Water Sensing Adaptable Inflow Control Device Using a Powered System

• US 20090101329A1
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Clem, Nicholas J., Coronado, Martin P., Peterson, Elmer R.
• Application Number:
  US11/875,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20090101329A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/66.600
• 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 43/32 Preventing gas- or water-coning phenomena, i.e. the formation of a conical column of gas or water around wells

Abstract

A device or system for controlling fluid flow in a well includes a flow control element and a water detector. The water detector may actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of the flowing fluid. The water detector may be a capacitive proximity sensor. The measured property may be a dielectric constant. The flow control element may permit a predetermined amount of fluid flow after being actuated to a closed position. Also, the water detector may measure a property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element is in the closed position. A method for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular may include positioning a flow control element along the wellbore tubular; measuring a property of a flowing fluid using a water detector; and actuating the flow control element in response to the measurement.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular in a wellbore, comprising:

a flow control element configured to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular; and

a water detector operably coupled to the flow control element, the water detector being configured to actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of the flowing fluid.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the water detector is a capacitive proximity sensor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the property is a dielectric constant.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow control element is configured to permit a predetermined amount of flow of fluid after being actuated to a closed position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the water detector is configured to measure a property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element has been actuated to the closed position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a power storage element connected to the flow control element.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the flow control element is configured to move between an open position and a closed position based on a charge state of the power storage element.

8. A method for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular in a wellbore, comprising:

positioning a flow control element along the wellbore tubular to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular;

measuring a property of a flowing fluid using a water detector; and

actuating the flow control element in response to the measurement.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the water detector is a capacitive proximity sensor.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein the property is a dielectric constant.

11. The method according to claim 8 further comprising flowing a predetermined amount of fluid across the flow control element after the flow control element has been actuated to a closed position.

12. The method according to claim 8 measuring the property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element has been actuated to the closed position.

13. The method according to claim 8 further comprising connecting a power storage element to the flow control element.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the flow control element is configured to move between an open position and a closed position based on a charge state of the power storage element.

15. A system for controlling a flow of fluid in a well, comprising:

a tubular positioned in the well;

at least one flow control element positioned along the tubular, the at least one flow control element being configured to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular; and

a water detector operably coupled to the flow control element, the water detector being configured to actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of a flowing fluid.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the water detector is a capacitive proximity sensor.

17. The system according to claim 15 wherein the property is a dielectric constant.

18. The system according to claim 15 wherein the flow control element is configured to permit a predetermined amount of flow of fluid after being actuated to a closed position.

19. The system according to claim 15 wherein the water detector is configured to measure a property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element has been actuated to the closed position.

20. The system according to claim 15 further comprising a power storage element connected to the flow control element.