Expandable Screen Using Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy Material

Abstract

A well screen assembly for use in a wellbore comprises a base pipe comprising one or more fluid passageways, and a shape-memory alloy disposed about the base pipe. The one or more fluid passageways are configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of the base pipe and a central flowbore, and the shape-memory alloy is configured to transition between an expanded state and a compressed state in response to a trigger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A well screen assembly for use in a wellbore comprising:
 a base pipe comprising one or more fluid passageways, wherein the one or more fluid passageways are configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of the base pipe and a central flowbore; and   a shape-memory alloy disposed about the base pipe, wherein the shape-memory alloy is configured to transition between an expanded state and a compressed state in response to a trigger.   
     
     
         2 . The well screen assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter element disposed about the base pipe, wherein the shape-memory alloy is disposed between the base pipe and the filter element, and wherein the shape-memory alloy is configured to expand the filter element when transitioned to the expanded state. 
     
     
         3 . The well screen assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter element disposed about the base pipe, wherein the filter element is disposed between the base pipe and the shape-memory alloy. 
     
     
         4 . The well screen assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the shape-memory alloy is configured to reduce a distance between a wellbore wall and the filter element when transitioned from the compressed state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         5 . The well screen assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a shroud disposed about and coupled to the base pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The well screen assembly of  claim 5 , where the shape-memory alloy is coupled to the shroud between the shroud and the base pipe, and wherein the shape-memory alloy is configured to expand radially inward when transitioned from the compressed state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         7 . The well screen assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the shape-memory alloy is coupled to an outer surface of the shroud, and wherein the shape-memory alloy is configured to expand radially outward when transitioned from the compressed state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         8 . The well screen assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shape-memory alloy is configured to filter a fluid flowing from the exterior of the base pipe to the central flowbore. 
     
     
         9 . The well screen assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shape-memory alloy comprises a metal foam. 
     
     
         10 . The well screen of assembly  claim 1 , wherein the trigger comprises a change in temperature of the shape-memory alloy. 
     
     
         11 . The well screen assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shape-memory alloy comprises a magnetic shape-memory alloy, and wherein the trigger comprises at least one magnetic field. 
     
     
         12 . The well screen assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one magnetic field is generated by a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 providing a trigger to a shape-memory alloy disposed about a base pipe in a wellbore, wherein the base pipe comprises one or more fluid passageways configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of the base pipe and a central flowbore;   transitioning the shape-memory alloy from a compressed state to an expanded state in response to the trigger; and   establishing fluid communication between the exterior of the base pipe and the central flowbore when the shape-memory allow is in the expanded state.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising expanding a filter element disposed about the base pipe in response to the transitioning. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising engaging a wellbore wall with the shape-memory alloy in the expanded state. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising filtering a fluid flowing between the exterior of the base pipe and the central flowbore using the shape-memory alloy. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising training the shape-memory alloy by exposure to a plurality of temperatures, application of a mechanical stress, application of a magnetic field, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising releasing one or more chemical components in response to transitioning the shape-memory alloy from the compressed state to the expanded state. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 providing a trigger to a shape-memory alloy disposed in a fluid pathway between an exterior of a base pipe and a central flowbore;   transitioning the shape-memory alloy from a compressed state to an expanded state in response to the trigger; and   changing a fluid resistance through the fluid pathway in response to the transitioning.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the shape-memory alloy is disposed in a fluid restriction, wherein the fluid restriction is disposed in the fluid pathway.