Directional Screen with Movable Members for Downhole Particulate Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sand screens used in downhole operations are complex and dimensionally long, making them inefficient for preventing particulates from flowing back into the borehole after treatment, while allowing fluid injection and proppant placement in the formation.

Innovation Solution

A directional screen with interlaced members that move between operational positions to filter particulates during injection and prevent backflow, featuring a structure with adjustable mesh size and configuration to allow fluid and proppant passage during injection and exclude particulates during retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sand screens are used to prevent particulate backflow, then particulate exclusion is achieved, but device complexity and dimensional length increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate exclusionVSAvoidscreen structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen members are configured to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically change position based on flow direction. During injection, members are positioned to allow fluid and proppant passage; during production, members move to block particulate backflow, eliminating the need for complex valve mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The screen is divided into multiple individual members that can independently move between operational positions. This segmentation allows each member to function as a independent filtering element, reducing the need for complex interconnected structures while maintaining effective particulate exclusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional sand screens are used to prevent particulate backflow, then particulate exclusion is achieved, but the device becomes dimensionally long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticulate exclusionVSAvoidscreen length

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The screen members extend radially outward from the tubular structure rather than along the axial direction. This dimensional change allows the screening function to be achieved in the radial dimension, significantly reducing the axial length requirement while maintaining effective particulate exclusion capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If screen members are positioned to allow fluid passage during injection, then treatment fluid injection efficiency is improved, but particulate backflow prevention capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection efficiencyVSAvoidbackflow prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The screen members automatically transition between two operational states based on flow direction: an open position during injection to maximize productivity, and a closed position during production to ensure reliable backflow prevention. This periodic action between states optimizes both injection efficiency and backflow prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9995116B2Directional screen, system and method

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A directional screen includes a structure defining an opening; one or more first members attached at one end to the structure. The one or more first members configured to move between a first operational position and a second operational position. A method for treating a borehole.