Well Flow Control Systems and Methods
First Claim
1. A well flow control system comprising:
- a tubular adapted to be disposed in a well to define a well annulus, wherein the tubular has an outer member defining an internal flow conduit, and wherein at least a portion of the outer member is permeable allowing fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit; and
a flow control apparatus adapted to be disposed within the flow conduit of the tubular, wherein the flow control apparatus comprises at least one conduit-defining structural member and at least one chamber-defining structural member;
wherein the at least one conduit-defining structural member is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least three flow control conduits;
wherein the at least one chamber-defining structural members is configured to divide at least two of the at least three flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers;
wherein each of the at least two flow control chambers has at least one inlet and at least one outlet;
wherein each of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet is adapted to allow fluids to flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size; and
wherein at least one of the at least three flow control conduits is in fluid communication with the well annulus only through one or more of the flow control chambers.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Flow control systems and methods for use in hydrocarbon well operations include a tubular and a flow control apparatus. The tubular defines a well annulus and includes an outer member defining a flow conduit. Fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit is provided by permeable portion(s) of the outer member. The flow control apparatus is disposed within the flow conduit and comprises conduit-defining and chamber-defining structural members. The conduit-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least two flow control conduits. The chamber-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide at least one of the at least two flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers. Each of the flow control chambers has at least one inlet and one outlet, each of which is adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A well flow control system comprising:
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a tubular adapted to be disposed in a well to define a well annulus, wherein the tubular has an outer member defining an internal flow conduit, and wherein at least a portion of the outer member is permeable allowing fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit; and a flow control apparatus adapted to be disposed within the flow conduit of the tubular, wherein the flow control apparatus comprises at least one conduit-defining structural member and at least one chamber-defining structural member;
wherein the at least one conduit-defining structural member is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least three flow control conduits;
wherein the at least one chamber-defining structural members is configured to divide at least two of the at least three flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers;
wherein each of the at least two flow control chambers has at least one inlet and at least one outlet;
wherein each of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet is adapted to allow fluids to flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size; and
wherein at least one of the at least three flow control conduits is in fluid communication with the well annulus only through one or more of the flow control chambers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)
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17. (canceled)
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21. A flow control apparatus adapted for insertion into a flow conduit of a well tubular, the flow control apparatus comprising:
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at least one conduit-defining structural member adapted to be inserted in a flow conduit of a well tubular and to divide the flow conduit into at least three flow control conduits; at least two chamber-defining structural member configured to divide at least two of the at least three flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers; and at least one permeable region provided in at least one of the at least one conduit-defining structural member and the at least two chamber-defining structural members;
wherein the at least one permeable region is adapted to allow fluid communication and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size;
wherein fluids flowing through the at least one permeable region pass from a first flow control conduit to a second flow control conduit within the flow conduit; and
wherein at least one of the at least three flow control conduits is adapted to be in fluid communication with a well annulus only through one or more of the flow control chambers. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35)
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24. (canceled)
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32-34. -34. (canceled)
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36-39. -39. (canceled)
Specification