Tubing conveyed permanent completion method and device

Claim 3

positioning the packer downhole by using the tubing string in a manner to dispose the perforator adjacent to the lower hydrocarbon zone;

Claim 4

positioning the packer downhole by using the tubing string in a manner to dispose the perforator adjacent to the lower hydrocarbon zone;

Claim 5

Method of claim 1 wherein step (3) is carried out by interposing a perforated nipple between the perforator means and the packer.

Claim 6

positioning the packer downhole by using the tubing string in a manner to dispose the perforator means at a location adjacent to the lower hydrocarbon zone, and to isolate the upper borehole annulus which penetrates the upper hydrocarbon formation from the lower borehole annulus which penetrates the lower hydrocarbon formation, thereby preventing any production from flowing from the upper hydrocarbon formation into the lower borehole annulus;

Claim 7

positioning the packer downhole by using the tubing string in a manner to dispose the perforator means at a location adjacent to the lower hydrocarbon zone, and to isolate the upper borehole annulus which penetrates the upper hydrocarbon formation from the lower borehole annulus which penetrates the lower hydrocarbon formation, thereby preventing any production from flowing from the upper hydrocarbon formation into the lower borehole annulus;

Claim 8

setting the packer means downhole in the borehole at a location which positions the perforator means adjacent to at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, while at the same time isolating the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means from the portion of the borehole located above the packer means;

Claim 9

setting the packer means downhole in the borehole at a location which positions the perforator means adjacent to at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, while at the same time isolating the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means from the portion of the borehole located above the packer means;

Claim 10

setting the packer means within the borEhole at a position which enables the packer means to isolate a lower portion of the borehole from an upper portion of the borehole and which positions the perforating means adjacent to the production zone;

Claim 11

setting the packer means within the borEhole at a position which enables the packer means to isolate a lower portion of the borehole from an upper portion of the borehole and which positions the perforating means adjacent to the production zone;

Claim 12

setting the packer means within the borehole at a position which isolates a lower portion of the borehole containing the lower hydrocarbon containing formation from an upper portion of the borehole containing the upper completed hydrocarbon containing formation; and which positions the explosive means adjacent to the lower hydrocarbon containing formation;

Claim 13

setting the packer means within the borehole at a position which isolates a lower portion of the borehole containing the lower hydrocarbon containing formation from an upper portion of the borehole containing the upper completed hydrocarbon containing formation; and which positions the explosive means adjacent to the lower hydrocarbon containing formation;

Claim 14

setting the packer means downhole in the borehole at a location which positions the perforator means adjacent to at least one hydrocarbon containing formation of the lower hydrocarbon containiNg zone, while at the same time isolating the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means from the portion of the borehole located above the packer means;

Claim 15

setting the packer means downhole in the borehole at a location which positions the perforator means adjacent to at least one hydrocarbon containing formation of the lower hydrocarbon containiNg zone, while at the same time isolating the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means from the portion of the borehole located above the packer means;

Claim 16

forming a flow path which communicates the lower borehole annulus with the interior of the tubing string;

Claim 17

forming a flow path which communicates the lower borehole annulus with the interior of the tubing string;

Claim 18

forming an unobstructed flow path which extends from the borehole annulus underlying the packer means, into the tubing string, and uphole to the top of the borehole;

Claim 19

forming an unobstructed flow path which extends from the borehole annulus underlying the packer means, into the tubing string, and uphole to the top of the borehole;

Claim 20

forming a flow path which communicates the lower portion of the borehole with the interior of the tubing string;

Claim 21

forming a flow path which communicates the lower portion of the borehole with the interior of the tubing string;

Claim 22

forming an unobstructed flow path which extends from the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means, into the tubing string, and uphole to the top of the borehole;

Claim 23

forming an unobstructed flow path which extends from the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means, into the tubing string, and uphole to the top of the borehole;

Claim 24

forming a fluid flow path which extends from the lower borehole annulus, into the interior of the tubing string, and up the interior of the tubing string to the surface of the ground;

Claim 25

forming a fluid flow path which extends from the lower borehole annulus, into the interior of the tubing string, and up the interior of the tubing string to the surface of the ground;

Claim 26

forming a fluid flow path from below the packer which communicates the interior of the casing with the interior of the tubing string;

Claim 27

forming a fluid flow path from below the packer which communicates the interior of the casing with the interior of the tubing string;

Claim 28

The method of claim 1, wherein the well is open flowed the instant the perforations are formed to thereby avoid contamination of the hydrocarbon bearing formation.

Claim 29

Method of claim 1 wherein the perforator means is a deep penetrating shaped charge which is placed adjacent the casing wall so as to enable a deep penetration to be effected into the hydrocarbon bearing zone.

