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Flow control regulation method and apparatus

  • US 6,786,285 B2
  • Filed: 06/12/2002
  • Issued: 09/07/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling fluid production in a horizontal wellbore, comprising:

  • a flow pipe the interior of which is in hydraulic communication with the earth'"'"'s surface, the flow pipe disposed in a substantially horizontal portion of the wellbore; and

    a plurality of flow control valves disposed at spaced apart positions along the length of the flow pipe, each of the valves providing hydraulic communication between the interior of the flow pipe and a fluid reservoir in an earth formation, each of the valves adapted to maintain a substantially constant pressure drop between the reservoir and the interior of the flow pipe, wherein each flow control valve comprises a pair of pistons actuated against a biasing mechanism by fluid flow from the reservoir, the pair of pistons being adapted to cause closure of a port in hydraulic communication with the interior of the flow pipe when actuated against the biasing mechanism by the fluid flow.

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