U.S. patent application number 16/158335 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-18 for adjustable opening size filtration configuration and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Bengisu Abramsky, Hoi Yin Leung, John B. Nixon, Gbenga Osunjaye, Richard Wayne Purvis, John Wakefield. Invention is credited to Bengisu Abramsky, Hoi Yin Leung, John B. Nixon, Gbenga Osunjaye, Richard Wayne Purvis, John Wakefield.
Application Number | 20190112900 16/158335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66097374 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190112900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Osunjaye; Gbenga ; et
al. |
April 18, 2019 |
ADJUSTABLE OPENING SIZE FILTRATION CONFIGURATION AND METHOD
Abstract
An adjustable pore size filtration configuration including a
first filtration media having openings, a second filtration media
having openings, the first filtration media being selectively
movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively
fixable relative to the second filtration media to adjust a degree
of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the
second filtration media openings thereby adjusting a pore size of
the configuration.
Inventors: |
Osunjaye; Gbenga; (Katy,
TX) ; Leung; Hoi Yin; (Missouri City, TX) ;
Nixon; John B.; (Humble, TX) ; Purvis; Richard
Wayne; (Spring, TX) ; Abramsky; Bengisu;
(League City, TX) ; Wakefield; John; (Cypress,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Osunjaye; Gbenga
Leung; Hoi Yin
Nixon; John B.
Purvis; Richard Wayne
Abramsky; Bengisu
Wakefield; John |
Katy
Missouri City
Humble
Spring
League City
Cypress |
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX |
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Baker Hughes, a GE company,
LLC
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
66097374 |
Appl. No.: |
16/158335 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62571633 |
Oct 12, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/086 20130101;
E21B 43/084 20130101; E21B 34/16 20130101; E21B 43/088 20130101;
E21B 34/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/08 20060101
E21B043/08; E21B 34/14 20060101 E21B034/14; E21B 34/16 20060101
E21B034/16 |
Claims
1. An adjustable pore size filtration configuration comprising: a
first filtration media having openings; a second filtration media
having openings, the first filtration media being selectively
movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively
fixable relative to the second filtration media to adjust a degree
of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the
second filtration media openings thereby adjusting a pore size of
the configuration.
2. The filtration configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
first filtration media is selectively rotational with respect to
the second filtration media.
3. The filtration configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
first filtration media is selectively longitudinally adjustable
with respect to the second filtration media.
4. The filtration configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
first filtration media is selectively adjustable with respect to
the second filtration media by movement that follows a path
dictated by a J-slot arrangement.
5. A screen tool comprising: a tubular; and an adjustable pore size
filtration configuration disposed radially adjacent the
tubular.
6. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration
configuration includes a woven member having a structure such that
movement of the woven member in a first direction causes openings
therein to close or shrink and movement of the woven member in a
second direction opposite the first direction causes the openings
to open or grow, and further comprising a movable device configured
to move the woven member in at least one of the first and second
directions.
7. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the movable device is
configured to compress or elongate the woven member.
8. The tool as claimed in claim 7 wherein the woven member is a
first woven member, and further comprising a second woven member,
the first woven member being extended and the second woven member
being compressed.
9. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the movable device is
configured to move the woven member torsionally.
10. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration
configuration comprises: a first filtration media having openings;
a second filtration media having openings, the first filtration
media being selectively movable relative to the second filtration
media and selectively fixable to the second filtration media to
adjust a degree of alignment between the first filtration media
openings and the second filtration media openings thereby adjusting
an effective pore size of the filtration configuration.
11. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of the first and
second filtration media is rotated relative to the other of the
first and second filtration media to cause a change in effective
pore size of the filtration configuration.
12. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of the first and
second filtration media is axially shifted relative to the other of
the first and second filtration media to cause a change in
effective pore size of the filtration configuration.
13. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration
configuration is radially outwardly adjacent the tubular.
14. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration
configuration is radially inwardly adjacent the tubular.
15. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration
configuration is manually adjustable by hand locally or by shifting
tool remotely.
16. The tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the filtration
configuration further includes a J-slot, and sequential positioning
of the J-slot corresponds to changes in the pore size of the
filtration configuration.
17. The tool as claimed in claim 5 further including a shifting
profile operably connected to a filtration media in the filtration
configuration.
18. The tool as claimed in claim 5 further including a collar
settable in position to maintain a filtration media in the
filtration configuration in a specific state of effective pore
size.
