Patent ID: 6131662
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method of completing a subterranean well, the well having a wellbore intersecting a zone, the method comprising the steps of:providing a packer;providing a positioning device having upper and lower tubular members, said upper and lower tubular members being disposed in a telescoping relationship to each other, said lower tubular member having inner and outer side surfaces and an opening extending from said inner to said outer side surface of said lower tubular member, and said upper tubular member having an outer side surface, a seal disposed on said outer side surface, and an inner axial flow passage;axially compressing said positioning device such that said seal isolates said axial flow passage from said lower tubular member outer side surface, thereby preventing fluid flow inwardly through said opening to said axial flow passage;attaching said upper tubular member to said packer;providing a tubular screen;coaxially disposing said tubular screen in a radially overlying relationship to said lower tubular member, such that said tubular screen radially outwardly overlaps said opening;attaching said screen to said lower tubular member;providing a perforating gun;attaching said perforating gun to said lower tubular member;positioning said packer, said positioning device, and said perforating gun within the wellbore, such that said perforating gun is laterally aligned with the zone;setting said packer in the wellbore;firing said perforating gun, thereby perforating the zone; andextending said positioning device to thereby position said tubular screen opposite the zone and permit fluid communication between said opening and said axial flow passage.