SAND CONTROL SCREEN ASSEMBLY WITH FLOW CONTROL CAPABILITY
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates, in general, to controlling the
production of fluids and particulate materials from a well that
traverses a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation and, in
particular, to a flow control screen that is operable to control
the inflow of formation fluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Without limiting the scope of the present invention,
its background will be described with reference to producing
fluid from a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation, as an
example.
[0003] During the completion of a well that traverses a
hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation, production tubing
and various completion equipment are installed in the well to
enable safe and efficient production of the formation fluids.
For example, to prevent the production of particulate material
from an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated subterranean
formation, certain completions include one or more sand control
screens positioned proximate the desired production intervals.
In other completions, to control the flow rate of production
fluids into the production tubing, it is common practice to
install one or more flow control devices within the tubing
string.
[0004] Attempts have been made to utilize fluid flow control
devices within completions requiring sand control. For example,
in certain sand control screens, after production fluids flows
through the filter medium, the fluids are directed into a flow

control section. The flow control section may include one or
more flow restrictors such as flow tubes, nozzles, labyrinths or
the like. Typically, the production rate through these sand
control screens is fixed prior to installation by individually
adjusting the flow restrictors of the sand control screens.
[0005] It has been found, however, that the during the
completion process, it may be desirable to pressure up the
completion string to operate or set certain tools, such as
packers. Current flow control screens require the running of a
separate work string into the completion string to achieve this
result or require that one or more permanent check valves be
incorporated into each flow control screen which increases the
cost and complexity of such screens and reduces the reliability
of such screens. In addition, it has been found, that it may
desirable to temporarily or permanently shut off production at
certain locations in a completion interval. To achieve this
result, current flow control screens incorporate sliding side
doors, which add complexity to each screen and require
mechanical intervention to operate the flow control screens
between open and closed positions.
[0006] Accordingly, a need has arisen for a flow control
screen that is operable to control the inflow of formation

fluids in a completion requiring sand control. A need has also
arisen for such a flow control screen that is operable to be
pressured up during the completion process. Further, a need has
arisen for such a flow control screen that is operable to
temporarily or permanently shut off production therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention disclosed herein comprises a
flow control screen for controlling the inflow of formation
fluids in completions requiring sand control. The flow control
screen of the present invention is operable to be pressured up
during the completion process. In addition, the flow control
screen of the present invention is operable to temporarily or
permanently shut off production therethrough.
[0008] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a
flow control screen that includes a base pipe having a blank
pipe section and a perforated section including at least one
production port and at least one closure port. A filter medium
is positioned around a first portion of the blank pipe section
of the base pipe. A housing is positioned around a second
portion of the blank pipe section of the base pipe and the
perforated section of the base pipe. A deformable element is
positioned between the housing and a portion of the perforated
section including the at least one production port but not
including the at least one closure port to define a production
path between the at least one production port and the filter
medium such that application of a sufficient pressure to the at

least one closure port acts on the deformable element to deform
the deformable element to substantially close the production
path.
[0009] In one embodiment, the deformable element may be a
pressure deformable element. In another embodiment, the
deformable element may be a closure sleeve including an annular
closure sleeve. In a further embodiment, the deformable element
may be one or more expandable tubes. In this embodiment, a
moveable piston may be disposed within the expandable tubes to
aid in the deformation process. In yet another embodiment, the
deformable element may be an expandable annular unit.
[0010] In certain embodiments, the deformable element is
operable to reopen the production path in response to a
sufficient pressure reduction at the at. least one closure port.
In other embodiments, at least one valve assembly may be
disposed within a fluid flow path between the at least one
production port and the filter medium. The valve assembly may
include a valve body, a valve plug received within the valve
body and a retainer pin initially preventing relative movement
between the valve body and the valve plug. The valve assembly
is operably to be shortened in response to a pressure increase
that exceeds a predetermined threshold level and shears the