19. A method for managing a wellbore comprising: adjusting an
effective pore size of the filtration configuration of claim 10 by
selectively moving and selectively fixing the first filtration
media relative to the second filtration media.
20. A method for managing a wellbore comprising: adjusting an
opening-size of the filtration configuration of claim 6 by
selectively elongating or selectively compressing the woven member
to cause the openings therein to close or shrink or cause the
openings to open or grow.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing
date from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/571,633 filed
Oct. 12, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the resource recovery industry, there are often reasons
to filter resources being produced. The particulates that need to
be filtered are not surprisingly of various opening-sizes depending
upon from where and from what type of formation the produced fluid
is taken. Determining what opening-size to use in a filter such as
a sand screen is a combination of art and science, and is selected
based upon such things as drilling logs and experience of the
operator. Once a determination is made, the screen having an
appropriate opening-size is sourced and deployed. Since the actual
opening-size of particulates being produced is not unequivocally
known, the opening-size of the screen is sometimes less than
perfectly matched. Further, since a formation will change over
time, an opening-size that was correctly selected in the first
instance may be too big or too small later in the life of the
resource recovery operation.
[0003] The art would sell receive alternative teachings that
improve the correctness of a screen opening-size for a particular
operation and further will laud a reduction in the number of
different types of screens that must be kept in inventory to
satisfy the various needs.
SUMMARY
[0004] An adjustable pore size filtration configuration including a
first filtration media having openings, a second filtration media
having openings, the first filtration media being selectively
movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively
fixable relative to the second filtration media to adjust a degree
of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the
second filtration media openings thereby adjusting a pore size of
the configuration.
[0005] A screen tool including a tubular, and an adjustable pore
size filtration configuration disposed radially adjacent the
tubular.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting
in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like
elements are numbered alike:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an adjustable
opening-size filtration configuration;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of layers of
material forming a part of the adjustable opening-size filtration
configuration;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic view depicting the layers of material
of FIG. 2 in aligned and misaligned conditions;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another embodiment of layers
of material forming a part of the adjustable opening-size
filtration configuration;
[0011] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views depicting the layers of
material of FIG. 4 in aligned and misaligned conditions,
respectively;
[0012] FIGS. 6A and 6B are cutaway perspective views of one
embodiment of the adjustable opening size filtration configuration
used in an embodiment of a screen tool for one embodiment of a
downhole system;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of the
screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration
configuration;
[0014] FIGS. 8A and 8B are partial sectional views of another
embodiment of a screen tool having an adjustable opening size
filtration configuration in misaligned and partially aligned
configurations, respectively;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of
a screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration
configuration;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of a shifting
tool:
[0017] FIG. 11A is a partial sectional view of another embodiment
of a screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration
configuration, and FIG. 11B is a side view of an embodiment of a
base pipe for the screen tool of FIG. 11A;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of another embodiment of an
adjustable opening-size filtration configuration;
[0019] FIGS. 13-15 illustrate various profiles for a J-slot
activation of the adjustable filtration configuration embodiment of
FIG. 12;
[0020] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a J-slot
cycle sleeve for a J-slot activation of an adjustable filtration
configuration in another embodiment of a screen tool;
[0021] FIG. 17A is a partial sectional view of another embodiment
of a screen tool having an adjustable opening size filtration
configuration, and FIG. 17B is a side view of an embodiment of a
base pipe for the screen tool of FIG. 17A;
[0022] FIGS. 18A and 18B are views of the same filtration
configuration in compressed and elongated positions illustrating
changes in opening size and diameter;
[0023] FIGS. 19A and 19B schematically illustrate an alternate
embodiment of an adjustable opening-size filtration configuration
as a part of another embodiment of a screen tool in positions with
larger opening-size and smaller opening-size, respectively; and
[0024] FIGS. 20A and 20B schematically illustrate another alternate
embodiment of an adjustable opening-size filtration configuration
as a part of another embodiment of a screen tool in positions with
larger opening-size and smaller opening-size, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] 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.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an adjustable opening
filtration configuration 10 is illustrated apart from any other
