Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Jackie M LaFontaine

Philip D Nguyen

Ronald Glen Dusterhoft

Tommy Frank Grigsby

R Ashley Donaldson

Alex Procyk

Jiten Chatterji

Travis Thomas Hailey, Jr

Sanjay M Vitthal

John R Podowski

Jimmie Dean Weaver, Jr

Ralph Harvey Echols

Johnny A Barton

Tommie Austin Freeman

Perry C Shy

Timothy Edward Harms

Brahmadeo T Dewprashad

Floyd Randolph Simonds

Gregory B Chitwood

Curtis Len Wilie

Morris Wayne Cox

Terry Michael Dailey

Pat York

Ian J Mickelburgh

Richard C Haut

An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string () having a drill bit () mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly () is positioned around a section of the drill string () such that when the wellbore () is extended by rotating the drill bit () and advancing the drill string (), the completion assembly () does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string () and rotation of the drill bit () is ceased when the completion assembly () has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (). Thereafter, the drill string () is disconnected from the drill bit () for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly () and the drill bit () downhole.

Apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling

An expandable sand control screen () that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member () that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium () that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member () that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member () allows the expandable sand control screen () to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen () and the wellbore.

Expandable sand control screen and method for use of same

In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand-control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production. Another embodiment of the method and apparatus presented herein comprises positioning a well-completion device into the wellbore, thereby forming an annulus between the well-completion device and the wellbore, the well-completion device having a flexible, permeable membrane sleeve surrounding an expandable sand-control device; and thereafter radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus, thereby also expanding the membrane sleeve. The well-completion device can further include a layer of filter media encased between the membrane sleeve and the sand-control device. The filter media may be of any type known in the industry. Preferably, the membrane sleeve, when expanded, substantially fills the annular space extending between the wellbore and the sand-control device by deforming to substantially contour the wellbore.

Expandable sand control device and specialized completion system and method

In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production. The filter media is typically a particulate material and can be deposited as a slurry comprising liquid material and particulate material, or as a cement slurry. The step of expanding the sand-control device further includes squeezing at least a portion of the liquid of the slurry through the sand-control device passageways thereby forming a pack in the wellbore annulus. The liquid material can be water-based, oil-based or emulsified and can include gelling agents. Further, the particulate can be resin coated with a delayed activation of the resin. The filter media can also be a foam system. The foam can also include decomposable material which can be decomposed after placement of the foam in the annulus.

The invention comprises a tubing assembly for use in testing an unconsolidated open-hole portion of a well bore located below a cased portion of the well bore and a method of using the assembly. The tubing assembly comprises an elongated tubing string extending from a well surface into the unconsolidated open-hole portion of the open hole, an open-hole packer mounted on the tubing string for use in sealingly engaging the unconsolidated open-hole portion of the well bore, a casing packer mounted on the tubing string between the open-hole packer and the well surface for sealingly engaging the cased portion of the well bore and a sand control device connected to the tubing string below the openhole packer. The assembly may further comprise additional open-hole packers and sand control devices mounted on the tubing string. Segments of the tubing string may be retrievable. The assembly may have one or more tubing disconnects mounted to the tubing string to disconnect segments of the tubing assembly. The tubing string may further comprise a selective flow device for selectively controlling the flow of well fluids from the well bore into the tubing string.

Open-hole test method and apparatus for subterranean wells

An improved expandable well screen and associated methods of servicing a subterranean well provide enhanced functionality, while increasing the convenience of manufacture and deployment of the screen, and reducing the screen's cost. In one described embodiment of the invention, an expandable well screen includes a pleated woven metal filter element disposed overlying a perforated base pipe. When the screen is appropriately positioned within a well, an expanding tool is utilized to radially enlarge the base pipe and filter element.

Expandable well screen

Methods of preventing the production of sand with fluids produced from a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing a resin composition which delayedly forms a hardened open cell foam capable of allowing the passage of well fluids therethrough while screening and preventing the passage of formation sand and then placing the resin composition adjacent to the formation by way of the well bore.

Methods of preventing the production of sand with well fluids

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Spring, TX, United States of America

Jackie M LaFontaine