Water Dissolvable Materials for Activating Inflow Control Devices That Control Flow of Subsurface Fluids

• US 20090101352A1
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Coronado, Martin P., Hayter, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,544,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/373
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/05 Flapper valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/063 Valve or closure with destructible element, e.g. frangible disc E21B34/103 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/066 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• 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: Y10T 137/1632 Destructible element

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling flow of a fluid into a wellbore tubular may include a flow control device controlling the flow of the fluid; and a disintegrating element associated with the flow control device. The flow control device may be actuated when the disintegrating element disintegrates when exposed to the flowing fluid. The disintegrating element may disintegrate upon exposure to water in the fluid. A method for producing fluid from a subterranean formation includes: configuring an element to disintegrate when exposed to a selected fluid; positioning the element in a wellbore; and actuating a flow control device using the element. The element may disintegrate when exposed to water. Actuating the flow control device may restrict a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular.

Claims

1. A method for producing fluid from a subterranean formation, comprising:

(a) configuring an element to disintegrate when exposed to a selected fluid;

(b) positioning the element in a wellbore; and

(c) actuating a flow control device using the element.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the selected fluid is water.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising applying an opening force to the flow control device to maintain the flow control device in an open position to permit flow into the wellbore tubular.

4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising configuring the element to deactivate the opening force.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising applying a closing force to urge the flow control device to a closed position to restrict flow into the wellbore tubular.

6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising configuring the element to release the closing force.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising calibrating the element to disintegrate in water.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein actuating the flow control device restricts a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular.

9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising resetting the flow control device from a closed position to an open position.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the disintegrating element is calibrated to disintegrate when exposed to water.

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

a flow control device controlling the flow of the fluid; and

a disintegrating element associated with the flow control device, wherein the flow control device is actuated when the disintegrating element disintegrates when exposed to the flowing fluid.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the disintegrating element disintegrates upon exposure to water in the fluid.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising an opening force associated with the flow control device that maintains the flow control device in an open position to permit flow into the wellbore tubular prior to actuation.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 comprising a closing force associated with the flow control device that urges the flow control device to a closed position to restrict flow into the wellbore tubular after actuation.

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

a tubular configured to be disposed in the well;

a flow control device positioned at a selected location along the tubular, the flow control device being configured to control flow between a bore of the tubular and the exterior of the tubular; and

an actuator coupled to the flow control device, the actuator including a disintegrating element calibrated to disintegrate in a predetermined manner when the disintegrating element when exposed to a selected fluid.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the disintegrating element is configured to dissolve when exposed to water.

17. The system according to claim 15 further comprising an opening force associated with the flow control device that maintains the flow control device in an open position to permit flow into the wellbore tubular prior to actuation, wherein the opening force is applied by one of (i) a biasing element, and (ii) a magnet.

18. The system according to claim 15 comprising a closing force associated with the flow control device that urges the flow control device to a closed position to restrict flow into the wellbore tubular after actuation, wherein the closing force is applied by one of (i) a biasing element, and (ii) a magnet.

19. The system according to claim 15 further comprising a plurality of flow control device positioned at selected locations along the tubular, each flow control device being configured to control flow between a bore of the tubular and the exterior of the tubular;

and an actuator coupled to each flow control device, each actuator including a disintegrating element calibrated to disintegrate in a predetermined manner when the disintegrating element when exposed to a selected fluid.

20. The system according to claim 19 wherein the plurality of flow control devices cooperate to control a percentage of water in the fluid flowing in the tubular.