FLOW CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20090078428A1
• Filed: 09/09/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Ali, Mohammad Athar
• Granted Patent: US 7,870,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/373
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/088 Wire screens comprising porous materials E21B43/082; comprising woven materials E21B43/084
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device for controlling flow within, e.g., a production well or an injection well. The device consists of a movable flow passage and a stationary variable choke or valve that is sensitive to flow parameters and automatically adjusts itself to provide a predetermined flow rate through the device.

Claims

1. A well flow control apparatus comprising:

a movable flow passage within a well; and

a stationary variable choke device to adjust the rate of flow through the movable flow passage;

wherein the position of the flow passage relative to the choke is automatically adjusted by the pressure differential across the flow passage.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a device for providing resistance against the movement of the movable flow passage in at least one direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the device for providing resistance is a spring.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the device for providing resistance is a gas spring.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the movable flow passage comprises an upstream end having a first surface area and a downstream end having a second surface area, wherein upstream pressure acts on the first surface area to create an upstream force and downstream pressure acts on the second surface to create a downstream force.

6. A producer well comprising the apparatus of claim 5.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a device that resists the upstream force.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein when the upstream force is greater than the sum of the downstream force and the resistant force of the device that resists the upstream force, flow is restricted.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a backflow preventer wherein when the downstream force is greater than the upstream force, the flow passage closes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the backflow preventer is a one-way valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the backflow preventer is a plug positioned upstream of the flow passage.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 herein the stationary variable choke is of a shape chosen from the group consisting of conical, frustoconical, and semispherical.

13. The well of claim 1 wherein the well is chosen from the group consisting of a producer well and an injection well.

14. A means for controlling flow within a well, the means comprising:

a movable flow passage within the well;

a stationary means for choking the flow through the movable flow passage; and

a means for automatically adjusting the relative positions of the flow passage and the stationary means for choking the flow.

15. A method for choking the flow of a fluid in a well, the method comprising:

a. providing a movable flow passage;

b. providing a stationary variable choke device; and

c. inserting the moveable flow passage and the stationary variable choke into the well;

wherein the position of the flow passage relative to the choke is automatically adjusted by the pressure differential across the flow tube.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the fluid comprises oil.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the fluid comprises water

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising inserting a second movable flow passage and a second stationary variable choke into the well, wherein the movable flow passage and the stationary variable choke control fluid flow within a first zone of the well and the second movable flow passage and a second stationary variable choke control fluid flow within a second zone of the well.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the well is chosen from the group consisting of an oil well, a gas well, and a water injection well.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a device for providing resistance against the movement of the movable flow passage in at least one direction.