Tool for managing fluid flow in a well

• US 6,279,651 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Towers, Darrin N., Schwendemann, Kenneth L.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHOEPPEL, ROGER J
• Application Number:
  US09/357,144
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 166/54.1, 166/66.5, 166/66.4, 166/265, 166/244.1, 166/369, 166/373
• US Class Current: 166/54.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0035 Apparatus or methods for multilateral well technology, e.g. for the completion of or workover on wells with one or more lateral branches
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0085 Adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/385 by reinjecting the separated materials into an earth formation in the same well

Abstract

A tool and method for managing fluid flow in a well use flow control and monitoring functions. A particular tool provides valve and metering functions combined with electrical generator and pump functions. Two of these tools can be used such that one generates electricity downhole to power the other tool to operate as a pump or other flow control. A method of managing fluid flow in a well includes operating the tool in either a generator mode or a pump mode. The tool, which is a flow control device, has a body in which an opening is defined between an annulus outside the body and a flow channel inside. The tool also has a flow control body, a rotor and electromagnetic members. A method includes moving the flow control body, the rotor, and the electromagnetic members together to selectively block or unblock the opening. In a particular version of this method, this movement is axially within the body of the flow control device. A method also includes: producing a fluid from a subterranean formation into the well; separating, in the well, water from hydrocarbons of the fluid; and reinjecting, from within the well, the separated water. Another definition of the method includes generating electricity in the well and operating a pump in the well with the electricity.

Claims

1. A combination flow control/generator/pump tool for a well, comprising:

an outer body having an opening defined in a side wall of the body;

a flow control body disposed in the outer body such that the flow control body is movable between a closed position blocking the opening in the outer body and an open position unblocking the opening in the outer body; and

a rotor connected to the flow control body and disposed in the outer body such that the rotor can rotate within the outer body in selectable response either to a force applied to the rotor by fluid flowing through the opening and relative to the rotor or to an electromagnetic force coupled to the rotor such that the tool generates electricity in response to the force applied by the flowing fluid and such that the tool pumps fluid through the rotor in response to the electromagnetic force.

2. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the rotor moves in response to movement of the flow control body between the closed position and the open position.

8. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein the outer body, the is flow control body, and the rotor define a flow channel through the tool.

16. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the flow control body and the rotor are linearly disposed within the outer body; and

the tool further comprises;

a first seal, the first seal disposed adjacent an end of the flow control body opposite the rotor; and

a second seal, the second seal disposed adjacent an end of the rotor opposite the flow control body.

17. A tool as defined in claim 16, wherein the outer body, the flow control body, and the rotor define an axial flow channel through the tool.

3. A tool for a well, comprising:

an outer body having an opening defined in a side wall of the body;

a flow control body disposed in the outer body such that the flow control body is movable between a closed position blocking the opening in the outer body and an open position unblocking the opening in the outer body;

a rotor connected to the flow control body and disposed in the outer body such that the rotor can rotate within the outer body in response to a force applied to the rotor; and

an actuator disposed in the outer body to move the flow control body linearly between the closed position and the open position.

4. A tool as defined in claim 3, wherein the rotor moves linearly with the flow control body.

5. A tool as defined in claim 4, wherein the flow control body rotates with the rotor.

6. A tool as defined in claim 3, wherein the outer body, the flow control body, the rotor, and the actuator define an axial flow channel through the tool.

7. A tool as defined in claim 3, wherein:

the flow control body and the rotor are linearly disposed within the outer body; and

the tool further comprises;

a first seal, the first seal disposed adjacent an end of the flow control body opposite the rotor; and

a second seal, the second seal disposed adjacent an end of the rotor opposite the flow control body.

9. A tool for a well, comprising:

an outer body having an opening defined in a side wall of the body;

a flow control body disposed in the outer body such that the flow control body is movable between a closed position blocking the opening in the outer body and an open position unblocking the opening in the outer body;

a rotor connected to the flow control body and disposed in the outer body such that the rotor can rotate within the outer body in response to a force applied to the rotor; and

an electromagnetic assembly having an operating state wherein the electromagnetic assembly generates electricity in response to fluid-induced rotation of the rotor.

10. A tool as defined in claim 9, wherein the electromagnetic assembly has another operating state wherein the electromagnetic assembly rotates the rotor in response to electricity applied to the electromagnetic assembly.

11. A tool as defined in claim 9, wherein:

the electromagnetic assembly includes a support connected to the rotor, a plurality of electrical windings mounted on the support, and a commutator mounted on the support and connected to the electrical windings; and

the tool further comprises an actuator coupled to the support to move the support, the rotor, and the flow control body linearly within the outer body.

12. A tool as defined in claim 11, wherein the electromagnetic assembly further includes;

a plurality of magnets mounted on the outer body such that the magnets interact with electromagnetic fields generated with the electrical windings; and

a plurality of contacts mounted on the outer body in engagement with the commutator.

13. A tool as defined in claim 12, wherein the electromagnetic assembly has another operating state wherein the electromagnetic assembly rotates the rotor in response to electricity applied to the electromagnetic assembly.

14. A tool as defined in claim 13, wherein:

the flow control body, the rotor and the support are linearly disposed within the outer body; and

the tool further comprises;

a first seal, the first seal disposed adjacent an end of the flow control body opposite the rotor; and

a second seal, the second seal disposed between the rotor and the electrical windings on the support.

15. A tool as defined in claim 14, wherein the outer body, the flow control body, the rotor, and the support define an axial flow channel through the tool.