REACTIVE IN-FLOW CONTROL DEVICE FOR SUBTERRANEAN WELLBORES

• US 20090277650A1
• Filed: 05/08/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Howell, Murray K., Casciaro, Dario
• Granted Patent: US 8,931,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/386
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/103 Down-hole by-pass valve arrangements, i.e. between the inside of the drill string and the annulus valves specifically for maintaining circulation of drilling fluid while connecting or disconnecting tubular joints E21B21/019
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling fluid in-flow into a wellbore tubular includes a translating flow control element having one or more fluid conveying conduits; and a reactive element that actuates the flow control element. The reactive element may be responsive to a change in composition of the in-flowing fluid. The reactive element may change volume or shape when exposed to or not exposed to a selected fluid. The selected fluid may be oil, water, or some other fluid (e.g., liquid, gas, mixture, etc.). The reactive element may slide the flow control element such that a conduit formed on the flow control element changes length, which then changes a pressure differential across the flow control element.

Claims

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

a movable flow control element having at least one conduit configured to convey the fluid; and

at least one reactive element being configured to actuate the flow control element in response to a change in composition of the fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one reactive element expands when exposed to oil.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one conduit is a helical channel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the flow control element includes an outer surface, and wherein the helical channel is formed on the outer surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housing having a cavity, wherein the flow control element is configured to translate in the cavity.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a portion of the cavity in enlarged to form a space between the flow control element and an inner wall of the housing.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein an inner wall defines the cavity and wherein the inner wall is configured to confine the fluid in the at least one conduit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flow control element is configured to have a first position wherein the fluid flows a first distance in the at least one conduit, and a second position wherein the fluid flows a second distance longer than the first distance in the at least one conduit.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one reactive element is disposed in a chamber configured to communicate with a wellbore annulus.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the controlling the flow of the fluid further comprises varying a distance the fluid flows in the at least one conduit.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein varying the distance the fluid flows in the at least one conduit varies a pressure differential in the fluid.

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

controlling a flow of the fluid using a flow control element having at least one conduit configured to convey the fluid; and

actuating the flow control element using at least one reactive element that is responsive to a change in composition of the fluid.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one reactive element expands when exposed to oil.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one conduit is a helical channel.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising a housing having a cavity, wherein the flow control element is configured to translate in the cavity.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the at least one reactive element slides the flow control element between a first position wherein the fluid flows a first distance in the at least one conduit, and a second position wherein the fluid flows a second distance longer than the first distance in the at least one conduit.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising exposing the at least one reactive element to a fluid in a wellbore annulus.

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

a wellbore tubular in the well;

a production control device positioned along the wellbore tubular, the production control device including;

(i) a housing having a cavity;

(ii) a flow control device positioned in the cavity, the flow control device having at least one conduit configured to convey fluid; and

(iii) a reactive element coupled to the flow control device, the reactive element being configured to expand when exposed to oil.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the housing includes an opening communicating a fluid in a wellbore annulus to the reactive element;

and wherein the reactive element is substantially isolated from a fluid in the cavity of the housing.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the flow control device is configured to slide between a first position wherein the fluid flows a first distance in the at least one conduit, and a second position wherein the fluid flows a second distance longer than the first distance in the at least one conduit.