US6516882B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore
Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
•
Filing: 2001-07-16
•
Granted: 2003-02-11
•
Expires: 2021-07-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus ( 60 ) and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus ( 60 ) comprises a sand control screen ( 78 ) positioned within the wellbore and a tubular member ( 62 ) disposed within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen ( 78 ) and a second annulus with the wellbore. The tubular member ( 62 ) has an axially extending production section ( 64 ) with a plurality of openings ( 66 ) and an axially extending nonproduction section ( 68 ) with a plurality of outlets ( 70 ). A channel ( 72 ) is disposed within the first annulus such that the channel ( 72 ) is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section ( 68 ) of the tubular member ( 62 ) forming a slurry passageway ( 74 ) therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald W. McGregor
- 👤 David A. Hejl
- 👤 Travis T. Hailey, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:02
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/08; E21B43/088; E21B43/04; E21B43/045; E21B43/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the apparatus comprising: a sand control screen positioned within the wellbore; a tubular member disposed within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen and a second annulus with the wellbore, the tubular member having an axially extending production section with a plurality of openings and an axially extending nonproduction section with a plurality of outlets; and a channel disposed within the first annulus that is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section of the tubular member forming a slurry passageway therewith.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the apparatus comprising: a sand control screen positioned within the wellbore; a tubular member disposed within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen and a second annulus with the wellbore, the tubular member having an axially extending production section with a plurality of openings and an axially extending nonproduction section with a plurality of outlets; and a channel disposed within the first annulus that is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section of the tubular member forming a slurry passageway therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein he channel further comprising a web and a pair of oppositely disposed sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the web and each of the sides have an angle therebetween of between about 45 and 90 degrees.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the sides have square ends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the sides have rolled ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the sides contact an inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is below a predetermined value and wherein at least one of the sides partially separates from the inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is above the predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein an attachment member is used to connect the web of the channel to the tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the channel is connected to the sand control screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein a retainer member is used to support each of the sides of the channel within the tubular member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the tubular member further comprises first and second axially extending production sections and first and second axially extending nonproduction sections and wherein the apparatus further comprises first and second channels that are substantially circumferentially aligned with the first and second nonproduction sections of the tubular member, respectively, forming first and second slurry passageways therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the tubular member further comprises first, second, third and fourth axially extending production sections and first, second, third and fourth axially extending nonproduction sections and wherein the apparatus further comprises first, second, third and fourth channels that are substantially circumferentially aligned with the first, second, third and fourth nonproduction sections of the tubular member, respectively, forming first, second, third and fourth slurry passageways therewith.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the apparatus comprising: a sand control screen positioned within the wellbore; a tubular member disposed within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen and a second annulus with the wellbore, the tubular member having an inner surface, an axially extending production section with a plurality of openings and an axially extending nonproduction section with a plurality of outlets; and a channel disposed within the first annulus that is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section of the tubular member forming a slurry passageway therewith, the channel having a web and a pair of oppositely disposed sides, the sides contacting the inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is below a predetermined value and at least one of the sides partially separating from the inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is above the predetermined value.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the apparatus comprising: a sand control screen positioned within the wellbore; a tubular member disposed within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen and a second annulus with the wellbore, the tubular member having an inner surface, an axially extending production section with a plurality of openings and an axially extending nonproduction section with a plurality of outlets; and a channel disposed within the first annulus that is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section of the tubular member forming a slurry passageway therewith, the channel having a web and a pair of oppositely disposed sides, the sides contacting the inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is below a predetermined value and at least one of the sides partially separating from the inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is above the predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the web and each of the sides have an angle therebetween of between about 45 and 90 degrees.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the sides rave square ends.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the sides have rolled ends.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein an attachment member is used to connect the web of the channel to the tubular member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the channel is connected to the sand control screen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein a retainer member is used to support each of the sides of the channel within the tubular member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the tubular member further comprises first and second axially extending production sections and first and second axially extending nonproduction sections and wherein the apparatus further comprises first and second channels that are substantially circumferentially aligned with the first and second nonproduction sections of the tubular member, respectively, forming first and second slurry passageways therewith.