retainer pin allowing shortening of the valve assembly.
Thereafter, a pressure decrease will cause the valve assembly to
be discharged from the fluid flow path.
[0011] In another aspect, the present invention is directed
to a flow control apparatus that includes a tubular member
having at least one production port and at least one closure
port. A housing is positioned around the tubular member. A
deformable element is positioned between the housing and a
portion of the tubular member including the at least one
production port but not including the at least one closure port
to define a production path between the deformable element and
the base pipe such that application of a sufficient pressure to
the at least one closure port acts on the deformable element to
deform the deformable element to substantially close the
production path.
[0012] In a further aspect, the present invention is directed
to a method for operating a flow control screen. The method
includes providing a deformable element positioned between a
housing and a portion of a perforated section of a base pipe
including at least one production port but not including at
least one closure port to define a production path between the
at least one production port and a filter medium, applying a

sufficient pressure to the at least one closure port, and
responsive to the sufficient pressure, deforming the deformable
element to substantially close the production path.
[0013] The method may also include, responsive to the
sufficient pressure, moving a piston disposed within the
deformable element to aid in the deformation of the deformable
element and reopening the production path in response to a
sufficient pressure reduction at the at least one closure port.
In addition, the method may include pressurizing the flow
control screen at the at least one production port, holding the
pressure within the flow control screen with a valve assembly
disposed within a fluid flow path in the flow control screen,
increasing the pressure in the flow control screen above a
predetermined threshold level to shear a retainer pin of the
valve assembly causing a shortening of the valve assembly and
continuing to hold pressure within the flow control screen,
decreasing the pressure at the at least one production port and
responsive to the pressure decease, discharging the valve
assembly from the fluid flow path.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] For a more complete understanding of the features and
advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to
the detailed description of the invention along with the
accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the
different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:
[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a well system
operating a plurality of flow control screens according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] Figures 2A-2C are quarter sectional view of successive
axial sections of a flow control screen according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figures 2D-2E are cross sectional views of the flow
control screen of figure 2B taken along line 2D-2D and 2E-2E,
respectively;
[0018] Figures 3A-3C are cross sectional views of a valve
assembly in its various operating configurations that is
operable for use in a flow control screen according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] Figures 4A-4B are cross sectional views of one
embodiment of a closure assembly in its various operating

configurations that is operable for use in a flow control screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figures 5A-5C are cross sectional views of another
embodiment of a closure assembly in its various operating
configurations that is operable for use in a flow control screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figures 6A-6C are cross sectional views of another
embodiment of a closure assembly in its various operating
configurations that is operable for use in a flow control screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] Figures 7A-7D are cross sectional views of another
embodiment of a closure assembly in its various operating
configurations that is operable for use in a flow control screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] While the making and using of various embodiments of
the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should
be appreciated that the present invention provides many
applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide
variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments
discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to
make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the
present invention.
[0024] Referring initially to figure 1, therein is depicted a
well system including a plurality of flow control screens
embodying principles of the present invention that is
schematically illustrated and generally designated 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, a wellbore 12 extends through the
various earth strata. Wellbore 12 has a substantially vertical
section 14, the upper portion of which has cemented therein a
casing string 16. Wellbore 12 also has a substantially
horizontal section 18 that extends through a hydrocarbon bearing
subterranean formation 20. As illustrated, substantially
horizontal section 18 of wellbore 12 is open hole.

