Permeable medium flow control devices for use in hydrocarbon production
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid from a formation into a wellbore tubular, comprising:
- a filtration element configured to filter particles in a fluid flowing from the formation; and
a flow space positioned downstream of the filtration element, the flow space having a plurality of parallel flow paths; and
a permeable medium positioned in at least one flow path of the plurality of parallel flow paths, the permeable medium including a plurality of substantially separate elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An in-flow control device controls fluid flow into a wellbore tubular using a permeable medium positioned in a flow space. The permeable medium induces a predetermined pressure differential in the flow space. The permeable medium may include separate elements having interstitial spaces and/or solid porous members. In arrangements, a filtration element may be positioned upstream of the flow space. In arrangements, the flow space may be formed in a plug member associated with the housing. In certain embodiments, a flow restriction element, such as a check valve, in the housing may provide parallel fluid communication with the bore of the wellbore tubular. Additionally, an occlusion body may be positioned in the flow space and configured to disintegrate upon exposure to a preset condition. The occlusion body temporarily seals the flow space so that a bore of the tubular may be pressurized.
200 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid from a formation into a wellbore tubular, comprising:
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a filtration element configured to filter particles in a fluid flowing from the formation; and a flow space positioned downstream of the filtration element, the flow space having a plurality of parallel flow paths; and a permeable medium positioned in at least one flow path of the plurality of parallel flow paths, the permeable medium including a plurality of substantially separate elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for controlling a flow of a fluid from a formation into a wellbore tubular, comprising:
(a) a plurality of in-flow control devices positioned along a section of the wellbore tubular, each in-flow control device including; a particulate control device having a filtration element configured to filter particles in a fluid flowing from the formation; and
a housing positioned downstream of the particulate control device, the housing including;
a permeable medium including a plurality of substantially separate elements positioned in at least one of a plurality of parallel flow paths between the filtration element and a flow bore of the wellbore tubular to control a flow characteristic.- View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling a flow of fluid from a formation into a wellbore tubular, comprising:
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filtering a formation fluid using a particulate control device; positioning a housing downstream of the particulate control device, the housing including a flow space having a plurality of flow paths receiving the filtered formation fluid and a permeable medium in at least one flow path of the plurality of flow paths, the permeable medium including a plurality of substantially separate elements; and conveying the filtered fluid to a bore of the wellbore tubular via the flow space. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification