Patent ID: 8967240
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A gravel packing apparatus comprising: first and second joints each including a sand control screen assembly having a filter medium positioned exteriorly of a base pipe and a slurry delivery subassembly positioned exteriorly of the sand control screen assembly, the slurry delivery subassembly including at least one transport tube extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the sand control screen assembly and extending through a ring assembly positioned around the base pipe; at least one jumper tube coupled to and extending between the at least one transport tube of the first joint and the at least one transport tube of the second joint; and a cage assembly extending between and coupled to the ring assemblies of the first and second joints and positioned exteriorly of the at least one jumper tube, the cage assembly including a plurality of circumferentially extending cage sections that are independently connected to the ring assemblies; wherein the cage assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially distributed bowsprings having gaps therebetween, the bowsprings having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first and second joints.