Water sensitive adaptive inflow control using cavitations to actuate a valve

• US 7,597,150 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2008
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Clem, Nicholas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay; Jennifer H
• Assistant Examiner(s): GITLIN, ELIZABETH C GOTTLIEB
• Application Number:
  US12/024,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20090194289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 166/369, 166/250.15, 166/373, 166/386, 166/334.4, 166/319
• US Class Current: 166/334.4
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/085 with time-delay systems, e.g. hydraulic impedance mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/14 Obtaining from a multiple-zone well
• 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

An apparatus for controlling fluid flow between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus includes a passage between a bore of the wellbore tubular and the wellbore annulus. The passage causes cavitations in a flowing fluid made up of mostly water. The cavitations activate a flow control device that controls fluid flow into the wellbore tubular. In one method, the flow control device includes a pressure chamber pressurized by high-pressure fluid associated with the cavitations. The pressure in the pressure chamber actuates a piston assembly coupled to a closure element that restricts fluid flow into the wellbore tubular. Alternatively, a power generator generates an electrical signal in response to the cavitations and transmits the electrical signal to the flow control device. In response to the electrical signal, the flow control element activates one or more devices that move a closure element to restrict fluid flow into the wellbore tubular.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus, comprising:

a body;

a passage formed in the body, the passage being configured to cause cavitations in a fluid flowing through the passage; and

a flow control device activated by the cavitations.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow control device includes a pressure chamber;

and a high-pressure fluid pressurized by the cavitations.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the flow control device includes a valve opening in response to the cavitations.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the flow control device includes a piston assembly actuated by a high pressure in the pressure chamber.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a closure element coupled to and displaced by the piston assembly.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the passage includes a converging portion and a diverging portion.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a power generator configured to generate an electrical signal in response to the cavitations and transmit the electrical signal to the flow control device.

8. A method for controlling a flow of fluid between a bore of a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus, comprising:

(a) controlling fluid flow into the wellbore tubular bore using a flow control device; and

(b) activating the flow control device using cavitations generated in a flowing fluid.

9. The method according to claim 8 further causing the cavitations using a passage between the wellbore tubular bore and the wellbore annulus.

10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising increasing a pressure in a pressure chamber using the cavitations.

11. The method according to claim 10 further comprising controlling the pressure in the pressure chamber using a valve that opens in response to the cavitations.

12. The method according to claim 10 further comprising actuating a piston assembly using a fluid in the pressure chamber that is pressurized by the cavitations.

13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising displacing a closure element coupled to the piston assembly.

14. The method according to claim 8 further comprising accelerating and decelerating a fluid flowing to the wellbore tubular to cause the cavitations.

15. The method according to claim 8 further comprising generating an electrical signal in response to the cavitations and transmitting the electrical signal to the flow control device.

16. A system for controlling a flow of fluid in a well, comprising:

(a) a wellbore tubular configured to convey fluid from a formation to surface location;

(b) an in-flow control device configured to control fluid flow between the formation and a bore of the wellbore tubular;

(c) a passage formed in the in-flow control device, the passage being configured to cause cavitations in a fluid flowing through the passage; and

(d) a flow control device configured to control fluid flow across one or more openings into the wellbore tubular bore, the flow control device being energized by the cavitations.

17. The system according to claim 16 wherein the passage includes a first portion configured to accelerate a flowing fluid and a second portion configured to decelerate the flowing fluid.

18. The system according to claim 16 wherein the flow control device includes a pressure chamber configured to receive a high-pressure fluid associated with the cavitations;

a piston assembly actuated by a high pressure in the pressure chamber; and

a closure member displaced by the piston assembly.

19. The system according to claim 16 wherein the passage is configured to cause cavitations when the flowing fluid is substantially water and to not cause cavitations when the flowing fluid is substantially a hydrocarbon.

20. The system according to claim 16 further comprising a power generator configured to generate an electrical signal in response to the cavitations and transmit the electrical signal to the flow control device.