Fluid flow control device and method for use of same

• US 20040035578A1
• Filed: 08/26/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Ross, Colby M., Watson, Brock W., Echols, Ralph H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,055,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/250.15
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/08 Screens or liners expandable screens or liners E21B43/108
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/12 Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes

Abstract

A fluid flow control device (60) for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprises a sand control screen (62) having a base pipe (64) with a first set of openings (66) that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough and a sleeve (74) coaxially disposed adjacent to the base pipe (64). The sleeve (74) has a second set of openings (76) that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough. The sleeve (74) is selectively positionable relative to the base pipe (64) such that a pressure drop in the production fluids is selectively controllable by adjusting an alignment of the first set of openings (66) relative to the second set of openings (76).

Claims

1. A fluid flow control device for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprising:

a sand control screen having a base pipe with a first set of openings that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough; and

a sleeve coaxially disposed adjacent to the base pipe, the sleeve having a second set of openings that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough, the sleeve selectively positionable relative to the base pipe such that a pressure drop in the production fluids is selectively controllable by adjusting an alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings.

2. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is axially selectively positionable relative to the base pipe to adjust the alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings.

3. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is rotatably selectively positionable relative to the base pipe to adjust the alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings.

4. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is axially and rotatably selectively positionable relative to the base pipe to adjust the alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings.

5. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first set of openings has substantially the same geometry as the second set of openings.

6. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first set of openings has a different geometry than the second set of openings.

7. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the fluid flow control device has a fully open position wherein the pressure drop in the production fluids traveling through the first set of openings and the second set of openings is at a minimum.

8. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the fluid flow control device has a fully closed position wherein the flow of the production fluids therethrough is prevented.

9. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the fluid flow control device is adjustable between fully opened and fully closed positions.

10. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is selectively positionable relative to the base pipe using a mechanical shifting tool.

11. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is selectively positionable relative to the base pipe using hydraulic pressure.

12. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is selectively positionable relative to the base pipe using an electrically operated device.

13. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a first pressure sensor exteriorly positioned relative to the fluid flow control device and a second pressure sensor interiorly positioned relative to the fluid flow control device that are used to determine the pressure drop in the production fluids.

14. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 13 further comprising a control circuit that provides signals to control the relative position of the sleeve and the base pipe based upon the determined pressure drop in the production fluids.

15. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is coaxially disposed interiorly of the base pipe.

16. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is coaxially disposed exteriorly of the base pipe.

17. A fluid flow control device for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprising:

a sand control screen having a base pipe with a first set of openings that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough;

a sleeve coaxially disposed adjacent to the base pipe, the sleeve having a second set of openings that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough, the sleeve selectively positionable relative to the base pipe using an electronically operated device such that a pressure drop in the production fluids is selectively controllable by adjusting an alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings;

a first pressure sensor exteriorly positioned relative to the fluid flow control device and a second pressure sensor interiorly positioned within the fluid flow control device that are used to determine the pressure drop in the production fluids; and

a control circuit that provides signals to the electronically operated device to control the relative position of the sleeve and the base pipe based upon the determined pressure drop in the production fluids.

18. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the sleeve is axially selectively positionable relative to the base pipe to adjust the alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings.

19. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the sleeve is rotatably selectively positionable relative to the base pipe to adjust the alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings.

20. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the sleeve is axially and rotatably selectively positionable relative to the base pipe to adjust the alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings.

21. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the first set of openings has substantially the same geometry as the second set of openings.

22. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the first set of openings has a different geometry than the second set of openings.

23. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the fluid flow control device has a fully open position wherein the pressure drop in the production fluids traveling through the first set of openings and the second set of openings is at a minimum.

24. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the fluid flow control device has a fully closed position wherein the flow of the production fluids therethrough is prevented.

25. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the fluid flow control device is adjustable between fully opened and fully closed positions.

26. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the sleeve is coaxially disposed interiorly of the base pipe.

27. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 17 wherein the sleeve is coaxially disposed exteriorly of the base pipe.

28. A method for controlling the inflow of production fluids into a production conduit within a wellbore comprising the steps of:

providing the production conduit including a sand control screen having a base pipe with a first set of openings and a sleeve coaxially disposed adjacent to the base pipe forming an annulus with the base pipe and having a second set of openings;

installing the production conduit within the wellbore;

producing the production fluids into the production conduit through the first set of openings of the base pipe, the annulus and the second set of openings of the sleeve; and

selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe such that a pressure drop in the production fluids is controlled by adjusting the alignment of the first set of openings relative to the second set of openings.

29. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises axially adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe.

30. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises rotatably adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe.

31. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises axially and rotatably adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe.

32. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe such that the pressure drop in the production fluids traveling through the first set of openings, the annulus and the second set of openings is at a minimum.

33. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe such that the flow of the production fluids therethrough is prevented.

34. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe such that the pressure drop in the production fluids traveling through the first set of openings, the annulus and the second set of openings is between a minimum and a maximum pressure drop.

35. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe using a mechanical shifting tool.

36. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe using hydraulic pressure.

37. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the step of selectively positioning the sleeve relative to the base pipe further comprises adjusting the sleeve relative to the base pipe using an electrically operated device.

