A method for fracturing and propping a thick and/or non-homogeneous fracture interval of a subterranean formation which is traversed by a wellbore. A workstring is lowered into the wellbore and a fracturing fluid is flowed into either or both ends of the fracture interval annulus (i.e. that portion of the well annulus which lies adjacent the fracture interval) to initiate a fracture. The flow of fracturing fluid is continued into one end of the annulus while a slurry containing proppants is flowed into the other end of the fracture interval annulus. During flow of fracturing fluid and slurry into the annulus, slurry and/or fracturing fluid is also delivered through alternate flowpaths to different levels within said fracture interval. This is continued until all of the levels or zones of the fracture interval have been fractured and propped.
A method for gravel-packing an interval within a cased wellbore wherein perforations in the well casing are cleaned of any plugging materials before placement of the gravel (e.g. sand). A screen having alternate flowpaths thereon is lowered adjacent the perforated casing and a clear fluid (e.g. clear fracturing gel) is pumped through the perforations into the formation. The gel cleans the perforation of any plugging material and fractures the formation. A gravel (e.g. sand) slurry is then pumped into the annulus and through the perforations to deposit sand in the fracture, the perforations, and the annulus around the screen. If a sand bridge(s) forms in the annulus, the alternate flowpaths will deliver the slurry to all levels within the annulus insuring good distribution of sand across the interval.
A gas inflow control system is used in a well. A downhole tool is combined with an automatic valve that is automatically actuatable to a flow position in the presence of a well liquid flowing into the downhole tool. In the presence of gas flow into the valve, the valve automatically transitions toward or to a closed position.
A method for completing and increasing the production rate from a cased well which may produce solids through perforations during production is provided. A gravel pack screen is placed in the well along with equipment in the tubing string to control flow from inside to outside the tubing below a production packer. The rig used to place the equipment may then be released from the well. The well is then hydraulically fractured. If the well is producing from a high permeability zone, the hydraulic fracture is preferably formed with the tip screen-out technique. The method can also be used in a well already containing production tubing without moving a rig on the well to remove the tubing from the well and can be used in a well not yet perforated by adding tubing-conveyed perforating apparatus below the screen.
A gravel-pack, well screen having an internal shunt tube positioned inside the screen for delivering gravel slurry to different levels within the well annulus during a gravel pack operation. The screen includes one or more joints with each joint includes a base pipe having a screen section therein. The internal shunt extends substantially throughout the length of the base pipe. Bolts, each having a passage therethrough, provide fluid passages between the exterior of the screen and the internal shunt tube near either end of the base pipe. During operation, slurry enters the internal shunt tube through the uppermost bolt and exits into the annulus through the passages in the lower bolts to distribute gravel to to different levels of the annulus.
An alternate-path, well screen made-up of joints and having a sleeve positioned between the ends of adjacent joints which acts as a manifold for fluidly-connecting the alternate-paths on one joint with the alternate-paths on an adjacent joint.
