Methods and apparatus for completing unconsolidated lateral well bores

Abstract

Improved methods and apparatus for completing unconsolidated subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing a slotted pipe having openings formed therein which vary in size or in the number of openings along the length of the slotted pipe or both in the subterranean zone, isolating the annulus between the slotted pipe and the well bore and injecting particulate material into the annulus whereby the particulate material is uniformly packed therein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An improved method of completing an unconsolidated subterranean zone subject to migration of formation fines and sand with produced formation fluids penetrated by a lateral well bore comprising the steps of: 
 (a) placing a slotted pipe in said lateral well bore having openings formed therein through which said produced formation fluids flow, said openings varying in size or varying in the number of said openings along the length of said slotted pipe or both so that said produced formation fluids flow into said slotted pipe at substantially equal flow rates over the length of said slotted pipe;    (b) isolating the annulus between said slotted pipe and said well bore; and    (c) injecting particulate material into said annulus between said slotted pipe and said well bore whereby said particulate material is uniformly packed in said annulus and in the interior of said slotted pipe whereby the migration of formation fines and sand with produced formation fluids is prevented.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said well bore in said subterranean zone is open-hole.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said particulate material is graded sand.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said particulate material is coated with a hardenable resin composition which hardens and consolidates said particulate material into a hard permeable uniform mass.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  which further comprises the step of drilling at least a portion of said hard permeable mass of particulate material out of the interior of said slotted pipe.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said annulus between said slotted pipe and said lateral well bore is isolated in accordance with step (b) by setting a packer in said well bore.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  which further comprises an internal sand screen disposed within said slotted pipe which forms an annulus between said sand screen and said slotted pipe which is also isolated.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said particulate material is also injected into said annulus between said sand screen and said slotted pipe.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said particulate material is coated with a hardenable resin composition which hardens and consolidates said particulate material into a hard permeable uniform mass.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said graded sand has a particle size in the range of from about 10 to about 70 mesh, U.S. Sieve Series.  
     
     
         11 . An improved method of completing an unconsolidated subterranean zone subject to migration of formation fines and sand with produced formation fluids penetrated by a lateral well bore comprising the steps of: 
 (a) placing a slotted pipe in said lateral well bore having openings formed therein through which said produced formation fluids flow and having an internal sand screen disposed therein, said openings in said slotted pipe varying in size or varying in the number of said openings along the length of said slotted pipe or both so that said produced formation fluids flow into said slotted pipe at substantially equal flow rates over the length of said slotted pipe;    (b) isolating the annulus between said slotted pipe and said well bore and the annulus between said sand screen and said slotted pipe; and    (c) injecting particulate material into said annulus between said slotted pipe and said well bore and said annulus between said slotted pipe and said sand screen whereby said particulate material is uniformly packed in said annuluses and the migration of formation fines and sand with produced fluids is prevented.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said well bore in said subterranean zone is open-hole.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said particulate material is graded sand.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said particulate material is coated with a hardenable resin composition which hardens and consolidates said particulate material into a hard permeable uniform mass.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said annulus between said slotted pipe and said well bore and said annulus between said sand screen and said slotted pipe are isolated in accordance with step (b) by setting a packer in said well bore.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said graded sand has a particle size in the range of from about 10 to about 70 mesh, U.S. Sieve Series.  
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for completing an unconsolidated well bore comprising: 
 a slotted pipe having openings formed therein through which produced formation fluids flow, said openings varying in size or varying in the number of said openings along the length of said slotted pipe or both so that said produced formation fluids flow into said slotted pipe at substantially equal flow rates over the length of said slotted pipe;    a removable cross-over adapted to be attached to a production or work string attached to said slotted pipe; and    a production packer attached to said slotted pipe.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  which further comprises a sand screen disposed within said slotted pipe and attached thereto.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said production packer is selectively operable from the surface when located in said well bore.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said cross-over is selectively operable from the surface when located in said well bore to change from a first flow pattern to a second flow pattern.