Claim 30

completing the upper zone;

Claim 31

completing the upper zone;

Claim 32

plugging the passageway below the tubing string;

Claim 33

plugging the passageway below the tubing string;

Claim 34

actuating the casing perforator means so as to perforate the casing and to communicate the hydrocarbon containing formation of the lower zone with the borehole annulus underlying the packer means to thereby enable production from the last named formation to flow through the perforations, into the lower borehole annulus underlying the packer means, into and up through the tubing string, and to the top of the bore-hole.

Claim 35

actuating the casing perforator means so as to perforate the casing and to communicate the hydrocarbon containing formation of the lower zone with the borehole annulus underlying the packer means to thereby enable production from the last named formation to flow through the perforations, into the lower borehole annulus underlying the packer means, into and up through the tubing string, and to the top of the bore-hole.

Claim 36

completing the lower hydrocarbon formation by actuating the perforator means of step (1);

Claim 37

completing the lower hydrocarbon formation by actuating the perforator means of step (1);

Claim 38

using the interior of the tubing string as a passageway through which the perforating means is caused to be actuated so as to communicate the interior of the borehole which underlies the packer means with the production zone;

Claim 39

using the interior of the tubing string as a passageway through which the perforating means is caused to be actuated so as to communicate the interior of the borehole which underlies the packer means with the production zone;

Claim 40

reducing the hydrostatic head within the tubing string to essentially zero at the packer means;

Claim 41

reducing the hydrostatic head within the tubing string to essentially zero at the packer means;

Claim 42

using the interior of the tubing string as a passageway through which the explosive means is actuated, so as to communicate the lower borehole annulus with the lower hydrocarbon containing formation;

Claim 43

using the interior of the tubing string as a passageway through which the explosive means is actuated, so as to communicate the lower borehole annulus with the lower hydrocarbon containing formation;

Claim 44

producing the production zone along the flow path of step (3) immediately upon carrying out step (4) and,

Claim 45

producing the production zone along the flow path of step (3) immediately upon carrying out step (4) and,

Claim 46

leaving the perforator means downhole and producing the lower zone through the tubing string and producing the upper zone through the upper casing annulus.

Claim 47

leaving the perforator means downhole and producing the lower zone through the tubing string and producing the upper zone through the upper casing annulus.

Claim 48

removing the tubing string;

Claim 49

removing the tubing string;

Claim 50

completing the lower zone by actuating the perforator means;

Claim 51

completing the lower zone by actuating the perforator means;

Claim 52

The method of claim 4 wherein the shaped charge is detonated in response to apparatus which is disposed through the tubing string.

Claim 53

leaving the perforator means downhole and producing the lower zone through the tubing string and producing the upper zone through the upper casing annulus.

Claim 54

leaving the perforator means downhole and producing the lower zone through the tubing string and producing the upper zone through the upper casing annulus.

Claim 55

completing an upper zone of the well;

Claim 56

completing an upper zone of the well;

Claim 57

severing the perforating means from the packer means to permit any remaining part of the perforating means to drop to the bottom of the borehole after the well has been completed.

Claim 58

severing the perforating means from the packer means to permit any remaining part of the perforating means to drop to the bottom of the borehole after the well has been completed.

Claim 59

producing fluid from the lower hydrocarbon containing formation by flowing the fluid along the flow path set forth in step (3); and

Claim 60

producing fluid from the lower hydrocarbon containing formation by flowing the fluid along the flow path set forth in step (3); and

Claim 61

The method set forth in claim 4, wherein the shaped charge is electrically fired by running a means having a source of electrical current therein through the tubing interior and to the perforator means on a wire-line.

Claim 62

producing fluid from the upper hydrocarbon containing formation by flowing the fluid up the upper borehole annulus.

Claim 63

producing fluid from the upper hydrocarbon containing formation by flowing the fluid up the upper borehole annulus.

Claim 64

replacing the tubing string;

Claim 65

replacing the tubing string;

Claim 66

In a well having a borehole which extends downhole through an upper and a lower hydrocarbon containing zone, with each zone having at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, with the lower zone being isolated from the interior of the borehole by a well casing or the like, the method of completing the lower zone of the well after the upper zone has been completed comprising the steps of:

Claim 67

In a well having a borehole which extends downhole through an upper and a lower hydrocarbon containing zone, with each zone having at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, with the lower zone being isolated from the interior of the borehole by a well casing or the like, the method of completing the lower zone of the well after the upper zone has been completed comprising the steps of:

Claim 68

removing essentially all of the liquid from the tubing string;

Claim 69

removing essentially all of the liquid from the tubing string;

Claim 70

The method of claim 7 wherein step (2) is carried out by running a gamma ray and collar locator through the tubing on a wire line so as to enable a gamma ray log to be obtained and indexed with an open hole log whereupon the gun can be positioned adjacent to a formation indicated on the open hole log.

