Patent Publication Number: US-8967240-B2

Title: Gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of the filing date of International Application No. PCT/US2012/060705, filed Oct. 18, 2012. The entire disclosure of this prior application is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, in general, to equipment utilized in conjunction with operations performed in relation to subterranean wells and, in particular, to a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly and a method for assembling the gravel packing apparatus on the rig floor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Without limiting the scope of the present invention, its background is described with reference to a sand control completion in a wellbore traversing an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated subterranean formation, as an example. 
     It is well known in the subterranean well drilling and completion art that particulate materials such as sand may be produced during the production of hydrocarbons from a well traversing an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated subterranean formation. Numerous problems may occur as a result of the production of such particulate. For example, the particulate causes abrasive wear to components within the well, such as the tubing, pumps and valves. In addition, the particulate may partially or fully clog the well creating the need for an expensive workover. Also, if the particulate matter is produced to the surface, it must be removed from the hydrocarbon fluids by processing equipment at the surface. 
     One method for preventing the production of such particulate material to the surface is gravel packing the well adjacent the unconsolidated or loosely consolidated production interval. In a typical gravel pack completion, a sand control screen is lowered into the wellbore on a work string to a position proximate the desired production interval. A fluid slurry including a liquid carrier and a particulate material known as gravel is then pumped down the work string and into the well annulus formed between the sand control screen and the perforated well casing or open hole production zone. 
     The liquid carrier either flows into the formation or returns to the surface by flowing through the sand control screen or both. In either case, the gravel is deposited around the sand control screen to form a gravel pack, which is highly permeable to the flow of hydrocarbon fluids but blocks the flow of the particulate carried in the hydrocarbon fluids. As such, gravel packs can successfully prevent the problems associated with the production of particulate materials from the formation. 
     It has been found, however, that a complete gravel pack of the desired production interval is difficult to achieve particularly in long or inclined/horizontal production intervals. These incomplete packs are commonly a result of the liquid carrier entering a permeable portion of the production interval causing the gravel to form a sand bridge in the annulus. Thereafter, the sand bridge prevents the slurry from flowing to the remainder of the annulus which, in turn, prevents the placement of sufficient gravel in the remainder of the annulus. 
     Prior art devices and methods have been developed which attempt to overcome this sand bridge problem. For example, attempts have been made to use tubing positioned exteriorly along the length of the sand control screens to provide an alternate path for the fluid slurry around the sand bridge. It has been found, however, that this exterior tubing is susceptible to damage during installation in the wellbore, particularly in the region between adjacent joints of the sand control screens. Therefore, a need has arisen for an apparatus for gravel packing a production interval that overcomes the problems created by sand bridges. A need has also arisen for such an apparatus that is not susceptible to damage during installation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention disclosed herein is directed to a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly. The gravel packing apparatus of the present invention is operable to overcome the problems created by sand bridges. In addition, the gravel packing apparatus of the present invention is not susceptible to damage during installation. 
     In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a gravel packing apparatus that includes 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 includes at least one transport tube extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the sand control screen assembly. At least one jumper tube is coupled to and extends between the at least one transport tube of the first joint and the at least one transport tube of the second joint. A jumper tube protection assembly extends between the first and second joints and is positioned exteriorly of the at least one jumper tube. 
     In some embodiments, the jumper tube protection assembly is in the form of a cage assembly. In these embodiments, the cage assembly may include a plurality of circumferentially distributed plate members having gaps therebetween. Alternatively, in these embodiments, the cage assembly may include a plurality of circumferentially distributed ribs having a wrap wire positioned therearound. As another alternative, the cage assembly may have a plurality of circumferentially distributed ribs having a sheet member helically positioned therearound. In a further alternative, the cage assembly may have a plurality of circumferentially distributed bowsprings having gaps therebetween, wherein the bowsprings have an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first and second joints. In certain embodiments, the jumper tube protection assembly may be formed from a plurality of circumferentially distributed plate members. In still other embodiments, the jumper tube protection assembly may be formed from a housing assembly having a plurality of circumferentially distributed blades, wherein the blades have an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first and second joints. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a gravel packing apparatus that includes 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 includes at least one transport tube extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the sand control screen assembly. At least one jumper tube is coupled to and extends between the at least one transport tube of the first joint and the at least one transport tube of the second joint. A jumper tube protection assembly extends between the first and second joints and is positioned exteriorly of the at least one jumper tube, wherein the jumper tube protection assembly has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first and second joints. 
