INFLOW CONTROL DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE ORIFICE AND PRODUCTION STRING HAVING THE SAME

• US 20130180724A1
• Filed: 01/13/2012
• Published: 07/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Nelson P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,925,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/316
• 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 inflow control device laterally insertable in a wall of a tubular, the inflow control device includes a plug shaped body having a first section and a second section, the first section having an orifice accessible to an interior of the tubular and the second section having an opening accessible to an exterior of the tubular, the orifice in fluid communication with the opening; and a selectable insert insertable into the orifice, the insert having an inner periphery providing a flow path between the exterior and interior of the tubular. Also, included is a production string and adjustable orifice inflow control device combination.

Claims

1. An inflow control device laterally insertable in a wall of a tubular, the inflow control device comprising:

a plug shaped body having a first section and a second section, the first section having an orifice accessible to an interior of the tubular and the second section having an opening accessible to an exterior of the tubular, the orifice in fluid communication with the opening; and

a selectable insert insertable into the orifice, the insert having an inner periphery providing a flow path between the exterior and interior of the tubular.

2. The inflow control device of claim 1, wherein the insert is formed from carbide or ceramic.

3. The inflow control device of claim 1, further comprising a third section securable to a housing positioned exteriorly of the tubular, wherein the second section is interposed between the first and third sections.

4. The inflow control device of claim 3, wherein the third section includes a threaded exterior threadable in the housing.

5. The inflow control device of claim 3, further comprising a retaining ring positioned on an end surface of the body adjacent the third section.

6. The inflow control device of claim 3, wherein the third section is imperforate.

7. The inflow control device of claim 3, wherein the housing and wall of the tubular enclose a production pathway, and the opening in the second section accesses the production pathway.

8. The inflow control device of claim 1, further comprising a seal positionable between the body and the tubular wall.

9. The inflow control device of claim 8, wherein the body includes a circumferential groove holding the seal.

10. The inflow control device of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first end surface facing the interior of the tubular and an opposite second end surface, the second end having an indentation sized to receive an insertion tool.

11. The inflow control device of claim 1, wherein the opening is substantially perpendicular to the orifice.

12. The inflow control device of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of openings in the second section, each opening substantially perpendicular to the orifice and in fluid communication with the orifice.

13. The inflow control device of claim 1, wherein the insert has a first end substantially aligned with a first end surface of the body and a second end abutting a shoulder within the first section.

14. The inflow control device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of inserts each insertable within the orifice and each having a differently sized inner periphery.

15. A production string and adjustable orifice inflow control device combination, the combination comprising:

a downhole tubular having a wall, the wall having a laterally disposed first aperture therethrough;

an inflow control device including;

a plug shaped body having a first section and a second section, the first section inserted into the first aperture and having an orifice accessible to an interior of the tubular and the second section having an opening accessible to an exterior of the tubular, the orifice in fluid communication with the opening; and

a selectable insert insertable into the orifice, the insert having an inner periphery providing a flow path between the exterior and interior of the tubular.

16. The production string and adjustable orifice inflow control device combination of claim 15, further comprising a housing positioned exteriorly of the tubular, the housing including a second aperture and the body of the inflow control device including a third section securable within the second aperture.

17. The production string and adjustable orifice inflow control device combination of claim 16, further comprising a production pathway between the housing and the tubular, wherein the opening in the second section is in fluid communication with the production pathway.

18. The production string and adjustable orifice inflow control device combination of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of first apertures in the wall of the tubular, corresponding second apertures in the housing, bodies of the inflow control devices inserted within the first and second apertures, and inserts inserted within each of the bodies, wherein the inner periphery of each insert is selectable based on downhole position of the production string to vary a pressure exiting the insert into the tubular.

19. The production string and adjustable orifice inflow control device combination of claim 15, wherein the inner periphery of the insert is selected to vary a pressure differential between an interior and exterior of the tubular.

20. The production string and adjustable orifice inflow control device combination of claim 15, wherein the inflow control device is insertable and removable from the tubular and accessible from an exterior of the housing, and the insert is interchangeable within the body with other inserts having variously sized inner peripheries.