Lower Completion Module

• US 20080308274A1
• Filed: 06/16/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: MacDougall, Thomas D.
• Application Number:
  US11/764,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20080308274A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/278
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/12 Packers; Plugs used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/08 Screens or liners expandable screens or liners E21B43/108
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/12 Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00

Abstract

A technique that is usable with a well includes installing a lower completion module as a unit in the well. The lower completion module includes a flow control mechanism, an annular packer, a sand screen and a flow monitoring device. Either a single unit or a plurality of the units may be installed in the well for zonal isolation and control.

Claims

1. A method usable with a well, comprising:

installing a lower completion module as a unit in the well, the lower completion module comprising a flow control mechanism, an annular packer and a sand screen.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the lower completion module further comprises a flow monitoring device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of installing comprises:

installing the sand screen, the flow control mechanism and the annular packer in an integrated housing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of installing comprises:

forming a connection between a connector of the unit and a tubular string.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the connector comprises a J-latch connector, a threaded connector or a bayonet connector.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of installing comprises:

connecting the unit to a tubular string.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of installing comprises:

connecting the unit to another unit comprising a flow control mechanism, an annular packer, a flow monitoring device and a sand screen.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the flow control mechanism comprises a fixed choke, a variable choke or an on/off valve.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

autonomously controlling the flow control mechanism based on a response to a reservoir parameter.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing an intervention in the well to control the flow control mechanism.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the act of performing the intervention comprises an intervention selected from the following:

running a service tool on a cable, tractor or pipe;

dropping the tool into the well;

or

pumping the tool down into the well.

12. An apparatus usable with a well, comprising:

a unit comprising connectors to connect the unit to a string, the unit comprising an annular packer, a screen and a flow control mechanism.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the unit comprises an integrated housing connected to the screen, the flow control mechanism and the annular packer.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the tubular string comprises a connector to connect to one of the connectors of the unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of the connectors of the unit comprises a J-latch connector, a threaded connector or a bayonet connector.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the connectors are adapted to connect the unit to a screen.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the annular packer comprises a swell element, an external casing packer, an ABT hydroform, a mechanical compression set packer, an inflatable bladder or a metal inflate bladder.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the screen comprises a slotted liner, a stand alone screen, a prepacked screen or a gravel pack screen.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flow control mechanism comprises a fixed choke, a variable choke or a shut-off valve.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flow control mechanism comprises:

an interface comprising an interface adapted to be controlled via a wireless stimulus, an interface adapted to be controlled in response to a dropped ball or an interface adapted to be controlled in response to a signal communicated over a control line.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flow control mechanism is adapted to be autonomously controlled.