Drainage Layers For Sand Control Screen Assemblies

• US 20170362921A1
• Filed: 11/16/2016
• Published: 12/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Chevron USA Incorporated (Chevron Corp.)
• Inventors: Kim, Namhyo, Lazo, Antonio, Lange, Elaine
• Granted Patent: US 10,450,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/08 Screens or liners expandable screens or liners E21B43/108
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/082 Screens comprising porous materials, e.g. prepacked screens
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/084 Screens comprising woven materials, e.g. mesh or cloth
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/086 Screens with preformed openings, e.g. slotted liners comprising porous materials E21B43/082

Abstract

A sand control screen assembly having a drainage layer that provides a controlled offset between the drainage layer and a filter medium and/or a base pipe. The sand control screen assembly also includes a protective shroud or jacket positioned about the filter medium. The sand control screen assembly can be utilized for preventing the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough and allowing the flow of production fluids therethrough.

Claims

1. A sand control screen assembly, comprising:

a base pipe having openings through a thickness of the pipe; and

a perforated drainage layer disposed about the base pipe, wherein the drainage layer comprises a plurality of protrusions extending from at least one of an inner surface or outer surface of the drainage layer.

2. The sand control screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the protrusions extend from the inner surface of the drainage layer, and provide substantially uniform radial spacing between the drainage layer and the base pipe.

3. The sand control screen assembly of claim 1, further comprising a filter medium positioned about the drainage layer.

4. The sand control screen assembly of claim 3, wherein the protrusions extend from the outer surface of the drainage layer, and provide substantially uniform radial spacing between the drainage layer and the filter medium.

5. The sand control screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are dimples.

6. The sand control screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the protrusions have an opening therethrough.

7. The sand control screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the protrusions have a profile shape configuration selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular, elliptical, oval, square, rectangular, quatrefoil, curvilinear triangular, trapezoidal, pentagon, hexagon, other polygons, asymmetrical, and the like.

8. The sand control screen assembly of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are formed by extrusion, stamping, or insertion of separate parts into perforations of the drainage layer.

9. A sand control screen assembly, comprising:

a base pipe having openings through a thickness of the pipe;

a drainage layer disposed about the base pipe; and

an offset means for providing a radial spacing relative to the drainage layer'"'"'s inner surface.

10. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the offset means extends from the inner surface of the drainage layer, and provide substantially uniform radial spacing between the drainage layer and the base pipe.

11. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the offset means is oriented longitudinally, circumferentially, or helically along the drainage layer'"'"'s inner surface.

12. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the offset means comprises a plurality of ribs.

13. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the offset means provides a radial spacing in a range of from about 0.01 inch to about 1.00 inch.

14. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the offset means has a profile shape configuration selected from the group consisting of triangular, elliptical, oval, square, rectangular, quatrefoil, curvilinear triangular, trapezoidal, pentagon, hexagon, other polygons, asymmetrical, and the like.

15. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the offset means is coupled to the inner surface of the drainage layer by welding or diffusion bonding.

16. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the offset means comprises one or more flow channels.

17. The sand control screen assembly of claim 16, wherein the flow channels have a profile shape configuration selected from the group consisting of arced, square, trapezoidal, other polygons, asymmetrical, and the like.

18. The sand control screen assembly of claim 16, wherein the size, number, frequency, and/or arrangement of the flow channels vary from one offset means to the next offset means.

19. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the drainage layer is perforated.

20. The sand control screen assembly of claim 9, wherein the drainage layer is a wire-wrapped porous medium.

21. A sand control screen assembly, comprising:

a base pipe having openings through a thickness of the base pipe;

a drainage layer having openings through a thickness of the drainage layer, wherein the drainage layer is disposed about the base pipe;

a filter medium disposed about the drainage layer; and

inserts positioned in one or more of the openings of the drainage layer.

22. The sand control screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the inserts provide a radial offset between the filter medium and the drainage layer.

23. The sand control screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the inserts provide a radial offset between the base pipe and the drainage layer.

24. The sand control screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the inserts include an internal opening allowing for flow communication from an exterior of the drainage layer to an interior of the drainage layer.

25. The sand control screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the inserts have a planar top view profile selected from the group consisting of triangular, floral, elliptical, oval, square, quatrefoil, curvilinear triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagon, hexagon, other polygons, asymmetrical, and the like.

26. The sand control screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the inserts are constructed using erodible materials with tracers and/or fibers, a same material as the drainage layer, a high temperature erosion resistant material, a coated or hardened material, plastics suitable for use as metal replacements, and the like.

27. The sand control screen assembly of claim 21, wherein the inserts are press-fit, bolted, or riveted into the openings of the drainage layer.