FLOW CONTROL ASSEMBLY
First Claim
1. A method of controlling flow in a bore of an oil or gas well, the method comprising:
- providing a control mechanism in the bore, configured to detect a pressure signature in a fluid in the bore, andgenerating a pressure signature in the fluid in the bore and transmitting the pressure signature to the control mechanism to trigger a change in the configuration of a flow control device in the bore in response to the detection of the pressure signature in the fluid;
wherein a positive pressure signature effective to trigger the change in configuration of the flow control device requires a sequence of at least two pressure changes, each pressure change having a minimum rate of change of pressure, with a measured time interval between each pressure change.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flow control method and assembly for an oil or gas well comprises generating a pressure signature in the fluid in a bore of the well comprising a minimum rate of change of pressure, and transmitting the pressure signature to a control mechanism to trigger a change in the configuration of a flow control device in the bore in response to the detection of the pressure signature in the fluid. The flow control device can comprise a barrier, such as a flapper, sleeve, valve or similar. The pressure signature is transmitted via fluid flowing in the bore, typically being injected into the well, optionally during or before frac operations, via fluid being used for the frac operations. The control mechanism typically includes an RFID reader to receive RF signals from tags deployed in the fluid flowing in the bore.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1. A method of controlling flow in a bore of an oil or gas well, the method comprising:
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providing a control mechanism in the bore, configured to detect a pressure signature in a fluid in the bore, and generating a pressure signature in the fluid in the bore and transmitting the pressure signature to the control mechanism to trigger a change in the configuration of a flow control device in the bore in response to the detection of the pressure signature in the fluid; wherein a positive pressure signature effective to trigger the change in configuration of the flow control device requires a sequence of at least two pressure changes, each pressure change having a minimum rate of change of pressure, with a measured time interval between each pressure change. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 52)
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24-34. -34. (canceled)
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40. A flow control assembly for use in an oil or gas well, comprising:
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a bore to convey fluid between the surface of the well and a formation; a flow control device located in the bore, the flow control device having first and second configurations, to divert fluid in the bore; a control mechanism configured to detect pressure changes in the fluid in the bore, wherein the control mechanism is programmed to trigger a change in the configuration of the flow control device in response to the detection of a pressure signature in the fluid comprising a sequence of at least two pressure changes, each pressure change having a minimum rate of change of pressure, with a measured time interval between each pressure change. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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43. (canceled)
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44. (canceled)
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50. (canceled)
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51. (canceled)
Specification