Production enhancement method for fractured wellbores
View Patent ↗Wellbores are fractured by setting open hole packers on a string with access through valves on the string between the set packers. Setting the packers creates wellbore stress so that fractures tend to preferentially form near the packers regardless of the orientation of the borehole. When the fracturing is done and the well is put on production some of the proppant comes back into the wellbore and packs around the packers with solids that can be produced from the formation carried by flowing fluids. An annular passage is created near the packer to allow produced fluids to bypass the packed proppant and other solids to get into the production string. A screen protects the passage from clogging so that production is enhanced.
1. A completion and production method for a borehole, comprising:
running in at least one pair of spaced packers on a string having at least one port between the packers for flow communication into an annular space between said packers and then radially in said annular space toward said string into said at least one port when a zone is placed in production;
setting the packers in the borehole to define the zone between the packers;
fracturing the zone with pressure pumping a slurry;
placing the zone on production after said fracturing;
accumulating slurry solids or formation produced solids from the produced zone in said annular space adjacent one of said spaced packers that impedes said production flow in said annular space in reaching said at least one port;
providing a bypass passage outside said string and within said annular space along a portion of said string without wall openings for fluid to flow into said annular space and then substantially parallel to said string through said bypass passage from the fractures previously created, said passage comprising a first passage end adjacent said solids and a second passage end outside of said accumulated solids in said annular space and adjacent another portion of said string without wall openings, whereupon exiting said second end said fluid flow continuing substantially parallel to said string into said annular space toward said at least one port while experiencing reduced resistance to flow in said bypass passage as compared to flowing in said annular space through slurry solids or formation produced solids that accumulated by said packer in said annular space.
2. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
providing a sleeve around said string to define said bypass passage.
3. The method of claim 2 , comprising:
screening said passage with a screen to substantially exclude said solids while allowing fluid to pass.
4. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
reducing resistance to fluid flow from fractures adjacent a packer with said bypass passage.
5. The method of claim 3 , comprising:
locating said screen inside said sleeve.
6. The method of claim 3 , comprising:
locating said screen outside said sleeve.
7. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
using open hole packers to define an open hole zone between said packers.
8. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
orienting the borehole horizontally or vertically or at a slant in between horizontal or vertical.
9. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
providing a sliding sleeve associated with said port.
10. The method of claim 1 , comprising:
performing said fracturing with proppant.
11. The method of claim 2 , comprising:
providing screened openings in the wall of said sleeve.
12. The method of claim 3 , comprising:
using open hole packers to define an open hole zone between said packers.
13. The method of claim 3 , comprising:
orienting the borehole horizontally or vertically or at a slant in between horizontal or vertical.
14. The method of claim 13 , comprising:
providing a sliding sleeve associated with said port.
15. The method of claim 14 , comprising:
performing said fracturing with proppant.
16. The method of claim 15 , comprising:
providing screened openings in the wall of said sleeve.