Securing connections in alternate path well screens

A method of securing connections in well screens can include engaging a resilient ring with recesses formed in respective well screen connectors, the ring including projections extending from respective opposite ends of the ring, and disengaging the resilient ring from one of the recesses by relative displacement between the projections. A well screen connection can include well screen connectors, and a resilient ring received in annular recesses formed in the respective well screen connectors, projections extend from opposite ends of the ring and are received in an opening formed through a wall of one of the connectors, and the projections received in the opening prevent rotation of the ring relative to that connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119 of the filing date of International Application Serial No. PCT/US13/26817, filed 20 Feb. 2013. The entire disclosure of this prior application is incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in one example described below, more particularly provides for securing connections in alternate path well screens.

Shunt tubes are sometimes used to provide alternate paths for slurry flow in an annulus between a tubular string (such as, a completion string) and a wellbore. In this manner, the slurry can bypass blockages or restrictions (such as, sand bridging) in the annulus.

Well screen assemblies can be constructed with shunt tubes therein, but connections should be made between shunt tubes of different well screen assemblies. Other connections also should be made in such well screen assemblies. Therefore, it will be appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the arts of constructing and utilizing screens with alternate paths for use in wells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representatively illustrated inFIG. 1is a system10for use with a well, and an associated method, which system and method can embody principles of this disclosure. However, it should be clearly understood that the system10and method are merely one example of an application of the principles of this disclosure in practice, and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited at all to the details of the system10and method described herein and/or depicted in the drawings.

In theFIG. 1example, a tubular string12is positioned in a wellbore14lined with casing16and cement18. An annulus20is formed radially between the tubular string12and the wellbore14.

In other examples, the wellbore14could be uncased or open hole, the wellbore could be generally horizontal or inclined, etc. The annulus20is not necessarily concentric, since the tubular string12could be to one side or another of the wellbore14, etc.

It is desired in theFIG. 1example to fill the annulus20with “gravel” about well screens24connected in the tubular string12. For this purpose, a slurry22is flowed into the annulus20, for example, from a surface location.

The slurry22in this example is erosive and may comprise a particulate portion (e.g., sand, gravel, proppant, etc.) and a liquid portion. The liquid portion may flow inwardly through the well screens24into the tubular string12, and/or out into a formation26surrounding the wellbore14(e.g., via perforations, not shown, formed through the casing16and cement18), leaving the particulate portion in the annulus20about the well screens24.

If a fracturing operation is performed, the particulate portion (e.g., proppant, etc.) can flow into fractures formed in the formation26. Such gravel packing, fracturing, etc., operations are well known to those skilled in the art, and so are not described further herein. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular gravel packing or fracturing operation being performed in the wellbore14.

Part of the slurry22is also permitted to flow through shunt tube assemblies28extending through the screens24. The shunt tube assemblies28provide multiple alternate paths for the slurry22flow, in order to prevent voids in the particulate portion which accumulates about the tubular string12.

In theFIG. 1example, each of the shunt tube assemblies28provides fluid communication between sections of the annulus20on opposite ends of a corresponding screen24. In addition, as described more fully below, each of the shunt tube assemblies28includes nozzles (not visible inFIG. 1) which direct flow of the slurry22outward into the annulus20along the screen24, so that a more even distribution of the slurry in the annulus is achieved.

Referring additionally now toFIGS. 2 & 3, an example of a well screen24is representatively illustrated in elevational and partially cross-sectional views. The screen24may be used in the system10and method ofFIG. 1, or the screen may be used in other systems and methods.

Note that the shunt tube assemblies28are positioned in a non-concentric annular space between the outer shroud30and a filter32which encircles a perforated base pipe34of the screen24. The filter32could comprise a mesh, wire wrap, sintered, woven or other type of filter material.

A flow passage36which extends longitudinally through the base pipe34also extends longitudinally in the tubular string12when the screen24is used in the system10and method ofFIG. 1. Thus, the liquid portion of the slurry22can flow inwardly through the outer shroud30, the filter32and the base pipe34, and into the flow passage36. In other examples, if fracturing of the formation26is desired, flow of the liquid portion into the passage36may be restricted or prevented, until after the fracturing operation.

