Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FORMING INCLUSIONS IN SELECTED AZIMUTHAL
ORIENTATIONS FROM A CASING SECTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized
and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean
well and, in an example described below, more particularly
provides for forming inclusions in selected azimuthal
orientations from a casing section.
BACKGROUND
It is beneficial to be able to form inclusions into
subterranean formations. For example, such inclusions might
be used to expose more formation surface area to a wellbore,
increase permeability of the formation near the wellbore,
etc.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that improvements are
continually needed in the art of forming inclusions into
earth formations.
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SUMMARY
In the disclosure below, systems and methods are
provided which bring improvements to the art. One example is
described below in which individual ones of multiple
inclusions can be selectively extended into a formation.
Another example is described below in which the inclusions
can be isolated from each other while fluid is being flowed
into one of the inclusions.
In one aspect, a method of forming multiple inclusions
into a subterranean formation is provided to the art by the
disclosure below. In one example, the method can include
initiating the inclusions into the formation, the inclusions
extending outwardly in respective multiple azimuthal
orientations from a casing section; and flowing fluid into
each of the inclusions individually, thereby extending the
inclusions into the formation one at a time.
In another aspect, a system for initiating inclusions
outwardly into a subterranean formation from a wellbore is
described below. In one example, the system can include a
casing section having multiple flow channels therein. Each
of the flow channels is in communication with a respective
one of multiple openings formed between adjacent pairs of
circumferentially extendable longitudinally extending
portions of the casing section.
In another aspect, a system for forming multiple
inclusions into a subterranean formation can include a
casing section, and an injection tool which engages the
casing section and selectively directs fluid into each of
the inclusions individually, whereby the inclusions are
extended into the formation one at a time.
These and other features, advantages and benefits will
become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon
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careful consideration of the detailed description of
representative examples below and the accompanying drawings,
in which similar elements are indicated in the various
figures using the same reference numbers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a representative partially cross-sectional
view of a well system and associated method which can embody
principles of this disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a representative sectioned perspective view
of an expansion tool which may be used in the system and
method.
FIG. 3 is a representative perspective view of an
injection tool which may be used with in the system and
method.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged scale representative sectioned
perspective view of an upper portion of the injection tool
of FIG. 3.
FIGS. 5 & 6 are representative perspective and cross-
sectional views of a casing section which can embody
principles of this disclosure, the casing section being in
an unexpanded configuration.
FIGS. 7 & 8 are representative perspective and cross-
sectional views of the casing section in an expanded
configuration.
FIGS. 9A-F are enlarged scale representative sectioned
perspective views of the expansion tool.
FIGS. 10A-F are enlarged scale representative sectioned
perspective views of another example of the injection tool.
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FIG. 11 is a representative cross-sectional view of a
portion of the FIGS. 10A-F injection tool installed in the
FIGS. 5-8 casing section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a system 10
and associated method for extending multiple inclusions 12
(only two of which (inclusions 12a,b) are visible in FIG. 1)
outwardly into a subterranean formation 14. The system 10
and method can embody principles of this disclosure, but it
should be clearly understood that those principles are not
limited in any manner to the details of the system and
method described herein and/or depicted in the drawings,
since the system and method represent merely one example of
how those principles could be applied in actual practice.
In the system 10 as depicted in FIG. 1, a casing
section 16 is cemented in a wellbore 18 which penetrates the
formation 14. The inclusions 12a,b extend outwardly through
longitudinally extending (e.g., extending generally parallel
to a longitudinal axis 22 of the casing section 16) openings
20a-d formed through a side wall of the casing section.
Note that, in the FIG. 1 example, each of the
inclusions 12a,b is generally planar, and the inclusions
viewed in FIG. 1 are in a same plane. However, in other
examples, the inclusions may not necessarily be planar, and
multiple inclusions may not be in the same plane.
Preferably, the inclusions 12a,b are areas of increased
permeability in the formation 14.
The formation 14 may be relatively unconsolidated, such
that the formation yields and tears, rather than "fractures"
when the inclusions 12a,b are propagated into the formation.
