Well Screen and Method of Manufacturing

摘要

Disclosed herein is a screen for use in a subterranean location in a wellbore to filter solid materials from the hydrocarbons produced into the wellbore. The screen has a base pipe with inner and outer concentric shrouds mounted thereon. A sheet of filter screen mesh material is located in the annular space between the shrouds with its longitudinally extending edges unattached and overlapping a critical amount. The annular space is selected to be of a size such that the screen has is confined in a minimum space whereby hydrocarbon flow between the overlapping edges is closed off.

主权项

1. A screen assembly for connection in a tubing string at a subterranean location in a wellbore to filter solids from liquids, comprising:
an elongated, perforated base pipe, having means for connection to a tubing string; a cylindrical screen; an elongated, perforated inner support for the screen; the cylindrical screen comprising sheet material wrapped around the inner screen support with longitudinally-extending edges overlapping a circumferential distance R; an outer shroud of perforated tubular material positioned around the screen; the distance R is at least about one inch; and the maximum diametrical gap between the inner screen support and outer shroud is defined according to the following formula: CS=(DO−DI)−3T−2DLT,wherein:
CS is no greater than about one fourth of an inch; DO represents the inner diameter of the outer shroud; DI represents the outer diameter of the inner screen support; T represents a cross-section thickness of the screen; and DLT represents the total thickness of any and all drainage layers in the annular space between the inner support and outer shrouds.