Technique for fracturing subterranean formations

• US 6,722,437 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Goode, Peter Allan, Vercaemer, Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHOEPPEL, ROGER J
• Application Number:
  US10/127,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20030075333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 166/308, 166/271, 166/90.1, 166/177.5, 166/305.1
• US Class Current: 166/308.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/103 of expandable casings, screens, liners, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/108 Expandable screens or perforated liners

Abstract

A technique for stimulating production of fluids from a subterranean formation. The technique utilizes a tubular member disposed within a wellbore. The tubular member comprises transverse openings that facilitate a formation fracturing process. Subsequent to fracturing, a completion element may be deployed within the tubular element. In some applications, the completion element is an expandable element.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating production of fluid from a formation, comprising:

deploying a tubular member having transverse openings within a wellbore in a contracted state;

expanding the tubular member at a desired location within the wellbore; and

fracturing the formation by applying pressure through the transverse openings.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising inserting a completion string into the tubular member.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein inserting comprises inserting a sand screen.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, further comprising expanding the completion string.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein fracturing comprises hydraulic fracturing.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein fracturing comprises pumping a liquid through the expanded openings.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein expanding comprises moving an expansion tool through the tubular member prior to inserting a final completing string.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising inhibiting axial flow of fluid along the tubular member.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein inhibiting axial flow comprises inhibiting axial flow of fluid between the tubular member and a final completion string.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein deploying comprises locating the tubular member in a lateral wellbore.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein deploying comprises deploying a plurality of tubular members.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein fracturing comprises fracturing the formation at a plurality of zones.

13. A method of utilizing a wellbore disposed within a formation, comprising:

providing an expandable tubular with transverse openings;

locating the expandable tubular within the wellbore;

enlarging the expandable tubular to reduce annular space surrounding the expandable tubular and to enlarge the transverse openings; and

fracturing the formation.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising inserting a completion string within expandable tubular.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising inhibiting axial flow of fluid along the expandable tubular.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, further comprising expanding the completion string.

17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein fracturing comprises hydraulic fracturing.

18. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein fracturing comprises pumping a liquid through the transverse openings.

19. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein locating comprises locating the expandable tubular at a lateral region of the wellbore.

20. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein locating comprises locating the expandable tubular at a vertical region of the wellbore.

21. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein enlarging comprises expanding the expandable tubular against the formation.

22. A system for enhancing production of fluid from a formation, comprising:

an expandable tubular disposed at a wellbore location in an expanded state, the expandable tubular having a plurality of transverse openings exposing an interior of the expandable tubular to the formation; and

a fracturing system disposed in the interior of the expandable tubular.

23. The system as recited in claim 22, wherein the fracturing system comprises a hydraulic fracturing system.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the expandable tubular is formed from a steel material.

25. The system as recited in claim 22, further comprising a completion string insertable into the interior of the expandable tubular.

26. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the completion string is expandable.

27. A system of enhancing production from a formation, comprising:

means for providing a plurality of preformed transverse openings in a tubular member expanded at a desired location within a wellbore; and

means for hydraulically fracturing the formation by applying pressure through the plurality of preformed transverse openings.

28. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein the means for providing comprises a plurality of expandable openings.

29. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein the means for hydraulically fracturing comprises a hydraulic fluid.