GB2453029A - Well filter screen not having a shroud - Google Patents

Well filter screen not having a shroud Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2453029A
GB2453029A GB0816670A GB0816670A GB2453029A GB 2453029 A GB2453029 A GB 2453029A GB 0816670 A GB0816670 A GB 0816670A GB 0816670 A GB0816670 A GB 0816670A GB 2453029 A GB2453029 A GB 2453029A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
base pipe
layer
screen
filter layer
well screen
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0816670A
Other versions
GB2453029B (en
GB0816670D0 (en
Inventor
Michael D Langlais
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gemalto Terminals Ltd
Schlumberger Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
Gemalto Terminals Ltd
Schlumberger Holdings Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gemalto Terminals Ltd, Schlumberger Holdings Ltd filed Critical Gemalto Terminals Ltd
Publication of GB0816670D0 publication Critical patent/GB0816670D0/en
Publication of GB2453029A publication Critical patent/GB2453029A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2453029B publication Critical patent/GB2453029B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/02Subsoil filtering
    • E21B43/08Screens or liners
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/02Subsoil filtering
    • E21B43/08Screens or liners
    • E21B43/082Screens comprising porous materials, e.g. prepacked screens
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/02Subsoil filtering
    • E21B43/08Screens or liners
    • E21B43/084Screens comprising woven materials, e.g. mesh or cloth
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/02Subsoil filtering
    • E21B43/08Screens or liners
    • E21B43/088Wire screens

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Filtering Materials (AREA)

Abstract

A well screen 10 includes a base pipe 12 and a screen assembly 14 connected to the base pipe 12 where an outer shroud is not disposed over the screen assemble 14. The layers may be connected by diffusion bonding and there may also be an inflow control device. Also claimed is a well screen 10 having a base pipe 12 and a screen assembly having at least three layers 16, 18, 20, interconnected by diffusion bonding. In an additional embodiment there is a claimed a screen assembly 10 having a base pipe 12, a filter layer 18 constructed of woven metal cloth sintered together and a drainage layer 16 positioned between the base pipe and the filter layer. Also present is a support layer 20 of woven metal rods 26 and metal cable 28.

