US20190032457A1

US20190032457A1 - Sand screen for downhole operations

Info

Publication number: US20190032457A1
Application number: US16/046,534
Authority: US
Inventors: Christophe Malbrel
Original assignee: Baker Hughes Inc
Current assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2017-07-27
Filing date: 2018-07-26
Publication date: 2019-01-31
Also published as: WO2019023484A1

Abstract

A sand screen includes a tubular having an outer surface, and a plurality of filter features arranged on the tubular and defining a plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of filter features is defined by a plurality of louvers having an angled surface portion that extends axially along the tubular.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/537,729 filed Jul. 27, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In the resource recovery and exploration industry, it is often desirable to filter downhole fluids passing into a tubular. For example, it may be desirable to filter out larger sand particles while allowing fines to pass into the tubular. There are a variety of techniques employed to filter fluids passing into a tubular. Operators may employ gravel packing techniques or sand screens. Gravel packing techniques including packing a layer of gravel around a portion of the tubular. The layer of gravel acts as sieve allowing fines to pass into the tubular while entrapping larger sand particles. While effective, gravel packing is an expensive and time consuming process and thus a less desirable option.
Sand screens include one or more layers of mesh or other screening material arranged about a tubular. The tubular is positioned at a desired depth and production is initiated through the sand screen. The screening material may be selected to allow passage of some particles, such as fines, while preventing passage of other, larger, particles. Over time, the screening material may become clogged with an impermeable filter cake. Clogging of the screening material may result in a smaller flow area that could lead to hot spotting and, ultimately, screen failure.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a sand screen including a tubular having an outer surface, and a plurality of filter features arranged on the tubular and defining a plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of filter features is defined by a plurality of louvers having an angled surface portion that extends axially along the tubular.
Also disclosed is a sand screen including a tubular having an outer surface, and a plurality of filter features arranged on the tubular and defining a plurality of openings. The plurality of filter features is defined by a wire wrap having an outer surface portion having a compound surface including an angled surface portion that extends axially along the tubular.
Further discloses is a method of screening downhole fluids including directing the downhole fluids axially along a sand screen, passing the downhole fluids across a plurality of filter features that extend angularly outwardly of and axially along the sand screen, establishing a selected fluid velocity of the downhole fluid based on at least an angle of the filter feature and particulate in the downhole fluids, and guiding a portion of the particulate through openings defined between the plurality of filter features while excluding another portion of the particulate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 depicts a resource recovery and exploration system including a sand screen, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a tubular including a sand screen, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of a plurality of filter features of the sand screen of FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a tubular including a sand screen, in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a plurality of filter features of the sand screen of FIG. 4, in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
A resource recovery and exploration system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at 2, in FIG. 1. Resource exploration and recovery system 2 should be understood to include well drilling operations, resource extraction and recovery, CO₂sequestration, and the like. Resource exploration and recovery system 2 may include a surface system 4 operatively connected to a downhole system 6. Surface system 4 may include pumps 8 that aid in completion and/or extraction processes as well as fluid storage 10. Fluid storage 10 may contain a drilling fluid or completion fluid (not shown) or other fluid which may be introduced into downhole system 6.
Downhole system 6 may include a downhole string 20 formed from a plurality of tubulars, one of which is indicated at 21 that is extended into a wellbore 24 formed in formation 26. Wellbore 24 includes an annular wall 28. One of tubulars 21 includes a sand screen 40 having a plurality of filter features 44. Specifically, sand screen 40 and filter features 44 form part of a tubular 48. Filter features 44 are designed, as discussed herein, to allow fines to pass into downhole string 20 from formation 26 while excluding larger particles in a manner that reduces screen clogging and impermeable filter cake formation.
Reference will now follow to FIGS. 2 and 3 in describing sand screen 40 in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment. Filter features 44 may be take the form of a plurality of louvers (not separately labeled) defined by a plurality of raised portions 54 that define a corresponding plurality of openings 56. Each raised portion 54 includes an angled surface portion 58 that extends axially along, and angularly outwardly of, tubular 48. In accordance with an exemplary aspect, angled surface portion 58 extends at an angle 60 of between about 5° and about 45°. In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, angled surface portion 58 extends at an angle 60 of between about 15° and about 30°.
In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, fluid flow velocity along tubular 48 may be controlled based on the particular angle 60 of angled surface portion 58, aspects of the downhole fluid, and direction of flow. That is, depending on particle size, a ratio of fines relative to other particles or the like, and angle 60 of angled surface portion 58, a bean-up protocol may be established to create a selected tangential flow into tubular 48. The selected tangential flow ensures that fines in the downhole fluid pass into openings 56 while larger particles flow over angled surface portion 58 without creating an impermeable filter cake at sand screen 40.
Reference will now follow to FIGS. 4 and 5 in describing a sand screen 68 in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment. Sand screen 68 includes a plurality of filter features 70 supported by a tubular 74. Filter features 70 may be defined by a wire wrap (not separately labeled) bonded to a plurality of struts, one of which is indicated at 78, of tubular 74. Each of the plurality of filter features 70 is spaced from an adjacent filter feature to form an opening 79 and includes an outer surface portion 81 having a compound surface and an inner surface portion 83 that is defined by an apex of an angle 85 formed by a first side 87 and a second side 88.
First side 87 includes a first angled surface section 90 and a second angled surface section 91. Second side 88 includes a third angled surface section 93 and a fourth angled surface section 94. The particular angles formed by first and second, and third and fourth angled surface sections 90, 91 and 93, 94 may vary and could depend upon parameters of the downhole fluid.
In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, outer surface portion 81 includes a first angled surface portion 97 and a second angled surface portion 98. Second angled surface portion 98 extends axially along and angularly outwardly of tubular 74. In accordance with an exemplary aspect, second angled surface portion 98 extends at an angle 100 of between about 5° and about 45° relative to first angled surface portion 97 and/or tubular 74. In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, second angled surface portion 98 extends at an angle 100 of between about 15° and about 30°.
In a manner similar to that described above, flow velocity of downhole fluids along tubular 74 may be controlled based on the particular angle of second angled surface portion 98, aspects of the downhole fluid and direction of flow. That is, depending on particle size, a ratio of fines relative to other particles, or the like, and the angle of second angled surface portion 98, a bean-up protocol may be established to create a selected tangential flow into tubular 74. The selected tangential flow ensures that fines in the downhole fluid pass into openings 79 while larger particles flow over second angled surface portion 98 without creating an impermeable filter cake at sand screen 68.
The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value.
Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1

