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US20100051287A1 - Depressurization system of annuli between casings in producing wells - Google Patents

Depressurization system of annuli between casings in producing wells Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100051287A1
US20100051287A1 US12/461,709 US46170909A US2010051287A1 US 20100051287 A1 US20100051287 A1 US 20100051287A1 US 46170909 A US46170909 A US 46170909A US 2010051287 A1 US2010051287 A1 US 2010051287A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
casings
annuli
depressurization
producing wells
annular space
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/461,709
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English (en)
Inventor
Flavio Dias de Moraes
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras
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Petroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras
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Filing date
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Assigned to PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.- PETROBRAS reassignment PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.- PETROBRAS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DE MORAES, FLAVIO DIAS
Publication of US20100051287A1 publication Critical patent/US20100051287A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B33/00Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
    • E21B33/10Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
    • E21B33/13Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
    • E21B33/14Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like for cementing casings into boreholes
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B41/00Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00

Definitions

  • This invention concerns a depressurization system of annuli between casings in the drilling activity for producing wells so as to guarantee effective communication between the pressurized annular space and the rock to be broken during depressurization, which has the solid deposit creating the consequent hydraulic isolation between the pressurized fluid and said rock.
  • This proposed invention possesses characteristics that guarantee that the system used will not become clogged with solid deposits over time after these wells have been drilled and the casings have been cemented in.
  • the increase in temperature may produce an increase in the pressure of the annular space, resulting from the expansion of the drilling fluids remaining in this cavity, in such a great amount that it can exceed the limits of tensile strength causing the collapse of the casings affected.
  • Attenuation of the problem is to maintain the cement head below the shallow-set casing shoe (part of the foundation upon which the walls are raised) so that depressurization may take place in this annular space by the formation of the fracture in the base of the well wall or below this shoe.
  • the beginning of production can take place several months after the completion of the well, with particles being deposited from the drilling fluid (bentonite or barytes) in the lower area of (or below) this annular space to the point of producing a hydraulic isolation between the pressurized annular space and the rock positioned below the depth of the shallow-set casing shoe, making it impossible to depressurize this annular space.
  • This invention has the objective of guaranteeing effective hydraulic communication between the pressurized annular space and the rock to be broken, using a depressurization system in this annular space between the casings, even though solid deposition occurs resulting in hydraulic isolation.
  • This innovation possesses combinations that guarantee that the system proposed will not become clogged by solid deposits over the passage of time.
  • This invention should be used in well drilling activities, with its installation during the descent of the casings in these wells.
  • Drilling an oil well, performed through a rotating probe, consists of a feed obtained by the rotation and the weight applied by a drill bit located at the end of a drill string.
  • the fragments (gravel) of the drilled rock are continuously removed by a drilling fluid.
  • the drill column is withdrawn and the steel casing string is placed inside the drilled well. Thereafter an amount of cement is pumped between the external surface of the string and the drilled well wall, in such a way that it will fasten the casing in this position.
  • the activities surrounding the string, cementing and, if necessary, blasting (creation of openings for communication between the inside of the casing and the producing formation or rock) will follow. This stage is called the completion, in other words, the set of activities destined to set up a well for the production of oil or gas.
