Sand Screen for Multilateral Wellbore Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilateral wellbore systems face issues with excessive sand production from unconsolidated formations entering the main wellbore through open hole lateral wellbores, as there are no sand control devices at the junctions to prevent particle flow, which can damage equipment.
Innovation Solution
A sand screen is placed at the junction between the main and lateral wellbores to inhibit particles larger than a selected size from flowing into the main wellbore, using a sand screen configuration that extends across the junction to prevent solid particle entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If open hole lateral wellbores are used to reduce complexity and cost, then ease of manufacture and device complexity are improved, but sand control capability deteriorates as particles can freely enter the main wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The sand screen is divided into multiple sections: a first section in the lateral wellbore, a second section at the junction, and a third section in the main wellbore. This segmentation allows the sand control function to be distributed across different locations, providing comprehensive particle filtration while maintaining the simplicity of the open hole lateral design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sand screen extends across multiple spatial dimensions - from the lateral wellbore through the junction into the main wellbore. This multi-dimensional placement creates a barrier that intercepts particles regardless of their entry angle or position, effectively blocking sand flow without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If sand control devices are installed at junctions to prevent particle flow, then sand control capability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sand screen serves multiple functions simultaneously: it filters particles from the lateral wellbore, blocks sand at the junction, and prevents particle entry into the main wellbore. This multi-functional design consolidates what could be multiple separate devices into a single integrated component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining robust sand control.
Solution Approach 2:
The sand screen utilizes porous material structure to achieve particle filtration. The porous nature allows fluid flow while blocking solid particles above a certain size, providing effective sand control through material properties rather than complex mechanical structures, thereby simplifying the device design.
3Reliability
If sand screens extend across the junction to prevent particle entry, then sand control effectiveness is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sand screen is pre-assembled with its multiple sections (lateral section, junction section, and main wellbore section) connected before installation. This preliminary assembly allows the entire multi-section structure to be installed as a single unit, simplifying the installation process despite the complex geometry, and ensuring proper positioning at the junction without requiring complex field assembly procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sand screen effectively prevents the flow of large particles from the lateral wellbore into the main wellbore, reducing sand production and protecting equipment by ensuring sand control at the junctions, thereby enhancing the operational integrity of the wellbore system.
Implementation Method 1
a sand screen at the junction configured to inhibit particles larger than a selected size from flowing from the second wellbore and the juncture into the first wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a wellbore system is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a first wellbore capable of producing a fluid from a first formation, a second wellbore intersecting the first wellbore at a junction, wherein the second wellbore is an open hole and capable of producing a fluid from a second formation and a sand screen at the junction configured to inhibit particles larger than a selected size from flowing from the second wellbore and the junction into the first wellbore.