[0025] Positioned within wellbore 12 and extending from the
surface is a tubing string 22. Tubing string 22 provides a
conduit for formation fluids to travel from formation 20 to the
surface. At its lower end, tubing string 22 is coupled to a
completions string that has been installed in wellbore 12 and
divides the completion interval into various production
intervals adjacent to formation 20. The completion string
includes a plurality of flow control screens 24, each of which
is positioned between a pair of packers 26 that provides a fluid
seal between the completion string 22 and wellbore 12, thereby
defining the production intervals. The completion string also
includes a plurality of locating nipples 28, each of which is
associated with one of the flow control screens 24.
[0026] Flow control screens 24 serve the primary functions of
filtering particulate matter out of the production fluid stream
and controlling the flow rate of the production fluid stream.
In addition, as discussed in greater detail below, flow control
screens 24 are operable to be pressured up during installation
of the completion string. For example, when the completion
string is positioned in the desired location in well 12,
internal pressure may be used to set packers 26 to divide the
completion interval into the desired number of production

intervals. During this setting process, flow control screens 24
are in their running configuration in which they are operable to
hold pressure for repeated cycles as long as the pressure
remains below a predetermined threshold pressure. Once all
pressure operated completion components are set or during the
setting of the final pressure operated completion component, the
internal pressure may be raised above the predetermined
threshold pressure to operate flow control screens 24 into their
sheared configuration. In this configuration, flow control
screens 24 continue to hold pressure, however, when the internal
pressure is released and the differential pressure across flow
control screens 24 is positive between the outside and inside of
flow control screens 24, flow control screens 24 are operated to
their production configuration.
[0027] Once in this configuration, if it is desired to cease
production through one or more of the flow control screens 24, a
straddle assembly (not shown) may be used to pressurize a
'chamber in flow control screens 24 to operate the flow control
screens 24 to the shut off configuration. The locating nipple
28 associated with the flow control screen 24 through which
production is no longer desired is used to properly positioned
the straddle assembly within the flow control screen 24 to

perform this pressurizing operation. Once in this
configuration, if it is desired to reestablish production
through a previously shut off flow control screen 24, the
straddle assembly may be used to reduce the pressure or created
a vacuum in the chamber to operate the flow control screen 24
back to the production configuration.
[0028] Even though figure 1 depicts the flow control screens
of the present invention in an open hole environment, it should
be understood by those skilled in the art that the flow control
screens of the present invention are equally well suited for use
in cased wells. Also, even though figure 1 depicts one flow
control screen in each production interval, it should be
understood by those skilled in the art that any number of flow
control screens of the present invention may be deployed within
a production interval without departing from the principles of
the present invention. Also, even though figure 1 depicts a
locating nipple associated with each flow control screen, other
configurations of locating nipples and flow control screens and
other locating methods are possible and are considered within
the scope of the present invention.
[0029] In addition, even though figure 1 depicts the flow
control screens of the present invention in a horizontal section

of the wellbore, it should be understood by those skilled in the
art that the flow control screens of the present invention are
equally well suited for use in deviated wellbores, .vertical
wellbores, multilateral wellbore and the like. Accordingly, it
should be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of
directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward,
downward, uphole, downhole and the like are used in relation to
the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the
figures, the upward direction being toward the top of the
corresponding figure and the downward direction being toward the
bottom of the corresponding figure, the uphole direction being
toward the surface of the well and the downhole direction being
toward the toe of the well.
[0030] Referring next to figures 2A-2C, therein is depicted
successive axial sections of a flow control screen according to
the present invention that is representatively illustrated and
generally designated 100. Flow control screen 100 may be
suitably coupled to other similar flow control screens,
production packers, locating nipples, production tubulars or
other downhole tools to form a completions string as described
above. Flow control screen 100 includes a base pipe 102 that
has a blank pipe section 104 and a perforated section 106

including a plurality of production ports 108 and a plurality of
closure ports 110. Positioned around an upper portion of blank
pipe section 104 is a screen element or filter medium 112, such
as a wire wrap screen, a woven wire mesh screen or the like,
designed to allow fluids to flow therethrough but prevent
particulate matter of a predetermined size from flowing
therethrough. Positioned downhole of filter medium 112 is a
screen interface housing 114 that forms an annulus 116 with base
pipe 102. Securably connected to the downhole end of screen
interface housing 114 is a sleeve housing 118. At its downhole
end, sleeve housing 118 is securably connected to a flow tube
housing 120 which is securably connected to the uphole end of an
intermediate housing 122. In addition, flow tube housing 120 is
preferably securably connected or sealably coupled to base pipe
102 to prevent fluid flow therebetween. Toward its downhole
end, intermediate housing 122 is securably connected to a
closure housing 124 which is preferably welded to base pipe 102
at its downhole end. The various connections of the housing
sections may be made in any suitable fashion including welding,
threading and the like as well as through the use of fasteners
such as pins, set screws and the like. Together, the housing

