Screen for sand control in a wellbore

Abstract

A sand screen for a wellbore that employs a seamless tube shaped filter member covering perforations in a length of perforated tubular is disclosed. The filter member includes a monofilament or multifilament wire that is precisely wound to control angle and spacing of the wire. Configuration of a wind pattern and the amount of wire wound controls aperture size for filtering particles, flow characteristics through the filter member, and overall strength of the filter member. Seals at each end of the filter member can secure and circumferentially seal the filter member on the perforated tubular.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 495,480, filed Aug. 15, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to wellbore completions, and more particularly, to a screen design for sand control. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART [0003] Hydrocarbon wells are typically formed with a central wellbore that is supported by steel casing. The casing lines the borehole in the earth, and the annular area created between the casing and the borehole is filled with cement to further support and form the wellbore. While some wells are produced by simply perforating the casing of the central wellbore and collecting the hydrocarbons, wells routinely include portions left open or unlined with casing. Because they are left open, hydrocarbons in an adjacent formation migrate into these wellbores where they are affected along a per...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is about a sand screen used in a well that has a seamless tube-shaped filter covering perforations in a length of perforated tubular. The filter has a precise wire wound in a specific pattern to control its angle and spacing. This pattern and the amount of wire wound determine the size of the aperture through which particles are filtered, the flow characteristics through the filter, and its overall strength. The filter is secured and sealed on the perforated tubular using seals at each end."

Problems solved by technology

Since open wellbores lack support along their walls and the formations have a tendency to produce sand and particulate matter in quantities that hamper production along a sand screen, open wellbores are often treated by fracturing and packing.

These mechanisms can include mechanical flappers; however, mechanical flappers often stick open or shut requiring costly and time consuming efforts to correct.

Originally, sand screens simply consisted of slotted tubing; however, this provides little control as to the size of particles actually screened.

However, this packed screen is heavy, and it is difficult to provide and insure an even distribution of the sized particles therein.

Thick premium screens become brittle at the longitudinal weld due to the heat affected zone at welds of the premium screen.

Current sand screens lack the ability to withstand the reverse pressurization procedures.

However, the reverse pressure urges the premium screen outward and places hoop stresses on the premium screen thereby causing the premium screen to fail at the longitudinal weld that holds it wrapped around the production tubing.

Additionally, reverse pressurization using acid in excessive concentration dissolves a phenolic resin coating on the sized particles within packed screens.

Thus, acid reverse pressurization can further plug the screen with the dissolved phenolic resin, damage other production tools and equipment with the dissolved phenolic resin, or destroy the functionality of the packed screen itself.

Images