component that might be used therewith to create a screen tool such
as a tubular or base pipe. The configuration 10 in this embodiment
comprises a first filtration media 12 and a second filtration media
14 each having a generally tubular shape sharing longitudinal axis
20 and having openings 16, 18, respectively. The openings 16, 18
each have an opening size that may be the same or different. In
some embodiments, the openings 16 on the filtration media 12 may
all be the same size or may have different sizes, and the openings
16 may be evenly distributed about the surface of the filtration
media 12 or they may be variably distributed, with certain areas of
the filtration media 12 having a greater concentration of openings
16 than other areas of the filtration media 12. Similarly, the
openings 18 on the filtration media 14 may all be the same size or
may have different sizes, and the openings 18 may be evenly
distributed about the surface of the filtration media 14 or they
may be variably distributed, with certain areas of the filtration
media 14 having a greater concentration of openings 18 than other
areas of the filtration media 14. In an embodiment where the
openings 16, 18 are of equal size, if the openings 16, 18 are
aligned with one another, an effective opening-size of the
configuration 10 is identical to the actual opening-size of each of
the separate filtration medias 12, 14. If, however, the openings 16
are in some state of misalignment with otherwise corresponding
openings 18, then the effective overall opening-size of the
configuration 10 will be smaller than the actual opening-size of
the medias 12, 14. In other words, and using the FIG. 1 embodiment
as the example, if the openings 16 in the first media 12 are
somewhat misaligned with the openings 18 of the second media 14,
then if one were to look through an opening 16 in first media 12,
that person would see an obstruction in at least a part of the
opening 16, that obstruction being material of second media 14
surrounding a part of an opening 18 in the second media 14. The
degree to which the opening 16 is obstructed by material of second
media 14 dictates the effective overall opening-size of the
configuration 10. That is, the effective "pore size" of the
filtration configuration 10 is adjustable. The pore size of the
filtration configuration 10 when the openings 16, 18 are fully
aligned will be greater than the pore size of the filtration
configuration 10 when the openings 16, 18 are in any degree of
misalignment. While the medias 12, 14 have been described in one
embodiment as having openings 16, 18 of identical opening sizes,
the same underlying principal of alignment of openings versus
misalignment of openings can be used to adjust an effective
opening-size result even where the first and second medias 12, 14
have openings 16, 18 with different opening sizes and/or
distribution about their respective medias 12, 14. Thus, in each
embodiment of the openings 16, 18, the filtration configuration 10
is adjustable in effective opening-size by aligning or misaligning,
to varying degree, the openings 16, 18 in the first and second
medias 12, 14. The phrases "partial alignment" and "partial
misalignment" refer to conditions of the filtration configuration
10 where the openings 16, 18 of the filtration media 12, 14 are not
entirely aligned or entirely misaligned.
[0027] While two filtration medias 12, 14 have been described for
use with the filtration configuration 10, other embodiments of the
filtration configuration 10 can include any plurality of filtration
medias. Also, in one embodiment, one or more of the filtration
media 12, 14 can be configured as a solid walled tubular having the
openings 16, 18 formed therein, such as a perforated tubular,
commonly known as a "shroud" such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In
FIG. 2, a small portion of first, second, and third filtration
medias 12, 14, 15 are depicted as shrouds 22, 24, 25 each having
differently sized openings 16, 18, 19. In FIG. 3, a small portion
of first and second filtration medias 12, 14, embodied as shrouds
22, 24, are depicted as having openings 16, 18 of equal size. With
further reference to FIG. 3, when the openings 16, 18 are aligned,
a maximum effective opening size (or a first pore size) for the
configuration 10 is realized, and when the openings 16, 18 are
misaligned, the effective opening size for the configuration 10 is
decreased (a second pore size less than the first pore size) and a
portion of the inner shroud 24 becomes visible through the openings
16 of the outer shroud 22. The degree to which the effective
opening size for the configuration 10 is lessened as compared to
the maximum effective opening size of the configuration 10 can be
adjusted by selectively misaligning the shrouds 22, 24 relative to
each other as will be further described below. That is, while only
a "second pore size" is described, it should be understood that the
filtration configuration 10 can be adjusted to many different pore
sizes that are less than the first pore size in the aligned
condition of openings 16, 18.
[0028] In alternative embodiments, one or more of the filtration
media 12, 14 of the filtration configuration 10 can include a woven
or mesh arrangement to provide the openings 16, 18 therethrough,
commonly known as a "screen" such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A-5B.
The screens for the filtration media 12, 14 may be formed with any
type of weave and mesh size. With reference to FIG. 4, first,
second, and third filtration medias 12, 14, 15 are depicted as
screens 32, 34, 35 each having differently sized openings 16, 18,
19. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, first and second filtration medias 12, 14
are depicted as screens 32, 34 with a rectangular weave (for
illustrative purposes), each including a first set of wires woven
with a second set of wires. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS.