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Thus, the inclusions 12a,b may or may not comprise
fractures, depending on the characteristics of the formation
14.
Although only two of the inclusions 12a,b and four of
5 the openings 20a-d are visible in FIG. 1, in this example
there are actually six each of the inclusions and openings,
with each inclusion being associated with a corresponding
one of the openings, equally azimuthally (with respect to
the axis 22) spaced apart. However, in other examples, other
numbers of openings and inclusions, and other azimuthal
spacings between the openings and inclusions, may be used if
desired. For example, each of the openings 20a-d could be
subdivided into multiple apertures, more than one aperture
could be associated with each inclusion, more than one
inclusion could be associated with each aperture, etc.
As depicted in FIG. 1, the casing section 16 has been
expanded radially outward, thereby initiating the inclusions
12a,b. In this example, the casing section 16 is expanded by
increasing its circumference, thereby widening the openings
20a-d (which may or may not exist prior to the casing
section being expanded¨such expansion could cause the
openings to be formed through the casing section side wall).
This increase in the circumference of the casing
section 16 causes cement 24 in an annulus 26 formed radially
between the casing section and the wellbore 18 to part at
each of the widening openings 20a-d. Thus, the initiation of
the inclusions 12a,b preferably begins with the expansion of
the casing section 16.
At this point, the inclusions 12a,b also preferably
extend somewhat radially outward into the formation 14, due
to dilation of the formation about the wellbore 18. Note
that compressive stress in the formation 14
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circumferentially about the wellbore 18 is preferably
reduced, and compressive stress in the formation directed
radial to the wellbore is increased, due to expansion of the
casing section 16, thereby desirably influencing the
inclusions 12a,b to propagate in a relatively consistent
radial direction relative to the wellbore.
Note that the term "casing" as used herein indicates a
protective wellbore lining. Casing can be comprised of
tubular materials known to those skilled in the art as
tubing, liner or casing. Casing can be segmented or
continuous, installed in tubular form or formed in situ.
Casing can be made of steel, other metals or alloys,
plastics, composites or other materials. Casing can have
conductors, optical waveguides or other types of lines
interior to, external to or within a sidewall of the casing.
Casing is not necessarily cemented in a wellbore.
Furthermore, note that the term "cement" as used herein
indicates a hardenable material which supports an inner
surface of a wellbore and, if the wellbore is cased, seals
off an annulus formed radially between the wellbore and the
casing, or between casings. Cement is not necessarily
cementitious, since other types of materials (e.g.,
elastomers, epoxies, foamed materials, hardenable gels,
etc.) can be used to support a wellbore or seal off an
annulus.
Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, an expansion tool
28 which may be used to expand the casing section 16 is
representatively illustrated. However, the expansion tool 28
could be used to expand other casing sections, or to
accomplish other purposes, in keeping with the scope of this
disclosure.
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In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the expansion tool
28 includes a latch 30 for cooperatively engaging a latch
profile 32 (see FIG. 1). The latch profile 32 could be part
of the casing section 16, or could be formed in a separate
component attached a known distance from the casing section,
on either side of the casing section, etc.
When the latch 30 is properly engaged with the latch
profile 32, a tubular inflatable packer or bladder 34 is
expanded radially outward into contact with the casing
section 16. Increasing pressure applied to an interior of
the bladder 34 will cause the casing section 16 to be biased
radially outward, thereby widening the openings 20a-d and
initiating the inclusions 12a,b.
Available pressure to inflate the bladder 34 and expand
the casing section 16 can be provided by a pressure
intensifier 40 in the expansion tool 28. In this example,
the pressure intensifier 40 operates by alternately
increasing and decreasing pressure in a tubular string 36
attached to the expansion tool 28 (and extending to a remote
location, such as the earth's surface). However, other types
of pressure intensifiers (e.g., which could respond to
reciprocation or rotation of the tubular string 36, etc.)
may be used, if desired.
