Apparatus and Method for Use with Alternate Path Sand Control Completions

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus and method for a sand control completion in a wellbore. The apparatus has a body comprising a swellable material configured to surround a wellbore tubular which defines a primary flow path for wellbore fluids. The body is also configured to surround at least one secondary flow path disposed externally of the wellbore tubular. The secondary flow path is configured for a carrier fluid containing particulate matter for a gravel pack. The body also comprises a longitudinal discontinuity which permits a radial opening to be formed on the body, through which the body is operable to be applied to the tubular.

1 . An apparatus for a sand control completion in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
 a body comprising a swellable material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid, the body configured to surround a wellbore tubular which defines a primary flow path and further configured to surround at least one secondary flow path disposed externally of the wellbore tubular,   wherein the secondary flow path is configured for a carrier fluid containing particulate matter for a gravel pack, and the body comprises a longitudinal discontinuity which permits a radial opening to be formed on the body, through which the body is operable to be applied to the tubular.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary flow path comprises a conduit and the body is configured to surround the conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the conduit is a shunt tube or jumper tube. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a longitudinal recess on an inner surface which defines the secondary flow path. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a manifold in the secondary flow path. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a support structure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the support structure is resilient. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the support structure is integral with the body. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the body at least partially surrounds the support structure. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the support structure upstands from an outer surface of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the support structure is configured to provide stand-off to the apparatus in use. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a protective shroud for an alternate path sand control completion system. 
     
     
         13 . A sand control completion comprising:
 a tubular defining a primary fluid flow path;   a first sand control device;   a secondary fluid flow path for delivering a carrier fluid containing particulate matter for a gravel pack to the first sand control device; and   a body comprising a swellable material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid disposed over the secondary flow path and the tubular,   wherein the body comprises a longitudinal discontinuity which permits a radial opening to be formed on the body, through which the body is operable to be applied to the tubular.   
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a sand control completion, the method comprising:
 forming a primary fluid flow path from a sand control device and a tubular;   providing a secondary fluid flow path for delivering a carrier fluid containing particulate matter for a gravel pack; and   disposing a body comprising a swellable material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid over the secondary flow path and the tubular by applying the body to the tubular through a radial opening on the body.