5A and 5B, the screens 32, 34 have openings 16, 18 of equal size.
When the openings 16, 18 are aligned as shown in FIG. 5A, a maximum
effective opening size for the configuration 10 is realized (such
that the configuration 10 has a first pore size), and when the
openings 16, 18 are misaligned as depicted in FIG. 5B, the
effective opening size for the configuration 10 is decreased (so
that the configuration 10 has a second pore size less than the
first pore size) and a portion of the screen 34 becomes visible
through the openings 16 of the screen 32. The degree to which the
effective opening size (pore size) for the configuration 10 is
lessened as compared to the maximum effective opening size (first
pore size) of the configuration 10 can be adjusted by selectively
misaligning the screens 32, 34 relative to each other as will be
further described below.
[0029] In one embodiment of the filtration configuration 10,
aligning and misaligning the filtration media 12, 14 relative to
each other is accomplished by rotating at least one filtration
media(s) relative to the other filtration media(s). As shown in
FIG. 6A, the openings 18, 19 of filtration media 14, 15,
respectively, are depicted as partially aligned with respect to
each other and the openings 16 of the filtration media 12 are
depicted as misaligned with respect to the openings 18, 19. In the
illustrated embodiment, filtration media 15 may serve as a base
pipe 40 upon which the filtration configuration 10 having
filtration media 12, 14 is disposed. The combination of base pipe
40 and filtration configuration 10 forms a screen tool 100 that can
be part of a downhole system 110 having any number of tools and
features for downhole use. As shown in FIG. 6B, by rotating the
filtration media 12 with respect to the filtration media 14, 15,
the openings 16 of the filtration media 12 can be at least
partially aligned with respect to the openings 18, 19 of filtration
media 14, 15. Thus, the effective opening size (pore size) of the
filtration configuration 10 in the condition shown in FIG. 6B is
greater than the effective opening size (pore size) of the
filtration configuration 10 in the condition shown in FIG. 6A.
[0030] FIG. 7 depicts another view of the rotatable filtration
media embodiment for filtration configuration 10 in which the
rotation of the filtration media 12 or the filtration media 14 is
rotated with respect to base pipe 40 and about longitudinal axis 20
of filtration configuration 10 using a rotatable collar 42 having
an inner thread 44 engaging with an outer thread 46 on the base
pipe 40. Rotating the rotatable collar 42 will rotate the
filtration media 12 or 14 fixedly arranged with the rotatable
collar 42. When the other of the filtration media 12 or 14 is not
fixedly arranged with the rotatable collar 42, then rotating the
rotatable collar 42 will only rotate one of the filtration media 12
or 14. Once the desired relative alignment of the openings 16, 18,
and 19 is achieved by rotating the rotatable collar 42 and
associated filtration media 12 or 14, then a fixation feature 48
such as one or more set screws may be employed to stop the
rotatable collar 42 from further rotation, thus fixing the relative
alignment of the filtration medias 12 and 14 with respect to the
base pipe 40.
[0031] The rotation of the filtration media 12 relative to the
filtration media 14 in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7
can be accomplished at surface prior to disposing the filtration
configuration 10 downhole. In an embodiment where the ability to
adjust the relative rotation between filtration media 12 and
filtration media 14 is desired while the filtration configuration
10 is disposed downhole, the filtration media 12 and/or filtration
media 14 can include a shifting profile and be placed interiorly of
the base pipe 15 such that the filtration media 12 and/or
filtration media 14 can be rotated by engaging a shifting tool with
the shifting profile and then rotating the shifting tool in order
to rotate the engaged filtration media 12 and/or filtration media
14.
[0032] Another method of aligning or misaligning the filtration
media 12, 14 relative to each other includes longitudinally
shifting one or more of the filtration media 12, 14 with respect to
each other, and with respect to the longitudinal axis 20, to adjust
the alignment of the openings 16, 18 with respect to each other.
With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an embodiment of screen tool 101
is depicted in which the filtration media 12 is biased in a
condition shown in FIG. 8A by a biasing arrangement, such as a
spring 50, with the filtration media 12 held between a first end 52
of the spring 50 and a first end ring 56. The second end 54 of the
spring 50 is held in place by a second end ring 58. In the
condition shown in FIG. 8A, the openings 16 of the filtration media
12 are misaligned with the openings 18 of the filtration media 14.
