David O Coe

US Patent:

20100038086, Feb 18, 2010

Filed:

Jan 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/086578

Inventors:

Franz D. Bunnell - The Woodlands TX, US
Scott R. Clingman - Houston TX, US
Pin Y. Huang - Houston TX, US
Donald L. Yeager - Sugar Land TX, US
David H. Coe - Friendswood TX, US

Assignee:

EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/267
E21B 43/04
E21B 43/26

US Classification:

166300, 166205, 1663082

Abstract:

A method, apparatus and production well system that utilize stimulus-responsive materials for “conformance control” and profile control along the fluid flow path in a well as part of a gravel pack or a coating on a well tool. The stimulus-responsive materials are also known as intelligent or smart polymers and are typically polymeric materials that reversibly or irreversibly swell or collapse in the presence of stimulus such as changes in concentration of a fluid media in contact with the stimulus-responsive material, pH or polarity of the media the stimulus-responsive material is in contact with, salinity, current; or temperature. The stimulus-responsive materials may swell upon contact with a rust stimulus and shrink or collapse upon contact with a second stimulus or vice-versa The changes between production and injection profiles may be automatic with the application of the stimulus-responsive materials and may occur without user intervention.