Method and apparatus for gravel packing a wellbore

Abstract

A method is provided for gravel packing an open hole section of a hydrocarbon producing well. The method includes injecting a slurry comprising particulates dispersed in a carrier fluid into an annular space in the open hole section of the wellbore, and depositing the particulates in the annular space to form a gravel pack. Typically, inter-granular bonds form among the particulates, and thus form the gravel pack. In some embodiments, the inter-granular bonds generate grain-to-grain compressive strength which is strong enough to keep the gravel pack immobile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for gravel packing a hydrocarbon producing wellbore, comprising:
 injecting a slurry comprising particulates dispersed in a carrier fluid into an annular space in an open hole section of the wellbore, wherein the annular space is between a screen element and the wellbore; and   depositing the particulates in the annular space to form a gravel pack.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gravel pack is formed via formation of inter-granular bonds among the particulates. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the inter-granular bonds generate grain-to-grain compressive strength to keep the gravel pack immobile. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the grain-to-grain compressive strength is at least about 10 psi. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the inter-granular bonds form after depositing. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the particulates is at least partially coated with a liquid hardenable resin component, and a second portion of the particulates is at least partially coated with a liquid hardening agent component. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least about 30% of the particulates are coated with either the liquid hardenable resin component or the liquid hardening agent component. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the ratio of the first portion to the second portion of the particulates is in the range from about 0.3:1 to about 1:0.3. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particulates can be sand, proppant or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the slurry is between about 90° F. and about 250° F. 
     
     
         11 . A completed open hole hydrocarbon producing well, the well comprising:
 a screen element in an open hole section of a hydrocarbon producing well;   an annular space between the wellbore and the screen element; and   a gravel pack comprised of particulates and disposed with respect to the annular space, having a grain-to-grain compressive strength of at least about 10 psi.   
     
     
         12 . The open hole hydrocarbon producing well of  claim 11 , wherein the grain-to-grain compressive strength is generated by inter-granular bonds among the particulates. 
     
     
         13 . The open hole hydrocarbon producing well of  claim 11 , wherein the grain-to-grain compressive strength is strong enough to keep the gravel pack immobile. 
     
     
         14 . The open hole hydrocarbon producing well of  claim 11 , wherein a first portion of the particulates is at least partially coated with a liquid hardenable resin component, and a second portion of the particulates is at least partially coated with a liquid hardening agent component. 
     
     
         15 . The open hole hydrocarbon producing well of  claim 14 , wherein at least about 30% of the particulates are coated with either the liquid hardenable resin component or the liquid hardening agent component. 
     
     
         16 . The open hole hydrocarbon producing well of  claim 14 , wherein the ratio of the first portion to the second portion of the particulates is in the range from about 0.3:1 to about 1:0.3. 
     
     
         17 . The open hole hydrocarbon producing well of  claim 11 , wherein the particulates can be sand, proppant or a combination thereof.