Combined Fracturing Outlet and Production Port for a Tubular String

Abstract

One or more openings in a zone have an adjacent screen assembly that is axially movable to a position away from the port when pressure in the tubing exceeds the annulus pressure by a predetermined value. Upon the differential being reduced below a predetermined value or when annulus pressure exceeds the tubing pressure, the screen moves over the port to block at least some of the solids in the formation or the well fluids from entering the tubing string. The screen movement can be aided by a bias force and the movement can be locked in to prevent the screen that has moved to a position over the port from moving back away from the port.

1 . A completion apparatus for subterranean use, comprising:
 a housing having an internal passage and at least one wall flow port from said passage that is automatically reconfigured as to flow restriction therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said port has an unrestricted configuration and a screened configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said reconfiguration is responsive to pressure differential between said internal passage and subterranean pressure around said housing.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a movably mounted screen assembly in said passage.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 a pressure port extending through said wall of said housing and leading to a variable sealed volume between said wall and said movably mounted screen assembly.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein:
 screen assembly comprises a first and second opposed annular surfaces, said second annular surface defines at least a part of said variable volume.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said first annular surface on said screen assembly moves said screen assembly, in response to pressure in said passage, to reduce the volume of said variable volume.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein:
 said screen assembly is biased toward a position where said port is in said screened configuration.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said biasing comprises at least one of a coiled spring, Belleville washer or a compartment holding a compressible fluid.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said screen assembly comprises a sleeve assembly in said passage having an outer surface;   said variable volume and said biasing disposed in said housing between said sleeve and said wall.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said sleeve comprises a plurality of wall openings covered by at least one annularly shaped screen.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said at least one screen selectively aligns with at least one circumferential row of wall flow ports.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said sleeve assembly moves only in a direction toward putting said port in a screened configuration.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said sleeve assembly moves in opposed directions.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said sleeve is restrained with a breakable member.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein:
 said sleeve puts said port in said screened configuration in response to at least one pressure application and removal cycle in said passage.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said port further comprises a telescoping passage.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said bias and pressure in said variable volume against said second annular surface push said screen assembly toward a position where said port is in said screened configuration.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein:
 passage pressure acting on said first annular surface opposes the force of said bias and variable volume pressure on said second annular surface.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said at least one flow port comprises multiple flow ports in an isolated subterranean zone.