Well screen

Abstract

A screen assembly connected about a perforated base pipe includes a filter layer constructed of layers of woven metal cloth sintered together; a drainage layer positioned between the base pipe and the filter layer, the drainage layer sintered to the filter layer; and a support layer constructed of woven metal rods and metal cable disposed about the filter layer, the support layer sintered to the filter layer.

1 . A well screen comprising:
 a base pipe having means for allowing fluid flow into the base pipe; and   a screen assembly connected about a portion of the base pipe, wherein an outer shroud is not disposed over the screen assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The well screen of  claim 1 , wherein the means for allowing fluid flow into the base pipe includes an inflow control device. 
   
   
       3 . The well screen of  claim 1 , wherein the screen assembly includes:
 a drainage layer positioned about the base pipe; and   a filter layer positioned over the drainage layer.   
   
   
       4 . The well screen of  claim 3 , wherein the drainage layer is connected to the base pipe by welding and the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected. 
   
   
       5 . The well screen of  claim 3 , wherein the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected by diffusion bonding. 
   
   
       6 . The well screen of  claim 4 , wherein the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected by diffusion bonding. 
   
   
       7 . The well screen of  claim 3 , wherein the drainage layer is constructed of woven metal rod and metal cable. 
   
   
       8 . The well screen of  claim 7 , wherein the metal rod and metal cable are interconnected by diffusion bonding. 
   
   
       9 . The well screen of  claim 8 , wherein the drainage layer is connected to the base pipe by welding and the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected. 
   
   
       10 . The well screen of  claim 3 , wherein the drainage layer is constructed of metal rods woven together as the warp and weft. 
   
   
       11 . The well screen of  claim 10 , wherein the warp and weft are interconnected by diffusion bonding. 
   
   
       12 . The well screen of  claim 11 , wherein the drainage layer is connected to the base pipe by a weld and the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected. 
   
   
       13 . The well screen of  claim 3 , wherein the drainage layer is constructed of metal cable woven together as the warp and weft. 
   
   
       14 . The well screen of  claim 13 , wherein the warp and weft are interconnected by diffusion bonding. 
   
   
       15 . The well screen of  claim 14 , wherein the drainage layer is connected to the base pipe by a weld and the filter layer and the drainage layer are interconnected. 
   
   
       16 . A well screen apparatus used in a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:
 a base pipe having a means for allowing radial fluid entry; and   a screen assembly having at least three layers interconnected by diffusion bonding, the screen assembly positioned about a portion of the base pipe and connected thereto.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the screen assembly includes a drainage layer, a filter layer, and a support layer. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the filter layer is constructed of sintered metal fabric. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the screen assembly includes:
 a drainage layer constructed of woven metal members;   a filter layer constructed of sintered metal fabric; and   a support layer constructed of woven metal members, wherein the drainage layer is positioned between the filter layer and the base pipe.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the screen assembly is connected to the base pipe by welding and without being surrounded by a shroud member. 
   
   
       21 . A screen assembly connected about a base pipe, the screen assembly comprising:
 a filter layer constructed of layers of woven metal cloth sintered together;   a drainage layer positioned between the base pipe and the filter layer, the drainage layer sintered to the filter layer; and   a support layer constructed of woven metal rods and metal cable disposed about the filter layer, the support layer sintered to the filter layer.