, or substantial sealing, of fluid communication, within the carrier conduit, between (i) the at least one first fluid communication feature of one of the fluid-conducting conduits and, at least, (ii) the at least one first fluid communication feature of another one of the fluid-conducting conduits, is effected.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each one of the fluid-conducting conduits includes tubing. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein each one of the first fluid communication features, independently, includes a first fluid conducting port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the first fluid conducting port is respective, externally of the fluid-conducting conduit;   and wherein each one of the second fluid communication features, independently, includes a second fluid conducting port for conducting fluid, received from at least one first fluid conducting port of the fluid-conducting conduit to which the second fluid conducting port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein each one of the first fluid communication features, independently, includes a first frangible portion adapted to fracture to define a first fluid conducting port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the first frangible portion is respective, externally of the respective fluid-conducting conduit;   and wherein each one of the second fluid communication features, independently, includes a second frangible portion adapted to fracture to define a second fluid conducting port for conducting fluid, received from at least one first fluid conducting port of the fluid-conducting conduit to which the second frangible portion is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         5 . A system including the apparatus, as claimed in  claim 1 , disposed within a wellbore. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for effecting injection of injection fluids into a subterranean formation, including bundled conduits comprising:
 a plurality of fluid-conducting conduits, each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, independently, including a conduit fluid passage; and   respective to each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, at least one fluid communication feature, such that a plurality of fluid communication features is provided, wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes one of:   (a) an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation; and   (b) a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible portion is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation;   wherein, the at least one fluid communication feature, respective to a one of the fluid-conducting conduits, is spaced apart from the at least one fluid communication feature respective to another one of the fluid-conducting conduits.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the spacing apart is by a minimum distance of at least 15 metres. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one fluid communication feature, respective to a one of the fluid-conducting conduits, is spaced apart from every other fluid communication feature that is respective to another one of the fluid-conducting conduits. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the spacing apart is by a minimum distance of at least 15 metres. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 ;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 ;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible portion is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation;   
     
     
         12 . A system comprising the apparatus, as claimed in  claim 6 , disposed within a wellbore. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for effecting injection of injection fluids into a subterranean formation, including bundled conduits comprising:
 a plurality of fluid-conducting conduits, each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, independently, including a conduit fluid passage; and respective to each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, at least one fluid communication feature, such that a plurality of fluid communication features is provided, wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes one of:   (a) an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation; and   (b) a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible portion is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation;   respective to at least one of the fluid-conducting conduits, a pair of sealing members extending from the fluid-conducting conduit, wherein the at least one fluid communication feature, of the fluid-conducting conduit to which the pair of sealing members is respective, is disposed between the pair of sealing members;   and wherein the pair of sealing members is configured such that, when the apparatus is deployed within the wellbore, the sealing members are disposed, or deployable into a disposition, to prevent, or substantially prevent, fluid communication, through a wellbore annulus, between: (i) the at least one fluid communication feature, disposed between the pair of sealing members, and (ii) a fluid communication feature of another one of the fluid-conducting conduits.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the pair of sealing members is configured such that, when the apparatus is deployed within the wellbore, the sealing members are disposed in, or deployable into a disposition of, sealing, or substantially sealing, engagement with a surface that, in co-operation with at least the apparatus, defines a wellbore annulus. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the surface is a portion of the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the surface is that of a portion of a casing that is lining the wellbore, or a portion of a liner that is hanging from the casing. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein each one of the sealing member includes a packer. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein, the pair of scaling members is configured such that, when the apparatus is deployed within the wellbore, and injection fluid is being injected from the at least one apparatus port into a subterranean zone, the pair of sealing members effects isolation, or substantial isolation, of the injected injection fluid from the remainder of the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 ;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 ;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes a frangible portion adapted to fracture to deline an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         21 . A system comprising the apparatus, as claimed in  claim 13 , disposed within a wellbore. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for effecting injection of injection fluids into a subterranean formation, including bundled conduits comprising:
 a plurality of fluid-conducting conduits, each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, independently, including a conduit fluid passage; and   respective to each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, at least one fluid communication feature, such that a plurality of fluid communication features is provided, wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes one of:   (a) an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation; and   (b) a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible portion is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation;   respective to at least one of the fluid-conducting conduits, a pair of sealing members extending from the fluid-conducting conduit, wherein the at least one fluid communication feature, of the fluid-conducting conduit to which the pair of sealing members is respective, is disposed between the pair of sealing members;   wherein, the pair of sealing members is configured such that, when the apparatus is deployed within the wellbore, and the pair of sealing members are disposed in sealing engagement with the formation, and injection fluid is being injected, from at least one apparatus port of the fluid-conducting conduit to which the pair of sealing members is respective, into a subterranean zone, the pair of sealing members effect isolation, or substantial isolation, of the injected injection fluid from the remainder of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 ;
 wherein each one of the sealing members includes a packer.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 ;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 ;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         26 . A system comprising the apparatus, as claimed in  claim 22 , disposed within a wellbore. 
     
