Device and method for sand control with enhanced sand bridging

Abstract

Embodiments described herein provide well screens and methods that promote sand arching and reduced erosion. One embodiment is a well screen which generally comprises a wire which is spirally wound to form a cylinder with a slot between each role of the wire. The outer surface of the wire comprises one or more indented features shaped to promote sand bridging or reduced erosion. The indented feature may comprise a longitudinal channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sand control assembly comprising:
 a support; and   a wrapped wire supported by the support and wrapped to create a wire-wrapped screen having a slot of selected size between adjacent wrappings, the wrapped wire comprising a radially outer surface defining an indented feature selected to enhance formation of a sand bridge across the slot.   
     
     
         2 . The sand control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the indented feature comprises a longitudinal channel. 
     
     
         3 . The sand control assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the longitudinal channel comprises channel sidewalls sloped away from the slot and having a maximum slope angle between 5-80 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The sand control assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the longitudinal channel comprises channel sidewalls having a slope angle approximately equal to an angle of repose of selected particulates in a well. 
     
     
         5 . The sand control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the wire is shaped to form a sinusoidal profile. 
     
     
         6 . The sand control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the wire is shaped to form a serrated profile. 
     
     
         7 . The sand control assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the longitudinal channel is a square channel. 
     
     
         8 . The sand control assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the indented feature is selected to promote formation of sand arches across the slot. 
     
     
         9 . The sand control assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a base pipe, wherein the support is coupled to the base pipe. 
     
     
         10 . The sand control assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the support comprises a rib of the base pipe. 
     
     
         11 . The sand control assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the support is coupled to the base pipe by a mounting ring. 
     
     
         12 . The sand control assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the base pipe is a non-perforated pipe. 
     
     
         13 . The sand control assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the base pipe is a perforated base pipe. 
     
     
         14 . A slotted liner comprising a tubular body defining at least one slot extending through the tubular body and a set of indented features disposed on an outer surface of the tubular body adjacent to the slot, the indented features selected to enhance sand bridging across the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The slotted liner of  claim 14 , wherein the indented features comprise channels. 
     
     
         16 . The slotted liner of  claim 15 , wherein the channels comprise channel sidewalls sloped away from the slot and having a maximum slope angle between 5°-80°. 
     
     
         17 . The slotted liner of,  claim 15 , wherein the channels comprise channel sidewalls having a slope angle approximately equal to an angle of repose of selected particulates in a well. 
     
     
         18 . The slotted liner of  claim 14 , wherein the outer surface of the slotted liner is shaped to form a sinusoidal profile. 
     
     
         19 . The slotted liner of  claim 14 , wherein the outer surface of the slotted liner is shaped to form a serrated profile. 
     
     
         20 . The slotted liner of  claim 14 , wherein the indented features are selected to promote formation of sand arches across the slot.