Gravel pack joint

Abstract

A gravel pack joint includes a unitary tubular defining a thickness bounded by an outside surface and an inside surface and having an end configured for interconnection with another member. An opening extending from the outside surface through the tubular to the inside surface. A passageway defined within the thickness of the tubular; and a port extending from the outside surface of the tubular to intersect the passageway but not extending to the inside surface of the tubular.

1 . A gravel pack joint comprising:
 a unitary tubular defining a thickness bounded by an outside surface and an inside surface and having an end configured for interconnection with another member;   an opening extending from the outside surface through the tubular to the inside surface;   a passageway defined within the thickness of the tubular; and   a port extending from the outside surface of the tubular to intersect the passageway but not extending to the inside surface of the tubular.   
     
     
         2 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the opening is a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         3 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  where in the port is a plurality of ports. 
     
     
         4 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the passageway is a plurality of passageways, at least two of the plurality of passageways having intersecting ports. 
     
     
         5 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a recess defined within the thickness of the tubular and intersecting the passageway. 
     
     
         6 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the passageway is a plurality of passageways, each of which is intersected by the recess. 
     
     
         7 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the port is angled. 
     
     
         8 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the angle is along the axial direction of the joint. 
     
     
         9 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the end includes threads. 
     
     
         10 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the threads are helical. 
     
     
         11 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the threads are wicker threads. 
     
     
         12 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the end further includes fasteners. 
     
     
         13 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the fasteners are threaded fasteners orthogonally arranged. 
     
     
         14 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein another end includes an engagement nose. 
     
     
         15 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the engagement nose is of a smaller outside diameter than the tubular. 
     
     
         16 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the opening is orthogonal to the tubular. 
     
     
         17 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the tubular is of composite construction. 
     
     
         18 . The gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1  further including a screen disposed adjacent the inside surface of the tubular. 
     
     
         19 . A downhole production system comprising:
 a tubular string; and   a gravel pack joint as claimed in  claim 1 .