Then, when it is desired to change the alignment of the openings
16, 18, the first end ring 56 is moved longitudinally to push the
filtration media 12 and compress the spring 50 between the
filtration media 12 and the second end ring 58. A fixation feature
48 such as one or more set screws through the first end ring 56 can
be used to fix the longitudinal placement of the filtration media
12 and maintain the alignment shown in FIG. 8B. In one embodiment,
the first end ring 56 could be moved longitudinally by threading
the first end ring 56 along a threaded member 60. As can be
understood by comparing FIG. 8A with FIG. 8B, the pore size of the
screen tool 101 in the condition shown in FIG. 8B is greater than
the pore size of the screen tool 101 in the condition shown in FIG.
8A (which may be zero in the case of total misalignment). Although
not shown, additional compression of the spring 50 could provide
greater alignment of the openings 16 with the openings 18 to
provide an even greater pore size of the screen tool 101. While
spring compression is depicted as increasing pore size of the
screen tool 101, in an alternate embodiment, compressing the spring
50 could instead decrease the pore size of the screen tool 101 by
increasingly misaligning the openings 16 with the openings 18.
[0033] While the longitudinal adjustment of the filtration
configuration 10 for screen tool 101 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is
achievable at surface, the longitudinal adjustment of the
filtration configuration 10 may alternatively be accomplished
downhole. Turning to FIG. 9, the filtration configuration 10 of
screen tool 102 includes filtration media 14, which may be attached
to a base pipe 40, having an interior shifting profile 70. When an
alignment adjustment is desired between the filtration medias 12
and 14, a shifting tool 150 (see an embodiment of a shifting tool
150 in FIG. 10) can be run downhole within the interior of the
screen tool 102. After engaging a shifting member 152 of the
shifting tool 150 with the shifting profile 70, by radially
expanding the shifting member 152 into the shifting profile 70, the
shifting tool 150 can be moved longitudinally (along longitudinal
axis 20) to shift the filtration media 14 (and base pipe 40 in the
illustrated embodiment) relative to the filtration media 12. The
screen tool 102 further includes a fixation feature to secure the
shifted filtration media 14 in place. The fixation feature in the
illustrated embodiment includes a snap ring 72 that is trapped in a
groove 74 in tubular 76 that supports the filtration media 12. The
snap ring 72 is trapped in the groove 74 between the tubular 76 and
the base pipe 40 until the groove 78 in the base pipe 40 is aligned
with the groove 74. At that point, the snap ring 72 can expand into
the groove 78 to prevent the base pipe 40 from returning to the
original condition after removal of the shifting tool 150.
[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, an embodiment of a screen
tool 103 is shown in which both rotation and some longitudinal
movement is used to alter the relative alignment of filtration
media. In the illustrated embodiment, an interior base pipe 40
movably holds the filtration media 15 thereon and further includes
a wavy slot 80 on an outer circumference that is receptive to a
stationary pin 82 held by an outer housing 84 that supports (or is
integral with) the filtration media 12. In an alternative
embodiment, the pin 82 could be fixed to the base pipe 40 and the
slot 80 could be formed on an interior surface of the housing 84. A
biasing arrangement, such as a spring 90 can bias the base pipe 40
such that the pin 82 is biased in one of an uphole direction 6 or
downhole direction 8. The base pipe 40 further includes an interior
shifting profile 86 such that a shifting tool can snap in and
rotate the base pipe 40 and filtration media 15. The pin-following
wavy slot 80 enables longitudinal movement of the base pipe 40 in
the uphole and downhole directions 6, 8, alternatingly with and
against the bias of the spring 90 depending on the location of the
pin 82 within the slot 80, while the base pipe 40 rotates about the
longitudinal axis 20. Different rotated positions of the filtration
media 15 relative to the filtration media 14 can create the desired
effective opening-size (pore size) of the filtration configuration
10, even while the screen tool 103 is downhole. Additionally,
relative alignment of the filtration media 12 and filtration media
14 with respect to each other and the filtration media 15 can be
adjusted at surface or downhole using any of the prior described
methods. It should be noted that the previously described base pipe
40 may be combined integrally or separately with filtration media
15.
[0035] While the embodiment of the screen tool 103 shown in FIGS.
11A and 11B employs a slot and pin arrangement adjusted using a
shifting tool, other embodiments can employ a biased arrangement to
achieve an adjusted alignment of filtration media. Referring to
FIG. 12, a screen tool 104 is depicted where a slot 92 for position
changing is provided in operative engagement with filtration media
14, such as at a first end of the filtration media 14. Also, a
biasing arrangement such as a spring 94 is arranged, such as at a
second end of the filtration media 14, such that the filtration
media 14 may be cycled to a number of positions based upon an axial
displacement of the filtration media 14 followed by biased rebound.
These movements interplay with the slot 92 to cause the filtration
media 14 to rotate relative to the first media 12 thereby achieving
various conditions of alignment and misalignment for various
effective opening-sizes (pore sizes) for the filtration
configuration 10. One example of a slot profile for the slot 92, a
pusher profile (employed to apply force, such as at location 96, to
push the filtration media 14 and thus push on the spring 94), and a
top view of the filtration media 14, are respectively illustrated
in FIGS. 13-15.
[0036] FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of a screen tool 105
that employs another embodiment of the pin and slot arrangement
where a J-slot cycle sleeve 120 is provided on or integrally
incorporated into the base pipe 40 for relative rotation with at
least the filtration media 14. The J-slot cycle sleeve 120 includes
a J-slot 122 in which one or more pins 124 will follow or be
followed. It should be understood that, in an alternative
embodiment, the J-slot 122 could be incorporated into a housing for
the filtration media 14 (such as outer housing 84 described with
respect to FIG. 11A) and the one or more pins 124 could be fixed to
and extend radially outward from the base pipe 40. In either case,
a biasing arrangement (not shown), such as a spring, would
additionally be employed to bias the J-slot cycle sleeve 120 in one
of a downhole direction 8 or uphole direction 6. The application of
force to the J-slot cycle sleeve 120, whether by a pusher as
previously described with respect to FIG. 12 or by a shifting tool
150 engaging with the housing for the filtration media 14, would
cause the filtration media 14 to rotate with respect to the base
pipe 40.
[0037] FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate another embodiment of a screen
tool 106 which employs a J-slot 132, similar to the J-slot 122 of
FIG. 16, in lieu of the wavy slot 80 depicted in FIGS. 11A and 11B.
Thus, the screen tool 106 of FIGS. 17A and 17B operates in a
similar manner as the screen tool 103 of FIGS. 11A and 11B, except
that a selection of alignment and misalignment positions of the
filtration media 15 with respect to filtration media 14 is more
particularly defined by the J-slot 132 where the pin 82 will be
biased into end locations 134 of the slot 132 by the spring 90
after the base pipe 40 is pushed into the end locations 136 against
the bias of the spring 90. The shifting tool used to engage with
the shifting profile 86 need only push the base pipe 40 until the
pin 82 engages with the end location 136. Release of pressure on
the shifting tool will allow the compressed spring 90 to push the
base pipe 40 back to its biased location, while the push pin 82
forces the slight rotation of the base pipe 40 while the J-slot 132
"follows" the push pin 82 at the angled slot portions between end
locations 134 and 136, such that the pin 82 is placed in an
adjacent end location 136 from its previous location. Subsequent
pushes on the shifting tool will continue to cycle the rotation of
the base pipe 40 into each successive end location 136. In some
embodiments, a final end location 136 may be reached where further
rotation of the base pipe 40 is not enabled and alignment between
the filtration media 15 and filtration media 14 is fixed. This can
be achieved by using an end slot portion in the J-slot 132 that
restricts the following of the pin 82 in a manner that would permit
further rotation. Such a final condition could correspond to a
fully aligned or a filly misaligned condition. While only one
J-slot arrangement has been depicted and described in the previous
embodiments, it should be appreciated that more than one could also
be employed so that differing ones of the filtration medias may be
moved relative to the others to achieve a range of effective
opening-sizes for the filtration configuration 10. Also, the
filtration media 12, 14 could include other alignment adjustment
devices for surface or downhole adjustments as previously
described.