38. The method as recited in claim 28 further comprising the step of measuring the pressure exteriorly of the production conduit and the pressure interiorly of the production conduit to determine the pressure drop in the production fluids.

39. The method as recited in claim 38 further comprising the steps of providing signals from a control circuit to control the relative position of the sleeve and the base pipe based upon the determined pressure drop in the production fluids.

40. A fluid flow control device for controlling the flow of a fluid therethrough comprising:

a first tubular member having a plurality of entry openings in a side wall thereof that allow the flow of the fluid therethrough; and

a second tubular member coaxially disposed within the first tubular member forming an annulus therebetween, the second tubular member having a plurality of exit openings in a side wall thereof that allow the flow of the fluid therethrough, the second tubular member selectively positionable relative to the first tubular member such that a pressure drop in the fluid is selectively controllable by adjusting an alignment of the entry openings relative to the exit openings, which adjusts the distance the fluid must travel in the annulus.

41. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the second tubular member is axially selectively positionable relative to the first tubular member to adjust the alignment of the entry openings relative to the exit openings.

42. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the second tubular member is rotatably selectively positionable relative to the first tubular member to adjust the alignment of the entry openings relative to the exit openings.

43. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the second tubular member is axially and rotatably selectively positionable relative to the first tubular member to adjust the alignment of the entry openings relative to the exit openings.

44. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the entry openings have substantially the same geometry as exit of openings.

45. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the entry openings have a different geometry than the exit openings.

46. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the entry openings have substantially the same shape as the exit openings.

47. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the entry openings have a different shape than the exit openings.

48. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the fluid flow control device has a fully open position wherein the pressure drop in the fluid traveling through the entry openings, the annulus and the exit openings is at a minimum.

49. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the fluid flow control device has a fully closed position wherein the flow of the fluid therethrough is prevented.

50. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein the fluid flow control device is adjustable between fully opened and fully closed positions.

51. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 further comprising a first pressure sensor exteriorly positioned relative to the fluid flow control device and a second pressure sensor interiorly positioned relative to the fluid flow control device that are used to determine the pressure drop in the fluid flowing therethrough.

52. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 40 wherein at least one of an exterior surface of the second tubular member and an interior surface of the first tubular member is a turbulizer surface.

53. A fluid flow control device for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprising:

a tubular member having at least one fluid passageway in a sidewall section thereof;

a sand control screen assembly positioned exteriorly around the tubular member, the sand control screen assembly having a filter medium section defining a first annular region with the tubular member and a housing section defining a second annular region with the tubular member;

a sleeve slidably positioned within the second annular region, the sleeve having a first position wherein fluid communication is permitted between the second annular region and the fluid passageway and a second position wherein fluid communication is prevented between the second annular region and the fluid passageway; and

a hydraulic control line extending from a surface location to the sand control screen assembly, the hydraulic control line having a first section with a terminus that is selectively in fluid communication with the sleeve to operate the sleeve from the first position to the second position, the hydraulic control line having a second section that passes through the first annular region and extends downhole of the sand control screen assembly.

54. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 53 further comprising a valve positioned within the housing section to selectively prevent and permit fluid communication between the first section of the hydraulic control line and the sleeve.

55. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 54 wherein the valve is a eutectic valve.

56. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 53 further comprising a sensor positioned on the housing section to sense at least one downhole parameter selected from the group comprising temperature, pressure and fluid composition.

57. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 53 further comprising an energy conductor extending from the surface location to the sand control screen assembly, the energy conductor passing through the first annular region and extending downhole of the sand control screen assembly.

58. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 57 wherein the energy conductor further comprising an electrical conductor.

59. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 57 wherein the energy conductor further comprising a fiber optic conductor.

60. The fluid flow control device as recited in claim 59 wherein the fiber optic conductor provides information relating to at least one downhole parameter selected from the group comprising temperature and pressure to the surface location from a location proximate the sand control screen assembly.

61. A fluid flow control device for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprising:

a tubular member having at least one fluid passageway in a sidewall section thereof;

a sand control screen assembly positioned exteriorly around the tubular member, the sand control screen assembly having a filter medium section defining a first annular region with the tubular member and a housing section defining a second annular region with the tubular member;

a sleeve slidably positioned within the second annular region, the sleeve having a first position wherein fluid communication is permitted between the second annular region and the fluid passageway and a second position wherein fluid communication is prevented between the second annular region and the fluid passageway;

a hydraulic control line extending from a surface location to the sand control screen assembly, the hydraulic control line having a first section with a terminus that is selectively in fluid communication with the sleeve to operate the sleeve from the first position to the second position, the hydraulic control line having a second section that passes through the first annular region and extends downhole of the sand control screen assembly;

a eutectic valve positioned within the housing section to selectively prevent and permit fluid communication between the first section of the hydraulic control line and the sleeve;

a sensor positioned on the housing section to sense at least one downhole parameter selected from the group comprising temperature, pressure and fluid composition; and

an energy conductor extending from the surface location to the sand control screen assembly, the energy conductor passing through the first annular region and extending downhole of the sand control screen assembly, the energy conductor in communication with the eutectic valve and the sensor, whereby energy is supplied to the eutectic valve in response to the sensed downhole parameter, thereby operating the sleeve from the first position to the second position.