US6581689B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Screen assembly and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore
Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
•
Filing: 2001-06-28
•
Granted: 2003-06-24
•
Expires: 2021-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A screen assembly ( 60 ) comprises a base pipe ( 62 ) having perforated and nonperforated sections ( 66, 68 ), ribs ( 70 ) circumferentially spaced therearound and a filter medium ( 84 ) positioned around the ribs ( 70 ) having voids ( 92, 94 ) therethrough. The screen assembly ( 60 ) includes a slurry passageway ( 98 ) defined by the nonperforated section ( 68 ) of the base pipe ( 62 ), two of the ribs ( 70 ) and the portion ( 100 ) of the filter medium ( 84 ) that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section ( 68 ). This portion ( 100 ) of the filter medium ( 84 ) has a filler material ( 96 ) disposed within the voids ( 92, 94 ) to create a fluid tight seal for a fluid slurry. The fluid slurry is discharged from the screen assembly ( 60 ) to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports ( 106 ) in a plurality of manifolds ( 102 ) when the screen assembly ( 60 ) is in an operable position.
Inventors
- 👤 Travis T. Hailey, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:02
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04; E21B43/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: Image Page 2 a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section; a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced around and axially extending along the exterior surface of the base pipe, two of the ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe; a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough; a filler material disposed within a portion of the voids that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, thereby forming a slurry passageway bounded by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the two ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and the portion of the filter medium and the filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe; and a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with the slurry passageway, the manifolds deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: Image Page 2 a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section; a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced around and axially extending along the exterior surface of the base pipe, two of the ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe; a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough; a filler material disposed within a portion of the voids that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, thereby forming a slurry passageway bounded by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the two ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and the portion of the filter medium and the filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe; and a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with the slurry passageway, the manifolds deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of the manifolds is positioned between sections of the slurry passageway and wherein a tube extends from the manifolds into each section of the slurry passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the exit ports of the manifolds are not circumferentially aligned with the slurry passageway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the exit ports of the manifolds are circumferentially aligned with the slurry passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the ribs have a substantially triangular cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the base pipe further comprises a plurality of perforated sections and a plurality of nonperforated sections, wherein two of the ribs are positioned within each of the nonperforated sections and wherein the filler material is disposed within the portions of the voids that are circumferentially aligned with each nonperforated section, thereby forming a plurality of slurry passageways.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the screen assembly further comprises a plurality of sand control screens each including a portion of the slurry passageway and wherein one of the manifolds is positioned between each of the sand control screens providing fluid communication between the portions of the slurry passageway of adjacent sand control screens and delivering the fluid slurry into the interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the filter medium is a screen wire wrapped around the ribs and wherein the voids are gaps between adjacent turns of the screen wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
192 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section; a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced around and axially extending along the exterior surface of the base pipe, two of the ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe; a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough; a filler material disposed within a portion of the voids that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, thereby forming a slurry passageway bounded by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the two ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and the portion of the filter medium and the filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe; and a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with the slurry passageway, the manifolds deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports that are not circumferentially aligned with the slurry passageway when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
192 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section; a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced around and axially extending along the exterior surface of the base pipe, two of the ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe; a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough; a filler material disposed within a portion of the voids that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, thereby forming a slurry passageway bounded by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the two ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and the portion of the filter medium and the filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe; and a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with the slurry passageway, the manifolds deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports that are not circumferentially aligned with the slurry passageway when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein each of the manifolds is positioned between sections of the slurry passageway and wherein a tube extends from the manifolds into each section of the slurry passageway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the ribs have a substantially triangular cross section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the base pipe further comprises a plurality of perforated sections and a plurality of nonperforated sections, wherein two of the ribs are positioned within each of the nonperforated sections and wherein the filler material is disposed within the portions of the voids that are circumferentially aligned with each nonperforated section, thereby forming a plurality of slurry passageways.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the screen assembly further comprises a plurality of sand control screens each including a portion of the slurry passageway and wherein one of the manifolds is positioned between each of the sand control screens providing fluid communication between the portions of the slurry passageway of adjacent sand control screens and delivering the fluid slurry into the interval.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the filter medium is a screen wire wrapped around the ribs and wherein the voids are gaps between adjacent turns of the screen wire.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