sections create a generally annular fluid flow path between
filter medium 112 and perforated section 106 of base pipe 102.
[0031] Positioned in the annular region between housing
sleeve 118 and base pipe 102 is a split ring spacer 126.
Positioned within axial openings 128 in flow tube housing 120 is
a plurality of flow tubes 130. As best seen in figure 2D, the
illustrated embodiment includes six axial openings 128 and six
flow tubes 130, however, those skilled in the art will recognize
that other numbers of flow tubes both greater than and less than
six could alternatively be used and would be considered within
the scope of the present invention. Each of the flow tubes 130
is secured within flow tube housing 120 by a threaded retaining
sleeve 132. One or more of the flow tube 130 may have a
threaded cap or a plug 134 associated therewith to inhibit or
stop flow therethrough. The use of plugs 134 and flow tubes 130
having various inner diameters allow an operator to adjust the
pressure drop rating of each flow control screen 100 to a
desired level such that a completion string including a
plurality of flow control screens 100 is operable to counteract
heel-toe effects in long horizontal completions, balance inflow
in highly deviated and fractured wells, reduce annular sand

transportation and reduce water/gas influx, thereby lengthening
the productive life of the well.
[0032] Positioned within the downhole end of each of the
axial openings 128 of flow tube housing 120 is a valve assembly
136. As best seen in figures 3A-3C, each valve assembly 136
includes a valve body 138, a valve plug 140 and a retainer pin
142. Valve plugs 140 are initially prevented from moving
relative to valve bodies 138 by the associated retainer pins
142, as best seen in figure 3A. Each valve body 138 is closely
received within one of the axial openings 128 of flow tube
housing 120. The downhole ends of valve assemblies 136 are
disposed within an annular region 144 that is defined between
intermediate housing 122 and flow tube housing 120, as best seen
in figure 2E. As illustrated, uphole travel of valve assemblies
136 is limited by no go shoulders 146 associated with each axial
opening 128 and downhole travel of valve assemblies 136 is
limited by annular shoulder 148. Figure 3A represents the
running configuration of flow control screen 100 in which valve
assemblies 136 are length captured between no go shoulders 146
and annular shoulder 148. In this configuration, internal
pressure may be applied to the tubular string deploying flow
control screens 100. Specifically, the internal pressure will

travel through production ports 108 but is prevented from
passing through flow tubes 130 by valve assemblies 136.
Repeated pressure cycles may be applied to the tubular as long
as the pressure remains below the shear pressure of retainer
pins 142.
[0033] When it is desired to operate flow control screens 100
from the running configuration to the sheared configuration, the
internal pressure may be raised above the shear pressure of
retainer pins 142 causing retainer pins 142 to shear, as best
seen in figure 3B. In this configuration, valve assemblies 136
continue to hold pressure and prevent fluid flow through flow
control screens 100 from production ports 108 to filter medium
112. Once the internal pressure is released and the
differential pressure across flow control screens 100 is
positive between the outside and inside of flow control screens
100, valve assemblies 136 are expelled from axial openings 128
into annular region 144, as best seen in figure 3C. Once
expelled, valve assemblies 136 no longer prevent fluid flow
through flow tubes 130 which places flow control screens 100 in
their production configuration.
[0034] Referring again to figure 2C, a closure assembly
having a pressure deformable element depicted as a closure

sleeve 150 is securably connected to a downhole end of
intermediate housing 122 and is positioned in the annular region
between closure housing 124 and base pipe 102. More
specifically, closure sleeve 150 is positioned around the
section of base pipe 102 including production ports 108 but does
not extend to the section of base pipe 102 including closure
ports 110 which divides the annular region between closure
housing 124 and base pipe 102 into a closure chamber 152 to the
exterior of closure sleeve 150 and a production path 154 to the
interior of closure sleeve 150, as best seen in figure 4A and
which represents the production configuration of flow control
screen 100. Preferably, the downhole end of closure sleeve 150
is securably connected to base pipe 102 by welding or other
suitable means. Alternatively, a close fitting, sealing or
similar relationship may exist between the downhole end of
closure sleeve 150 and base pipe 102 such that a differential
pressure may be established between closure chamber 152 and
production path 154.
[0035] If it is desired to cease production through flow
control screen 100, closure sleeve 150 may be operated to its
closed configuration. For example, as described above, a
straddle assembly (not shown) may be run downhole on a

conveyance, such as a coiled tubing, wireline or the like, and
positioned adjacent to closure ports 110. The straddle assembly
may be used to pressurize closure chamber 152 to a pressure
sufficient to radially deform closure sleeve 150 such that it
contacts and substantially provides a seal against base pipe
102, thereby closing off production path 154 and placing flow
control screen 100 in its shut off configuration, as best seen
in figure 4B. To facilitate this operation, closure sleeve 150
is preferably formed from a deformable metal, such as stainless
steel, that is operable to be plastically deformed in response
to a radially imposed pressure differential. In addition,
closure sleeve 150 preferably includes a radially reduced
section 156 that creates a location of preferential and
predictable deformation under a radially imposed pressure
differential.
[0036] If it is thereafter desired to enable production
through flow control screen 100, closure sleeve 150 may be
operated back to its open configuration. For example, a
straddle assembly may be run downhole on a conveyance and
positioned adjacent to closure ports 110. The straddle assembly
may be used to reduce the pressure or create a vacuum within
closure chamber 152 such that the formation pressure operating

on the production path 154 and/or hydrostatic pressure applied
through production ports 108 from the interior of flow control
screen 100 create a sufficient radial force to radially deform
closure sleeve 150 such that it no longer contacts or provides a
seal against base pipe 102, thereby opening production path 154
and returning flow control screen 100 in its production
configuration, as best seen in figure 4A.
[0037] Referring now to figures 5A-5C, therein are depicted
various views of an alternate embodiment of a closure assembly
that is generally designated 160 and is operable to be
positioned around base pipe 102 and replace closure sleeve 150
in flow control screen 100. In the illustrated embodiment,
closure assembly 160 is formed from a tubular member 162 having
a plurality of axial extending production paths depicted as oval
shaped openings 164 extending therethrough, as best seen in
figure 5B. Positioned within each opening 164 is a pressure
deformable element depicted as an expandable tube 166 that is
preferably welded or threadably secured therein in a fluid tight
matter and preferably has a closed uphole end. Closure assembly
160 is positioned within a flow control screen, such as flow
control screen 100, by securably connecting an inner diameter
portion 168 of tubular member 162 to the base pipe of flow

control screen 100 and securably connecting an outer diameter
portion 170 of tubular member 162 within the housing of flow
control screen 100 to form a section of the housing. Closure
assembly 160 includes a plurality of slots 172 that are
generally axially aligned with and provide for fluid
communication with production ports 108 of base pipe 102. Each
of the slots 172 is circumf erentially aligned with one of the
openings 164 to establish a production path through closure
assembly 160, when closure assembly 160 is in its open
configuration, as best seen in figure 5A, which corresponds to
the production configuration of flow control screen 100.
[0038] Referring collectively to figures 2C and 5C, if it is
desired to cease production through a flow control screen 100
having a closure assembly 160 installed therein, closure
assembly 160 may be operated to its closed configuration. For
example, as described above, a straddle assembly may be run
downhole on a conveyance and positioned adjacent to closure
ports 110. The straddle assembly may be used to pressurize
expandable tubes 166 to a pressure sufficient to deform
expandable tubes 166 into contact with the inner surface of
openings 164 which substantially provides a seal against slots
172, thereby closing off the production path and placing flow

