SYSTEMS, ASSEMBLIES AND PROCESSES FOR CONTROLLING TOOLS IN A WELL BORE
First Claim
1. A process comprising;
- fracturing a subterranean environs penetrated by a well at spaced apart locations along the well using tools that remain in the well and in a sequence comprising fracturing the subterranean environs at one of said spaced apart locations after fracturing the subterranean environs at another of said spaced apart locations which is closer to the surface of the earth along the well.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dedicated hydraulic line for transmission of a signal device capable of generating one or more unique signals to one or more tools within a subterranean well. Each tool can be equipped with a reader device for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the signal device. Each reader device can control operation of the tool associated therewith if the reader device is programmed to respond to signals received from the control device. Hydraulic fluid used to operate the tool can be conveyed via the dedicated hydraulic line or a separate hydraulic line. A separate hydraulic line can be used to reset the tool. Where the tools include sliding sleeves, the tools can be used to hydraulically fracture subterranean environs at spaced apart locations along a well bore in any desired sequence and without removing the tools from the well during the fracturing process.
186 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A process comprising;
fracturing a subterranean environs penetrated by a well at spaced apart locations along the well using tools that remain in the well and in a sequence comprising fracturing the subterranean environs at one of said spaced apart locations after fracturing the subterranean environs at another of said spaced apart locations which is closer to the surface of the earth along the well. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10)
- 7. The process of 6 wherein the well is substantially horizontal through the subterranean environs.
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11. A process comprising:
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pumping fluid through casing positioned in a well and an opening in a first tool secured to the casing at a pressure sufficient to fracture a portion of a subterranean environs; and
thereafter,pumping fluid through the casing and an opening in a second tool secured to the casing at a pressure sufficient to fracture another portion of the subterranean environs, said second tool being farther along the well from the surface of the earth than the first tool. - View Dependent Claims (12, 14)
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13. The process of 11 wherein the well is substantially horizontal through the subterranean environs.
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15. A process comprising:
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fracturing a first portion of a subterranean environs penetrated by a well at a first location along the well using tools that remain in the well, said fracturing of said first portion creating rock stress within said first portion; and fracturing a second portion of said subterranean environs at a second location along the well using said tools and resulting in fractures in said second portion that have a geometry influenced by the rock stress present in said first portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 19, 20)
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18. The process of 15 wherein the well is substantially horizontal through the subterranean environs.
Specification