188 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section; a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced around and axially extending along the exterior surface of the base pipe, two of the ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe; a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough; a filler material disposed within a portion of the voids that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section, thereby forming a slurry passageway bounded by the nonperforated section, the two ribs positioned within the nonperforated section and the portion of the filter medium and the filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section; a plurality of tubes selectively positioned within the slurry passageway; and a plurality of exit ports through the filter medium, the filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section and the tubes to deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
188 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section; a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced around and axially extending along the exterior surface of the base pipe, two of the ribs positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe; a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough; a filler material disposed within a portion of the voids that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section, thereby forming a slurry passageway bounded by the nonperforated section, the two ribs positioned within the nonperforated section and the portion of the filter medium and the filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section; a plurality of tubes selectively positioned within the slurry passageway; and a plurality of exit ports through the filter medium, the filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section and the tubes to deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein the ribs have a substantially triangular cross section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein the base pipe further comprises a plurality of perforated sections and a plurality of nonperforated sections, wherein two of the ribs are positioned within each of the nonperforated sections and wherein the filler material is disposed within the portions of the voids that are circumferentially aligned with each nonperforated section, thereby forming a plurality of slurry passageways.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein the screen assembly further comprises a plurality of sand control screens each including a portion of the slurry passageway and wherein a manifold is positioned between each of the sand control screens providing fluid communication between the portions of the slurry passageway of adjacent sand control screens and delivering the fluid slurry into the interval.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The screen assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein the filter medium is a screen wire wrapped around the ribs and wherein the voids are gaps between adjacent turns of the screen wire.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; positioning a sand control screen assembly within the wellbore, the screen assembly including a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section, a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced therearound and a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough, the screen assembly also includes a slurry passageway defined by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, two of the ribs which are positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and a portion of the filter medium that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the voids in the portion having a filler material disposed therein; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the screen assembly through exit ports in manifolds that are in fluid communication with the slurry passageway at a plurality of levels of the interval; and terminating the injecting.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; positioning a sand control screen assembly within the wellbore, the screen assembly including a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section, a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced therearound and a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough, the screen assembly also includes a slurry passageway defined by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, two of the ribs which are positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and a portion of the filter medium that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the voids in the portion having a filler material disposed therein; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the screen assembly through exit ports in manifolds that are in fluid communication with the slurry passageway at a plurality of levels of the interval; and terminating the injecting.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as recited in claim 20 further comprising the step of positioning at least some of the manifolds between sections of the slurry passageway within each of the sand control screens of the screen assembly and extending a tube from each of the manifolds into each section of the slurry passageway.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 20 further comprising the step of circumferentially misaligning the exit ports of the manifolds with the slurry passageway.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 20 further comprising the step of circumferentially aligning the exit ports of the manifolds with the slurry passageway.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 20 wherein the ribs have a substantially triangular cross section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method as recited in claim 20 wherein the step of injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway further comprises injecting the fluid slurry containing gravel through a plurality of slurry passageways, each slurry passageway being defined by one of a plurality of nonperforated sections, a pair of the ribs positioned within each of the nonperforated sections and the portions of the filter medium having filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with each nonperforated section.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method as recited in claim 20 wherein the step of positioning a screen assembly within the wellbore further comprises: positioning a screen assembly within the wellbore that includes a plurality of sand control screens each including a portion of the slurry passageway; positioning one of the manifolds between each of the sand control screens; providing fluid communication between the portions of the slurry passageway of adjacent sand control screens through the manifolds; and delivering the fluid slurry into the interval from the manifolds.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; positioning a sand control screen assembly within the wellbore, the screen assembly including a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section, a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced therearound and a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough, the screen assembly also includes a slurry passageway defined by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, two of the ribs which are positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and a portion of the filter medium that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the voids in the portion having a filler material disposed therein; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the screen assembly through exit ports in manifolds that are not circumferentially aligned with the slurry passageway at a plurality of levels of the interval; and terminating the injecting.