Method for Controlling Fluid Production From a Wellbore By Using a Script

• US 20110071810A1
• Filed: 09/22/2009
• Published: 03/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Yeriazarian, Garabed, Chok, Chee M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,482,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/10
• 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

In one aspect, a method is provided for controlling fluid flow in a wellbore containing a plurality of production devices, wherein the method includes the steps of defining a first setting of each production device in the plurality of production devices, defining a change in a parameter relating to fluid flow in the wellbore and using a model to determine a second setting for at least one of the plurality of production devices based on the change in the parameter. The method also includes the step of generating a script corresponding to the second setting, wherein the script is configured to be implemented without modification, and storing the script in a suitable storage medium.

Claims

1. A method for controlling fluid flow in a wellbore containing a plurality of production devices, comprising:

defining a first setting of each production device in the plurality of production devices;

defining a change in a parameter relating to fluid flow in the wellbore;

using a model to determine a second setting for at least one of the plurality of production devices based on the change in the parameter; and

generating a script corresponding to the second setting, wherein the script is configured to be implemented without modification; and

storing the script in a suitable storage medium.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein using the model to determine the second settings comprises determining a sequence of settings for the plurality of production devices.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting the script to a controller for implementing the script.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the plurality of production devices comprises selecting the production devices from a group consisting of:

valves, chokes, and chemical treatment devices.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the script to an operator via one of:

a portable memory device; and

via a communication network.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the script to an operator via a communication network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the script includes providing options to:

run the script;

reject the script; and

delay use of the script.

8. A method for controlling wellbore devices, comprising:

receiving a desired value for at least one production parameter at a selected location along a length of a wellbore, wherein the operator inputs the desired value via a graphical element;

processing the desired value to determine a setting of at least one production device which will provide the desired value when implemented; and

creating a script file corresponding to the setting, wherein the script is configured to be implemented without modification.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein processing the desired value comprises using a model to determine the setting of at least one production device.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising generating a display of a wellbore layout and a first value for the at least one production parameter corresponding to the wellbore layout, wherein the display enables the operator to graphically input the desired value.

11. The method of claim 8, comprising providing the script to an operator, wherein the operator cannot modify the script.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the script to an operator comprises transmitting the script via a communication network.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the script to an operator comprises transmitting the script via a portable memory device.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one production device is selected from the following group:

valves, chokes, and chemical treatment devices.

15. A method for controlling flow in a wellbore, comprising:

using a model to generate a sequence of settings for at least one production device in the wellbore, wherein the group of settings corresponds to a selected wellbore parameter relating to fluid flow;

generating a script that includes the sequence of settings; and

providing the script to an operator, wherein the operator cannot modify the script and the script is configured to run by receiving a command from the operator.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising generating a display of a wellbore layout and a first value for at least one production parameter corresponding to the wellbore layout, wherein the display enables the operator to graphically input a desired value, wherein the model uses the desired value to determine the sequence of settings.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the wellbore layout includes a status indicator to display current settings of the one or more production devices.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the script to an operator comprises transmitting the script via a portable memory device.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein providing the script to an operator comprises transmitting the script via a communication network.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more production devices are selected from the following group:

valves, chokes, and chemical treatment devices.