Referring additionally now toFIG. 4, an example of one of the shunt tube assemblies28is representatively illustrated, apart from the screen24. In this view, it may be seen that the assembly28includes generally parallel tubes38,40. These tubes38,40are of the type known to those skilled in the art as transport (or jumper) and packing tubes, respectively.

The slurry22can flow completely through the tube38(e.g., from one screen24to another), but a lower end42of the tube40may be closed off, so that the slurry22is directed outward from the tube40via nozzles44. In some examples, the slurry22can flow outwardly through the lower end42of the tube40, and through the nozzles44.

At this point it should be recognized that the shunt tube assemblies28described herein are merely one example of a wide variety of different ways in which a shunt flow path can be provided for a slurry in a well. It is not necessary for the shunt tube assemblies28to be constructed as depicted in the drawings, the shunt tube assemblies are not necessarily positioned between the outer shroud30and the filter32or base pipe34, the nozzles44are not necessarily connected to one of two parallel tubes, the shunt flow path does not necessarily extend through tubes, etc. Thus, it will be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the details of the screen24or shunt tube assemblies28as described herein or depicted in the drawings.

Referring additionally now toFIGS. 5-7, a well screen connection50is representatively illustrated, apart from the remainder of the well screen24. In this example, the connection50is used to couple two connectors52,54and thereby secure a sealed slurry flow path60between well screen components56,58.

The connectors54,56may be formed on the respective components56,58, or they may be constructed and then separately attached to the components. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular manner of providing the connectors52,54or attaching them to the components56,58.

The connection50depicted inFIG. 5can be used to couple together shunt tube assemblies28of multiple well screens24. For example, inFIG. 4, the connectors54are depicted at each opposite end of the shunt tube assembly28, in which case the tube38can comprise the component58illustrated inFIG. 5. The other component56may, for example, comprise a coupling having the connectors52at opposite ends thereof.

However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of the connection50for coupling shunt tube assemblies28. In other examples, the connection50may not be used to secure a sealed slurry flow path, the connectors54may not be used at each end of a shunt tube assembly, the connectors52may not be used at opposite ends of a coupling, etc. In some examples described below, the connection50can be used to secure a centralizer or a shroud. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular use of the connection50.

In theFIG. 5example, a seal62is received in an annular recess68formed on the connector54. When the connectors52,54are coupled together, the seal62will be sealingly engaged with a seal bore64formed in the connector52(seeFIG. 7).

A resilient, generally C-shaped ring66is received in another annular recess70formed on the connector54. When the connectors52,54are coupled together, the ring66will be received in another annular recess72formed in the connector52(seeFIG. 7).

The ring66in this example has projections74extending radially outward from opposite ends of the ring. By displacing the projections74toward each other, the ring66can be deformed radially inward. This radially inward deformation of the ring66can be used to disconnect the connectors52,54by disengaging the ring from the recess72prior to separating the connectors.

In other examples, the ring66could be initially received in the recess72in the connector52. In that case, the projections74could be displaced away from each other to thereby deform the ring66radially outward. This radially outward deformation of the ring66could be used to disconnect the connectors52,54by disengaging the ring from the recess70prior to separating the connectors. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular positions of the ring66, projections74or recesses70,72, or to any particular manner of connecting or disconnecting the connectors52,54.

The projections74are formed on each end of the ring66, and are bent outward. In other examples, the projections74could be separately constructed and then attached to the ring66, the projections could extend inward instead of outward, etc. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular manner of forming, constructing or orienting the projections74.

The ring66in theFIGS. 5-7examples has a generally flat rectangular cross-section, with a radial width of the ring being less than a longitudinal length of the ring. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration of the ring66.

As depicted inFIG. 6, the connectors52,54are partially coupled to each other. An inclined surface76deforms the ring66radially inward as the connector54is inserted into the connector52.

In other examples, the ring66could be radially inwardly deformed prior to inserting the connector54into the connector52. For example, the projections74could be squeezed together and maintained in such a position by use of a clamp, a wire, a fastener, etc. Thus, it is not necessary for engagement between the connectors52,54to cause radial deformation of the ring66.