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; positioning a sand control screen assembly within the wellbore, the screen assembly including a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section, a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced therearound and a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough, the screen assembly also includes a slurry passageway defined by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, two of the ribs which are positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and a portion of the filter medium that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the voids in the portion having a filler material disposed therein; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the screen assembly through exit ports in manifolds that are not circumferentially aligned with the slurry passageway at a plurality of levels of the interval; and terminating the injecting.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as recited in claim 27 further comprising the step of positioning at least some of the manifolds between sections of the slurry passageway within each sand control screen of the screen assembly and extending a tube from the manifolds into each section of the slurry passageway.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 27 wherein the ribs have a substantially triangular cross section.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method as recited in claim 27 wherein the step of injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway further comprises injecting the fluid slurry containing gravel through a plurality of slurry passageways, each slurry passageway being defined by one of a plurality of nonperforated sections, a pair of the ribs positioned within each of the nonperforated sections and the portions of the filter medium having filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with each nonperforated section.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method as recited in claim 27 wherein the step of positioning a screen assembly within the wellbore further comprises: positioning a screen assembly within the wellbore that includes a plurality of sand control screens each including a portion of the slurry passageway; positioning one of the manifolds between each of the sand control screens; providing fluid communication between the portions of the slurry passageway of adjacent sand control screens through the manifolds; and delivering the fluid slurry into the interval from the manifolds.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; positioning a sand control screen assembly within the wellbore, the screen assembly including a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section, a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced therearound and a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough, the screen assembly also includes a slurry passageway defined by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, two of the ribs which are positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and a portion of the filter medium that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the voids in the portion having a filler material disposed therein; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the screen assembly through exit ports in the filter medium and filler material at a plurality of levels of the interval; and terminating the injecting.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: traversing a formation with the wellbore; positioning a sand control screen assembly within the wellbore, the screen assembly including a base pipe having a perforated section and a nonperforated section, a plurality of ribs circumferentially spaced therearound and a filter medium positioned around the plurality of ribs having voids therethrough, the screen assembly also includes a slurry passageway defined by the nonperforated section of the base pipe, two of the ribs which are positioned within the nonperforated section of the base pipe and a portion of the filter medium that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section of the base pipe, the voids in the portion having a filler material disposed therein; injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway such that the fluid slurry exits the screen assembly through exit ports in the filter medium and filler material at a plurality of levels of the interval; and terminating the injecting.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 32 further comprising the step of positioning tubes within the slurry passageway at the locations of the exit ports and extending the exit ports through the tubes.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 33 wherein the ribs have a substantially triangular cross section.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method as recited in claim 33 wherein the step of injecting a fluid slurry containing gravel through the slurry passageway further comprises injecting the fluid slurry containing gravel through a plurality of slurry passageways, each slurry passageway being defined by one of a plurality of nonperforated sections in the base pipe, a pair of the ribs positioned within each of the nonperforated sections and the portions of the filter medium having filler material in the voids that are circumferentially aligned with each nonperforated section.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method as recited in claim 33 wherein the step of positioning a screen assembly within the wellbore further comprises: positioning a screen assembly within the wellbore that includes a plurality of sand control screens each including a portion of the slurry passageway; positioning one of the manifolds between each of the sand control screens; providing fluid communication between the portions of the slurry passageway of adjacent sand control screens through the manifolds; and delivering the fluid slurry into the interval from the manifolds.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
83 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a base pipe having a plurality of openings; a filter medium positioned around the base pipe; a slurry passageway positioned between the base pipe and the filter medium; and a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with the slurry passageway, the manifolds deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
83 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a base pipe having a plurality of openings; a filter medium positioned around the base pipe; a slurry passageway positioned between the base pipe and the filter medium; and a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with the slurry passageway, the manifolds deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
92 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a base pipe having a plurality of openings; a filter medium positioned around the base pipe; a slurry passageway positioned between the base pipe and the filter medium; and a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with the slurry passageway, the manifolds deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports that are not circumferentially aligned with the slurry passageway when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
92 words
A sand control screen assembly for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore, the screen assembly comprising: a base pipe having a plurality of openings; a filter medium positioned around the base pipe; a slurry passageway positioned between the base pipe and the filter medium; and a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with the slurry passageway, the manifolds deliver a fluid slurry to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports that are not circumferentially aligned with the slurry passageway when the screen assembly is in an operable position.
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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) | 2006-06-23 | 2006-12-23 | 2007-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-23 | 2010-12-23 | 2011-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-23 | 2014-12-23 | 2015-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |