Pressure Control Apparatus and Method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling the pressure in an isolated lower wellbore annulus while gravel packing, the isolated lower wellbore annulus being defined by a conduit sealably positioned within an isolated lower wellbore segment, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of valves carried by the conduit at discrete locations for selectively admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit at the discrete locations; and
a pressure-sensitive device carried by the conduit independently of the valves for sensing the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing, and for actuating one of more of the valves when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions so as to admit fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit and thereby control the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Pressure control in an isolated lower wellbore annulus, defined by a conduit sealably positioned within an isolated lower wellbore segment, is achieved while gravel packing by sensing the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing and admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit at one or more discrete locations along the conduit when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions. The annulus pressure is sensed while gravel packing using a pressure-sensitive device disposed in the annulus, e.g., positioned by the conduit at a high-pressure location. The pressure-sensitive device actuates one or more valves carried along the conduit to admit fluid from the annulus into the conduit at one or more of the discrete locations, and thereby control the pressure in the isolated lower annulus.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling the pressure in an isolated lower wellbore annulus while gravel packing, the isolated lower wellbore annulus being defined by a conduit sealably positioned within an isolated lower wellbore segment, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of valves carried by the conduit at discrete locations for selectively admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit at the discrete locations; and
a pressure-sensitive device carried by the conduit independently of the valves for sensing the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing, and for actuating one of more of the valves when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions so as to admit fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit and thereby control the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A valve for use in a conduit disposed in a wellbore while gravel packing an isolated lower annulus of the wellbore, comprising:
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a valve body adapted for carriage within the conduit and having a first port for admitting wellbore fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit, a second port for admitting fluid pressure from the isolated lower annulus into the valve body, and a chamber;
a piston slidably disposed in the valve body chamber and movable between positions closing and opening the first port;
the second port admitting fluid pressure from the isolated lower annulus to the valve body chamber to urge the piston to the position opening the first port; and
a closure mechanism for closing the first port. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for controlling the pressure in an isolated lower wellbore annulus while gravel packing, the isolated lower annulus being defined by a conduit sealably positioned within an isolated lower wellbore segment, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing; and
admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit at one or more discrete locations along the conduit when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions, thereby controlling the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method for reducing the risk of fracturing an isolated lower wellbore segment during beta wave progression while gravel packing using a wash pipe sealably positioned within the isolated lower wellbore segment, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing the pressure within the isolated lower wellbore segment while gravel packing; and
admitting fluid from the isolated lower wellbore segment into the wash pipe at one or more discrete locations along the wash pipe when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions based upon the anticipated fracture pressure of the isolated lower wellbore segment.
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Specification