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A well screen having an internal, blank alternate flowpath for delivering fracturing fluid/gravel slurry to different levels within a well annulus. The well screen includes an outer pipe which is positioned over a base pipe thereby forming an annulus therebetween. The circumference of each pipe has

A well screen having an internal, blank alternate flowpath for delivering fracturing fluid/gravel slurry to different levels within a well annulus. The well screen includes an outer pipe which is positioned over a base pipe thereby forming an annulus therebetween. The circumference of each pipe has a perforated sector and a blank sector, both of which extend along their respective lengths. When assembled, the respective perforated sectors are aligned to form a perforated, production sector and the respective blank sectors are aligned to form the blank, alternate flowpath. The base pipe is wrapped with wire to prevent solids from flowing through the openings therein. Slurry is pumped into the annulus where it flows circumferently from the blank, alternate flowpath to exit into the well annulus through the openings in the perforated sector of the annulus.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A well screen comprising:a base pipe having (a) a perforated sector of its circumference subtending a central angle .alpha. and extending along substantially the length of the base pipe, said perforated sector of said base pipe having openings therein and (b) a blank se

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A well screen comprising:a base pipe having (a) a perforated sector of its circumference subtending a central angle .alpha. and extending along substantially the length of the base pipe, said perforated sector of said base pipe having openings therein and (b) a blank sector of its circumference subtending a central angle .beta. and extending substantially the length of said base pipe, said second sector being blank and devoid of openings;an outer, larger-diameter pipe positioned over said base pipe thereby forming an annulus therebetween, said outer pipe having (a) a perforated sector of its circumference substantially subtending said central angle .alpha. and extending substantially the length of said outer pipe, said perforated sector of said outer pipe having openings therein and (b) a blank sector of its circumference substantially subtending said central angle .beta. and extending substantially the length of said outer pipe, said blank sector of said outer pipe being blank and devoid of openings; said perforated sector and said blank sector of said outer pipe being radially-aligned with said perforated sector and said blank sector of said base pipe, respectively, when said pipes are assembled to thereby provide a perforated, production sector and an blank, alternate flowpath sector, respectively, within said annulus;means for allowing flow of fluids through the openings in said perforated sector of said base pipe while blocking flow of solids therethrough; andan inlet at the upper end of said annulus for allowing flow of a slurry containing solids into said annulus wherein said slurry will flow circumferentally from said blank, alternate flowpath sector, into said perforated, production sector of said annulus, and out said openings along the length of said perforated sector of said outer pipe.