Gravel pack screen having retention means and fluid permeable particulate solids

Claim 1

An apparatus for use on a subterranean well conduit to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean. well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said fluid passages in said outer housing being sized to prevent effectively all of said particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing exteriorly through said housing and into said well at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member.

Claim 2

An apparatus for use on a subterranean well conduit to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean. well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said fluid passages in said outer housing being sized to prevent effectively all of said particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing exteriorly through said housing and into said well at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member.

Claim 16

A method of gravel packing a subterranean oil or gas well, to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising the steps of: (1) introducing into said well a subterranean well conduit having disposed thereon at least one well packer apparatus and at least one gravel packing apparatus, said gravel packing apparatus comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said fluid passages in said outer housing being sized to prevent effectively all of said particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing exteriorly through said housing and into said well, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member, (2) placing said gravel packing apparatus adjacent a production zone in said well; (3) setting said well packer; and (4) introducing a carrier fluid containing a particulate matter into said well conduit for placement of said particulate matter exterior of said well conduit and adjacent said production formation.

Claim 17

A method of gravel packing a subterranean oil or gas well, to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising the steps of: (1) introducing into said well a subterranean well conduit having disposed thereon at least one well packer apparatus and at least one gravel packing apparatus, said gravel packing apparatus comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said fluid passages in said outer housing being sized to prevent effectively all of said particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing exteriorly through said housing and into said well, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member, (2) placing said gravel packing apparatus adjacent a production zone in said well; (3) setting said well packer; and (4) introducing a carrier fluid containing a particulate matter into said well conduit for placement of said particulate matter exterior of said well conduit and adjacent said production formation.

Claim 18

A method of gravel packing a subterranean oil or gas well, comprising the steps of: (1) introducing into the well a conduit having a gravel packing apparatus thereon, said gravel packing apparatus comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said fluid passages in said outer housing being sized to prevent effectively all of said particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing exteriorly through said housing and into said well, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less-than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member, (2) postitioning said conduit in said well such that said gravel packing apparatus is disposed in said well adjacent a hydrocarbon production zone in said well; and (3) flowing fluid through said well and into said gravel packing apparatus and said conduit to the top of the well such that fluid produced from said well and into said conduit does not contain particulate matter of a pre-determinable size.

Claim 19

A method of gravel packing a subterranean oil or gas well, comprising the steps of: (1) introducing into the well a conduit having a gravel packing apparatus thereon, said gravel packing apparatus comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said fluid passages in said outer housing being sized to prevent effectively all of said particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing exteriorly through said housing and into said well, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less-than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member, (2) postitioning said conduit in said well such that said gravel packing apparatus is disposed in said well adjacent a hydrocarbon production zone in said well; and (3) flowing fluid through said well and into said gravel packing apparatus and said conduit to the top of the well such that fluid produced from said well and into said conduit does not contain particulate matter of a pre-determinable size.

Claim 20

An apparatus for use in a subterranean well conduit to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said fluid passages in said outer housing being sized to prevent effectively all of said particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing exteriorly through said housing and into said well, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member.

Claim 21

An apparatus for use in a subterranean well conduit to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said fluid passages in said outer housing being sized to prevent effectively all of said particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing exteriorly through said housing and into said well, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member.

Claim 22

An apparatus for use on a subterranean well conduit to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention mesh means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member.

Claim 23

An apparatus for use on a subterranean well conduit to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention mesh means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member.

Claim 24

A method of gravel packing a subterranean oil or gas well, to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising the steps of: (1) introducing into said well a subterranean well conduit having disposed thereon at least one well packer apparatus and at least one gravel packing apparatus, said gravel packing apparatus comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention mesh means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member, (2) placing said gravel packing apparatus adjacent a production zone in said well; (3) setting said well packer; and (4) introducing a carrier fluid containing a particulate matter into said well conduit for placement of said particulate matter exterior of said well conduit and adjacent said production formation.

Claim 25

A method of gravel packing a subterranean oil or gas well, to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising the steps of: (1) introducing into said well a subterranean well conduit having disposed thereon at least one well packer apparatus and at least one gravel packing apparatus, said gravel packing apparatus comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention mesh means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member, (2) placing said gravel packing apparatus adjacent a production zone in said well; (3) setting said well packer; and (4) introducing a carrier fluid containing a particulate matter into said well conduit for placement of said particulate matter exterior of said well conduit and adjacent said production formation.

Claim 26

A method of gravel packing a subterranean oil or gas well, comprising the steps of: (1) introducing into the well a conduit having a gravel packing apparatus thereon, said gravel packing apparatus comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member, (2) postitioning said conduit in said well such that said gravel packing apparatus is disposed in said well adjacent a hydrocarbon production zone in said well; and (3) flowing fluid through said well and into said gravel packing apparatus and said conduit to the top of the well such that fluid produced from said well and into said conduit does not contain particulate matter of a pre-determinable size.

Claim 27

A method of gravel packing a subterranean oil or gas well, comprising the steps of: (1) introducing into the well a conduit having a gravel packing apparatus thereon, said gravel packing apparatus comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, at least one of said inner tubular member and said fluid permeable housing being securable at at least one of its respective ends to the subterranean well conduit, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfaces circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member, (2) postitioning said conduit in said well such that said gravel packing apparatus is disposed in said well adjacent a hydrocarbon production zone in said well; and (3) flowing fluid through said well and into said gravel packing apparatus and said conduit to the top of the well such that fluid produced from said well and into said conduit does not contain particulate matter of a pre-determinable size.

Claim 28

An apparatus for use in a subterranean well conduit to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention mesh means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfacing circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member.

Claim 29

An apparatus for use in a subterranean well conduit to prevent particulate matter in said well of a pre-determinable size from passing into said conduit with the well production fluids, comprising: a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall; a fluid flow passageway defined within the interior wall of said tubular member; fluid flow passage means extending from the interior of said tubular member through the exterior wall of said tubular member and in communication with said fluid flow passageway; retention means disposed around the exterior wall of said tubular member and passing across said fluid flow passage means, and having fluid flow openings therethrough; a fluid permeable bed of particulate solids around the exterior of said retention means sized to prevent effectively all such particulate matter in said well from passing inwardly with the production fluids through said fluid permeable bed and through said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway when said conduit and said apparatus are positioned within said subterranean well, whereby said openings in said retention means are sized to prevent the particulate solids of said fluid permeable bed from passing into said fluid flow passage means and into said fluid flow passageway and further sized to permit any particulate matter in said well passing through said fluid permeable bed to pass through the retention mesh means and through the subterranean well conduit; and a circumferentially shaped outer fluid permeable housing positioned around the exterior of said fluid permeable bed and having fluid passages therethrough for transmission of the production fluids within said well through said housing, said retention means having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing and directly interfacing circumferentially around and on and is directly secured to the inner tubular member.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claims 1, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 wherein the retention means has a cross-sectional area of no more than about 50% of the cross-sectional area of the outer fluid permeable housing.