     
         27 . An apparatus for effecting injection of injection fluids into a subterranean formation, including bundled conduits comprising:
 a plurality of fluid-conducting conduits, each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, independently, including a conduit fluid passage; and   respective to each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, at least one fluid communication feature, such that a plurality of fluid communication features is provided, wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes one of:   (a) an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation; and   (b) a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible portion is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation;   respective to at least one of the fluid-conducting conduits, a pair of sealing members extending from the fluid-conducting conduit, wherein the at least one fluid communication feature, of the fluid-conducting conduit to which the pair of sealing members is respective, is disposed between the pair of sealing members;   wherein the pair of sealing members is configured such that, when the apparatus is deployed within the wellbore, the sealing members are disposed in, or deployable into a disposition of, sealing engagement or substantially sealing engagement with a surface that, in co-operation with at least the apparatus, defines a wellbore annulus.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the surface is a portion of the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the surface is that of a portion of a casing that is lining the wellbore, or a portion of a liner that is hanging from the casing. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein each one of the sealing members includes a packer. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 ; wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 ;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         33 . A system comprising the apparatus, as claimed in  claim 27 , disposed within a wellbore. 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus for effecting injection of injection fluids into a subterranean formation, including bundled conduits comprising:
 a plurality of fluid-conducting conduits, each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, independently, including a conduit fluid passage; and   respective to each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, at least one fluid communication feature, such that a plurality of fluid communication features is provided, wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes one of:   (a) an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation; and   (b) a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible portion is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation;   wherein each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, independently, includes a valve member configured for at least interfering with fluid communication, through the fluid passage, between a fluid source upstream of the valve and the at least one apparatus port.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the valve member is configured for disposition between an open condition and a closed condition, wherein, in the open condition, fluid communication, through the fluid passage, is effected between a fluid source upstream of the valve member and the at least one apparatus port, and wherein, in the closed condition, sealing, or substantial sealing of fluid communication, through the fluid passage, between a fluid source upstream of the valve member and the at least one apparatus port, is effected. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the valve member, of each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, is configured for disposition above the wellhead when the apparatus is disposed within the wellbore. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the valve member, of each one of the fluid-conducting conduits, is configured for disposition above the surface when the apparatus is disposed within the wellbore. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 ;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the apparatus port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         39 . The apparatus as claimed in;
 wherein each one of the fluid communication features, independently, includes a frangible portion adapted to fracture to define an apparatus port for conducting fluid, when fluid is flowing through the conduit fluid passage to which the frangible port is respective, to a subterranean zone of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         40 . A system comprising the apparatus, as claimed in  claim 34 , disposed within a wellbore. 
     
     
         41 . A method of supplying fluid into a subterranean formation, comprising:
 deploying bundled conduits, including a plurality of fluid-conducting conduits, into a wellbore: and   supplying fluid, from a fluid supply source disposed above the surface, through the fluid-conducting conduits and into the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         42 . The method as claimed in  claim 41 ;
 wherein the supplying includes:   supplying a first zone of the subterranean formation through a port of a first one of the fluid-conducting conduits; and   supplying a second zone of the subterranean formation through a port of a second one of the fluid-conducting conduits;   wherein the port of the first one of the fluid-conducting conduits is spaced-apart from the port of the second one of the fluid-conducting conduits by a distance of at least 15 metres.   
     
     
         43 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 ;
 wherein sealing, or substantial sealing, of fluid communication, through the wellbore, between the port of the first one of the fluid-conducting conduits and the port of the second one of the fluid-conducting conduits, is effected.   
     
     
         44 . The method as claimed in  claim 41 , further comprising:
 controlling the flow of fluid through the first one of the fluid-conducting conduits with a first valve; and   controlling the flow of fluid through the second one of the fluid-conducting conduits with a second valve that is different than the first valve;   wherein both of the first and second valves are disposed above the surface.   
     
     
         45 . The method as claimed in  claim 41 , further comprising:
 injecting injection fluids, through the fluid-conducting conduits, into the subterranean formation, such that pressure of formation fluids within the subterranean formation is increased, thereby inducing production, or increasing the rate of production, of formation fluids from the subterranean formation through a production well.   
     
     
         46 . The method as claimed in  claim 45 , further comprising:
 producing the pressurized formation fluids from the production well.