The bladder 34 is preferably robust and capable of
being inflated to about 10,000 psi (-69 MPa) to radially
outwardly expand the casing section 16. In the FIG. 2
example, the casing section 16 is expanded at one time
(e.g., with the openings 20a-d widening between longitudinal
portions 44a-c of the casing section, see FIG. 1) as the
bladder 34 is inflated. In other examples, the openings 20a-
d could be selectively widened, widened one at a time, etc.,
and remain within the scope of this disclosure.
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The expansion tool 28 is described in further detail
below in relation to FIGS. 9A-F. Further details of the
latch 30 are shown in FIG. 10E.
Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, an injection tool
42 which may be used to selectively and individually
propagate the inclusions 12a,b outward into the formation 14
is representatively illustrated. The injection tool 42 can
be used in systems and methods other than the system 10 and
method of FIG. 1, in keeping with the scope of this
disclosure.
In the example of FIG. 3, the injection tool 42
includes multiple longitudinally extending tubular bladders
34a-c. When appropriately positioned in the expanded casing
section 16 (e.g., using a latch 30 attached to the injection
tool 42 and engaged with the profile 32, etc.), each of the
bladders 34a-c is positioned between an adjacent pair of the
openings 20a-d. Although the FIG. 3 example utilizes four of
the bladders 34a-c (one of the bladders not being visible in
FIG. 3), when configured for use in the casing section 16 of
FIG. 1 the injection tool 42 could include six of the
bladders.
When the bladders 34a-c are inflated (e.g., by applying
pressure to the tubular string 36 connected to the injection
tool 42, etc.), the openings 20a-d are isolated from each
other in the casing section 16. Fluid 46 can then be
selectively discharged from each of multiple conduits 48a,b
individually, to thereby propagate the inclusions 12a,b
individually outward into the formation 14.
This individual control over flow of the fluid 46 into
each inclusion 12a,b is beneficial, in part, because it
allows an operator to control how each inclusion is formed,
how far the inclusion extends into the formation 14, how
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quickly the fluid is flowed into each inclusion, etc. This,
in turn, allows the operator to individually optimize the
formation of each of the inclusions 12a,b.
In FIG. 4, a sectioned upper portion of the injection
tool 42 is representatively illustrated. In this view, it
may be seen that control over which of the conduits 48a,b is
selected for flow of the fluid 46 is provided by multiple,
successively smaller diameter, seats 50a-d.
Corresponding successively smaller diameter plugs
(e.g., balls, darts, etc., not shown) are dropped into a
flow passage 52 extending longitudinally through the tool
42. After each plug is dropped, the plug sealingly engages
one of the seats 50a-d, and pressure is applied to the
passage 52 (e.g., via the tubular string 36) to release a
retainer (such as, a shear pin, snap ring, etc.) and allow
the seat to displace and expose a port placing the passage
above the plug in communication with the corresponding
conduit 48a,b (and preventing communication between the
passage and any conduit previously in communication with the
passage). In this manner, each of the conduits 48a,b (a
total of four of them in this example) is selectively and
individually placed in communication with the passage 52 for
flowing the fluid 46 into the inclusions 12a,b one at a
time.
Referring additionally now to FIGS. 5-8, one example of
the casing section 16 is representatively illustrated in
unexpanded (FIGS. 5 & 6) and expanded (FIGS. 7 & 8)
configurations. The casing section 16 of FIGS. 5-8 may be
used in the system 10 and method of FIG. 1, or it may be
used in other systems and methods, in keeping with the scope
of this disclosure.
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In FIGS. 5-8, it may be seen that the openings 20a-f
each comprises multiple longitudinally overlapping slits. In
this example, the slits can be laser cut through a sidewall
of an inner tubular shell 54 of the casing section 16. The
5 slits can be temporarily plugged, if desired, to prevent
flow through the slits until the casing section 16 is
expanded.
In other examples, the openings 20a-f could be
otherwise formed, could exist before or only after the
10 casing section 16 is expanded, could be provided in an outer
shell 56 of the casing section (e.g., instead of, or in
addition to those in the inner shell 54), etc. Thus, any
manner of forming the openings 20a-f may be used, in keeping
with the scope of this disclosure.