     In one embodiment, the jumper tube protection assembly may include a cage assembly having a plurality of circumferentially distributed bowsprings having gaps therebetween, wherein the bowsprings have an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first and second joints. In another embodiment, the jumper tube protection assembly may include a housing assembly having a plurality of circumferentially distributed blades, wherein the blades have an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first and second joints. In certain embodiments, the jumper tube protection assembly may have a pair of hinged collars. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for assembling a gravel packing apparatus. The method includes providing 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; threadably coupling the sand control screen assembly of the first joint to the sand control screen assembly of the second joint; coupling at least one jumper tube between the at least one transport tube of the first joint and the at least one transport tube of the second joint; and positioning a jumper tube protection assembly exteriorly around adjacent end portions of the first and second joints and the at least one jumper tube. 
     The method may also include forming a cage assembly by circumferentially distributing a plurality of plate members having gaps therebetween exteriorly around the at least one jumper tube, circumferentially distributing a plurality of plate members exteriorly around the at least one jumper tube, bolting the plate members to the sand control screen assemblies of the first and second joints, forming a cage assembly by circumferentially distributing a plurality of bowsprings having gaps therebetween exteriorly around the at least one jumper tube, wherein the bowsprings have an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first and second joints and/or positioning a housing assembly having a plurality of circumferentially distributed blades exteriorly around the at least one jumper tube, wherein the blades have an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first and second joints. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an offshore platform operating a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view partially in cut away of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7D  are schematic illustration of the process of coupling two joints of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a gravel packing apparatus having a jumper tube protection assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a gravel packing apparatus positioned in an interval of a wellbore and operating from an offshore oil and gas platform is schematically illustrated and generally designated  10 . A semi-submersible platform  12  is centered over a submerged oil and gas formation  14  located below sea floor  16 . A subsea conduit  18  extends from deck  20  of platform  12  to wellhead installation  22  including blowout preventers  24 . Platform  12  has a hoisting apparatus  26  and a derrick  28  for raising and lowering pipe strings such as work string  30 . 
     A wellbore  32  extends through the various earth strata including formation  14 . A casing  34  is secured within wellbore  32  by cement  36 . Work string  30  includes various tools including joints  38 ,  40 ,  42  that form the gravel packing apparatus of the present invention that is positioned in an interval of wellbore  32  adjacent to formation  14  between packers  44 ,  46 . When it is desired to gravel pack annular region  48  surrounding joints  38 ,  40 ,  42 , a fluid slurry including a liquid carrier and a particulate material such as sand, gravel or proppants is pumped down work string  30 . 
     Some or all of the fluid slurry is typically injected directly into annular region  48  in a known manner, such as through a crossover tool (not pictured), which allows the slurry to travel from the interior of work string  30  to the exterior of work string  30 . Once the fluid slurry is in annular region  48 , a portion of the gravel in the fluid slurry is deposited in annular region  48 . Some of the liquid carrier may enter formation  14  through perforation  50  while the remainder of the fluid carrier along with some of the gravel enters certain sections of joints  38 ,  40 ,  42  filling those sections with gravel. The sand control screens within joints  38 ,  40 ,  42  disallows further migration of the gravel but allows the liquid carrier to travel therethrough into work string  30  and up to the surface via annulus  52 . If sand bridges form in annular region  48 , some or all of the fluid slurry is injected or diverted into the slurry delivery subassemblies within joints  38 ,  40 ,  42  to bypass the sand bridge such that a complete pack can be achieved. 
     Even though  FIG. 1  depicts the gravel packing apparatus of the present invention in a vertical wellbore, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the gravel packing apparatus of the present invention is equally well suited for use in wellbores having other directional configurations including horizontal wellbores, deviated wellbores, slanted wells, lateral wells and the like. Accordingly, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, uphole, downhole and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure, the uphole direction being toward the surface of the well and the downhole direction being toward the toe of the well. Also, even though  FIG. 1  depicts an offshore operation, it should be noted by one skilled in the art that the gravel packing apparatus of the present invention is equally well-suited for use in onshore operations. Further, even though  FIG. 1  depicts the gravel packing apparatus of the present invention as having a particular number of joints, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that a gravel packing apparatus of the present invention may have any number of joints both less than or greater than the number shown. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , therein is depicted a cut away view of a gravel packing apparatus of the present invention that is generally designated  100 . Apparatus  100  has an outer tubular or shroud  102  that includes a plurality of openings  104  that are substantially evenly distributed around and along the length of outer tubular  102 , which allow the flow of production fluids therethrough. Disposed within outer tubular  102  is a sand control screen assembly  106 . Sand control screen assembly  106  includes a base pipe  108  that has a plurality of openings  110  which allow the flow of production fluids into the production tubing. The exact number, size and shape of openings  110  are not critical to the present invention, so long as sufficient area is provided for fluid production and the integrity of base pipe  108  is maintained. 