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the tubular member further comprises first, second, third and fourth axially extending production sections and first, second, third and fourth axially extending nonproduction sections and wherein the apparatus further comprises first, second, third and fourth channels that are substantially circumferentially aligned with the first, second, third and fourth nonproduction sections of the tubular member, respectively, forming first, second, third and fourth slurry passageways therewith.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; locating a sand control screen within the wellbore proximate the formation; positioning a tubular member within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen and a second annulus with the wellbore, the tubular member having an axially extending production section with a plurality of openings and an axially extending nonproduction section with a plurality of outlets; disposing a channel within the first annulus such that the channel is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section of the tubular member forming a slurry passageway therewith; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the slurry passageway through the outlets; and terminating the injecting when the interval is substantially completely packed with the gravel.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; locating a sand control screen within the wellbore proximate the formation; positioning a tubular member within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen and a second annulus with the wellbore, the tubular member having an axially extending production section with a plurality of openings and an axially extending nonproduction section with a plurality of outlets; disposing a channel within the first annulus such that the channel is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section of the tubular member forming a slurry passageway therewith; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the slurry passageway through the outlets; and terminating the injecting when the interval is substantially completely packed with the gravel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the step of disposing a channel within the first annulus further comprises disposing a channel having a web and a pair of oppositely disposed sides within the first annulus channel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of forming the channel such that the angle between the web and each of the sides is between about 45 and 90 degrees.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of forming the channel such that the ends of the sides are square.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of forming the channel such that the ends of the sides are rolled.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method as recited in claim 22 further comprising contacting the sides of the channel with an inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is below a predetermined value and relieving pressure from the slurry passageway by allowing at least one of the sides to partially separate from the inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is above the predetermined value.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 21 further comprising attaching the channel to the tubular member with an attachment member connected to a web of the channel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 21 further comprising attaching the channel to the sand control screen.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 21 further comprising supporting each of the sides of the channel within the tubular member with a retainer member.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
218 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; locating a sand control screen within the wellbore proximate the formation; positioning a tubular member within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen and a second annulus with the wellbore, the tubular member having an axially extending production section with a plurality of openings and an axially extending nonproduction section with a plurality of outlets; disposing a channel having a web and a pair of oppositely disposed sides within the first annulus such that the channel is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section of the tubular member forming a slurry passageway therewith; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the slurry passageway through the outlets; contacting the sides of the channel with an inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is below a predetermined value; relieving pressure from the slurry passageway by allowing at least one of the sides to partially separate from the inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is above the predetermined value; and terminating the injecting when the interval is substantially completely packed with the gravel.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
218 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; locating a sand control screen within the wellbore proximate the formation; positioning a tubular member within the wellbore forming a first annulus with the sand control screen and a second annulus with the wellbore, the tubular member having an axially extending production section with a plurality of openings and an axially extending nonproduction section with a plurality of outlets; disposing a channel having a web and a pair of oppositely disposed sides within the first annulus such that the channel is substantially circumferentially aligned with the nonproduction section of the tubular member forming a slurry passageway therewith; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the slurry passageway through the outlets; contacting the sides of the channel with an inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is below a predetermined value; relieving pressure from the slurry passageway by allowing at least one of the sides to partially separate from the inner surface of the tubular member when the pressure within the slurry passageway is above the predetermined value; and terminating the injecting when the interval is substantially completely packed with the gravel.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising the step of forming the channel such that the angle between the web and each of the sides is between about 45 and 90 degrees.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising the step of forming the channel such that the ends of the sides are square.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising the step of forming the channel such that the ends of the sides are rolled.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising attaching the channel to the tubular member with an attachment member connected to the web of the channel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising attaching the channel to the sand control screen.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising supporting each of the sides of the channel within the tubular member with a retainer member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-02-10 | 2006-08-12 | 2007-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-02-10 | 2010-08-12 | 2011-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-02-10 | 2014-08-12 | 2015-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |