Patent ID: 9157300
Filing Date: 2015-10-13
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A gravel packing apparatus comprising: a screen assembly including at least one screen configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation, the screen configured to prevent particulate matter from passing therethrough; an axially extending conduit configured to transmit a gravel slurry from a remote location to a borehole region located between the screen and a portion of a borehole wall; an axially extending tubular component surrounding a portion of the axially extending conduit, the borehole region at least partially defined by an exterior surface of the axially extending tubular component and the portion of the borehole wall; and at least one exit port including a body extending through a wall of the axially extending tubular component, the body including an opening having a first end in fluid communication with the axially extending conduit and a second end in fluid communication with the borehole region, the entirety of the second end terminating at the exterior surface of the axially extending tubular component and flush with the exterior surface of the axially extending tubular component, the body including at least one standoff member integrated into the exit port and extending radially into the borehole region from the second end and from the exterior surface and configured to prevent blockage of the opening, wherein the axially extending tubular component is a protective axially extending tube having a tube opening in the wall configured to receive the exit port, the opening being large enough to allow the body to be inserted through the tube opening so that the at least one standoff member extends radially away from the external surface and small enough to prevent the remainder of the body from extending radially from the external surface into the borehole region.