Claim 71

unplugging the passageway; and,

Claim 72

unplugging the passageway; and,

Claim 73

The method of claim 7 wherein step (3) is carried out by interposing a perforated nipple between the perforator means and the packer, and by removing essentially all of any liquid which may be present in the tubing string above the packer means so as to provide a hydrostatic head which is essentially zero at the hydrocarbon containing formation.

Claim 74

actuating the casing perforator means so as to perforate the casing and to communicate the hydrocarbon producing formation with the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means, thereby enabling flow to occur into and up through the tubing string, and to the top of the borehole.

Claim 75

actuating the casing perforator means so as to perforate the casing and to communicate the hydrocarbon producing formation with the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means, thereby enabling flow to occur into and up through the tubing string, and to the top of the borehole.

Claim 76

The method of claim 7, and further including the step of reducing the hydrostatic head within the tubing string to essentially zero prior to carrying out step (4).

Claim 77

In an oil well having a well bore which penetrates an upper and a lower hydrocarbon containing formation, the method of completing the lower hydrocarbon containing formation after the upper hydrocarbon containing formation has been completed so that fluid from the upper completed formation is prevented from contaminating the lower hydrocarbon containing formation while it is being completed, comprising the steps of:

Claim 78

In an oil well having a well bore which penetrates an upper and a lower hydrocarbon containing formation, the method of completing the lower hydrocarbon containing formation after the upper hydrocarbon containing formation has been completed so that fluid from the upper completed formation is prevented from contaminating the lower hydrocarbon containing formation while it is being completed, comprising the steps of:

Claim 79

The method of claim 11 wherein step (2) is carried out by running a gamma ray and collar locator through the tubing on a wire line to enable a gamma ray log to be obtained and subsequently indexed with an open hole log.

Claim 80

The method of claim 11, wherein step (3) is carried out by interposing a perforated nipple between the packer and the explosive means.

Claim 81

The method of claim 13, wherein the nipple and any remaining explosive means is left downhole after completing the well.

Claim 82

In a borehole which extends into proximity of a production zone, the method of completing a well comprising the steps of:

Claim 83

In a borehole which extends into proximity of a production zone, the method of completing a well comprising the steps of:

Claim 84

Apparatus for completing a production zone of a well bore, comprising, in combination: a tool string which includes a packer means, a production tubing, an explosive perforating gun means which is larger in overall diameter than said tubing; a gun firing head, and a perforated nipple; said gun means being attached to and underlying said gun firing head, said gun firing head being attached to and underlying said perforated nipple, said perforated nipple being attached to and underlying said packer means, said tubing being connected to said packer means to thereby enable the tubing to position the packer means within the well bore so as to suspend the gun means adjacent to a production zone; a plug means which can be removably placed within said tool string so as to isolate the perforated nipple from the interior of the production tubing; means by which the tubing can be removably affixed to said packer means, and, means for actuating said gun head when the last said means is lowered through the interior of the tubing string and into contact with said gun head when the production tubing is attached to the packer; said gun head including opposed ends, and means forming a longitudinally extending passageway therethrough; one said opposed end adapted to be connected to said gun means and the remaining said opposed end adapted to be connected to the perforated nipple for supporting the gun means and the gun head in the before recited manner; a detonator, a primary detonator assembly adapted to cause said detonator to explode when said primary detonator is exploded, and a firing pin holder; said passageway including a chamber for holding said detonator, said primary detonator assembly, and said firing pin holder therein; means including a firing pin reciprocatingly received within said firing pin holder and superimposed over at least part of said primary detonator so as to enable part of said firing pin to strike a part of said primary detonator thereby exploding said primary detonator when said firing pin is moved within said pin holder by said means for actuating said gun head; means connected to said detonator for causing said gun to be actuated when the detonator is exploded; whereby: the gun means can be isolated by the plug from the portion of the borehole laying above the packer, and the tubing string can be removed from the packer means to thereby enable the borehole above the packer means to be entered, and thereafter the tubing string can be replaced, the plug means removed, and the production zone completed by actuating the gun.