  • the annular space between the casing strings and the well walls is cemented in order to isolate the rocks pierced by the drill bit, allowing at that time the initiation of safe drilling.
  • the casing program basically consists of a systemized process of inserting piping with pre-established specifications, followed by cementing, and in this way isolating the fluids from various permo-porous formations pierced during the construction of the well at the time when this well begins to produce.
  • the casing functions to prevent collapses, to avoid the contamination of potable water, to control pressure, to avoid the migration of fluids, to support the well head structure, to sustain other casings, to isolate the water from the producing formation, to house artificial lifting equipment, and to confine the production.
  • a fluid is essential in well sinking and the success of the operation depends on the composition and the properties of the fluid chosen which may perform several functions, among them, controlling the pressure to avoid the entrance of oil, gas, or water flows coming from the drilled rock and creating a quasi impermeable film on the well wall by depositing solid particles present in the fluid for the same purpose. These solid particles remain in suspension in the fluid if it is moving, but tend to settle over time if the liquid remains immobile long enough.
  • the problem of pressure increase in the annular of wells has already produced a lot of damage, with the total loss of several producing wells in the Gulf of Mexico.
  • VIT vacuum insulated tubing
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,254 describes a system and process for generating an alternative route to the flow used in the fracture operations and “gravel pack” (sand containment) in the completion of well drilling.
  • the system proposed differs from the prior patent because it is not installed in gravel pack screens and the mechanism proposed does not have the objective of actively participating in the operations surrounding the pumping of liquid.
  • the system proposed is simple and inexpensive. It is a pipe having a small diameter installed in the outer part of the deepest casing that makes up part of the annular space.
  • the system proposed is a passive mechanism and is driven by the natural increase in pressure, from the increase in temperature of the confined liquid and, at a later time, at the end of any pumping operation, carried out in the annular space concerned.
  • This invention proposes a depressurization system for the annular spaces between the casings in producing wells that is made up by three devices that guarantee effective communication between the pressurized annular space and the rock base to be broken during the depressurization process, in which solid deposits occurs with a consequent hydraulic isolation.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the typical design of a well for producing oil or another liquid
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the typical design of a well for producing oil or other liquid after particles from the drilling fluid have precipitated
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the typical design of a well for producing oil or other liquid with the depressurization system for the casings' annular spaces installed
  • FIG. 4 shows a front view of the components of the depressurization system of the annuli between casings.
  • the system proposed seeks to avoid that the pressure in the isolated annular space exceed a level that would produce damage in the casing strings due to collapse (external pressure in the string) or because of the internal pressure.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the typical design of a well producing oil or another liquid containing: most shallow casing string ( 1 ); production column ( 2 ) with flow of fluids at high temperatures; annular space ( 3 ) with mud and other drilling fluids; region of exposed rock ( 4 ) that may be broken to depressurize the annular space ( 3 ); deepest casing string ( 5 ); geological formations ( 6 ) penetrated by the well; shallow-set casing ( 1 ) shoe ( 7 ) and cementing ( 8 ) of the base of the casings.
  • the objective of this system is to maintain the internal pressure of the annular space ( 3 ), comprised between the deepest casing string ( 5 ) to be protected from failure due to collapse and the shallow casing string ( 1 ) (previously installed) below the pressure limit determined to cause collapse of the casing.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the typical design of a well producing oil or other liquid after particles from the drilling fluid have been precipitated into the annular space ( 3 ) with a pressurized zone ( 9 ), that when the temperature is elevated, the pressure is trapped and unless it is drained, on account of the formation of a zone with solid deposits ( 10 ) which are present in the drilling fluid.
