Reducing sand production from a well formation
US6431278B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 5, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/267
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method and apparatus for performing sand control using fracturing is described. A curve is defined that correlates the percentage of flow through out-of-phase perforations (those perforations not aligned with fractures) with the fracture conductivity over formation permeability. Given a desired production flow, formation conductivity may be defined. This allows the well operator to perform the proper fracturing operation to achieve the desired fracture conductivity. Alternatively, after a well has been fractured, and sand production is observed, a critical flow rate and the corresponding drawdown pressure can be calculated to prevent sand production.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.