Annular fracturing cleanout apparatus and method

Abstract

An annular fracturing cleanout apparatus includes: a main section including an upper connection end, a lower connection end and a main bore extending through the main section from the upper connection end to the lower connection end; a lateral section connected in a wye configuration with the main section, the lateral section defining a lateral bore therein, the lateral bore opening at an upper end of the lateral section and converging at a lower end with the main bore; and a bore control mechanism for the bore in the lateral section. A wellbore stack configuration includes the annular fracturing cleanout apparatus coupled above a fracturing wellhead assembly and below a blow out preventer assembly.

1 . An annulus cleanout apparatus comprising:
 a main section including an upper connection end, a lower connection end and a main bore extending through the main section from the upper connection end to the lower connection end;   a lateral section connected in a wye configuration with the main section, the lateral section defining a lateral bore therein, the lateral bore opening at an upper end of the lateral section and converging at a lower end with the main bore; and   a bore control mechanism in the lateral section, the bore control mechanism being actuatable to: (i) create a seal in the lateral bore and/or (ii) shear a coil tubing extending through the lateral bore,   wherein the upper connection end and the lower connection end are configured for connection in line to components of a wellhead stack assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The annulus cleanout apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bore control mechanism includes a shear configured for shearing a coil tubing passing through the bore control mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The annulus cleanout apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bore control mechanism includes a valve operable between an open position allowing fluid flow from the lower end to the upper end and a closed position sealing against fluid flow through the lateral section. 
     
     
         4 . The annulus cleanout apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bore control mechanism includes a shear configured for shearing a coil tubing passing through the bore control mechanism and further comprising a second bore control mechanism positioned between the bore control mechanism and upper end and the second bore control mechanism including a valve operable between an open position allowing fluid flow from the lower end to the upper end and a closed position sealing against fluid flow through the lateral section. 
     
     
         5 . A wellhead stack for well servicing with multiple work strings, the wellhead stack comprising:
 a lowermost end configured for connection to a wellhead of a well;   a fracturing wellhead assembly coupled above the lowermost end;   a blow out preventer assembly including at least a blow out preventer; and   an annular fracturing cleanout apparatus installed above the fracturing wellhead assembly and below the blow out preventer assembly, the annular fracturing cleanout apparatus including:   a main section including an upper connection end, a lower connection end and a main bore extending through the main section from the upper connection end to the lower connection end; and   a lateral section connected in a wye configuration with the main section, the lateral section defining a lateral bore therein, the lateral bore opening at an upper end of the lateral section and converging at a lower end with the main bore.   
     
     
         6 . The wellhead stack of  claim 5  wherein the lateral section includes a bore control mechanism for the lateral bore, the bore control mechanism being actuable: (i) create a seal in the lateral bore and/or (ii) shear a coil tubing extending through the lateral bore. 
     
     
         7 . The wellhead stack of  claim 6  wherein the bore control mechanism includes a shear configured for shearing a coil tubing passing through the bore control mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The wellhead stack of  claim 7  further comprising a pressure isolating mechanism positioned between the bore control mechanism and the upper end of the lateral bore, the pressure isolating mechanism being actuable between an open position allowing fluid flow from the lower end to the upper end and a closed position sealing against fluid flow through the lateral section. 
     
     
         9 . The wellhead stack of  claim 5  wherein the fracturing wellhead assembly includes a fracturing manifold. 
     
     
         10 . The wellhead stack of  claim 5  wherein the blow out preventer is configured for closing around a coil tubing string. 
     
     
         11 . A method for intervention in a wellbore, the method comprising:
 running a secondary coil tubing string into an annulus between a primary tubing string in the wellbore, the running operation including:   inserting the secondary coiled tubing string through a lateral section connected in a wye configuration with a main section of an annulus cleanout apparatus;   inserting the secondary coiled tubing string into the main section and into the annulus around the primary tubing string in the wellbore; and   circulating fluid through the secondary coiled tubing string to remove sand from the annulus.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising: operating a blow out preventer to seal about the primary tubing string while the secondary coiled tubing string remains in the well. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein circulating includes releasing the primary tubing string from a stuck condition and moving the primary tubing string through the wellbore. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: operating a pressure isolating mechanism in the lateral section to seal pressure in the main section. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: operating a shear apparatus to shear the secondary coil tubing string and seal pressure in the main section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method for intervention is an annular clean out operation during a coiled tubing well fracturing operation.