A sand screen comprising: a tubular having an outer surface; and a plurality of filter features arranged on the tubular and defining a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of filter features being defined by a plurality of louvers having an angled surface portion that extends axially along the tubular.

Embodiment 2

The sand screen according any prior embodiment, wherein the plurality of louvers include a plurality of raised portions that define a corresponding plurality of openings.

Embodiment 3

The sand screen according to any prior embodiment, wherein the plurality of raised portions extend at an angle of between about 5° and about 45° relative to the outer surface of the tubular.

Embodiment 4

The sand screen according to any prior embodiment, wherein the plurality of raised portions extend at an angle of between about 15° and about 30° relative to the outer surface of the tubular.

Embodiment 5

A sand screen comprising: a tubular having an outer surface; and a plurality of filter features arranged on the tubular and defining a plurality of openings, the plurality of filter features being defined by a wire wrap having an outer surface portion having a compound surface including an angled surface portion that extends axially along the tubular.

Embodiment 6

The sand screen according to any prior embodiment, wherein the compound surface of the outer surface of the wire wrap includes an outer surface portion having a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the second angled surface portion extending at an angle of between about 5° and about 45° relative to the first angled surface portion.

Embodiment 7

The sand screen according to any prior embodiment, wherein compound surface of the outer surface of the wire wrap includes an outer surface portion having a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the second angled surface portion extending at an angle of between about 15° and about 30° relative to the first angled surface portion.

Embodiment 8

The sand screen according to any prior embodiment, wherein the wire wrap includes an inner surface portion, a first side extending between the inner surface portion and the outer surface portion, and a second side extending between the inner surface portion and the outer surface portion.

Embodiment 9

The sand screen according to any prior embodiment, wherein the first side includes a first angled surface section and a second angled surface section distinct from the first angled surface section, and the second side includes a third angled surface section and a fourth angled surface section distinct from the third angled surface section.

Embodiment 10

A method of screening downhole fluids comprising: directing the downhole fluids axially along a sand screen; passing the downhole fluids across a plurality of filter features that extend angularly outwardly of and axially along the sand screen; establishing a selected fluid velocity of the downhole fluid based on at least an angle of the plurality of filter features and particulate in the downhole fluids; and guiding a portion of the particulate through openings defined between the plurality of filter features while excluding another portion of the particulate.

Embodiment 11

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over louvers defined by raised portions that extend outwardly from an outer surface of a tubular at an angle of between about 5° and about 45°.

Embodiment 12

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over raised portions that extend outwardly from an outer surface of a tubular at an angle of between about 15° and about 30°

Embodiment 13

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids into a compound outer surface portion including an angled surface portion that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a tubular at an angle of between about 5° and about 45°.

Embodiment 14

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids into an outer surface portion having a compound surface including an angled surface portion that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a tubular at an angle of between about 15° and about 30°.

Embodiment 15

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over an outer surface portion of a wire wrap having a compound surface including a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the first angled surface portion being at an angle of between about 5° and about 45° relative to the second angled surface portion, the flow of fluids passing from the second angled surface portion towards the first angled surface portion.