Although the ring66is deformed radially inward in theFIG. 6example, in other examples the ring could be deformed radially outward to enable coupling of the connectors52,54. For example, if the ring66were to be carried in the recess72in the connector52, then insertion of the connector54into the connector52could cause radially outward deformation of the ring (e.g., due to engagement of the ring with an inclined surface on the connector54). Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular type of deformation of the ring66.

InFIG. 7, the connection50is depicted with the connectors52,54secured to each other. The ring66is received in both of the recesses70,72and prevents disconnection of the connectors52,54.

Note that the projections74are received in an opening78formed through a wall of the connector52. The projections74extend radially outward into the opening78.

Engagement of the projections74in the opening78prevents significant rotation of the ring66relative to the connector52. In this manner, the projections74remain received in the opening78after the connectors52,54are coupled to each other.

In theFIG. 7example, the opening78is generally rectangular in shape and extends to an end of the connector52. In other examples, the opening78could have other shapes, and could be otherwise positioned in the wall of the connector52.

The opening78provides access to the projections74, in case it is desired to disconnect the connectors52,54. The opening78also retains the ring66in an appropriate rotational position relative to the connector52, so that the projections74are accessible for disassembly.

Referring additionally now toFIG. 8, another example of the connection50is representatively illustrated. In this example, the connection50is used to secure a retaining sleeve80relative to the base pipe34. The retaining sleeve80retains a centralizer82in position relative to the well screen24.

A pin84is used in this example to prevent rotation of the ring66. Holes86are provided in the projections74for ease of assembly and disassembly.

Referring additionally now toFIG. 9, another example of the connection50is representatively illustrated. In this example, the connection50is used to secure a shroud retaining sleeve88relative to the base pipe34. The retaining sleeve88retains the shroud30in position in the well screen24.

Referring additionally now toFIG. 10, another example of the connection50is representatively illustrated. In this example, couplings90are used to couple together shunt tube assemblies28. The couplings90may be used to connect shunt tube assemblies28in a well screen24, or between multiple well screens.

The connection50described above may be used to connect the shunt tube assemblies28to the couplings90. A ring66may be used to secure the couplings90in the well screen24, for example, by encircling the couplings and engaging a recess72formed in an outer sleeve (such as, the retaining sleeve88). Thus, the connection50may be used for a variety of different purposes with one or more well screens24, and the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular manner of using the connection with a well screen.

A method of securing connections50in well screens24is provided to the art by the above disclosure. In one example, the method can comprise engaging a resilient ring66with first and second recesses72,70formed in respective first and second well screen connectors52,54, the ring66including projections74extending from respective opposite ends of the ring66; and disengaging the resilient ring66from one of the first and second recesses72,70by relative displacement between the projections74.

An opening78may be formed in the first connector52, the projections74extending into the opening78.

The disengaging step can include displacing at least one of the projections74in the opening78. One or both of the projections74may be displaced toward or away from the other to disengage the ring66from one of the recesses70,72.

The engagement of the projections74with the opening78may prevent rotation of the ring66relative to the first connector52.

The engaging step can include radially deforming the ring66.

The first and second connectors52,54may couple together shunt tube assemblies28of the well screens24.

The engaging step may include securing a centralizer82relative to the well screens24.

The engaging step may include securing a well screen shroud30.

Also described above is a well screen connection50. In one example, the connection50can include first and second well screen connectors52,54, and a resilient ring66received in first and second annular recesses72,70formed in the respective first and second well screen connectors52,54. Projections74extend from opposite ends of the ring66and are received in an opening78formed through a wall of the first connector52. The projections74received in the opening78prevent rotation of the ring66relative to the first connector52.

Relative displacement between the projections74can disengage the ring66from one of the first and second recesses72,70. The relative displacement may comprise displacement of one or both of the projections74toward or away from each other.

An inclined surface76formed on one of the first and second connectors52,54may radially deform the ring66.

The first and second connectors52,54may couple together well screen shunt tube assemblies28, secure a centralizer82relative to a well screen24, and/or secure a well screen shroud30.

In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms (such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.