Screen assembly for a resource exploration system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017350218-A1
Application number	US-201615174464-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 6, 2016
Priority date	Jun 6, 2016
Publication date	Dec 7, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A screen assembly includes a tubular having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion including an outer surface provided with a plurality of openings extending therebetween. At least one screen arranged at the plurality of openings. At least two deformable members are mounted to the tubular between the first end and the second end. The at least two deformable members are selectively radially outwardly expandable relative to the at least one screen forming a plurality of screen compartments on the tubular, the plurality of screen compartments being substantially fluidically isolated from one another externally of the tubular.

First claim

1 . A screen assembly comprising:
a tubular including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion including an outer surface provided with a plurality of openings extending therebetween; at least one screen arranged at the plurality of openings; and at least two deformable members mounted to the tubular between the first end and the second end, the at least two deformable members being selectively radially outwardly expandable relative to the at least one screen forming a plurality of screen compartments on the tubular, the plurality of screen compartments being substantially fluidically isolated from one another externally of the tubular.

2 . The screen assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one screen includes an annular screen extending about the tubular, the annular screen including an outer surface section and an inner surface section.

3 . The screen assembly according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the at least two deformable members is mounted to the outer surface section of the annular screen.

4 . The screen assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the annular screen includes at least one swaged zone with the inner surface section of the annular screen abutting the outer surface of the tubular.

5 . The screen assembly according to claim 4 wherein the at least one of the at least two deformable members is arranged on the annular screen at the at least one swaged zone.

6 . The screen assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the at least two deformable members comprises portions of a deformable member extending between the first and second ends across all of the plurality of openings.

7 . The screen assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the portions of the deformable member define a plurality of passages that register with corresponding ones of the plurality openings.

8 . The screen assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one screen includes a plurality of screen members arranged in corresponding ones of the plurality of openings.

9 . The screen assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the plurality of screen members comprise at least one of a welded mesh, sintered beads and consolidated gravel.

10 . The screen assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two deformable members comprises at least three deformable members.

11 . A resource exploration system comprising:
an uphole portion; and a downhole portion including a plurality of tubulars, and a screen assembly connected to one of the plurality of tubulars, the screen assembly comprising:
a tubular including a first end coupled to the one of the plurality of tubulars, a second end, and an intermediate portion including an outer surface provided with a plurality of openings extending therebetween;
at least one screen arranged at the plurality of openings; and
at least two deformable members mounted to the tubular between the first end and the second end, the at least two deformable members being selectively radially outwardly expandable relative to the at least one screen forming a plurality of screen compartments on the tubular.

12 . The resource exploration system according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one screen includes an annular screen extending about the tubular, the annular screen including an outer surface section and an inner surface section.

13 . The resource exploration system according to claim 12 , wherein at least one of the at least two deformable members is mounted to the outer surface section of the annular screen.

14 . The resource exploration system according to claim 12 , wherein the annular screen includes at least one swaged zone with the inner surface section of the annular screen abutting the outer surface of the tubular.

15 . The resource exploration system according to claim 14 , wherein at least one of the at least two deformable members is arranged on the annular screen at the at least one swaged zone.

16 . The resource exploration system according to claim 11 , wherein the at least two deformable member comprises portions of a deformable member extending between the first and second ends across all of the plurality of openings.

17 . The resource exploration system according to claim 16 , wherein the portions of the deformable member define a plurality of passages that register with corresponding ones of the plurality openings.

18 . The resource exploration system according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one screen includes a plurality of screen members arranged in corresponding ones of the plurality of openings.

19 . The resource exploration system according to claim 18 , wherein the plurality of screen members comprise at least one of a welded mesh, sintered beads and consolidated gravel.

20 . A method of deploying a screen assembly comprising:
deploying a screen assembly including at least one screen coupled to a tubular; expanding at least two deformable members radially outwardly relative to the at least one screen toward a formation; and creating a plurality of screen compartments on the tubular with the at least two deformable members.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein creating the plurality of screen compartments includes creating a plurality of substantially fluidically isolated pockets externally of the tubular.

Assignees

• Malbrel Christophe
• Baker Hughes Inc

Inventors

• Malbrel Christophe

Classifications

• E21B43/086 Primary

  Screens with preformed openings, e.g. slotted liners (comprising porous materials E21B43/082) · CPC title

• E21B43/12 Primary

  Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells (E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00) · CPC title

• E21B33/1208

  characterised by the construction of the sealing or packing means (E21B33/1277 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B33/1277

  characterised by the construction or fixation of the sleeve · CPC title

• E21B33/12

  Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) · CPC title