Description

WELL SCREENS 2453029
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to screens used in subsurface well completions, and particularly to screens using mesh media.
Screens are commonly used in well completions in which the producing formation is poorly or loosely consolidated. Abrasive partidulates gñerally referred to as "sand" or "fInes", can cause problems if produced. For example, the formation surrounding the welibore can erode and wash out, potentially leading to collapse of the well. Sand can damage equipment such as pumps or seals as the sand travels at high speed through the pump or past the seals. Produced sand must be disposed of, and this imposes an additional cost to the well operator. Fines can clog flow passages, disrupting production.
Often, to enhance filtration, a layer of particles of presorted size, commonly referred to as "gravel", is injected between the formation (or casing) and the screen.
In those cases, the screen is sized to prevent passage of the gravel. The gravel in turn prevents the passage of fines.
Various screen types are used to prevent the production of sand. For example, a perforated base pipe can have wire wrapped around it such that the spacing between the wire wraps limits the size of sand that can pass. Mesh material can also be used.
However, well screens can be expensive. Therefore, there is a continuing need for improved designs and manufacturing methods for screens.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing and other considerations, the present invention relates to weilbore completions and more particularly to sand control well screens.
Accordingly, premium mesh-type well screens are provided. In one example, a well screen includes a base pipe having perforations and a screen assembly connected about a portion of the base pipe, wherein an outer shroud is not disposed over the screen assembly.
Another example of a well screen used in a weilbore includes a base pipe having perforations and a screen assembly having at least three layers interconnected by diffusion bonding, the screen assembly positioned about a portion of the base pipe and connected thereto.
In another example, a screen assembly connected about a perforated base pipe includes a filter layer constructed of layers of woven metal cloth sintered together; a drainage layer positioned between the base pipe and the filter layer, the drainage layer sintered to the filter layer; and a support layer constructed of woven metal rods and metal cable disposed about the filter layer, the support layer sintered to the filter layer.
The foregoing has outlined the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present invention will be best understood with reference to the following detailed description of a specific embodiment of the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a well screen of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a partially cut-away view of a well screen of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views.
As used herein, the terms "up" and "down"; "upper" and "lower"; and other like terms indicating relative positions to a given point or element are utilized to more clearly describe some elements of the embodiments of the invention. Commonly, these terms relate to a reference point as the surface from which drilling operations are initiated as being the top point and the total depth of the well being the lowest point.
Figure 1 is an exploded view of a well screen of the present invention, generally denoted by the numeral 10. Well screen 10 includes a base pipe 12 and a screen assembly 14. Screen assembly 14 is positioned over a portion of base pipe 12 to facilitate filtered fluid flow into well screen 10 and into base pipe 12. Base pipe 12 may be a perforated, slotted, or include one or more inflow control devices ("lCD") to facilitate the radial flow of fluid into base pipe 12. It is noted that an lCD may limit flow, or prevent flow into base pipe 12 in selected circumstances. In an example, base pipe 12 may be a non-perforated pipe having a lCD connected along base pipe 12, for example at the top, and then base pipe 12 is covered by screen assembly 14.
As is known in the industry, mesh-type well screens include an outer shroud surrounding the various mesh layers atop the base pipe. The outer shroud serves multiple purposes including protecting the mesh layer when running into the wel]bore and during transportation and provides burst resistance to the mesh layer. Well screen of the present invention eliminates the outer shroud thereby reducihig costs of the well screen and reducing the outside diameter of well screen 10 relative to other premium mesh-type screens. Well screen 10 of the present invention is believed to address the long felt and yet unfulfilled need for a reduced outside diameter well screen capable of operating in a welibore.
Screen assembly 14 includes a drainage layer 16, filter layer 18, and support layer 20 further described with reference to Figure 2. In an embodiment of the present invention screen assembly 14 is of a fully sintered construction, wherein the three-layers are diffusion bonded together. It is noted that multiple layers, for example more than one filter layer 18, may be utilized.
Referring now to Figure 2 wherein a partial cut away view of well screen 10 is provided. Drainage layer 16 is positioned about and against base pipe 12. In the illustrated embodiment, drainage layer 16 is connected to base pipe 12 by welds 22 thereby eliminating retainer ring type connectors. A rail 24, shown by hidden lines, may be connected across the top to provide a safety edge to the assembly to avoid damage to well screen 10 during transport and installation. For example, weld 22 seals filter layer 18 to base pipe 12 to for ma seal to a similar level of filtration layer 18. The sealing may be accomplished by welding rail 24 to base pipe 12 and to filter layer 18.
Drainage layer 16 is provided between base pipe 12 and mesh or filter layer 18 to facilitate the flow of fluid into base pipe 12 when a perforation 13 in base pipe 12 or a portion of filter layer 18 is plugged. Drainage layer 16 of the present example is constructed of woven metal members shown as metal rods 26 and metal cable 28.
Layer 16 may be constructed of woven cable as both the warp and the weft or with rods as the warp and the weft. In the illustrated embodiment, layer 16 is bonded together and to layers 1 8 and 20. In particular, layer 16 is sintered to the inside diameter of mesh filter layer 18.
Filter layer 18 is constructed of sintered mesh type material. For example, filter layer 18 is made of multiple layers of woven wire cloth sintered together. Filter layer 18 forms a porous medium sized to provide accurate particle size control while maximizing the desired fluid flow.
Support layer 20 is provided about mesh filter layer 18 and drainage layer 16.
In the illustrated embodiment, support layer 20 is sintered, diffusion bonded, to the outside diameter of filter layer 18. Support layer 20 is consfructed of woven metal members shown as metal rods 26 and metal cable 28. Layer 20 may be constructed of woven cable as both the warp and the weft or with rods as the warp and the weft. In some examples, screen assembly 14 may not include support layer 20.
It is understood that layers 16, 18, and 20 may be interconnected by means other than sintering. For example, filter layer 18 may be sandwiched between drainage layer 16 and support layer 20. Layers 16 and 18 may each be connected to base pipe 12 by welds 22 or may be interconnected along rail 24 and connected to base pipe 12 by welds 22.
From the foregoing detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that a well screen that is novel has been disclosed.
Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in some detail, this has been done solely for the purposes of describing various features and aspects of the invention, and is not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the invention. It is contemplated that various substitutions, alterations, and/or modifications, including but not limited to those implementation variations which may have been suggested herein, may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims which follow.

