Adjustable flow control devices for use in hydrocarbon production

• US 8,069,921 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2009
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Garcia, Luis A., Coronado, Martin P., Peterson, Elmer R., Gaudette, Sean L., Johnson, Michael H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US12/417,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20090205834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 166/278, 166/51, 166/228, 166/236
• US Class Current: 166/278
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/02 Subsoil filtering
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/086 Screens with preformed openings, e.g. slotted liners comprising porous materials E21B43/082
• 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

Abstract

A flow control device may include a body having at least two flow paths configured to convey the fluid. The flow paths may be hydraulically isolated from one another in the body and at least one of the flow paths may be selectively occludable. In certain arrangements, a filtration element may be positioned upstream of one or more of the plurality of in-flow control devices. The flow paths may utilize features such as chamber and openings in order to impose a specified pressure drop on the fluid flowing thereacross.

Claims

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

a body having at least two flow paths configured to convey the fluid, the at least two flow paths being hydraulically isolated from one another in the body, wherein at least one of the at least two flow paths is configured to be selectively occludable, and wherein at least one of the at least two flow paths includes a plurality of chambers, each of the chambers being in fluid communication with one another.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the at least two flow paths is configured to generate a different pressure drop in the fluid flowing thereacross.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least two flow paths includes at least one chamber and at least one opening communicating with the at least one chamber.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least two flow paths includes a plurality of chambers, and wherein each of the at least two flow paths generates a different pressure drop there across.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the at least two flow paths has a first end in communication with an annulus of the wellbore and a second end in communication with a bore of the wellbore tubular.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an occlusion member configured to occlude the at least one of the at least two flow paths.

7. A method for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and an annulus of the well, comprising:

forming at least two flow paths in a body, each of the flow paths having a first end in communication with the annulus and a second end in communication with a bore of the wellbore tubular;

forming at least one of the at least two flow paths to receive an occlusion member;

configuring at least one of the at least two flow paths to include a plurality of chambers, each of the chambers being in fluid communication with one another; and

hydraulically isolating the at least two flow paths from one another in the body.

8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising occluding at least one of the at least two flow paths with the occlusion member.

9. The method according to claim 7 further comprising configuring each of the at least two flow paths to generate a different pressure drop in the fluid flowing thereacross.

10. The method according to claim 7 further comprising configuring at least one of the at least two flow paths to include at least one chamber and at least one opening communicating with the at least one chamber.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein each of the at least two flow paths includes a plurality of chambers, and wherein each of the at least two flow paths generates a different pressure drop there across.

12. The method according to claim 7 further comprising providing each of the at least two flow paths with a first end in communication with an annulus of the wellbore and a second end in communication with a bore of the wellbore tubular.

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

a wellbore tubular disposed in the well, the wellbore tubular having a flow bore;

a plurality of flow control devices positioned along the wellbore tubular, each of the flow control devices including;

a body having a plurality of flow paths configured to convey the fluid between an annulus of the well and the flow bore, each of the flow paths having a first end in communication with an annulus of a wellbore and a second end in communication with the flow bore and each of the flow paths being hydraulically isolated from one another between their respective first ends and second ends, wherein each of the at least two flow paths includes a plurality of chambers, each of the chambers being in fluid communication with one another, and wherein each of the at least two flow paths generates a different pressure drop there across, and wherein at least one of the plurality of flow paths is selectively closable.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein each the plurality of flow paths is configured to generate a different pressure drop in the fluid flowing thereacross.

15. The system according to claim 13 further comprising an occlusion member configured to close the at least one of the plurality of flow paths.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each of the at least two flow paths is configured to generate a different pressure drop in the fluid flowing thereacross.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein at least one of the at least two flow paths includes at least one chamber and at least one opening communicating with the at least one chamber.