Baker Hughes Corporation

John Todd Broome

Elmer R Peterson

Benn A Voll

Rick Peterson

Bennett M Richard

John Lindley Baugh

Don N Simoneaux

Kendall R Dyson

Simon Angelle

Ken Dyson

Yusheng Yuan

Knut Henriksen

Michael J Naquin, Sr

Jim Goodson

Gary Corbett

Matt Falgout

Matthew P Falgout

Chad J Abadie

Donald C Gossen

A particulate exculder tool includes a basepipe having one or more retention features; a screen jacket disposed radially outwardly of the basepipe; one or more end housings at the screen jacket; and a deformable element disposed between a portion of the one or more end housings and one or of the one or more retention features and method.

Mechanically coupled screen and method

An assembly method for a downhole screen is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the filtration layer is slipped over a perforated base pipe and an expansion technique is used to increase the base pipe diameter to the point where, preferably, an interference fit exists. The expansion can be fully underneath the filtration layer or can be done in discrete zones. The finished assembly can still be expanded further downhole, such as, for example, in open hole completions. An outer protective shroud can be employed over the filtration layer when the expansion of the base pipe occurs.

Method for manufacturing a screen for downhole use

The invention involves the use of a base pipe perforated only in a specific section under each screen section. Inflow comes through an outer shroud that is optional and goes through the screen material and into an annular space between the screen material and the unperforated base pipe. After traveling longitudinally in that annular space, the flow must go through a restriction that preferably comprises a porous media in a passage defined outside the still unperforated base pipe. After passing through the porous media in a particular screen section, the flow can pass through openings in the base pipe. A surrounding ring preferably protects the porous media during run in and expansion and can also optionally create additional resistance to flow to work in tandem with the porous media. Other flow restricting techniques in place of the porous media are contemplated.

Expandable flow control device

A gravel pack screen assembly has one or more hollow flight augers that a continuous or segmented with multiple upwardly oriented gravel entrances and multiple downwardly oriented gravel exits. The gravel passes through the auger and around any bridge. The auger helps advance the screen into position as well as to centralize it during gravel deposition. The auger protects the screen during run in as well as the internal passages that pass through it due to its structural rigidity. An alternative embodiment features spirally wound tubes with staggered exit locations for better distribution of the gravel.

Alternate path auger screen

A gravel packing method combining fracturing is described. A gun having an exterior auger is used to perforate. With the gun in place, the gravel is positioned around it and the formation is fractured, pushing the gravel into the fractures. The gun is rotated out of the gravel using the auger. A screen with an external auger is run in and rotated into the packed gravel in the wellbore while being vibrated at the same time. After the screen is advanced into position the vibrator is removed and a flapper closes to minimize fluid loss into the formation. A production string and packer are tagged into the screen and production begins.

Gravel packing method using vibration and hydraulic fracturing

Circulation flow apertures in a wellbore pipe, tubing, casing or casing liner screen may be selectively closed by an internal pipe sleeve that is formed of a thin, malleable material. One axial end of the sleeve is flared and secured to the inner bore surface of the pipe as by welding or by clamping between the ends of axially adjacent pipe joints joined by a threaded coupling. The remaining length of the sleeve extends along the pipe and over any pipe apertures to form an annular space between the outer cylinder surface of the sleeve and the inner bore surface of the pipe. A perimeter seal element such as an O-ring is placed around the sleeve outer perimeter beyond the apertures in a direction opposite from the sleeve flare. The flow aperture in the pipe is closed by a swaging tool that expands the sleeve against the pipe bore wall sufficiently to close the annulus and compress the O-ring seal against the pipe borewall.

Gravel pack expanding valve

A downhole completion method and an expandable filtration apparatus are disclosed. The filter assembly comprises a plurality of layers beginning with a coated perforated base pipe. The coating reduces the force required for expansion. A drainage layer overlays the base pipe with the filtration layer above it. The drainage layer improves flow through the filtration layer and protects it from burrs in the base pipe. A filtration enhancement layer fits over the filtration layer and an outer shroud protects the assembly during run in. The assembly can be used as made or expanded downhole in one or a series of expansions.

Multi-layer screen and downhole completion method

Three embodiments of an expandable screen are described. In the preferred embodiment, the base layer, filtering layer, and outer layer are joined together in a sintering furnace in the form of a flat sheet which is in turn rolled up. The layered sheet is then formed into a tube by rolling it to make a longitudinal or spiral joint which is welded with connections placed on ends. In an alternative embodiment, the base layer and filtering layer are sintered together and formed into a tube which is in turn inserted into an outer protective tube. In a third embodiment, a base pipe is perforated and its exterior surface threaded. A wire runs through the threads with a protective jacket over the underlying assembly. Upon expansion, the opening sizes remain relatively constant.

Well completion method and apparatus

A method and apparatus for manufacturing any given length of a completion filter assembly is described. An outer perforated jacket is assembled over the filter media, which is itself placed over a coarse support screen or drainage layer. In the preferred embodiment, the drainage layer and outer jacket have end rings such that when advanced through a die are pushed together with the filter media in between to effect a seal of the subassembly. The subassembly can then be placed on a support pipe which is perforated, and if metallic, the end rings are welded to the support pipe to complete the assembly. Optionally, many of the components can be made of materials which lend buoyancy to the assembly so that when it is advanced into a long lateral, it will float to assist in its proper positioning.

Growing community of inventors

The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

John Todd Broome