Expandable sand control screen assembly having fluid flow control capabilities and method for use of same
First Claim
1. A sand control screen assembly comprising:
- a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow therethrough;
a filter medium positioned about the exterior of the base pipe, the filter medium allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow therethrough;
an inflatable seal member disposed within the at least one opening of the base pipe that controls fluid flow through the at least one opening of the base pipe; and
an inflation fluid source in fluid communication with the inflatable seal member that provides an inflation fluid to the inflatable seal member to selectively urge the inflatable seal member into sealing engagement with the at least one opening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sand control screen assembly (60) comprises a base pipe (62) having at least one opening (64) that allows fluid flow therethrough and a filter medium (66) positioned about the exterior of the base pipe (62) that allows fluid flow therethrough and prevents particulate flow therethrough. An inflatable seal member (72) is disposed within the at least one opening (64) of the base pipe (62) and controls fluid flow through the at least one opening (64). A inflation fluid source (74) is in fluid communication with the inflatable seal member (72) and provides an inflation fluid to the inflatable seal member (72) to selectively urge the inflatable seal member (72) into sealing engagement with the at least one opening (64).
124 Citations
71 Claims
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1. A sand control screen assembly comprising:
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a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow therethrough;
a filter medium positioned about the exterior of the base pipe, the filter medium allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow therethrough;
an inflatable seal member disposed within the at least one opening of the base pipe that controls fluid flow through the at least one opening of the base pipe; and
an inflation fluid source in fluid communication with the inflatable seal member that provides an inflation fluid to the inflatable seal member to selectively urge the inflatable seal member into sealing engagement with the at least one opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An expandable sand control screen assembly comprising:
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an expandable base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow therethrough;
an expandable filter medium positioned about the exterior of the base pipe, the filter medium allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow therethrough;
an inflatable seal member disposed within the at least one opening of the base pipe that controls fluid flow through the at least one opening of the base pipe; and
an inflation fluid source in fluid communication with the inflatable seal member that provides an inflation fluid to the inflatable seal member to selectively urge the inflatable seal member into sealing engagement with the at least one opening. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A downhole tool comprising:
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a tubular member having at least one opening in a sidewall portion thereof that allows fluid flow therethrough;
an inflatable seal member disposed within the at least one opening of the tubular member that controls fluid flow through the at least one opening of the tubular member; and
an inflation fluid source in fluid communication with the inflatable seal member that provides an inflation fluid to the inflatable seal member to selectively urge the inflatable seal member into sealing engagement with the at least one opening. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for controlling the fluid flow through a sand control screen assembly comprising the steps of:
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providing the sand control screen assembly including a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow therethrough and a filter medium positioned about the exterior of the base pipe;
positioning the sand control screen assembly downhole; and
selectively urging an inflatable seal member disposed within the at least one opening into sealing engagement with the at least one opening by providing an inflation fluid to the inflatable seal member from an inflation fluid source. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method for controlling the fluid flow through a sand control screen assembly comprising the steps of:
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providing the sand control screen assembly including a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow therethrough and a filter medium positioned about the exterior of the base pipe;
positioning the sand control screen assembly downhole;
radially expanding the sand control screen assembly donwhole; and
selectively urging an inflatable seal member disposed within the at least one opening into sealing engagement with the at least one opening by providing an inflation fluid to the inflatable seal member from an inflation fluid source. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. An expandable sand control screen assembly comprising:
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an expandable base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow therethrough;
an expandable filter medium positioned about the exterior of the base pipe, the filter medium allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow therethrough; and
a seal member operably associated with the at least one opening of the base pipe that controls fluid flow through the at least one opening of the base pipe. - View Dependent Claims (69, 70, 71)
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Specification