Method and apparatus for wellbore fluid treatment

• US 9,074,451 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2014
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Packers Plus Energy Services (USA), Inc.
• Original Assignee: Packers Plus Energy Services (USA), Inc.
• Inventors: Themig, Daniel Jon, Fehr, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US14/150,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20140116731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 166/316, 166/317, 166/250.17, 166/191, 166/332.4, 166/305.1, 166/306, 166/386, 166/313
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/06 Sleeve valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/122 Multiple string packers
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/124 Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1285 by fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/063 Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc E21B34/103 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/12 operated by movement of casings or tubings
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/142 unsupported or free-falling elements, e.g. balls, plugs, darts or pistons
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/14 Obtaining from a multiple-zone well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/16 Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/25 Methods for stimulating production by vibrating earth formations E21B43/003

Abstract

A tubing string assembly for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes substantially pressure holding closures spaced along the tubing string, which each close at least one port through the tubing string wall. The closures are openable by a sleeve drivable through the tubing string inner bore.

Claims

1. An apparatus for fluid treatment of a borehole, the apparatus comprising:

a tubing string having a long axis and a wall defining an inner bore and an outer surface of the tubing string; and

a plurality of sleeve closures accessible in the inner bore of the tubing string, each of the plurality of sleeve closures being actuatable by a first plug moveable through the tubing string, each of the plurality of sleeve closures being actuatable from a covering position over a port through the wall to an open position exposing the port, the covering position preventing fluid communication through the port between the inner bore and the outer surface and the open position permitting fluid communication through the port between the inner bore and the outer surface, and each of the plurality of sleeve closures in the open position allowing the first plug to pass therethrough.

2. A method for treatment of a wellbore, the method comprising:

moving a first plug through a tubing string in a wellbore, the tubing string including a first sliding sleeve and a second sliding sleeve, the first sliding sleeve having a closed position preventing fluid flow through a first port in the tubing string wall and the second sliding sleeve having a closed position preventing fluid flow through a second port in the tubing string wall;

changing the first sliding sleeve to an open position allowing fluid communication through the first port by engaging the first plug on the first sliding sleeve; and

passing the first plug through the first sliding sleeve in the open position to the second sliding sleeve.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising changing the second sliding sleeve to an open position allowing fluid communication through the second port by engaging the first plug on the second sliding sleeve.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising passing the first plug through the second sliding sleeve in the open position.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein changing the first sliding sleeve to the open position employs fluid pressure.

6. An apparatus for fluid treatment of a borehole, the apparatus comprising:

a tubing string having a long axis and a wall defining an inner bore and an outer surface of the tubing string; and

a plurality of sleeve closures accessible in the inner bore of the tubing string, each of the plurality of sleeve closures being actuable from a closed position to an open position by a first plug moveable through the tubing string, the closed position preventing fluid communication between the inner bore and the outer surface and the open position permitting fluid communication between the inner bore and the outer surface through at least one port, and each of the plurality of sleeve closures in the open position allowing the first plug to pass therethrough, wherein the at least one port is size restricted to create a pressure drop thereacross.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first plug moves by application of fluid pressure thereagainst.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of the plurality of sleeve closures are actuated from the closed position to the open position by application of fluid pressure once engaged by the first plug.