     Positioned around base pipe  108  is a filter medium depicted as a fluid-porous, particulate restricting wire mesh screen  112 . Screen  112  is designed to allow fluid flow therethrough but prevent the flow of particulate materials of a predetermined size from passing therethrough. Screen  112  preferably has a plurality of layers of wire mesh including one or more drainage layers and one or more filter layers wherein the drainage layers that have a mesh size that is larger than the mesh size of the filter layers. For example, a drainage layer may preferably be positioned as the outermost layer and the innermost layer of wire mesh screen  112  with the filter layer or layers positioned therebetween. Positioned around screen  112  is a screen wrapper  114  that has a plurality of openings  116  which allow the flow of production fluids therethrough. The exact number, size and shape of openings  116  is not critical to the present invention, so long as sufficient area is provided for fluid production and the integrity of screen wrapper  114  is maintained. Typically, various sections of screen  112  and screen wrapper  114  are manufactured together as a unit by, for example, diffusion bonding or sintering the layers of wire mesh that form screen  112  together with screen wrapper  114 , then rolling the unit into a tubular configuration. The two ends of the tubular unit are then seam welded together. Several tubular units of the screen and screen wrapper combination may be placed over each joint of base pipe  108  and secured thereto by welding or other suitable technique. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that even though  FIG. 2  has described a particular filter medium, other types of filter media could alternatively be used in conjunction with the apparatus of the present invention, including, but not limited to, a wire wrapped sand control screen. 
     Disposed between outer tubular  102  and sand control screen assembly  106  is a slurry delivery subassembly  118 . In the illustrated embodiment, slurry delivery subassembly  118  includes a pair of transport tubes  120 ,  122 , a pair of packing tubes  124 ,  126  and a manifold  128  that provides fluid communication between transport tubes  120 ,  122  and packing tubes  124 ,  126 . As illustrated, transport tubes  120 ,  122  extend longitudinally past outer tubular  102  such that the transport tubes  120 ,  122  of one joint can be fluidically coupled to the transport tubes  120 ,  122  of another joint as explained in greater detail below. Packing tubes  124 ,  126  each include a plurality of nozzles, such as nozzle  130  of packing tube  124  and nozzle  132  of packing tube  126 . In the event of sand bridge formation or as part of a planned gravel packing process, some or all of the fluid slurry is injected into the slurry delivery subassembly  118  of the uppermost joint. The fluid slurry is able to travel from one joint to the next via the transport tubes  120 ,  122 . As the fluid slurry travels from joint to joint, portions of the fluid slurry enter packing tubes  124 ,  126  via manifold  128 . From packing tubes  124 ,  126 , the fluid slurry is able to enter the annular region surrounding gravel packing apparatus  100  by exiting slurry delivery subassembly  118  via nozzles  130 ,  132 . In this manner, a complete gravel pack may be achieved even if sand bridges form in the annular region surrounding gravel packing apparatus  100 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, transport tubes  120 ,  122  extend through a ring assembly  134  that is preferably welded to base pipe  108 . Likewise, outer tubular  102  may be welded to ring assembly  134 . Ring assembly  134  may be eccentric in design such that it has suitable thickness to receive and support transport tubes  120 ,  122  on one side but may be thinner on the opposite side. Ring assembly  134  may be a single solid ring or may be formed from ring sections that substantially form a solid ring or may form a circumferentially segmented ring having gaps between the ring sections. Ring assembly  134  may include multiple components that receive and support transport tubes  120 ,  122  and may have notches, slots or openings that receive and support transport tubes  120 ,  122 . It should be understood by those skilled in the art that even though transport tubes  120 ,  122  are depicted as extending through ring assembly  134 , transport tubes may cooperate with a ring assembly in alternate ways, including, but not limited to, extending only partially into openings of a ring assembly or otherwise being fluidically coupled to one side of a ring assembly wherein the openings of the ring assembly become part of a fluid path for the fluid slurry. In such an embodiment, the jumper tubes that fluidically couple the transport tubes of one joint with the transport tubes of the adjacent joint are similarly partially inserted into the openings of the ring assembly or otherwise fluidically coupled to the other side of the ring assembly. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , sand control screen assembly  106  may be eccentrically positioned within outer tubular  102  to enable slurry delivery subassembly  118  to be positioned therebetween while maintaining a desired outer diameter of gravel packing apparatus  100 . It should be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that even though  FIGS. 2 and 3  have described a particular slurry delivery subassembly, other slurry delivery subassembly having other configurations could alternatively be used in conjunction with the apparatus of the present invention. For example, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , a gravel packing apparatus  150  is depicted having a slurry delivery subassembly  152  including a single transport tube  154  and a pair of packing tubes  156 ,  158  each having a plurality of nozzles  160 ,  162  in an eccentric design. In another example, as best seen in  FIG. 5 , a gravel packing apparatus  170  is depicted having a slurry delivery subassembly  172  including a pair of slurry delivery tubes  174 ,  176  that serve as both transport tubes, as they extend from joint to joint, as well as packing tubes, as each has a plurality of nozzles  178 ,  180 . Gravel packing apparatus  170  also has an eccentric design. In a further example, as best seen in  FIG. 6 , a gravel packing apparatus  190  is depicted having a slurry delivery subassembly  192  including three slurry delivery tubes  194 ,  196 ,  198  that serve as both transport tubes, as they extend from joint to joint, as well as packing tubes, as each has a plurality of nozzles  200 ,  202 ,  204 . Unlike the previously described gravel packing apparatuses, gravel packing apparatus  190  has a concentric design wherein sand control screen assembly  106  is concentrically positioned within the outer tubular  102  with slurry delivery tubes  194 ,  196 ,  198  circumferentially distributed therebetween. 
     The operation of the assembling a gravel packing apparatus  200  of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 7A-7D . A lower joint of gravel packing apparatus  200  is depicted as joint  202  having a pair of transport tubes  204  supported by a ring assembly  206 . Joint  202  is supported by the well platform in, for example, a screen table assembly attached to the rotary table generally located on the well floor of the platform (not pictured). An upper joint of gravel packing apparatus  200  is depicted as joint  208  having a pair of transport tubes  210  supported by a ring assembly  212 . Upper joint  208  has been maneuvered into position above joint  202  using the hoisting apparatus of the well platform (not pictured). Joints  202  and  208  are now threadably connected to one another to form coupled joint, as best seen in  FIG. 7B , which may be supported by the hoisting apparatus of the well platform (not pictured). Once in this position, jumper tubes  214  may be coupled between transport tubes  210  of joint  208  and transport tubes  204  of joint  202  which establishes fluid communication therebetween and preferably a fluid tight seal therebetween, as best seen in  FIG. 7C . 
     After jumper tubes  214  have been connected, a jumper tube protection assembly  216  is installed, as best seen in  FIG. 7D . In the illustrated embodiment, jumper tube protection assembly  216  extends between joints  202 ,  208  and is positioned to the exterior and around the coupled joint including jumper tubes  214 . Jumper tube protection assembly  216  is depicted as a cage assembly having a plurality of circumferentially distributed plate members  218  having gaps therebetween that extend between a pair of oppositely disposed collars  220 ,  222 . As illustrated, collar  220  is connected to ring assembly  212  by set screws  224 . Likewise, collar  222  is connected to ring assembly  206  by set screws  226 . Jumper tube protection assembly  216  may be prefabricated in sections such that two or more sections form the cage assembly with each section being independently connected to ring assemblies  206 ,  212 . Alternatively, the cage assembly may have hinged collars  220 ,  222  that enable jumper tube protection assembly  216  to be installed in a clamshell type operation. As another alternative, the entire jumper tube protection assembly  216  may be constructed on the rig floor by installing each of the individual plate member  218  into the opposing collars  220 ,  222  as gravel packing apparatus  200  is being connected and deployed. As yet another alternative, the jumper tube protection assembly  216  may be prefabricated as part of the upper portion of joint  202  or as part of the lower portion of joint  208  then slid into place around the coupled joint including jumper tubes  214 . As such, jumper tube protection assemblies  216  of the present invention provide protection against damage to jumper tubes  214  during installation and deployment of gravel packing apparatus  200  into the wellbore. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , another embodiment of a jumper tube protection assembly  230  is depicted in place on gravel packing apparatus  200 . Jumper tube protection assembly  230  is depicted as a cage assembly having a plurality of circumferentially distributed ribs  232  that extend between a pair of oppositely disposed collars  234 ,  236  having a screen wire  238  wrapped therearound. As illustrated, collar  234  is connected to ring assembly  206  by set screws  240 . Likewise, collar  236  is connected to ring assembly  212  by set screws  242 . Jumper tube protection assembly  230  may be prefabricated in multiple sections that are independently connected to ring assemblies  206 ,  212 , it may have hinged collars  234 ,  236  for clam shell type installation, it may be prefabricated as part of the upper portion of joint  202  or as part of the lower portion of joint  208  then slid into place around the coupled joint including jumper tubes  214  or installed in another suitable manner. As such, jumper tube protection assemblies  230  of the present invention provide protection against damage to jumper tubes  214  during installation and deployment of gravel packing apparatus  200  into the wellbore. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a jumper tube protection assembly  250  is depicted in place on gravel packing apparatus  200 . Jumper tube protection assembly  250  is depicted as a cage assembly having a plurality of circumferentially distributed ribs  252  that extend between a pair of oppositely disposed collars  254 ,  256  having a sheet metal wrapper  258  positioned therearound. As illustrated, collar  254  is connected to ring assembly  206  by set screws  260 . Likewise, collar  256  is connected to ring assembly  212  by set screws  262 . Jumper tube protection assembly  250  may be prefabricated in multiple sections that are independently connected to ring assemblies  206 ,  212 , it may have hinged collars  254 ,  254  for clam shell type installation, it may be prefabricated as part of the upper portion of joint  202  or as part of the lower portion of joint  208  then slid into place around the coupled joint including jumper tubes  214 , or installed in another suitable manner. Sheet metal wrapper  258  may be prefabricated on ribs  252  or installed on the rig floor as gravel packing apparatus  200  is being connected and deployed. As such, jumper tube protection assemblies  250  of the present invention provide protection against damage to jumper tubes  214  during installation and deployment of gravel packing apparatus  200  into the wellbore. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , another embodiment of a jumper tube protection assembly  270  is depicted in place on gravel packing apparatus  200 . Jumper tube protection assembly  270  is depicted as a plurality of circumferentially distributed plate members  272  that extend between ring assemblies  206 ,  212  and are attached thereto by set screws  274 ,  276 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the plate members has substantially the same construction and extends circumferentially approximately ninety degrees around the coupled joint. As such, jumper tube protection assemblies  270  of the present invention provide protection against damage to jumper tubes  214  during installation and deployment of gravel packing apparatus  200  into the wellbore. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , another embodiment of a jumper tube protection assembly  280  is depicted in place on gravel packing apparatus  200 . Jumper tube protection assembly  280  is depicted as a plurality of circumferentially distributed plate members including a pair of side plate members  282  and a central plate member  284  that extend between ring assemblies  206 ,  212  and are attached thereto by set screws  286 ,  288 . In the illustrated embodiment, central plate member  284  extends circumferentially approximately sixty degrees around the coupled joint and is designed to cooperate with jumper tubes  214 . Side plate members  282  each extend circumferentially approximately one hundred and fifty degrees around the coupled joint. As such, jumper tube protection assemblies  280  of the present invention provide protection against damage to jumper tubes  214  during installation and deployment of gravel packing apparatus  200  into the wellbore. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , another embodiment of a jumper tube protection assembly  300  is depicted in place on gravel packing apparatus  200 . In the illustrated embodiment, jumper tube protection assembly  300  is depicted as a cage assembly having a plurality of circumferentially distributed bowsprings  302  having gaps therebetween that extend between a pair of oppositely disposed collars  304 ,  306 . As illustrated, jumper tube protection assembly  300  is prefabricated in two sections that are bolted, clamped or otherwise secured together at tabs  308 ,  310 . Importantly, bowsprings  302  have an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of joints  202 ,  208  such that jumper tube protection assembly  300  not only provides protection against damage to jumper tubes  214  during installation and deployment of gravel packing apparatus  200  into the wellbore, but also, provides a centralization function to gravel packing apparatus  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , another embodiment of a jumper tube protection assembly  320  is depicted in place on gravel packing apparatus  200 . In the illustrated embodiment, jumper tube protection assembly  320  includes a housing  322  with a plurality of circumferentially distributed blades  324  radially extending therefrom. Housing  322  extends between a pair of oppositely disposed collars  326 ,  328 . As illustrated, jumper tube protection assembly  320  is prefabricated in two sections that rotatably coupled together at hinges  330 ,  332  enabling installation in a clam shell manner. Thereafter, the two sections are bolted, clamped or otherwise secured together at tabs  334 ,  336 . Blades  324  may be solid members or may be spring members. Importantly, blades  324  have an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of joints  202 ,  208  such that jumper tube protection assembly  320  not only provides protection against damage to jumper tubes  214  during installation and deployment of gravel packing apparatus  200  into the wellbore, but also, provides a centralization function to gravel packing apparatus  200 . 
     While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.