Two bulkheads 58, 60 separate each adjacent pair of
longitudinally extending portions 62a-f of the outer shell
56. Longitudinally extending flow channels 64a-f are, thus,
defined radially between the respective inner and outer
shell portions 44a-f and 62a-f, and circumferentially
between the respective bulkheads 58, 60 to either
circumferential side of the shell portions 44a-f and 62a-f.
The bulkheads may be sealed to each other (e.g., with
sealant, small weld, etc.) to prevent fluid communication
between the bulkheads during installation and cementing of
the casing section 16, if desired.
Each of the bulkheads 60 has apertures 66 therein,
permitting communication between the corresponding one of
the channels 64a-f and the corresponding one of the openings
20a-f (at least in the expanded configuration). Thus, each
of the channels 64a-f is in communication with a
corresponding one of the openings 20a-f, and with a
corresponding one of the inclusions 12a,b, at least in the
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expanded configuration of the casing section 16. In some
examples, the channels 64a-f may continually be in
communication with the respective openings 20a-f and/or
inclusions 12a,b.
Preferably, the casing section 16 includes spacing
limiters 68 which limit the widening of each opening 20a-f.
The limiters 68 also preferably prevent subsequent narrowing
of the openings 20a-f. However, use of the limiters 68 is
not necessary in keeping with the principles of this
disclosure.
Note that it is not necessary for the casing section 16
construction of FIGS. 5-8 to be used with the expansion tool
28 and injection tool 42 of FIGS. 2-4. Instead, a single-
walled casing section with multiple longitudinal openings
20a-f could be used (as depicted in FIG. 1). Each of the
conduits 48a,b can communicate with a corresponding one of
the openings 20a-f (each opening being positioned between
two of the bladders 34a-c) to selectively inject the fluid
directly into the formation 14 (e.g., without use of the
channels 64a-f, bulkheads 58, 60, etc.). However, the
limiters 68 could still be used with the single-walled
casing section 16 to control the extent of widening of the
openings 20a-f.
Referring additionally now to FIGS. 9A-F, enlarged
scale sectioned views of one example of the expansion tool
28 is representatively illustrated. In this example, the
expansion tool 28 includes the pressure intensifier 40, the
latch 30 and the inflatable bladder 34 of FIG. 2.
As depicted in FIG. 9A, the pressure intensifier 40
includes a piston 69 having unequal piston diameters 69a,
69b at opposite ends thereof. By applying pressure to the
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larger piston diameter 69a, increased pressure is generated
at the smaller diameter 69b.
Increased pressure can be applied to the piston 69 via
the tubular string 36 (see FIG. 2) connected to the
expansion tool 28, thereby displacing the piston downward
and applying further intensified pressure to the interior of
the bladder 34. A biasing device 70 (such as a spring, etc.)
returns the piston 69 to its initial position when pressure
applied to the piston is decreased.
Fluid 72 can be pumped through check valves 74 via a
chamber 76 exposed to the smaller piston diameter 69b. Note
that the pressure intensifier 40 will need to be lowered
relative to an outer housing assembly 78 after engaging the
latch 30 with the profile 32, in order to align ports in the
expansion tool 28 for flow of the fluid 72 from the tubular
string 36 to the interior of the bladder 34. In FIGS. 9A-F,
the expansion tool 28 is depicted in a run-in or retrieval
configuration, in which the interior of the bladder 34 is in
communication with a flow passage 80 extending
longitudinally in the tool and exposed to ambient pressure
in the well.
Thus, in operation, the expansion tool 28 is conveyed
into the casing section 16 on the tubular string 36, and the
latch 30 is engaged with the profile 32, thereby releasably
securing the expansion tool in the casing section and
positioning the bladder 34 in the longitudinal portions 44a-
f, 62a-f of the casing section. The tubular string 36 is at
this point lowered relative to the housing assembly 78,
thereby lowering the pressure intensifier 40, and aligning
the ports in the expansion tool, so that pressure applied to
the tubular string is communicated to the interior of the
bladder 34, thereby inflating the bladder. Pressure in the
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tubular string 36 can then be alternately increased and
decreased, to thereby further increase the pressure applied
to the interior of the bladder 34 via the pressure
intensifier 40, and expand the casing section 16.