[0038] It is to be understood that the concept of the filtration
configuration 10 includes a movement, such as a manual movement, of
at least one of the filtration medias relative to the other(s) to
achieve a desired opening-size (pore size) of the filtration
configuration 10. The movement may be rotational, axial, or a
combination of both depending upon desired results. It is also
noted that the filtration media 12, 14, etc. may be radially
inwardly or radially outwardly disposed of another structure like a
basepipe 40, or other tubular. Where the media is radially
outwardly disposed, local manual adjustment may be facilitated
whereas radially inward placement may favor remote adjustment
through a shifting tool or an applied pressure based actuation
system. Remote actuation may occur after deployment of the
filtration configuration, for example, in a borehole. This allows
adjustment of the filtration configuration 10 to different
effective opening-sizes as conditions change over time in a
borehole, thereby increasing the service life of the filtration
configuration 10 and increasing the productive life of the borehole
as well. In the event the filtration configuration is adjusted at a
surface location, the medias may then be fixed in the proper
location with a collar or set screw or similar device. It is
further to be appreciated that the filtration configuration could
be disposed on its own in some circumstances, thereby avoiding the
basepipe or other tubular. Moreover, filtration configurations 10
could also be disposed both radially inwardly and radially
outwardly of the basepipe or tubular in embodiments.
[0039] In alternate embodiments, referring to FIGS. 18A-20B,
another downhole adjustable filtration configuration 210 is
illustrated. In this embodiment, the filtration configuration 210
is one that responds to elongation by shrinking or closing openings
therein and responds to compression by enlarging openings. To speed
understanding, reference is made to woven finger traps often
encountered at street fairs. One will recognize that after
inserting a finger at each end of a woven tube, removal of the
fingers by simple withdrawal will meet with resistance since the
woven structure will, when elongated, narrow in its dimensions
thereby pinching the finger inside. Escape from such woven finger
traps occurs by destruction of the trap or more cleverly by
compressing the trap, whose woven form under compression tends to
grow in diameter, holding the trap in that position and releasing
the fingers. Depending upon how tightly the material of the weave
232 of the filtration media 212 is disposed, openings 216 may exist
in some compressed positions of the weave 232 of the woven member
233 or may be reduced or closed in other positions associated with
elongation of the weave 232. In addition, the woven member 233 may
also be adjusted in torsion by twisting the woven form. In such an
embodiment, one end of the woven form would be rotated relative to
the other, which may be performed with a small motor or a j-slot,
etc. Reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B will help with understanding of
the above discussion. This concept is employed in embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 19A-20B as the filtration configuration
210.
[0040] FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an embodiment of a screen tool
200, which can be incorporated into the downhole system 110 as
previously described. The screen tool 200 includes the filtration
configuration 210 positioned radially outwardly of a tubular 240,
which may be a base pipe other tubular or housing. Tubular 240 may
include ports 219 or other path for fluid flow after being filtered
by the filtration configuration 210. In some embodiments, a movable
device such as a movable collar 242 can be used to adjust the
tension of the filtration media 212, the movable collar 242
attached to a first end of the filtration media 212, and a second
end of the filtration media 212 attached to a fixed collar 243,
fixed to the tubular 240. A set screw or equivalent fixation
feature 248 may be employed to lock the movable collar 242 in place
on the tubular 240, thus locking the filtration configuration 210
in the desired filtration condition prior to deploying the screen
tool 200. The movable collar 242 may be moved longitudinally by
only longitudinal movement, or may alternatively be moved
longitudinally by a combination of rotation and longitudinal
movement (using a screwing motion) which will applying a torsional
tension (or torsional compression depending on direction) to the
filtration media 212, thus adjusting the opening size of the
openings 216 and adjusting the overall opening size (pore size) of
the filtration configuration 210. While only one movable collar 242
is depicted in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the fixed collar 243 could be
replaced with an additional movable collar 242 such that the
filtration media 212 is adjustable from one or both ends of the
filtration media 212.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, a different position of
filtration configuration 210 is illustrated with the filtration
configuration 210 for screen tool 201 disposed radially inwardly of
the tubular 240. This embodiment requires adjustment internally to
the tubular 240, which can be accomplished using a shifting tool
(see, for example, shifting tool 150 depicted in FIG. 10) engaged
with a movable device such as a shifting profile 260. The movement
of the shifting profile 260 could be longitudinal or alternatively
torsional. Alternatively, movement of one or both ends of the
filtration media 212 could be accomplished using an applied
pressure system to move a piston (not shown).
[0042] Unlike the filtration configuration 10 which requires at
least two filtration media to adjust an overall opening size (pore
size) of the filtration configuration 10, the filtration
configuration 210 can operate using only a single filtration media
212. However, it should be understood that a plurality of
filtration media can be additionally employed in the filtration
configuration 210 to add further adjustability to the screen tools
incorporating the filtration configuration 210. In one embodiment
where a plurality of woven members 233 is included, one woven
member 233 could be in compression while the other woven member 233
could be elongated. Additionally, or alternatively, an additional
woven member 233 could be added to the filtration configuration 210
as a backup.
