Sand control screen and installation method for wells
US5320178A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/11
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A sand control screen is installed in a well by interposing the screen in a drillstring having a retrievable bit and drive motor. The screen is drilled into place with the distal end of the drillstring and remains in the wellbore. The drillstring may be disconnected from a bottom hole assembly comprising the screen and the distal end of the drillstring and replaced by a tubing string having a packer or other external seal member interposed therein for sealing one portion of the wellbore from another. The sand control screen has a basepipe with plural apertures temporarily closed plugs which are threadedly or force-fit in the apertures. The plugs may be formed of a meltable or dissolvable fiber reinforced wax, for example, or an active metal which may be dissolved by an acid or caustic solution. The screen may also include a temporary plugging medium such as wax in the interstices of the screen sleeve to prevent accumulation of drilling fluid solids during insertion in the wellbore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.