System and method for controlling sand production in wells

Abstract

A technique is provided for controlling sand in a well. The technique may utilize a vent screen assembly having a main screen, a vent screen, and a tubular member extending from the main screen to the vent screen. An expandable element is positioned around the tubular member between the main screen and the vent screen. After the vent screen assembly is deployed into a wellbore, a gravel pack can be formed around at least the main screen. The expandable element is selectively expanded in a radial direction to secure the gravel pack and to enable higher production rates.

1 . A method of controlling sand in a well, comprising:
 preparing a vent screen assembly with a tubular member, a main screen connected to the to the tubular member, a vent screen connected to the tubular member, and an expandable element positioned around the tubular member between the main screen and the vent screen;   deploying the vent screen assembly into a wellbore to a desired location; and   expanding the expandable element toward a surrounding wellbore wall without requiring an additional trip downhole.   
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising gravel packing around the main screen prior to expanding the expandable member. 
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein expanding comprises expanding a swellable packing element. 
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein expanding comprises expanding the expandable member against the surrounding wellbore wall. 
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein expanding comprises expanding the expandable member against a portion of a gravel pack disposed between the expandable member and the surrounding wellbore wall. 
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising producing a fluid flowing from the vent screen. 
   
   
       7 . A system for use in a wellbore:
 a vent screen assembly having a tubular member, a main screen coupled to the tubular member, a vent screen coupled to the tubular member, and an expandable element positioned around the tubular member between the main s screen and the vent screen.   
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the expandable element comprises a swellable material. 
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the main screen is positioned below the vent screen to accommodate fluid flow into the main screen, up through the tubular member, and out through the vent screen when the vent screen assembly is positioned in a well. 
   
   
       10 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a gravel pack positioned around the main screen. 
   
   
       11 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the expandable element swells when exposed to a well related fluid. 
   
   
       12 . A method, comprising:
 coupling a screen to a tubular member;   forming a gravel pack around the screen in a wellbore; and   positioning a radially expandable element around the tubular member and proximate the screen to secure the gravel pack.   
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein coupling comprises coupling a main screen to a vent screen with the tubular member. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein positioning comprises positioning a swellable material between the main screen and the vent screen. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising expanding the radially expandable element. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein expanding comprises expanding the radially expandable element against a surrounding wellbore wall. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein expanding comprises expanding the radially expandable element into the gravel pack. 
   
   
       18 . A method, comprising:
 preparing a vent screen assembly with a main screen and a vent screen; and   separating the vent screen from the main screen with a swellable material.   
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising deploying the vent screen assembly into a wellbore. 
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising gravel packing around the main screen. 
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising expanding the swellable material radially outward while positioned between the vent screen and the main screen.