Patent ID: 8251145

Claim:
A transition joint for coupling a parent wellbore to a branch wellbore extending outwardly from a window in the parent wellbore, comprising: a tubular string comprising an upper portion configured to be contained in the parent wellbore upwards from the window, a lower portion configured to be contained in the branch wellbore, and a plurality of apertures configured to allow fluid flow into the tubular string from a formation proximate to the window, wherein the plurality of apertures are arranged on the tubular string along a half of the tubular string configured to face a pressure gradient between the formation and the branch wellbore; and a plurality of pressure relief valves coupled to the apertures in the tubular string, wherein each of the pressure relief valves is configured to be autonomously actuating, and wherein the plurality of pressure relief valves are configured to reduce propagation of particulate matter into the parent wellbore and the branch wellbore when the plurality of pressure relief valves are open.