Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Adinathan Venkitaraman

Lawrence A Behrmann

Ian C Walton

Dinesh R Patel

Alexander F Zazovsky

James E Brooks

Frank F Chang

Vladimir Vaynshteyn

Jorge E Lopez De Cardenas

Joseph Ayoub

Anthony P Vovers

Qing Yao

Mark H Fraker

Ashley B Johnson

Michael W Fruge

An apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a flow conduit and a structure defining a tortuous fluid path proximate the flow conduit, where the tortuous fluid path receives a flow of fluid. The tortuous fluid path is defined by at least first and second members of the structure, and the first and second members are movable with respect to each other to adjust a cross-sectional flow area of the tortuous fluid path.

Flow control using a tortuous path

A system and method is provided for producing fluid from a subterranean formation. A sensor system is used to monitor bottom hole flowing pressure and formation pressure. The relationship of these pressures is utilized in conjunction with a stability envelope of the formation in optimizing fluid production.

Real time optimization of well production without creating undue risk of formation instability

A method and apparatus for improving reservoir communication includes, in one arrangement, causing creation of tunnels in surrounding formation of a well interval, and applying treatment fluid to the tunnels. A local transient underbalance condition is created in the well interval after creation of the tunnels in the formation and application of the treatment fluids.

Reservoir communication by creating a local underbalance and using treatment fluid

A method and apparatus for improving reservoir communication includes, in one arrangement, use of one or more chambers to create an underbalance condition and/or a fluid surge in the wellbore. In another arrangement, a tool string comprises a packer, a circulating valve, and an atmospheric chamber, in which the circulating valve, when open, is adapted to vent a lower wellbore region below the packer when the packer is set, and the atmospheric chamber is capable of being operated to create an underbalance condition below the packer. In yet another arrangement, an apparatus comprises a subsea wellhead equipment including a blow-out preventer, choke line filled with a low density fluid, and a kill line filled with a heavy fluid. The choke line is adapted to be opened to create an underbalance condition in the wellbore. In yet another arrangement, a method of creating an underbalance condition comprises controlling wellbore pressure at least in a perforating interval to achieve a target level, configuring a perforating gun to achieve a target detonation pressure in the perforating gun upon detonation, and creating an underbalance condition in the perforating interval of the wellbore when the perforating gun is shot. In yet another arrangement, a tool string for use in a wellbore extending from a well surface comprises a closure member adapted to be positioned below the well surface, and a chamber defined at least in part by the closure member. The tool string further comprises at least a port selectively openable to enable communication between the chamber and a wellbore region. The port when open creates a fluid surging to the chamber to provide a low pressure condition in the wellbore region. A tool in the tool string is adapted to perform an operation in the low pressure condition.

Reservoir communication with a wellbore

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Adinathan Venkitaraman