US6554064B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for a sand screen with integrated sensors
Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
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Filing: 2000-07-13
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Granted: 2003-04-29
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Expires: 2020-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Sensors are attached directly to portions of the sand screen of a gravel packing assembly, with connectors to the sensors run through elements of the screen that are hollow for that purpose. The hollow element can be the trapezoidal wire that is circumferentially wrapped to form the outer screen or one of the outer spacers used to provide a stand-off of the wire from the underlying tubing. Sensors can detect such conditions as pressure, temperature, flow rate, density, etc., and can provide real-time information on the effectiveness of gravel placement during packing and on well conditions during production.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry L. Restarick
- 👤 Clark E. Robison
- 👤 Roger L. Schultz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:36
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B17/00; E21B17/003; E21B17/02; E21B17/028; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B34/066; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/08; E21B43/088; E21B43/12; E21B47/00; E21B47/01; E21B47/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
A gravel pack comprising: a sand screen having an inner mandrel with at least one aperture therethrough, and an outer mesh separated from said mandrel by a spacer; and a sensor directly coupled to said sand screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A gravel pack comprising: a sand screen having an inner mandrel with at least one aperture therethrough, and an outer mesh separated from said mandrel by a spacer; and a sensor directly coupled to said sand screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein said sensor is coupled to said outer mesh.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein said sensor is coupled to said inner mandrel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 further comprises power means for powering the sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gravel pack of claim 4 wherein said power means comprises a battery coupled to the sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gravel pack of claim 4 wherein said power means comprises a conductor from the sensor to a surface power source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a pressure sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a temperature sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein the sensor comprises a sensor made of a piezo-electric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises a density meter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises an accelerometer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein said spacer comprises a plurality of rods.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The gravel pack of claim 12 wherein at least one rod is substantially hollow and contains a conductor coupled to the sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 wherein said outer mesh comprises a substantially hollow wire wrapped circumferentially around the spacer, wherein a conductor is located within said hollow wire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 further comprises a memory coupled to the sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 further comprises a microprocessor coupled to the sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 further comprises a transmitter coupled to the sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 further comprises a receiver coupled to the sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 further comprises a transceiver coupled to the sensor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 1 further comprises an actuator coupled to the sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The gravel pack of claim 20 wherein said actuator is a vibrator.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The gravel pack of claim 20 wherein said actuator is a hydraulically positionable piston.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The gravel pack of claim 20 wherein said gravel pack system is a single trip multi-zone gravel pack assembly.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of collecting data from a downhole environment comprising the steps of: (a) lowering a gravel pack assembly into the downhole environment; wherein a sensor is directly coupled to a sand screen which forms a portion of said gravel pack assembly; and (b) collecting data from the sensor.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of collecting data from a downhole environment comprising the steps of: (a) lowering a gravel pack assembly into the downhole environment; wherein a sensor is directly coupled to a sand screen which forms a portion of said gravel pack assembly; and (b) collecting data from the sensor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 wherein step (a) further comprises coupling the sensor to an outer screen of said sand screen.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 wherein step (a) further comprises coupling the sensor to an inner mandrel of said sand screen.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 24 wherein step (b) comprises coupling the sensor to a data collector with a conductor located in a hollow spacer between an outer mesh and an inner mandrel of the assembly.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 24 wherein step (b) comprises coupling the sensor to a data collector with a conductor located in a hollow wire wrapped around an inner mandrel of the assembly.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 24 further comprises: actuating a downhole device in response to a data signal from the sensor.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for placing sand around a gravel pack assembly including the steps of: (a) gathering data in real time from a sensor directly coupled to a sand screen of a gravel pack assembly; (b) flowing a sand suspended in a fluid into said assembly wherein sand is deposited between said sand screen and a formation; (c) actuating a vibrator that redistributes sand between said sand screen and the formation.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for placing sand around a gravel pack assembly including the steps of: (a) gathering data in real time from a sensor directly coupled to a sand screen of a gravel pack assembly; (b) flowing a sand suspended in a fluid into said assembly wherein sand is deposited between said sand screen and a formation; (c) actuating a vibrator that redistributes sand between said sand screen and the formation.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for modifying a production profile in a producing well including the steps of: (a) sensing a flow characteristic or a fluid parameters from sensors located on a sand screen in the well; wherein said sand screen is located adjacent to a production region; and (b) motivating an actuation system to reconfigure the flow area through the screen.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
59 words
A method for modifying a production profile in a producing well including the steps of: (a) sensing a flow characteristic or a fluid parameters from sensors located on a sand screen in the well; wherein said sand screen is located adjacent to a production region; and (b) motivating an actuation system to reconfigure the flow area through the screen.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 31 wherein step (b) further comprises hydraulically actuating a positionable sleeve; wherein said sleeve is slidable over a port in an inner mandrel of said sand screen.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
41 words
A device for use in the production of hydrocarbons from wells, said device comprising: a sand screen having a connection at one end for attachment to a tool string for a borehole; and a sensor directly attached to said sand screen.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
41 words
A device for use in the production of hydrocarbons from wells, said device comprising: a sand screen having a connection at one end for attachment to a tool string for a borehole; and a sensor directly attached to said sand screen.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 33 wherein said sensor is coupled to an outer mesh of said sand screen.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 33 wherein said sensor is coupled to an inner mandrel of said sand screen.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 33 further comprising a battery coupled to said sensor.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 33 further comprising a conductor from said sensor to a surface power source.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 33 wherein said sensor comprises one of a group consisting of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a density meter, and an accelerometer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 33 , wherein said sensor is coupled to one of a group consisting of a memory, a microprocessor, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, and an actuator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-04-28 | 2006-10-28 | 2007-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-28 | 2010-10-28 | 2011-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-28 | 2014-10-28 | 2015-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |