Flow control device utilizing a reactive media
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid between bore of a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
- a flow path associated with a production control device, the flow path configured to convey the fluid from the formation into a flow bore of the wellbore tubular;
an occlusion member positioned along the flow path, the occlusion member being configured to move between a first position and a second position to control flow along the flow path; and
a reactive media disposed along the flow path, the reactive media being configured to restrict the fluid flow upon interacting with a selected fluid, the occlusion member being actuated by the change in the restriction of fluid flow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid into a wellbore tubular includes a flow path associated with a production control device; an occlusion member positioned along the flow path that selectively occludes the flow path, and a reactive media disposed along the flow path that change a pressure differential across at least a portion of the flow path by interacting with a selected fluid. The reactive media may be a water swellable material or an oil swellable material. The reactive media may be selected or formulated to change a parameter related to the flow path. Illustrative parameters include, but are not limited to, (i) permeability, (ii) tortuosity, (iii) turbulence, (iv) viscosity, and (v) cross-sectional flow area.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid between bore of a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
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a flow path associated with a production control device, the flow path configured to convey the fluid from the formation into a flow bore of the wellbore tubular; an occlusion member positioned along the flow path, the occlusion member being configured to move between a first position and a second position to control flow along the flow path; and a reactive media disposed along the flow path, the reactive media being configured to restrict the fluid flow upon interacting with a selected fluid, the occlusion member being actuated by the change in the restriction of fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling a flow of a fluid into a tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
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conveying the fluid via a flow path from the formation into a flow bore of the wellbore; positioning an occlusion member along the flow path; restricting the flow path using a reactive material that interacts with a selected fluid; and moving the occlusion member between the first position and a second position using an increase in a pressure differential in the flowing fluid caused by the restriction of the flow path. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for controlling a flow of a fluid from a formation into a wellbore tubular, comprising:
a plurality of in-flow control devices positioned along a section of the wellbore tubular, each in-flow control device including an occlusion member and an associated reactive media disposed in a flow path in communication with a bore of the wellbore tubular, the reactive media being configured to change a pressure differential across at least a portion of the flow path by interacting with a selected fluid, each occlusion member being actuated by the change in the pressure differential in the fluid flowing in the flow path. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid along a flow path in a wellbore, comprising:
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an occlusion member positioned along the flow path, the occlusion member being configured to control flow in the flow path by selectively occluding the flow path; and a reactive media disposed along the flow path, the reactive media being configured to change a pressure differential across at least a portion of the flow path by interacting with a selected fluid, the occlusion member being actuated by the change in pressure of the fluid flowing in the flow path.
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Specification