Claims (18)

  1. I. A well screen comprising: a base pipe having means for allowing fluid flow into the base pipe; and a screen assembly connected about a portion of the base pipe, wherein an outer shroud is not disposed over the screen assembly.
  2. 2. The well screen of claim I, wherein the means for allowing fluid flow into the base pipe includes an inflow control device.
  3. 3. The well screen of claim 1, wherein the screen assembly includes: a drainage layer positioned about the base pipe; and a filter layer positioned over the drainage layer.
  4. 4. The well screen of claim 3, wherein the drainage layer is connected to the base pipe by welding and the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected.
  5. 5. The well screen of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected by diffusion bonding.
  6. 6. The well screen of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the drainage layer is constructed of woven metal rod and metal cable.
  7. 7. The well screen of claim 6, wherein the metal rod and metal cable are interconnected by diffusion bonding.
  8. 8. The well screen of claim 7, wherein the drainage layer is connected to the base pipe by welding and the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected.
  9. 9. The well screen of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the drainage layer is constructed of metal rods woven together as the warp and weft.
  10. 10. The well screen of claim 9, wherein the warp and weft are interconnected by diffusion bonding.
  11. 11. The well screen of any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the drainage layer is constructed of metal cable woven together as the warp and wefi.
  12. 12. The well screen of claim 11, wherein the warp and weft are interconnected by diffusion bonding.
  13. 13. A well screen apparatus for use in a welibore, the apparatUs comprising: a base pipe having a means for allowing radial fluid entry; and a screen assembly having at least three layers interconnected by diffusion bonding, the screen assembly being positioned about a portion of the base pipe and connected thereto.
  14. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the screen assembly includes a drainage layer, a filter layer, and a support layer.
  15. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the filter layer is constructed of sintered metal fabric.
  16. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the screen assembly includes: a drainage layer constructed of woven metal members; and a support layer constructed of woven metal members, the drainage layer being positioned between the filter layer and the base pipe.
  17. 17. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the screen assembly is connected to the base pipe by welding and without being surrounded by a shroud member.
  18. 18. A screen assembly adapted for connection about a base pipe, the screen assembly comprising: a filter layer constructed of layers of woven metal cloth sintered together; a drainage layer positioned, in use, between the base pipe and the filter layer, the drainage layer being sintered to the filter layer; and a support layer constructed of woven metal rods and metal cable disposed about the filter layer, the support layer being sintered to the filter layer.
GB0816670A 2007-09-21 2008-09-12 Well screens Expired - Fee Related GB2453029B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/858,940 US20090078403A1 (en) 2007-09-21 2007-09-21 Well screen

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0816670D0 GB0816670D0 (en) 2008-10-22
GB2453029A true GB2453029A (en) 2009-03-25
GB2453029B GB2453029B (en) 2010-10-13

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0816670A Expired - Fee Related GB2453029B (en) 2007-09-21 2008-09-12 Well screens

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US (1) US20090078403A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2453029B (en)
SG (1) SG151191A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

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US7806178B2 (en) * 2008-06-12 2010-10-05 Baker Hughes Incorporated Wire wrap screen manufacturing method
US8567498B2 (en) * 2010-01-22 2013-10-29 Schlumberger Technology Corporation System and method for filtering sand in a wellbore
US8464793B2 (en) * 2010-01-22 2013-06-18 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Flow control system with sand screen
CN103291259A (en) * 2013-06-04 2013-09-11 无锡金顶石油管材配件制造有限公司 Novel petroleum filter screen pipe
US9970269B2 (en) * 2013-06-28 2018-05-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Expandable well screen having enhanced drainage characteristics when expanded
CN111101905A (en) * 2019-10-30 2020-05-05 青海中煤地质工程有限责任公司 Brine well mining and well completion process for pore type brine seam of salt lake mining area
AU2022274622A1 (en) * 2021-05-13 2023-07-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Metal-matrix downhole sand screens

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US20040134655A1 (en) * 2003-01-15 2004-07-15 Richards William Mark Sand control screen assembly having an internal isolation member and treatment method using the same
US20070012444A1 (en) * 2005-07-12 2007-01-18 John Horgan Apparatus and method for reducing water production from a hydrocarbon producing well

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EP0617195A2 (en) * 1993-03-22 1994-09-28 Halliburton Company Well completion apparatus
US6125932A (en) * 1998-11-04 2000-10-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Tortuous path sand control screen and method for use of same
US20040134655A1 (en) * 2003-01-15 2004-07-15 Richards William Mark Sand control screen assembly having an internal isolation member and treatment method using the same
US20070012444A1 (en) * 2005-07-12 2007-01-18 John Horgan Apparatus and method for reducing water production from a hydrocarbon producing well

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20090078403A1 (en) 2009-03-26
GB2453029B (en) 2010-10-13
SG151191A1 (en) 2009-04-30
GB0816670D0 (en) 2008-10-22

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20120912