Claim 85

Apparatus for completing a production zone of a well bore, comprising, in combination: a tool string which includes a packer means, a production tubing, an explosive perforating gun means which is larger in overall diameter than said tubing; a gun firing head, and a perforated nipple; said gun means being attached to and underlying said gun firing head, said gun firing head being attached to and underlying said perforated nipple, said perforated nipple being attached to and underlying said packer means, said tubing being connected to said packer means to thereby enable the tubing to position the packer means within the well bore so as to suspend the gun means adjacent to a production zone; a plug means which can be removably placed within said tool string so as to isolate the perforated nipple from the interior of the production tubing; means by which the tubing can be removably affixed to said packer means, and, means for actuating said gun head when the last said means is lowered through the interior of the tubing string and into contact with said gun head when the production tubing is attached to the packer; said gun head including opposed ends, and means forming a longitudinally extending passageway therethrough; one said opposed end adapted to be connected to said gun means and the remaining said opposed end adapted to be connected to the perforated nipple for supporting the gun means and the gun head in the before recited manner; a detonator, a primary detonator assembly adapted to cause said detonator to explode when said primary detonator is exploded, and a firing pin holder; said passageway including a chamber for holding said detonator, said primary detonator assembly, and said firing pin holder therein; means including a firing pin reciprocatingly received within said firing pin holder and superimposed over at least part of said primary detonator so as to enable part of said firing pin to strike a part of said primary detonator thereby exploding said primary detonator when said firing pin is moved within said pin holder by said means for actuating said gun head; means connected to said detonator for causing said gun to be actuated when the detonator is exploded; whereby: the gun means can be isolated by the plug from the portion of the borehole laying above the packer, and the tubing string can be removed from the packer means to thereby enable the borehole above the packer means to be entered, and thereafter the tubing string can be replaced, the plug means removed, and the production zone completed by actuating the gun.

Claim 86

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said means for actuating said gun head is a mass which is dropped through the interior of the tubing string so as to enable the mass to strike and move said firing pin.

Claim 87

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means for actuating said gun head includes means forming a spring loaded mandrel, wire-line means for biasing said mandrel against said spring, and means for releasing said mandrel to thereby enable the biased mandrel to strike and move the firing pin.

Claim 90

The method of claim 19 wherein the well is open flowed the instant communication between the lower zone and the borehole annulus is effected to thereby avoid contamination of the hydrocarbon bearing formation.

Claim 91

The method of claim 19 wherein step (2) is carried out by running a gamma ray and collar locator through the tubing on a wire line so as to enable a gamma ray log to be obtained and subsequently indexed with an open hole log.

Claim 92

The method of claim 19 wherein step (4) is carried out by using a deep penetrating shaped charge which is placed adjacent the casing wall so as to enable a deep penetration to be effected into the lower hydrocarbon bearing zone.

Claim 93

The method of claim 22 wherein the shaped charge is detonated in response to electrical apparatus which is lowered through the tubing string.

Claim 94

The method set forth in claim 22, wherein the shaped charge is electrically fired by running a means having a source of electrical current therein through the tubing interior and to the perforator means on a wire-line.

Claim 95

In a well having a borehole which extends downhole through a production zone having at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, with the zone being isolated from the interior of the borehole by a well casing or the like, the method of completing the well comprising the steps of: suspending a casing perforator means and a packer means from a tubing string; setting the packer means downhole in the borehole at a location which positions the perforator means adjacent to at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, while at the same time isolating the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means from the portion of the borehole located above the packer means; forming an unobstructed flow path which extends from the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means, into the tubing string, and uphole to the top of the borehole; plugging the passageway so as to prevent flow of fluid through the packer means; removing the tubing string above the packer means so as to gain unobstructed access to the portion of the borehole above the packer means; replacing the tubing string above the packer; removing essentially all of the fluid from the tubing string, so as to reduce the pressure differential across the formation to a minimum value, unplugging the passageway; and, actuating the casing perforator means so as to perforate the casing and to communicate the hydrocarbon producing formation with the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means, so that produced fluid can flow into and up through the tubing string, and to the top of the borehole.

Claim 96

In a well having a borehole which extends downhole through a production zone having at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, with the zone being isolated from the interior of the borehole by a well casing or the like, the method of completing the well comprising the steps of: suspending a casing perforator means and a packer means from a tubing string; setting the packer means downhole in the borehole at a location which positions the perforator means adjacent to at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, while at the same time isolating the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means from the portion of the borehole located above the packer means; forming an unobstructed flow path which extends from the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means, into the tubing string, and uphole to the top of the borehole; plugging the passageway so as to prevent flow of fluid through the packer means; removing the tubing string above the packer means so as to gain unobstructed access to the portion of the borehole above the packer means; replacing the tubing string above the packer; removing essentially all of the fluid from the tubing string, so as to reduce the pressure differential across the formation to a minimum value, unplugging the passageway; and, actuating the casing perforator means so as to perforate the casing and to communicate the hydrocarbon producing formation with the portion of the borehole underlying the packer means, so that produced fluid can flow into and up through the tubing string, and to the top of the borehole.

Claim 97

In a well having a borehOle which extends downhole through a production zone having at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, with the zone being isolated from the interior of the borehole by a well casing or the like, the method of completing the well comprising the steps of:

Claim 98

In a well having a borehOle which extends downhole through a production zone having at least one hydrocarbon containing formation, with the zone being isolated from the interior of the borehole by a well casing or the like, the method of completing the well comprising the steps of: