Patent ID: 6581688
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method of packing proppant in an annulus between a wellbore and a screen placed along a length of the wellbore, comprising:(a) defining the approximate fracture pressure of an earth formation surrounding the screen; (b) defining at least one dimension of the annulus to be packed; (c) defining at least one density parameter of the proppant; (d) determining a parametric relationship among circulating pressure, fluid pump rate and optimum time for substantially fully packing the annulus that will allow packing of the annulus without fracturing the wellbore; (e) determining values for circulation pressure less than the well fracturing pressure and fluid pump rate values corresponding to said optimum time for packing said annulus; and, (f) packing the well in accordance with the determined relationship and values.