Apparatus for inspecting well screens and associated methods

摘要

Apparatus for inspecting well screens and associated methods of inspecting well screens provides accurate and convenient inspection of well screens. The methods and apparatus may also produce data useful in designing well completions. In a described embodiment, a method of inspecting a filtering portion of a well screen includes utilizing a light sensor to measure the intensity of light transmitted through the filtering portion. An array of fiber optic lines is arrayed about the filtering portion and interconnected to the sensor. A light source within the filtering portion and the array of fiber optic lines are displaced simultaneously along the filtering portion. The sensor is connected to an instrument, which indicates whether the measured light intensity is within an acceptable range. Furthermore, the measured light intensity may be related to a hydraulic resistance of the filtering portion.