  • the innovation proposed promotes depressurization of this annular space ( 3 ) by hydraulic conveyance between the pressurized zone ( 9 ) and the exposed rock zone ( 4 ), which is capable of draining this pressure by absorbing various amounts of fluids (liquids and/or gaseous) through the rock having any type of formation.
  • the elevated pressure of the fluid makes it possible to inject the fluid contained in the annular space ( 3 ).
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the typical design of a well producing oil or other liquid showing the depressurization system for the casings' annular spaces containing: flow control device ( 11 ); conveyance pipe ( 12 ) between two points of the annular space ( 3 ); linked isolation device ( 13 ) to a centralizer in the shallow casing string ( 1 ), allowing the pressurized fluid outlet and the well wall to be close together.
  • the conveyance pipe ( 12 ) may be made up of one or more interconnected or continuous pipes, with cross-sections, including circular, elliptical, rectangular sections or, even, with pipes aligned concentrically with the shallow casing string ( 5 ) for protection.
  • the shallow end of said conveyance mechanism must be close to the top of the deepest casing string ( 5 ) and its deepest end below the depth of the shallow-set casing ( 1 ) shoe ( 7 ).
  • Said depressurization system makes it possible for fluids to flow between a pressurized zone ( 9 ) and a solid deposit zone ( 10 ) in the annular space ( 3 ) described above and that they remain hydraulically isolated from the solids precipitated from the original fluid present in this annular space ( 3 ), or in atypical cases are hydraulically isolated by devices specifically installed to promote this isolation or by mechanical, sedimentary obstacles, or due to chemical or geological deposits in this space.
  • One of the principal characteristics of the system proposed is the filling of the hydraulic conveyance system, comprised thusly by: flow control device ( 11 ); conveyance pipe ( 12 ); linked isolation device ( 13 ), with a fluid of appropriate density and viscosity, and having a physical and chemical stability that impedes the precipitation of particles into its interior, in such a way as to avoid eventual clogging of the hydraulic conveyance mechanism after its installation into the well.
  • the fluid that will fill the depressurization system must have a density lower than that of the drilling fluid. For this reason, the upper end of this system will have a difference in the pressure of the inside of the pipe and the annular space ( 3 ). For this reason, there is a need for said flow control.
  • the installation of the hydraulic conveyance system proposed is made by fastening it onto the shallow casing string ( 1 ) or onto the deepest casing string ( 5 ); which make up the annular space ( 3 ) to be depressurized.
  • a flow control device ( 11 ) must be installed on the most shallow end of the hydraulic conveyance system which will impede the entrance of fluid into the interior of the conveyance pipe ( 12 ). The pressure external to this system will be below a value determined by the system plan.
  • This value determined by the plan must guarantee that the increase in pressure within the annular space ( 3 ) does not exceed a limit value before this flow control device ( 11 )—a retention or shear valve—allows the entrance of fluid into the inside of the pressure conveyance pipe ( 12 ) to the upper end.
  • the linked isolation device ( 13 ) in the lower end or the deepest end of the pressure conveyance system may or may not have a retention value similar to that used on the flow control device ( 11 ) in the shallow end of this system.
  • This lower end may terminate in a centralizer in the shallow set casing string ( 1 ), in which it may be fasten and positioned in such a way that its end is located close to the well wall.
  • the hydraulic communication system must be installed laterally and extern to the deepest casing string ( 5 ).
  • the mechanism may be fastened to the deepest casing string ( 5 ) by metal straps, by brackets made for this purpose or any other fastening system.
  • the installation of this system is performed simultaneously with the drilling and completion activities, and in the latter activity, the deepest casing string is put in place ( 5 ).
  • FIG. 4 shows a front view of the casings' annular depressurization system which comprises:
  • the inside of the pipe will be filled with special fluid that will not permit the precipitation of solids.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
US12/461,709 2008-08-29 2009-08-21 Depressurization system of annuli between casings in producing wells Abandoned US20100051287A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BRPI0803646-2 2008-08-29
BRPI0803646-2A BRPI0803646B1 (pt) 2008-08-29 2008-08-29 Sistema de despressurização de anulares entre revestimentos em poços produtores