Embodiment 16

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over an outer surface portion of a wire wrap having a compound surface including a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the first angled surface portion being at an angle of between about 15° and about 30° relative to the second angled surface portion, the flow of fluids passing from the second angled surface portion towards the first angled surface portion.

Embodiment 17

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over an outer surface portion or a wire wrap having a compound surface including a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the first angled surface portion being at an angle of between about 5° and about 45° relative to the second angled surface portion, the flow of fluids passing from the first angled surface portion towards the second angled surface portion.

Embodiment 18

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over an outer surface portion of a wire wrap having a compound surface including a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the first angled surface portion being at an angle of between about 15° and about 30° relative to the second angled surface portion, the flow of fluids passing from the first angled surface portion towards the second angled surface portion.

Embodiment 19

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein passing the downhole fluids across the plurality of filter features creates a bean-up protocol establishing a tangential flow that passes into openings of the sand screen.

Embodiment 20

The method of any prior embodiment, wherein the tangential flow directs fines in the downhole fluid into openings and excludes larger particles from the openings without creating an impermeable filter cake at the sand screen.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sand screen comprising:

a tubular having an outer surface; and

a plurality of filter features arranged on the tubular and defining a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of filter features being defined by a plurality of louvers having an angled surface portion that extends axially along the tubular.

2. The sand screen according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of louvers include a plurality of raised portions that define a corresponding plurality of openings.

3. The sand screen according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of raised portions extend at an angle of between about 5° and about 45° relative to the outer surface of the tubular.

4. The sand screen according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of raised portions extend at an angle of between about 15° and about 30° relative to the outer surface of the tubular.

5. A sand screen comprising:

a tubular having an outer surface; and

a plurality of filter features arranged on the tubular and defining a plurality of openings, the plurality of filter features being defined by a wire wrap having an outer surface portion having a compound surface including an angled surface portion that extends axially along the tubular.

6. The sand screen according to claim 5, wherein the compound surface of the outer surface of the wire wrap includes an outer surface portion having a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the second angled surface portion extending at an angle of between about 5° and about 45° relative to the first angled surface portion.

7. The sand screen according to claim 6, wherein compound surface of the outer surface of the wire wrap includes an outer surface portion having a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the second angled surface portion extending at an angle of between about 15° and about 30° relative to the first angled surface portion.

8. The sand screen according to claim 6, wherein the wire wrap includes an inner surface portion, a first side extending between the inner surface portion and the outer surface portion, and a second side extending between the inner surface portion and the outer surface portion.

9. The sand screen according to claim 8, wherein the first side includes a first angled surface section and a second angled surface section distinct from the first angled surface section, and the second side includes a third angled surface section and a fourth angled surface section distinct from the third angled surface section.

10. A method of screening downhole fluids comprising:

directing the downhole fluids axially along a sand screen;

passing the downhole fluids across a plurality of filter features that extend angularly outwardly of and axially along the sand screen;

establishing a selected fluid velocity of the downhole fluid based on at least an angle of the plurality of filter features and particulate in the downhole fluids; and

guiding a portion of the particulate through openings defined between the plurality of filter features while excluding another portion of the particulate.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over louvers defined by raised portions that extend outwardly from an outer surface of a tubular at an angle of between about 5° and about 45°.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over raised portions that extend outwardly from an outer surface of a tubular at an angle of between about 15° and about 30°.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids into a compound outer surface portion including an angled surface portion that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a tubular at an angle of between about 5° and about 45°.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids into an outer surface portion having a compound surface including an angled surface portion that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a tubular at an angle of between about 15° and about 30°.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over an outer surface portion of a wire wrap having a compound surface including a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the first angled surface portion being at an angle of between about 5° and about 45° relative to the second angled surface portion, the flow of fluids passing from the second angled surface portion towards the first angled surface portion.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over an outer surface portion of a wire wrap having a compound surface including a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the first angled surface portion being at an angle of between about 15° and about 30° relative to the second angled surface portion, the flow of fluids passing from the second angled surface portion towards the first angled surface portion.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over an outer surface portion or a wire wrap having a compound surface including a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the first angled surface portion being at an angle of between about 5° and about 45° relative to the second angled surface portion, the flow of fluids passing from the first angled surface portion towards the second angled surface portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein directing the downhole fluids along the sand screen includes directing the downhole fluids over an outer surface portion of a wire wrap having a compound surface including a first angled surface portion and a second angled surface portion, the first angled surface portion being at an angle of between about 15° and about 30° relative to the second angled surface portion, the flow of fluids passing from the first angled surface portion towards the second angled surface portion.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein passing the downhole fluids across the plurality of filter features creates a bean-up protocol establishing a tangential flow that passes into openings of the sand screen.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the tangential flow directs fines in the downhole fluid into openings and excludes larger particles from the openings without creating an impermeable filter cake at the sand screen.