Oscillating Fluid Flow in a Wellbore
First Claim
1. A system for oscillating compressible working fluid in a wellbore defined in a subterranean formation, the system comprising:
- a fluid supply that communicates compressible working fluid into a conduit disposed within the wellbore defined in the subterranean formation;
a fluid oscillator device configured to reside in the wellbore and comprising an interior surface defining an interior volume of the fluid oscillator device, an inlet into the interior volume, and an outlet from the interior volume, the interior surface being static during operation to receive the compressible working fluid into the interior volume through the inlet and to vary over time a flow rate of the compressible working fluid from the interior volume through the outlet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for oscillating compressible working fluid in a wellbore defined in a subterranean formation includes a fluid supply and a fluid oscillator device. The fluid supply communicates compressible working fluid into a conduit disposed within the wellbore. The fluid oscillator device is configured to reside in the wellbore. The fluid oscillator device includes an interior surface that defines an interior volume of the fluid oscillator device, an inlet into the interior volume, and an outlet from the interior volume. The interior surface is static during operation to receive the compressible working fluid into the interior volume through the inlet and to vary over time a flow rate of the compressible working fluid from the interior volume through the outlet.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for oscillating compressible working fluid in a wellbore defined in a subterranean formation, the system comprising:
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a fluid supply that communicates compressible working fluid into a conduit disposed within the wellbore defined in the subterranean formation; a fluid oscillator device configured to reside in the wellbore and comprising an interior surface defining an interior volume of the fluid oscillator device, an inlet into the interior volume, and an outlet from the interior volume, the interior surface being static during operation to receive the compressible working fluid into the interior volume through the inlet and to vary over time a flow rate of the compressible working fluid from the interior volume through the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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directing a compressible working fluid through at least a portion of a wellbore defined in a subterranean formation and into a fluid oscillator device installed in the wellbore; directing at least a first portion of the compressible working fluid within the fluid oscillator device to perturb a flow of at least a second portion of the compressible working fluid within the fluid oscillator device; and directing at least a portion of the compressible working fluid out of the fluid oscillator device at a flow rate that varies over time. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26)
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23. The method of 22, further comprising propagating sound waves through the subterranean formation, wherein the sound waves are generated by the periodic compression of the compressible working fluid in the fluid oscillator device.
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27. A method comprising:
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directing a working fluid comprising a liquid through at least a portion of a wellbore defined in a subterranean formation and into a fluid oscillator device installed in the wellbore; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid to form a compressible working fluid; and directing at least a portion of the compressible working fluid out of the fluid oscillator at a flow rate that varies over time. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification