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

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Johnson, Craig D., Oddie, Gary Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bomar, Shane
• Application Number:
  US10/167,895
• Publication Number:
  US 20020189815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 166/50, 166/66.6, 166/54.1, 166/205, 166/250.15, 166/370, 166/373, 166/374, 166/386
• US Class Current: 166/370
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/32 Preventing gas- or water-coning phenomena, i.e. the formation of a conical column of gas or water around wells

Abstract

A technique for controlling fluid production in a deviated wellbore is disclosed. The technique utilizes a flow pipe the interior of which is in hydraulic communication with the earth'"'"'s surface. A plurality of flow control valves are disposed at spaced apart positions along the length of the flow pipe. The flow control valves are used to regulate flow along intervals of the flow pipe.

Claims

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.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the flow pipe comprises a production tubing.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the flow pipe comprises a gravel pack screen.

4. A method for controlling production from a reservoir into a deviated wellbore therethrough, comprising:

permitting fluid flow from the reservoir into a flow pipe disposed within the deviated wellbore at axial positions along the length of the flow pipe; and

selectively controlling the fluid flow at each of the axial positions by a pressure balancing device having a piston and a secondary piston that move upon changes in pressure differential.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein selectively controlling comprises maintaining a substantially constant pressure drop between an exterior and an interior of the flow pipe.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein maintaining comprises measuring the substantially constant pressure drop.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein selectively controlling comprises measuring the flow rate at each axial position.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein selectively controlling comprises adjusting the flow rate at each axial position.

9. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein permitting comprises deploying a plurality of valves along the flow pipe at the axial positions.

10. The method as recited in claim 4, further comprising orienting the flow pipe generally horizontally within the reservoir.

11. A system for reducing coning effects along a deviated wellbore within a formation, comprising:

a flow pipe disposed within the deviated wellbore to receive a fluid from the formation; and

a flow control system coupled to the flow pipe, the flow control system being adaptable to selectively control and adjust flow of the fluid from the formation into the flow pipe at a plurality of unique axial locations within a single production zone by a plurality of valves, each valve having a piston and a secondary piston that move upon changes in pressure differential.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein each valve is adjustable by an electric motor to change flow rate.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, further comprising at least one sensor coupled to the flow passage member to detect a fluid characteristic as fluid passes through the flow passage member.

14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of valves is configured to maintain a substantially constant pressure drop between the formation and an interior of the flow pipe.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the flow pipe is generally horizontal within the formation.

16. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the flow pipe comprises a production tubing.

17. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the flow pipe comprises a sandscreen.

18. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the plurality of valves is disposed at least substantially exterior of the flow pipe.

19. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the plurality of valves is disposed at least substantially interior of the flow pipe.

20. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the flow pipe is generally horizontal within the formation.

21. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the plurality of valves are self regulating.

22. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein each valve of the plurality of valves comprises a spring biasing a movable member against an inflow of fluid.

23. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the plurality of valves are electrically coupled and selectively controllable to regulate fluid flow therethrough.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein each of the plurality of valves comprises a flow regulating valve with an electronic feedback.

25. A system for controlling production from a reservoir into a deviated wellbore therethrough, comprising:

means for permitting fluid flow from the reservoir into a flow pipe disposed within the deviated wellbore at axial positions along the length of the flow pipe;

means for selectively controlling the fluid flow at each of the axial positions with 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; and

means for measuring fluid parameters in a flow passage independent of the flow pipe.

26. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the means for permitting comprises openings in the flow pipe.

27. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein the means for selectively controlling comprises a plurality of valves.

28. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein the means for selectively controlling comprises a plurality of sensor to provide electronic feedback.

29. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein the plurality of sensors determine a pressure drop at each axial position.

30. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein the plurality of sensors determine flow rate at each axial position.

31. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein the means for selectively controlling comprises at least one controller electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors and the plurality of valves.