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Today's conventional sand control screens, such as slotted liner, wire wrap and premium mesh (both fusion-bonded or "soft-sintered"), retain sand via arrays of single-sized gaps. Although open flow area and mechanical strength differ among such screens, the sand retention mechanism is virtually the same¡ª2 dimensional and gap-based¡ªand performance is sensitive to the particle-size distribution (PSD), which is not always well defined or constant along a horizontal wellbore. A very different sand control screen was developed that consists of a ~6 mm thick bed of highly compressed stainless steel wool and is protected by a perforated jacket with about 40% open flow area. The wool fibers criss-cross randomly to create a wide distribution of angular (rhombohedral) pores designed to retain a wide range of PSDs without plugging. Furthermore, this unique, three dimensional filter allows more "harmless fines" to pass, especially during startup, thereby creating an enhanced permeability layer of sand against the screen.

About 1 million feet of this screen has been installed to date (mostly in producers but also in injectors) in a wide range of applications¡ªSAGD, cyclic steam, steam drive, conventional heavy and light oil, gas, gas hydrates and water producers/injectors¡ªwith a remarkably high success rate. Due to its high flow capacity and strength, it has become popular for pump protection and for re

This paper presents the highlights of recent laboratory testing and field experience that demonstrate the screen's wide range of application, robust characteristics, and unique ability to enhance productivity and handle a wide range of sands with one "gauge." The screen's limitations are also presented.

With today's emphasis on standalone screen (SAS)