초록 ▼

A proppant containment apparatus and associated method of using the apparatus permit continued delivery of a proppant slurry to a subterranean wellbore after failure of a crossover portion of the apparatus during a fracturing operation, eliminating the need to stop the fracturing operation and remov

A proppant containment apparatus and associated method of using the apparatus permit continued delivery of a proppant slurry to a subterranean wellbore after failure of a crossover portion of the apparatus during a fracturing operation, eliminating the need to stop the fracturing operation and remove and replace expensive items of equipment after such crossover failure. In a preferred embodiment, the proppant containment apparatus has a tubular crossover member with an internal flow passage, circulation port, and side wall outlet openings, first and second coaxial tubular structures, the first tubular structure being perforated, a tubular screen positioned between the first and second tubular structures, a ball, and a ball seat having a spaced series of grooves formed thereon.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Propant containment apparatus operatively positionable in a subterranean well, comprising:a perforated pipe having an axially extending internal flow passage, an external side surface, first and second opposite ends, and an opening formed on an axial portion of said perfo

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Propant containment apparatus operatively positionable in a subterranean well, comprising:a perforated pipe having an axially extending internal flow passage, an external side surface, first and second opposite ends, and an opening formed on an axial portion of said perforated pipe, said internal flow passage being closed at said first opposite end and open at said second opposite end;a screen radially outwardly overlying said opening, said screen being attached to said perforated pipe external side surface intermediate said perforated pipe first and second opposite ends;a generally tubular structure having an internal side surface, said tubular structure radially outwardly overlying said perforated pipe;an annular flow Passage formed radially intermediate said perforated pipe external side surface and said tubular structure internal side surface, said screen being disposed in said annular flow passage;an annular seal member disposed in said annular flow passage and sealingly engaging said perforated pipe external side surface and said tubular structure internal side surface, said opening being disposed axially intermediate said perforated pipe closed end and said annular seal member;a ball sealing surface attached to said tubular structure; anda ball disposed axially intermediate said perforated pipe second opposite end and said ball sealing surface, said ball being capable of sealingly engaging said ball sealing surface. [14.] For use in conjunction with an abrasive slurry delivery structure having a first tubular structure with an internal flow passage through which an abrasive slurry may be axially flowed, a side wall outlet opening bounded by a peripheral side wall edge portion and outwardly through which abrasive slurry material from the internal flow passage may be discharged, and an internal circulation passage formed adjacent the peripheral side wall edge portion, a method of containing abrasive particles in the internal circulation passage after slurry erosion of the peripheral side wall edge portion, the method comprising the steps of:providing a second tubular structure having first and second opposite ends, and an internal flow passage formed therein through which the slurry may be flowed;attaching said second tubular structure first opposite end to said first tubular structure such that the internal circulation passage is in fluid communication with said second tubular structure internal flow passage;providing a screen capable of filtering the abrasive particles from the slurry; anddisposing said screen in said second tubular structure internal flow passage. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:providing a seal structure having a seal surface disposed therein;attaching said seal structure to said second tubular structure second opposite end such that said seal surface is in fluid communication with said second tubular structure internal flow passage;providing a seal member capable of sealingly engaging said seal surface; anddisposing said seal member in said second tubular structure internal flow passage intermediate said screen and said seal surface such that slurry flow from said screen to said seal member biases said seal member to sealingly engage said seal surface. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of forming a fluid passage on said seal surface such that fluid communication remains across said seal surface when said seal member is biased to sealingly engage said seal surface. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:providing a third tubular structure having an internal flow passage formed therein;disposing said screen intermediate said third tubular structure internal flow passage and said second tubular structure internal flow passage;attaching said third tubular structure intermediate said first tubular structure and said second tubular structure such that said third tubular structure internal flow passage is in fluid communication with the internal circulation passage and said second tubular structure internal flow passage; andcompressing said screen between said second and third tubular structures. The method according to claim 17, wherein said screen providing step further comprises providing said screen made of a sintered metal material. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of:providing a third tubular structure having a perforated axial portion and an internal flow passage formed therein;disposing said third tubular structure in said second tubular structure internal flow passage such that said second tubular structure internal flow passage is in fluid communication with said third tubular structure internal flow passage through said perforated axial portion; anddisposing said screen adjacent said perforated axial portion and intermediate said second tubular structure internal flow passage and said third tubular structure internal flow passage.