After expansion of the casing section 16, the tubular
string 36 can be raised, thereby exposing the interior of
the bladder 34 to the passage 80, and allowing the bladder
to deflate. The latch 30 can be disengaged from the profile
32 by applying sufficient upward force to the expansion tool
28 via the tubular string 36, to retrieve the expansion
tool.
Referring additionally now to FIGS. 10A-F, an enlarged
scale sectioned view of another example of the injection
tool 42 is representatively illustrated. The injection tool
42 of FIGS. 10A-F differs in several respects from the
injection tool example of FIG. 3, at least in part in that a
single bladder 34 is used to isolate the openings 20a-f from
each other in the casing section 16, and the tubular string
36 is selectively and individually placed in communication
with each of the openings by rotating the tubular string.
Rotating the tubular string 36 longitudinally displaces
annular seals 82 which straddle ports 84 (see FIG. 11)
longitudinally spaced apart in the portions 62a-f of the
inner shell 54 of the casing section 16. Each of the ports
84 is in communication with one of the channels 64a-f. Thus,
when the seals 82 straddle one of the ports 84, the tubular
string 36 is placed in communication with a corresponding
one of the channels 64a-f which, as described above, is in
fluid communication with a corresponding one of the openings
20a-f and a corresponding one of the inclusions 12a,b.
Therefore, the tubular string 36 can be placed in
communication with a selected one of the inclusions 12a,b
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for flowing the fluid 46 into the inclusion and propagating
the inclusion further into the formation 14. Rotation of the
tubular string 36 produces longitudinal displacement of the
seals 82, due to threads 86 which unscrew from a mandrel 88
when the tubular string 36 is rotated.
The bladder 34 is inflated by applying pressure to the
interior of the tubular string 36, thereby inflating the
bladder. The bladder 34 can have a sealing material (such as
an elastomer, etc.) on an outer surface thereof, so that the
sealing material seals against the interior surface of the
casing section 16.
In this manner, after the bladder 34 is inflated, the
openings 20a-f are isolated from each other in the casing
section 16. Thus, when the tubular string 36 is rotated to
place the seals 82 straddling one of the ports 84, the fluid
46 flowed into the corresponding inclusion will not be
communicated to any of the other inclusions. As a result, an
individual inclusion 12a,b can be propagated into the
formation 14, with individual control over how that
inclusion is propagated.
In actual practice, the injection tool 42 is lowered
into the well on the tubular string 36. The latch 30 is
engaged with the profile 32 to secure the injection tool 42
relative to the casing section 16.
Pressure is then applied to the tubular string 36 to
inflate the bladder 34 and isolate the openings 20a-f from
each other. The tubular string 36 is then rotated to place
the seals 82 straddling a first one of the ports 84
corresponding to a first one of the openings 20a-f. Fluid 46
is then pumped from the tubular string 36 to the port 84
between the seals 82, through the respective channel 64a-f,
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through the respective opening 20a-f, and then into the
respective inclusion 12a,b.
When it is desired to flow the fluid 46 into another
inclusion, the tubular string 36 is again rotated to place
5 the seals 82 straddling another of the ports 84. In FIG. 11,
the seals 82 are depicted straddling a port 84 extending
through one of the inner shell portions 62a-f. The port 84
being straddled by the seals 82 is in communication with the
channel 64a, which is in communication with a respective one
10 of the openings 20a-f and inclusions 12a,b.
The injection tool 42 examples of FIGS. 3, 4 and 10A-11
beneficially permit reversing out and/or the spotting of
treatment fluid down to the conduits 48a,b or ports 84. The
injection tool 42 is also preferably configured to allow for
15 fluid flow longitudinally through the tool, so that returns
can be flowed from another zone through the tool during
treatment.
Thus, fluid from multiple treated inclusions can be
flowed through the injection tool 42. In one beneficial
arrangement, multiple injection tools 42 can be installed in
corresponding multiple casing sections 16, and certain
azimuthal positions can be selected in each of the casing
sections. For example, one injection tool 42 could be
positioned to inject fluid into a certain inclusion, and
another injection tool could be positioned to produce fluid
from another chosen inclusion, with the two inclusions being
in the same or different azimuthal orientations. Fluid could
be simultaneously produced from one inclusion while fluid is
injected into another inclusion in the same azimuthal
orientation.
