Downhole Fluid Flow Control System and Method Having a Fluidic Module with a Flow Control Turbine

• US 20130220633A1
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Felten, Frederic
• Granted Patent: US 9,234,404 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/373
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• 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

A downhole fluid flow control system includes a fluidic module having a turbine chamber. A flow control turbine is rotatably disposed within the turbine chamber. The flow control turbine is operable to provide fluid discriminating flow resistance such that a pressure drop for a desired production fluid passing through the fluidic module is less than a pressure drop for an undesired production fluid passing through the fluidic module. For example, the flow control turbine is operable generate a greater pressure drop in water produced therethrough as compared to oil produced therethrough due to differences in the density, viscosity or other property of the produced fluid.

Claims

1. A downhole fluid flow control system comprising:

a fluidic module having a turbine chamber; and

a flow control turbine rotatably disposed within the turbine chamber, the flow control turbine operable to provide fluid discriminating flow resistance such that a pressure drop for a desired production fluid passing through the fluidic module is less than a pressure drop for an undesired production fluid passing through the fluidic module.

2. The flow control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the fluid discriminating flow resistance of the flow control turbine is responsive to fluid viscosity.

3. The flow control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the fluid discriminating flow resistance of the flow control turbine is responsive to fluid density.

4. The flow control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the flow control turbine further comprises a single stage turbine.

5. The flow control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the flow control turbine further comprises a multi stage turbine.

6. The flow control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the flow control turbine further comprises a rotor and a stator.

7. The flow control system as recited in claim 6 wherein the flow control turbine is operable to generate electricity.

8. The flow control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the production fluid enters the turbine chamber substantially parallel to a plane of rotation of the flow control turbine.

9. The flow control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the production fluid enters the turbine chamber substantially perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the flow control turbine.

10. The flow control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the desired production fluid is selected from oil and gas and the undesired production fluid is selected from gas and water.

11. A flow control screen comprising:

a base pipe with an internal passageway;

a filter medium positioned around the base pipe;

a housing positioned around the base pipe defining a fluid flow path between the filter medium and the internal passageway; and

at least one fluidic module disposed within the fluid flow path, the fluidic module having a turbine chamber with a flow control turbine rotatably disposed therein, the flow control turbine operable to provide fluid discriminating flow resistance such that a pressure drop for a desired production fluid passing through the fluidic module is less than a pressure drop for an undesired production fluid passing through the fluidic module.

12. The flow control screen as recited in claim 11 wherein the fluid discriminating flow resistance of the flow control turbine is responsive to fluid viscosity.

13. The flow control screen as recited in claim 11 wherein the fluid discriminating flow resistance of the flow control turbine is responsive to fluid density.

14. The flow control screen as recited in claim 11 further comprising first and second fluidic modules in series with one another.

15. The flow control screen as recited in claim 14 wherein the first fluidic module includes the flow control turbine and wherein the second fluidic module includes a vortex chamber.

16. The flow control screen as recited in claim 14 further comprising a plurality of first fluidic modules and a plurality of second fluidic modules.

17. A downhole fluid flow control method comprising:

positioning a fluid flow control system at a target location downhole, the fluid flow control system including a fluidic module having a turbine chamber with a flow control turbine rotatably disposed therein;

producing a desired fluid through the fluidic module;

generating a first pressure drop responsive to production of the desired fluid;

producing an undesired fluid through the fluidic module; and

generating a second pressure drop responsive to production of the undesired fluid, the second pressure drop being higher than the first pressure drop, thereby providing fluid discriminating flow resistance.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 further comprising generating electricity with the flow control turbine responsive to producing fluid through the fluidic module.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising operating a downhole device with the electricity generated by the flow control turbine.

20. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein operating the downhole device with the electricity generated by the flow control turbine further comprises increasing flow resistance on the production fluid.