Screen Pipe

Screen Pipe

Screen pipe refers to screen pipe manufactured in accordance with American Petroleum Institute (API) standards for sand control in oil and gas wells; specifically, it typically refers to sand control tools produced by processing—such as slotting, drilling, or similar operations—petroleum casing or tubing that complies with the API SPEC 5CT standard.
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Description

Screen Pipe is a specialized steel pipe with precision-engineered openings (slots, holes, or wire wraps) on its surface. Its primary mission is Sand Control: it allows fluids (oil, gas, or water) to enter the production string while blocking formation sand and debris from entering the wellbore.

Maximize Your Oil & Water Yield: Our Wire-Wrapped Screens Feature a Non-Clogging Design with Up to 40% Open Area. Request Your Flow Rate Analysis Now!

 

Screen Pipe Specification Table

This table outlines the technical standards and material options available at GNEE.

Feature Technical Specifications
Standards API 5CT, ASTM A312, ASTM A409, DIN 4935
Common Types Slotted Liner, Wire-Wrapped Screen (Johnson Screen), Perforated Pipe, Bridge Slot Screen
Base Pipe Material

Carbon Steel: J55, K55, N80, L80, P110

Stainless Steel: 304, 304L, 316, 316L

Slot/Opening Width 0.10mm – 4.0mm (Precision Laser Cut)
Hole Diameter 5mm – 20mm (For Perforated Pipes)
End Connections Threaded (BTC, LTC, STC, EUE, NUE), Beveled, or Flanged
Surface Treatment Oiling, Painting, Galvanizing, or Pickling/Passivation
Quality Control 100% Slot Precision Check, Hydrostatic Test, NDT (Magnetic Particle/Ultrasonic)

 

Screen Pipe Size Table

Sizes are typically based on API 5CT casing and tubing standards to ensure compatibility with drilling strings.

Nominal Size (Inches) Outer Diameter (OD) (mm) Wall Thickness (mm) Open Area Range (%)
2-3/8" 60.3 4.83 – 7.11 2% – 25%
3-1/2" 88.9 5.49 – 12.09 2% – 30%
4-1/2" 114.3 5.21 – 16.00 5% – 35%
5-1/2" 139.7 6.22 – 14.50 5% – 35%
7" 177.8 6.91 – 15.00 5% – 35%
9-5/8" 244.5 7.92 – 16.00 8% – 40%
13-3/8" 339.7 9.65 – 16.00 8% – 40%
20" 508.0 11.13 – 16.13 10% – 40%

 

Type of Screen Tube

1. Slotted Liner

The slotted liner is the most cost-effective and common type of sand control screen. It is made by cutting longitudinal or transverse slots into the pipe wall using laser or mechanical methods.

Best For: Moderate sand control in horizontal wells or low-budget water wells.

Pros: High mechanical strength, easy to handle, and lowest cost.

Cons: Limited open area (usually 2%–3%), making it prone to clogging if sand is very fine.

GNEE Tip: We use CNC Laser Cutting to ensure slot width precision down to ±0.05mm.

 

2. Wire-Wrapped Screen (Johnson Screen)

Consists of a V-shaped stainless steel wire wrapped around a cage of longitudinal support rods. This creates a continuous slot that widens inwardly.

Best For: High-yield water wells and high-standard oil/gas wells.

Pros: Maximum Open Area (up to 40%), non-clogging design due to the V-shaped wire profile.

Cons: Lower structural strength compared to slotted liners; often requires a "Pipe Base" for deep wells.

 

3. Pipe-Base Screen

This is a "hybrid" screen where a Wire-Wrapped Screen is installed over a perforated base pipe (usually API 5CT grade).

Best For: Deep, high-pressure oil and gas wells.

Pros: Combines the high filtration efficiency of wire-wrapped screens with the extreme mechanical strength of a perforated casing.

Cons: More expensive than standard slotted liners.

 

4. Perforated Pipe

Simple carbon or stainless steel pipe with holes drilled in a spiral or staggered pattern.

Best For: Acting as a base pipe for other screens or for wells with very large gravel formations.

Pros: Exceptional collapse and tensile strength.

Cons: Not suitable as a standalone sand control method for fine sand.

 

5. Bridge Slot Screen

The slots are punched in a "bridge" or "arch" shape. The openings look like small louvers.

Best For: Agricultural irrigation wells and geothermal projects.

Pros: Staggered slot design provides good mechanical strength and is excellent for wells using a gravel pack.

Cons: Harder to clean (acidize) compared to wire-wrapped screens.

 

6. Pre-Packed Screen 

This is a double-layered screen (two wire-wrapped screens) with a layer of resin-coated gravel or ceramic proppant packed in between.

Best For: Formations with ultra-fine sand where standard screens fail.

Pros: Provides a built-in "gravel pack," making it perfect for complex reservoirs.

Cons: High cost and heavier weight.

 

Comparison Table: Which Type is Right for Your Project?

Screen Type Strength Open Area Clogging Resistance Cost
Slotted Liner High Low Moderate $ (Lowest)
Wire-Wrapped Moderate High Excellent  
Pipe-Base Extreme High Excellent $
Bridge Slot Moderate Moderate Moderate $
Pre-Packed High Moderate Good $ (Highest)

 

Key Features

High Precision Sand Control: Slot widths can be customized to the exact grain size of the formation sand.

Large Open Area: Wire-wrapped designs offer high flow rates with minimal pressure drop, maximizing well productivity.

Excellent Mechanical Strength: Built on API 5CT base pipes, these screens can withstand high collapse and tensile pressures in deep wells.

Corrosion Resistance: Stainless steel options (304/316L) provide long-term durability in acidic, alkaline, or high-salinity underground water.

Non-Clogging Design: V-shaped wire profiles (in wire-wrapped screens) ensure that particles do not get stuck in the openings.

 

Main Applications

Oil and Gas Well Completion: Primary tool for sand control in reservoirs with loose or unconsolidated formations.

Water Well Drilling: Widely used in municipal and agricultural water wells to ensure clean water flow and protect pumps (highly relevant for Ghanaian water infrastructure).

Geothermal Wells: Designed to handle high-temperature fluids and thermal expansion in geothermal energy extraction.

Mining Industry: Used in dewatering processes and mineral leaching applications.

Environmental Remediation: Used in groundwater monitoring and cleanup systems.

 

Test equipmen

Test Equipmen

 

Factory

screen pipe factory

 

 FAQ

What slot sizes are available?

Standard slot sizes usually range from 0.05 mm (0.002") to 10.0 mm (0.40"), depending on the type of screen.

 

Can it be using for water wells?

Yes, absolutely! In fact, screen pipe is one of the most critical components of a successful water well. Without a high-quality screen, a water well would likely clog with sand, provide dirty water, or cause the expensive submersible pump to fail.

 

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