System and Method for Controlling Wellbore Pressure During Gravel Packing Operations
First Claim
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1. A system for controlling pressure in a wellbore annulus while gravel packing, comprising:
- a conduit positioned in an isolated lower wellbore region, the conduit having an internal passageway;
at least one valve assembly positioned along the conduit to selectively admit fluid from the isolated lower wellbore region into the internal passageway; and
an electromagnetic telemetry system operatively coupled to the at least one valve assembly, the electromagnetic telemetry system being able to selectively open the at least one valve assembly via electromagnetic signals sent through the earth from a surface location.
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Abstract
A technique is provided to facilitate gravel packing in a well. A conduit surrounded by a screen is deployed in an isolated lower wellbore region. The conduit cooperates with one or more valves that can be selectively opened to relieve wellbore pressure resulting from advancement of the beta wave during the gravel packing procedure. A control system enables dependable and timely opening of the one or more valves to relieve wellbore pressure and protect the surrounding formation.
58 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A system for controlling pressure in a wellbore annulus while gravel packing, comprising:
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a conduit positioned in an isolated lower wellbore region, the conduit having an internal passageway;
at least one valve assembly positioned along the conduit to selectively admit fluid from the isolated lower wellbore region into the internal passageway; and
an electromagnetic telemetry system operatively coupled to the at least one valve assembly, the electromagnetic telemetry system being able to selectively open the at least one valve assembly via electromagnetic signals sent through the earth from a surface location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method to reduce wellbore pressure during gravel packing operations, comprising:
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isolating a conduit within a wellbore region to be gravel packed;
deploying a plurality of valve assemblies along the conduit to selectively admit fluid into the conduit to relieve pressure during gravel packing; and
coupling an electromagnetic telemetry system to the plurality of valve assemblies to enable selective opening of an individual valve assembly of the plurality of valve assemblies by sending electromagnetic signals from a surface location. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for controlling pressure in a wellbore annulus while gravel packing, comprising:
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a conduit positioned in an isolated lower wellbore region, the conduit having an internal passageway;
at least one valve assembly positioned along the conduit to selectively admit fluid from the isolated lower wellbore region into the internal passageway; and
an intelligent electronic system using at least to pressure sensors, the intelligent electronics system being operatively coupled to the at least one valve assembly to selectively open the at least one valve assembly when a predetermined pressure profile is detected by the at least two pressure sensors. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method to reduce wellbore pressure during gravel packing operations, comprising:
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isolating a conduit within a wellbore region to be gravel packed;
deploying a plurality of valve assemblies along the conduit to selectively admit fluid into the conduit to relieve pressure during gravel packing; and
coupling an intelligent electronic system to the plurality of valve assemblies to enable the selective opening of individual valve assemblies of the plurality of valve assemblies based on predetermined pressure profiles detected via at least two pressure sensors associated with each valve assembly. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A system, comprising:
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a conduit to be used in a gravel packing operation; and
at least one valve assembly positioned along the conduit, the at least one valve assembly having a one-way flow valve to automatically enable flow in a first direction and to limit flow in a second direction. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method, comprising:
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combining a one-way valve with a conduit to enable generally radial flow of fluid through the conduit in a first direction while limiting flow of fluid through the conduit in a second direction;
moving the one-way valve and the conduit into a wellbore to a desired downhole location; and
executing a well related procedure utilizing a flow of fluid through the conduit in the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification