Apparatus for reducing operationally induced deformities in well production screens

Abstract

A wellbore assembly comprises a tubular member adapted to be connected to other tubular members, the tubular member having a side wall defining a hollow interior and an array of openings therethrough to permit material into the interior. A screening element extends about the tubular member over the array of openings to control the material that reaches the array of openings. A stress relieving arrangement associated with the screening element permits relative movement between the screening element and the tubular member to absorb stress build-up within the screening element whether due to mechanical or temperature induced forces that would tend to distortion the screening elements. In a preferred arrangement, the wellbore assembly serves to maintain solids control in production wells while accommodating stresses and strains that occur within the tubular members in those wells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wellbore assembly comprising:
 a tubular member adapted to be connected to other tubular members, the tubular member having a side wall defining a hollow interior and an array of openings therethrough to permit material into the interior;   a screening element extending about the tubular member over the array of openings to control the material that reaches the array of openings; and   a stress relieving arrangement associated with the screening element to permit relative movement between the screening element and the tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the screening element comprises an outer sleeve member for mounting co-axially about the tubular member. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  in which the outer sleeve member is mounted to the tubular member by welding at opposite ends of the sleeve member. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the stress relieving arrangement comprises at least one bellows structure within the screening element 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  in which each at least one bellows structure comprises a plurality of corrugations formed in the screening element. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the screening element comprises a membrane having openings therethrough sized to permit material of desired dimensions through the member. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6  in which the membrane comprises a punched screen. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  6  in which the membrane comprises a wire mesh. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the stress relieving arrangement is formed at one end of the sleeve member. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the stress relieving arrangement is formed intermediate the ends of the sleeve member. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1  in which the tubular member is formed with threaded connections at each end to end to end joining with other tubular members. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1  including protrusions formed between the tubular member and the screening element to maintain separation therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12  in which the protrusions comprise at least one annular ring extending generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12  in which the protrusions comprise at least one rib extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. 
     
     
         15 . A wellbore assembly comprising:
 a tubular member adapted to be connected to other tubular members, the tubular member having a side wall defining a hollow interior and an array of openings therethrough to permit material into the interior;   means for screening material extending about the tubular member over the array of openings to control the material that reaches the array of openings; and   means for permitting relative movement between the tubular member and the means for screening material.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 15  in which the means for screening material comprises an outer sleeve member for mounting co-axially about the tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16  in which the outer sleeve member is mounted to the tubular member by welding at opposite ends of the sleeve member. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16  in which the means for permitting relative movement between the tubular member and the means for screening material comprises a bellows structure in the outer sleeve member. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18  in which bellows structure comprises a plurality of corrugations formed in the outer sleeve member. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 15  in which the means for screening material comprises a membrane having openings therethrough sized to permit material of desired dimensions through the member. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 20  in which the membrane comprises a punched screen. 
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  20  in which the membrane comprises a wire mesh. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 15  in which the means for permitting relative movement is formed at one end of the sleeve member. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 15  in which the tubular member is formed with threaded connections at each end to end to end joining with other tubular members. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 15  including separating means between the tubular member and the means for screening material to maintain separation therebetween. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 25  in which the separating means comprise protrusions formed on one of the tubular member and the means for screening material. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 26  in which the protrusions comprise at least one annular ring extending generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 26  in which the protrusions comprise at least one rib extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member.