[0043] The embodiments disclosed herein allow for adjustment of an
effective opening-size (pore size) for a filtration configuration
at a point of use and even after deployed, for example, in a
borehole. This substantially reduces the product that a
manufacturer needs to keep on hand and materials necessary to meet
demand for the multitude of different opening-size filtration
requirements the field may have. Due to post-deployment
adjustability, the filtration configurations disclosed herein also
allow greater well control as sections may be choked off via the
filtration configuration or modified in effective opening-size
(pore size) many times over the life of the well.
[0044] Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing
disclosure:
Embodiment 1
[0045] An adjustable pore size filtration configuration including a
first filtration media having openings, a second filtration media
having openings, the first filtration media being selectively
movable relative to the second filtration media and selectively
fixable relative to the second filtration media to adjust a degree
of alignment between the first filtration media openings and the
second filtration media openings thereby adjusting a pore size of
the configuration.
Embodiment 2
[0046] The filtration configuration as in any prior embodiment
wherein the first filtration media is selectively rotational with
respect to the second filtration media.
Embodiment 3
[0047] The filtration configuration as in any prior embodiment
wherein the first filtration media is selectively longitudinally
adjustable with respect to the second filtration media.
Embodiment 4
[0048] The filtration configuration as in any prior embodiment
wherein the first filtration media is selectively adjustable with
respect to the second filtration media by movement that follows a
path dictated by a J-slot arrangement.
Embodiment 5
[0049] A screen tool including a tubular, and an adjustable pore
size filtration configuration disposed radially adjacent the
tubular.
Embodiment 6
[0050] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration
configuration includes a woven member having a structure such that
movement of the woven member in a first direction causes openings
therein to close or shrink and movement of the woven member in a
second direction opposite the first direction causes the openings
to open or grow, and further comprising a movable device configured
to move the woven member in at least one of the first and second
directions.
Embodiment 7
[0051] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the movable
device is configured to compress or elongate the woven member.
Embodiment 8
[0052] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the woven member
is a first woven member, and further comprising a second woven
member, the first woven member being extended and the second woven
member being compressed.
Embodiment 9
[0053] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the movable
device is configured to move the woven member torsionally.
Embodiment 10
[0054] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration
configuration includes a first filtration media having openings, a
second filtration media having openings, the first filtration media
being selectively movable relative to the second filtration media
and selectively fixable to the second filtration media to adjust a
degree of alignment between the first filtration media openings and
the second filtration media openings thereby adjusting an effective
pore size of the filtration configuration.
Embodiment 11
[0055] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein one of the first
and second filtration media is rotated relative to the other of the
first and second filtration media to cause a change in effective
pore size of the filtration configuration.
Embodiment 12
[0056] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein one of the first
and second filtration media is axially shifted relative to the
other of the first and second filtration media to cause a change in
effective pore size of the filtration configuration.
Embodiment 13
[0057] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration
configuration is radially outwardly adjacent the tubular.
Embodiment 14
[0058] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration
configuration is radially inwardly adjacent the tubular.
Embodiment 15
[0059] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration
configuration is manually adjustable by hand locally or by shifting
tool remotely.
Embodiment 16
[0060] The tool as in any prior embodiment wherein the filtration
configuration further includes a J-slot, and sequential positioning
of the J-slot corresponds to changes in the pore size of the
filtration configuration.
Embodiment 17
[0061] The tool as in any prior embodiment further including a
shifting profile operably connected to a filtration media in the
filtration configuration.
Embodiment 18
[0062] The tool as in any prior embodiment further including a
collar settable in position to maintain a filtration media in the
filtration configuration in a specific state of effective pore
size.
Embodiment 19
[0063] A method for managing a wellbore including adjusting an
effective pore size of the filtration configuration as in any prior
embodiment by selectively moving and selectively fixing the first
filtration media relative to the second filtration media.
Embodiment 20
[0064] A method for managing a wellbore including adjusting an
opening-size of the filtration configuration as in any prior
embodiment by selectively elongating or selectively compressing the
woven member to cause the openings therein to close or shrink or
cause the openings to open or grow.
[0065] 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).
[0066] 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.
[0067] 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.
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