Downhole tubing filter

Abstract

A downhole tubing filter to remove sand and other solid particles from production fluid in a subterranean well. The downhole tubing filter includes a filter element having a perforated mandrel surrounded by at least one filter media made of a stainless steel woven mesh material to provide improved permeability and resistance to chemical and physical forces.

1 . A downhole tubing filter element, comprising:
 a metallic mandrel juxtaposed between opposing end fittings, said mandrel having a plurality of diametrical perforations, said mandrel having an interior chamber aligned along an axial flow passage through said downhole tubing filter; and   at least one metallic mesh filter media circumferentially surrounding said mandrel, said filter media comprising a single layer or multiple layers of woven wire mesh and metallic fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 1  wherein said mandrel is fabricated from stainless steel or carbon steel. 
     
     
         3 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 1  further comprising said downhole tubing filter encased within a perforated steel housing. 
     
     
         4 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 1  wherein said opposing end fittings further comprise a first end fitting and a second end fitting attached to said mandrel and said metallic mesh filter media. 
     
     
         5 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 1  wherein said filter media is fabricated from stainless steel. 
     
     
         6 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 5  wherein said layer or layers of said filter media have a weave type selected from the group consisting of a plain wire cloth, a plain Dutch weave, a Twill Dutch weave, a Reverse Dutch Twill weave, or a reverse Dutch weave. 
     
     
         7 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 6  wherein said weave type is said plain Dutch weave. 
     
     
         8 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 6  wherein said filter media comprises a drainage layer concentrically surrounding said mandrel and a filter layer concentrically surrounding said drainage layer. 
     
     
         9 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 6  wherein said filter media comprises a drainage and support layer concentrically surrounding said mandrel and a filter layer concentrically surrounding said drainage and support layer. 
     
     
         10 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 6  wherein said filter media comprises a drainage layer concentrically surrounding said mandrel and a filter layer concentrically surrounding said drainage layer. 
     
     
         11 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 6  wherein said filter media comprises a drainage layer concentrically surrounding said mandrel, a support layer concentrically surrounding said drainage layer, a filter layer concentrically surrounding said support layer, and a protective layer concentrically surrounding said filter layer. 
     
     
         12 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 1  wherein said filter media has a nominal micron rating between about 80 and 150 microns. 
     
     
         13 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 12  wherein said filter media has a nominal micron rating between about 115 and 150 microns. 
     
     
         14 . The downhole tubing filter element of  claim 1  wherein said filter media is a monolithic structure forming an integrated filter media. 
     
     
         15 . A downhole filter, comprising:
 a tubing filter element, comprising:
 a metallic mandrel having a plurality of diametrical perforations and an interior chamber aligned along an axial flow passage through said downhole tubing filter, said end fittings having opposing generally planar axial or open ends axially aligned and coaxially spaced along said flow passage; 
 a monolithic mesh filter media forming an integrated filter media, said filter media circumferentially surrounding said mandrel, said filter media comprising a stainless steel weave having a nominal micron rating between about 80 and 150 microns; and 
   a first end fitting and a second end fitting respectively attached to opposing terminal ends of said filter element.   
     
     
         16 . The downhole filter of  claim 15  wherein said mandrel is fabricated from stainless steel or an investment cast precipitation-hardening corrosion-resistant carbon steel. 
     
     
         17 . The downhole filter of  claim 15  wherein said layer or layers of said filter media have a weave type selected from the group consisting of a plain wire cloth, a plain Dutch weave, a Twill Dutch weave, a Reverse Dutch Twill weave, or a reverse Dutch weave. 
     
     
         18 . The downhole filter of  claim 15  wherein said filter media comprises a drainage layer concentrically surrounding said mandrel and a filter layer concentrically surrounding said drainage layer. 
     
     
         19 . The downhole filter of  claim 15  wherein said filter media comprises a drainage and support layer concentrically surrounding said mandrel and a filter layer concentrically surrounding said drainage and support layer. 
     
     
         20 . The downhole filter of  claim 15  wherein said filter media comprises a drainage layer concentrically surrounding said mandrel and a filter layer concentrically surrounding said drainage layer. 
     
     
         21 . The downhole filter of  claim 15  wherein said filter media comprises a drainage layer concentrically surrounding said mandrel, a support layer concentrically surrounding said drainage layer, a filter layer concentrically surrounding said support layer, and a protective layer concentrically surrounding said filter layer. 
     
     
         22 . The downhole filter of  claim 15  wherein said nominal micron rating is between about 115 and 150 microns.