Although the examples as described above utilize the
separate expansion tool 28 and injection tool 42, it will be
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appreciated that it is not necessary to perform the
expansion and injection operations in separate trips into
the wellbore 18. Instead, the expansion and injection tools
28, 42 could be incorporated into a same tool string to
perform the expansion and injection steps in a single trip
into the wellbore 18, the expansion and injection tools
could be combined into a single tool assembly, etc.
The injection tool 42 may be used to re-treat the
inclusions 12a,b at a later date (e.g., after the inclusions
are initially propagated into the formation 14).
The injection tool 42 can be used to treat any
combination of inclusions 12 at any azimuthal orientations
relative to the casing section 16 simultaneously, or
individually, and in any order. For example, inclusions 12
at azimuthal orientations of 0, 120, 240, 60, 180 and 300
degrees (or at another order of azimuthal orientations of 0,
180, 60, 240, 120 and 300 degrees) could be treated. It is
not necessary for the azimuthal orientations to be equally
spaced apart, or for there to be any particular number of
azimuthal orientations.
It may now be fully appreciated that the disclosure
above provides several advancements to the art of forming
inclusions into a formation. In some examples described
above, the inclusions 12a,b can be individually propagated
into the formation 14, thereby allowing enhanced control
over how the inclusions are formed, etc.
In one aspect, this disclosure describes a method of
forming multiple inclusions 12a,b into a subterranean
formation 14. In one example, the method can include
initiating the inclusions 12a,b into the formation 14, the
inclusions 12a,b extending outwardly in respective multiple
azimuthal orientations from a casing section 16; and flowing
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fluid 46 into each of the inclusions 12a,b individually,
thereby extending the inclusions 12a,b into the formation 14
one at a time.
The inclusion initiating can include simultaneously
initiating multiple inclusions 12a,b.
The inclusion initiating can include circumferentially
enlarging the casing section 16. The casing section 16 may
be circumferentially enlarged in response to inflating an
inflatable bladder 34 within the casing section 16.
Circumferentially enlarging the casing section 16 can
include widening openings 20a-f formed through the casing
section 16, the openings 20a-f being in communication with
the inclusions 12a,b.
Inflating the bladder 34 may include applying pressure
to a pressure intensifier 40 in communication with the
bladder 34.
Flowing the fluid 46 can include flowing the fluid 46
through channels 64a-f formed longitudinally through the
casing section 16. Each channel 64a-f may correspond to a
respective one of the inclusions 12a,b and/or to a
respective one of multiple longitudinally extending openings
20a-f formed through a side wall of the casing section 16.
The inclusions 12a,b may be initiated in response to
widening the openings 20a-f. The channels 64a-f may be
disposed radially between inner and outer shells 54, 56 of
the casing section 16.
Initiating the inclusions 12a,b can include widening
multiple openings 20a-f formed through a side wall of the
casing section 16. Flowing the fluid 46 can include
isolating the openings 20a-f from each other while fluid 46
is flowed into each inclusion 12a,b.
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Isolating the openings 20a-f may include inflating a
bladder 34 in the casing section 16. Isolating the openings
20a-f can include inflating multiple longitudinally
extending bladders 34a-c, each bladder 34a-c being
positioned between an adjacent pair of the openings 20a-d.
A system for initiating inclusions outwardly into a
subterranean formation from a wellbore is also described
above. In one example, the system 10 can include a casing
section 16 having multiple flow channels 64a-f therein, each
of the flow channels 64a-f being in communication with a
respective one of multiple openings 20a-f formed between
adjacent pairs of circumferentially extendable
longitudinally extending portions 44a-f, 62a-f of the casing
section 16.
The casing section 16 can also include inner and outer
shells 54, 56, with the flow channels 64a-f being disposed
radially between the inner and outer shells 54, 56.
