Braided screen for downhole sand control screen assemblies

Abstract

A sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe that defines an interior and one or more flow ports. A braided sand screen is disposed about the base pipe and is radially offset from the base pipe such that a production annulus is defined therebetween. The braided sand screen comprises a plurality of wires braided about the base pipe during manufacture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing, comprising:
 moving a base pipe of a sand control screen assembly longitudinally through a center of a wire braiding machine that provides a plurality of spindles, wherein each spindle includes wire wrapped thereon and the base pipe defines one or more flow ports;   deploying the wire from each spindle as the plurality of spindles cyclically rotate; and   braiding the wire from each spindle about the base pipe as the base pipe moves longitudinally with respect to the wire braiding machine and thereby generating a braided sand screen positioned about the base pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of longitudinally-extending ribs interposes the base pipe and the braided sand screen, and wherein braiding the wire from each spindle about the base pipe comprises:
 braiding the wire from each spindle directly onto the plurality of longitudinally-extending ribs; and   forming a production annulus between the base pipe and the braided sand screen.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a drainage layer interposes the base pipe and the braided sand screen, and wherein braiding the wire from each spindle about the base pipe comprises:
 braiding the wire from each spindle directly onto the drainage layer; and   forming a production annulus between the base pipe and the braided sand screen.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one wire of the plurality of spindles comprises a galvanically-corrodible or dissolvable metal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a degradable material applied to all or a portion of the braided sand screen, wherein the degradable material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of borate glass, a degradable polymer, a degradable rubber, a dehydrated salt, and any combination thereof.