control screen 100 in its shut off configuration. To facilitate
this operation, expandable tubes 166 are preferably formed from
a deformable metal, such as stainless steel, that is operable to
be plastically deformed in response to internal pressure.
[0039] If it is thereafter desired to enable production
through a flow control screen 100 having a closure assembly 160
installed therein, closure assembly 160 may be operated back to
its open configuration. For example, a straddle assembly may be
run downhole on a conveyance and positioned adjacent to closure
ports 110. The straddle assembly may be used to reduce the
internal pressure or create a vacuum within expandable tubes 166
such that the formation pressure and/or hydrostatic pressure
applied through slots 172 from the interior of flow control
screen 100 create a sufficient force to collapse expandable
tubes 166 such that they no longer provide a seal against slots
172, thereby returning flow control screen 100 in its production
configuration, as best seen in figure 5A.
[0040] Referring now to figures 6A-6C, therein are depicted
various views of an alternate embodiment of a closure assembly
that is generally designated 180 arid is operable to be
positioned around base pipe 102 and replace closure sleeve 150
in flow control screen 100. In the illustrated embodiment,

closure assembly 180 is formed from a tubular member 182 having
a plurality of axial extending production paths depicted as
circular shaped openings 184, as best seen in figure 6B.
Positioned within each opening 184 is a deformable element
depicted as an expandable tube 186 that is preferably welded or
threadably secured therein in a fluid tight matter and
preferably open at its uphole end. Operably positioned within
each expandable tube 186 is a piston 188. Closure assembly 180
is positioned within a flow control screen, such as flow control
screen 100, by securably connecting an inner diameter portion
190 of tubular member 182 to base pipe 102 of flow control
screen 100 and securably connecting an outer diameter portion
192 of tubular member 182 within the housing of flow control
screen 100 to form a section of the housing. Closure assembly
180 includes a plurality of slots 194 that are generally axially
aligned with and provide for fluid communication with production
ports 108 of base pipe 102. Each of the slots 194 is
circumferentially aligned with one of the openings 184 to
establish a production path through closure assembly 180, when
closure assembly 180 is in its open configuration, as best seen
in figure 6A, which corresponds to the production configuration
of flow control screen 100.

[0041] Referring collectively to figures 2C and 6C, if it is
desired to cease production through a flow control screen 100
having a closure assembly 180 installed therein, closure
assembly 180 may be operated to its closed configuration. For
example, as described above, a straddle assembly may be run
downhole on a conveyance and positioned adjacent to closure
ports 110. The straddle assembly may be used to apply pressure
against pistons 188 which shifts pistons 188 uphole within
expandable tubes 186, deforming expandable tubes 186 into
contact with the inner surface of openings 184 which
substantially provides a seal against slots 194, thereby closing
off the production path and placing flow control screen 100 in
its shut off configuration. Preferably, pistons 188 travel in
the uphole direction until they reach a no go shoulder 196
within openings 184, as best seen in figure 6C.
[0042] If it is thereafter desired to enable production
through a flow control screen 100 having a closure assembly 180
installed therein, closure assembly 180 may be operated back to
its open configuration. For example, a straddle assembly may be
run downhole on a conveyance and positioned adjacent to closure
ports 110. The straddle assembly may be used to reduce the
internal pressure or draw a vacuum within expandable tubes 186