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107939358A (zh) * 2017-11-28 2018-04-20 中国石油化工股份有限公司 碳酸盐岩油气藏裸眼井完井管柱及后期处理方法
CN114087015A (zh) * 2021-11-12 2022-02-25 中国矿业大学 一种矿山固废处置与工作面过陷落柱协同方法
CN114263438A (zh) * 2021-12-15 2022-04-01 中海石油(中国)有限公司 深水油气井套管旁通环空压力释放装置及其方法
US11299968B2 (en) 2020-04-06 2022-04-12 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Reducing wellbore annular pressure with a release system

Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2664954A (en) * 1949-12-31 1954-01-05 Standard Oil Co Hydraulic fracturing to increase well productivity
US2798558A (en) * 1955-01-10 1957-07-09 Exxon Research Engineering Co Well completion apparatus
US3097690A (en) * 1958-12-24 1963-07-16 Gulf Research Development Co Process for heating a subsurface formation
US3161235A (en) * 1960-10-14 1964-12-15 Charles E Carr Method for preventing channeling in hydraulic fracturing of oil wells
US3277962A (en) * 1963-11-29 1966-10-11 Pan American Petroleum Corp Gravel packing method
US3474866A (en) * 1965-10-23 1969-10-28 Fenix & Scisson Inc Method of and means for sealing casing strings
US3724543A (en) * 1971-03-03 1973-04-03 Gen Electric Electro-thermal process for production of off shore oil through on shore walls
US5484020A (en) * 1994-04-25 1996-01-16 Shell Oil Company Remedial wellbore sealing with unsaturated monomer system
US5622224A (en) * 1995-06-20 1997-04-22 Mobil Oil Corporation Method and apparatus for cementing well casing using alternate flow paths
US6464007B1 (en) * 2000-08-22 2002-10-15 Exxonmobil Oil Corporation Method and well tool for gravel packing a long well interval using low viscosity fluids
US6520254B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2003-02-18 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Apparatus and method providing alternate fluid flowpath for gravel pack completion
US20040050551A1 (en) * 2000-07-31 2004-03-18 Exxonmobil Oil Corporation Fracturing different levels within a completion interval of a well
US6789626B2 (en) * 2000-08-11 2004-09-14 C-Fer Technologies (1999) Inc. Apparatus and method for cleaning debris from wells
US20080110636A1 (en) * 2006-11-14 2008-05-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Casing shoe
US20080115942A1 (en) * 2005-03-22 2008-05-22 Keller Stuart R Method for Running Tubulars in Wellbores
US7841398B2 (en) * 2007-11-26 2010-11-30 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Gravel packing apparatus utilizing diverter valves

Patent Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2664954A (en) * 1949-12-31 1954-01-05 Standard Oil Co Hydraulic fracturing to increase well productivity
US2798558A (en) * 1955-01-10 1957-07-09 Exxon Research Engineering Co Well completion apparatus
US3097690A (en) * 1958-12-24 1963-07-16 Gulf Research Development Co Process for heating a subsurface formation
US3161235A (en) * 1960-10-14 1964-12-15 Charles E Carr Method for preventing channeling in hydraulic fracturing of oil wells
US3277962A (en) * 1963-11-29 1966-10-11 Pan American Petroleum Corp Gravel packing method
US3474866A (en) * 1965-10-23 1969-10-28 Fenix & Scisson Inc Method of and means for sealing casing strings
US3724543A (en) * 1971-03-03 1973-04-03 Gen Electric Electro-thermal process for production of off shore oil through on shore walls
US5484020A (en) * 1994-04-25 1996-01-16 Shell Oil Company Remedial wellbore sealing with unsaturated monomer system
US5622224A (en) * 1995-06-20 1997-04-22 Mobil Oil Corporation Method and apparatus for cementing well casing using alternate flow paths
US20040050551A1 (en) * 2000-07-31 2004-03-18 Exxonmobil Oil Corporation Fracturing different levels within a completion interval of a well
US6789626B2 (en) * 2000-08-11 2004-09-14 C-Fer Technologies (1999) Inc. Apparatus and method for cleaning debris from wells
US6464007B1 (en) * 2000-08-22 2002-10-15 Exxonmobil Oil Corporation Method and well tool for gravel packing a long well interval using low viscosity fluids
US6520254B2 (en) * 2000-12-22 2003-02-18 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Apparatus and method providing alternate fluid flowpath for gravel pack completion
US20080115942A1 (en) * 2005-03-22 2008-05-22 Keller Stuart R Method for Running Tubulars in Wellbores
US20080110636A1 (en) * 2006-11-14 2008-05-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Casing shoe
US7841398B2 (en) * 2007-11-26 2010-11-30 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Gravel packing apparatus utilizing diverter valves

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107939358A (zh) * 2017-11-28 2018-04-20 中国石油化工股份有限公司 碳酸盐岩油气藏裸眼井完井管柱及后期处理方法
US11299968B2 (en) 2020-04-06 2022-04-12 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Reducing wellbore annular pressure with a release system
CN114087015A (zh) * 2021-11-12 2022-02-25 中国矿业大学 一种矿山固废处置与工作面过陷落柱协同方法
CN114263438A (zh) * 2021-12-15 2022-04-01 中海石油(中国)有限公司 深水油气井套管旁通环空压力释放装置及其方法

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BRPI0803646A2 (pt) 2010-06-15

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AS Assignment

Owner name: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.- PETROBRAS,BRAZIL

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DE MORAES, FLAVIO DIAS;REEL/FRAME:023160/0204

Effective date: 20090702

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- AFTER EXAMINER'S ANSWER OR BOARD OF APPEALS DECISION