Tubing system having alternate path
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorMichael Dean Langlais
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique facilitates assembly and deployment of a sand screen assembly string. The sand screen assembly string is constructed by providing sequential base pipe joints combined with corresponding alternate path tubes. The sequential base pipe joints are joined together in a manner which brings sequential, corresponding alternate path tubes into close proximity with each other at a location external to the sequential base pipe joints. The sequential, corresponding alternate path tubes are readily coupled together by a connector which is movably mounted along at least one of the alternate path tubes for movement into engagement with the other alternate path tube.
Claims20
A system for use in a well, comprising:
- a gravel packing system deployed in a wellbore and comprising:
- a base pipe having a first base pipe joint and a second base pipe joint coupled at a base pipe joint connection;
- a screen disposed around the base pipe;
- and
- a first alternate path tube disposed along the first base pipe joint and a second alternate path tube disposed along the second base pipe joint, the first and second alternate path tubes being positioned for alignment with each other when the first base pipe joint and the second base pipe joint are coupled via cooperating box and pin ends;
- a connector movably coupled with at least one of the first or second alternate path tubes, the connector being movable to join the first alternate path tube with the second alternate path tube once the first base pipe joint is coupled with the second base pipe joint,
- wherein the alternate path tubes are approximately ⅛ to ⅜ of an inch shorter than a length of the corresponding base pipe, as measured from a base of the pin end to an end of a coupling shoulder at the box end;
- and
- a connection cap attachable into the gravel packing system at a location which covers the connector.
A method, comprising:
- forming a gravel packing system with a screen assembly string having a base pipe with base pipe joints, and the screen assembly string further having alternate path tubes positioned along the base pipe joints;
- coupling adjacent base pipe joints via cooperating box and pin ends such that corresponding alternate path tubes of the adjacent base pipe joints are disposed proximate to each other;
- joining the corresponding alternate path tubes with a connector by sliding the connector from one of the corresponding alternate path tubes into engagement with the other of the corresponding alternate path tube,
- wherein the first and second alternate path tubes are approximately ⅛ to ⅜ of an inch shorter than a length of the corresponding base pipe, as measured from a base of the pin end to an end of a coupling shoulder at the box end;
- and
- enclosing and securing the connector with a cap.
A method, comprising:
- providing a first base pipe joint of a base pipe with a first alternate path tube and a second base pipe joint of the base pipe with a second alternate path tube;
- joining the first base pipe joint with the second base pipe joint via cooperating box and pin ends such that the first alternate path tube and the second alternate path tube are brought into dose proximity with each other at a location along the exterior of the first and second base pipe joints;
- and
- joining the first alternate path tube with the second alternate path tube by a connector movably mounted on at least one of the first or second alternate path tubes,
- wherein the first and second alternate path tubes are approximately ⅛ to ⅜ of an inch shorter than a length of the corresponding base pipe, as measured from a base of the pin end to an end of a coupling shoulder at the box end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.