The system 10 may include longitudinally extending
bulkheads 58, 60 which straddle each of the openings 20a-f,
each channel 64a-f being in communication with the
respective one of the openings 20a-f via a respective one of
the bulkheads 60.
The system 10 can include an inflatable bladder 34
which expands the casing section 16 in response to the
bladder 34 being inflated. The system 10 can include
multiple longitudinally extending bladders 34a-c, each of
the bladders 34a-c being positioned between an adjacent pair
of the openings 20a-d.
The system 10 can include an inflatable bladder 34
which isolates the openings 20a-f from each other in the
casing section 16.
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The system 10 can include an injection tool 42 which
provides selective communication with individual ones of the
flow channels 64a-f. The injection tool 42 may selectively
isolate each of multiple ports 84 formed in the casing
section 16, each of the ports 84 being in communication with
a respective one of the flow channels 64a-f.
Also described above, in one example, is a system 10
for forming multiple inclusions 12a,b into a subterranean
formation 14 from a wellbore 18. The system 10 in this
example can include one or more casing sections 16 and one
or more injection tools 42 which engage the casing section
16 and selectively direct fluid 46 into each of the
inclusions 12a,b individually, whereby the inclusions 12a,b
are extended into the formation 14 one at a time.
The casing section 16, when circumferentially extended,
can initiate the inclusions 12a,b into the formation 14,
whereby the inclusions 12a,b extend outwardly in respective
multiple azimuthal orientations from the casing section 16.
The system 10 can include an expansion tool 28 which
expands the casing section 16 and thereby simultaneously
initiates multiple inclusions 12a,b. In other examples,
multiple inclusions 12a,b may not be simultaneously
initiated.
The expansion tool 28 may comprise an inflatable
bladder 34. The expansion tool 28 may further comprise a
pressure intensifier 40 in communication with the bladder
34.
Openings 20a-f in communication with the inclusions
12a,b can be widened in response to expansion of the casing
section 16.
CA 02847591 2014-03-03
WO 2013/048371 PCT/US2011/053403
The casing section 16 may include channels 64a-f formed
longitudinally through the casing section 16. Each channel
64a-f can correspond to a respective one of the inclusions
12a,b. Each channel 64a-f can correspond to a respective one
5 of multiple longitudinally extending openings 20a-f formed
through a side wall of the casing section 16. The inclusions
12a,b may be initiated in response to the openings 20a-f
being widened.
The channels 64a-f may be disposed radially between
10 inner and outer shells 54, 56 of the casing section 16.
The inclusions 12a,b may be initiated in response to
multiple openings 20a-f formed through a side wall of the
casing section 16 being widened. The openings 20a-f can be
isolated from each other while fluid 46 is flowed into each
15 inclusion 12a,b.
The openings 20a-f can be isolated from each other by a
bladder 34 inflated in the casing section 16. The openings
20a-f can be isolated from each other by multiple
longitudinally extending bladders 34a-c, each bladder 34a-c
20 being positioned between an adjacent pair of the openings
20a-f.
The at least one casing section 16 may comprise
multiple casing sections 16. The at least one injection tool
42 may comprise multiple injection tools 42. A first
injection tool 42 can selectively direct fluid into a first
inclusion 12, and a second injection tool 42 can selectively
produce fluid from a second inclusion 12. The first and
second inclusions 12 may be in a same azimuthal orientation.
The first injection tool 42 may direct fluid into the first
inclusion 12 concurrently as the second injection tool 42
produces fluid from the second inclusion 12.
CA 02847591 2015-11-24
21
It is to be understood that the various examples described above may be
utilized in
various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc.,
and in various
configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The
embodiments
illustrated in the drawings are depicted and described merely as examples of
useful
applications of the principles of the disclosure, which are not limited to any
specific details of
these embodiments.
In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms
(such as
"above," "below," "upper," "lower," etc.) are used for convenience in
referring to the
accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope
of this
disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.
Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of
the above
description of representative embodiments, readily appreciate that many
modifications,
additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these
specific
embodiments, and such changes are within the scope of the principles of this
disclosure. The
scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set
forth in the
examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the
description as a
whole.