such that pistons 188 are retracted and the formation pressure
and/or hydrostatic pressure applied through slots 194 from the
interior of flow control screen 100 create a sufficient force to
collapse expandable tubes 186 such that they no longer provide a
seal against slots 194, thereby returning flow control screen
100 in its production configuration, as best seen in figure 6A.
[0043] Referring now to figures 7A-7D, therein are depicted
various views of an alternate embodiment of a closure assembly
that is generally designated 200 and is operable to be
positioned around base pipe 102 and replace closure sleeve 150
in flow control screen 100. In the illustrated embodiment,
closure assembly 200 is formed from a tubular member 202 having
a plurality of axial extending production paths depicted as oval
shaped openings 204 in a downhole section, as best seen in
figure 7B, and as an annular region 206 in an uphole section, as
best seen in figure 7C. Positioned within each opening 204 is
an inlet tube 208 that is preferably welded or threadably
secured therein in a fluid tight matter. Positioned within
annular region 206 is a pressure deformable element depicted as
an expandable annular unit 210 that is in fluid communication
with inlet tubes 208 and is preferably closed at its uphole end.
Closure assembly 200 is positioned within a flow control screen,

such as flow control screen 100, by securably connecting an
inner diameter portion 212 of tubular member 202 to the base
pipe of flow control screen 100 and securably connecting an
outer diameter portion 214 of tubular member 202 within the
housing of flow control screen 100 to form a section of the
housing. Closure assembly 200 includes a plurality of slots 216
that are generally axially aligned with and provide for fluid
communication with production ports 108 of base pipe 102. Each
of the slots 216 is in fluid communication with annular region
206 to establish a production path through closure assembly 200,
when closure assembly 200 is in its open configuration, as best
seen in figure 7A, which corresponds to the production
configuration of flow control screen 100.
[0044] Referring collectively to figures 2C and 7D, if it is
desired to cease production through a flow control screen 100
having a closure assembly 200 installed therein, closure
assembly 200 may be operated to its closed configuration. For
example, as described above, a straddle assembly may be run
downhole on a conveyance and positioned adjacent to closure
ports 110. The straddle assembly may be used to pressurize
expandable annular unit 210 to a pressure sufficient to deform
expandable annular unit 210 into contact with the inner surface

of annular region 206 which substantially provides a seal
against slots 216, thereby closing off the production path and
placing flow control screen 100 in its shut off configuration.
To facilitate this operation, expandable annular unit 210 is
preferably formed from a deformable metal, such as stainless
steel, that is operable to be plastically deformed in response
to internal pressure.
[0045] If it is thereafter desired to enable production
through a flow control screen 100 having a closure assembly 200
installed therein, closure assembly 200 may be operated back to
its open configuration. For example, a straddle assembly may be
run downhole on a conveyance and positioned adjacent to closure
ports 110. The straddle assembly may be used to reduce the
internal pressure or created a vacuum within expandable annular
unit 210 such that the formation pressure and/or hydrostatic
pressure applied through slots 216 from the interior of flow
control screen 100 create a sufficient force to collapse
expandable annular unit 210 such that it no longer provide a
seal against slots 216, thereby returning flow control screen
100 in its production configuration, as best seen in figure 7A.
[0046] Even though closure assembly 200 has been described as
having a plurality of inlet tubes 208 positioned with a

plurality of openings 204 to provide fluid communication with
expandable annular unit 210, it is to be understood by those
skilling in the art that fluid communication with expandable
annular unit 210 may be established using other configurations
including, but not limited to, using a single inlet tube 208
associated with a single opening 204, using no inlet tubes and
communicating directly with an annular opening of expandable
annular unit 210 wherein the open end of expandable annular unit
210 is preferably welded within annular region 206 in a fluid
tight matter or other similar configuration.
[0047] While this invention has been described with reference
to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to
be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and
combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other
embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons
skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is,
therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such
modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
1. A flow control screen comprising:
a base pipe having a blank pipe section and a perforated
section including at least one production port and at least one
closure port;
a filter medium positioned around a first portion of the
blank pipe section of the base pipe;
a housing positioned around a second portion of the blank
pipe section and the perforated section of the base pipe; and
a deformable element positioned between the housing and a
portion of the perforated section including the at least one
production port but not including the at least one closure port
to define a production path between the at least one production
port and the filter medium such that application of a sufficient
pressure to the at least one closure port acts on the deformable
element to deform the deformable element to substantially close
the production path.

2. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein
the deformable element further comprises a pressure deformable
element.
3. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein
the deformable element further comprises a closure sleeve.
4. The flow control screen as recited in claim 3 wherein
the closure sleeve further comprises an annular closure sleeve.
5. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein
the deformable element further comprises at least one expandable
tube.
6. The flow control screen as recited in claim 5 further
comprising a moveable piston disposed within the at least one
expandable tube to aid in the deformation of the expandable tube
in response to the sufficient pressure.
7. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein
the deformable element further comprises a plurality of
expandable tubes.

8. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein
the deformable element further comprises an expandable annular
unit.
9. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein
the deformable element is operable to reopen the production path
in response to a sufficient pressure reduction at the at least
one closure port.

10. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 further
comprising at least one valve assembly disposed within a fluid
flow path between the at least one production port and the
filter medium, the valve assembly including a valve body, a
valve plug received within the valve body and a retainer pin
initially preventing relative movement between the valve body
and the valve plug until pressure of a predetermined threshold
level is exceed.
34

11. A flow control apparatus comprising:
a tubular member including at least one production port and
at least one closure port;
a housing positioned around the tubular member; and
a deformable element positioned between the housing and a
portion of the tubular member including the at least one
production port but not including the at least one closure port
to define a production path between the deformable element and
the base pipe such that application of a sufficient pressure to
the at least one closure port acts on the deformable element to
deform the deformable element to substantially close the
production path.
12. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11
wherein the deformable element further comprises a pressure
deformable element.
13. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11
wherein the deformable element further comprises a closure
sleeve.

14. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11
wherein the deformable element further comprises at least one
expandable tube.
15. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 14
further comprising a moveable piston disposed within the at
least one expandable tube to aid in the deformation of the
expandable tube in response to the sufficient pressure.
16. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11
wherein the deformable element further comprises an expandable
annular unit.
17. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11
wherein the deformable element is operable to reopen the
production path in response to a sufficient pressure reduction
at the at least one closure port.

18. A method for operating a flow control screen
comprising:
providing a deformable element positioned between a housing
and a portion of a perforated section of a base pipe including
at least one production port but not including at least one
closure port to define a production path between the at least
one production port and a filter medium;
applying a sufficient pressure to the at least one closure
port; and
responsive to the sufficient pressure, deforming the
deformable element to substantially close the production path.
19. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising,
responsive to the sufficient pressure, moving a piston disposed
within the deformable element to aid in the deformation of the
deformable element.

20. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising
reopening the production path in response to a sufficient
pressure reduction at the at least one closure port.
21. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising:
pressurizing the flow control screen at the at least one
production port;
holding the pressure within the flow control screen with a
valve assembly disposed within a fluid flow path in the flow
control screen;
increasing the pressure in the flow control screen above a
predetermined threshold level to shear the retainer pin of the
valve assembly causing a shortening of the valve assembly and
continuing to hold pressure within the flow control screen;
decreasing the pressure at the at least one production
port; and
responsive to the pressure decease, discharging the valve
assembly from the fluid flow path.

A flow control screen (100) includes a base pipe (102)
having a blank pipe section (104) and a perforated section
(106) . A filter medium (112) is positioned around a portion of
the blank pipe section (104) . A housing (114, 118, 120, 122,
124) is positioned around another portion of the blank pipe
section (104) and the perforated section (106). A deformable
element (150) is positioned between the housing and a portion of
the perforated section including at least one production port
(108) but not including at least one closure port (110) to
define a production path (154) between the production port (108)
and the filter medium (112) such that application of a
sufficient pressure to the closure port (110) acts on the
deformable element (150) to deform the deformable element (150)
to substantially close the production path (154).