Autonomous fluid control device having a movable valve plate for downhole fluid selection

• US 8,991,506 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2011
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Lopez, Jean-Marc, Zhao, Liang
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P
• Application Number:
  US13/640,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20140231095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,247 Days
• Field of Search: 166/369, 166/373, 166/386, 166/320
• US Class Current: 166/373
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/05 Flapper valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• 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: F16K 15/03 with a hinged closure member or with a pivoted closure member

Abstract

An apparatus and method are described for autonomously controlling flow of fluid in a subterranean well, where fluid flow is controlled based on a fluid characteristic, such as viscosity or density, which changes over time. Fluid flows into a vortex assembly where a centrifugal force is imparted to the fluid. A less viscous fluid will have a relatively greater velocity and centrifugal force than a more viscous fluid. The fluid exits the vortex chamber by both a vortex outlet and a peripheral outlet. An autonomous valve element moves between an open position, in which fluid flows freely through the peripheral outlet, and a closed position, in which fluid flow through the peripheral outlet is restricted. The valve element is moved by the centrifugal force of the fluid, such that a fluid having a higher centrifugal force moves the valve element to the closed position, thereby reducing the total fluid flow through the vortex assembly.

Claims

1. An apparatus for autonomously controlling flow of fluid in a subterranean well, wherein a fluid characteristic of the fluid flow changes over time, comprising:

a vortex assembly having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral wall, defining a vortex chamber;

an inlet providing fluid communication into the vortex chamber;

a vortex outlet positioned at the bottom surface of the vortex chamber;

a peripheral outlet positioned along the peripheral wall of the vortex chamber; and

an autonomous, pivoting valve element, attached to the vortex assembly for moving between an open position in which fluid flow through the peripheral outlet is allowed, and a closed position in which fluid flow through the peripheral outlet is reduced.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the pivoting valve element is a cantilever.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the pivoting valve element is biased toward the open position.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3, further comprising a spring, and wherein the pivoting valve element is biased toward the open position by the spring.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the pivoting valve element prevents fluid flow through the peripheral outlet when in the closed position.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the pivoting valve element is movable in response to a centrifugal force of the fluid flowing in the vortex chamber.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the centrifugal force of the fluid increases as a viscosity of the fluid decreases.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the assembly has a total outlet flow rate, and wherein the total outlet flow rate is decreased when the pivoting valve element is moved toward the closed position.

9. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the cantilevered valve element pivots by bending.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the fluid which changes over time is viscosity.

11. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a downhole tool, the vortex assembly positioned in the downhole tool.

12. A method for controlling fluid flow in a subterranean well having a wellbore extending there through, the method comprising the steps of:

flowing fluid through a downhole tool;

flowing fluid into a vortex chamber;

flowing fluid through at least two outlets in the vortex chamber, a first outlet positioned along a periphery of vortex chamber and the second outlet positioned proximate a bottom of the vortex chamber;

moving an autonomous valve element positioned in the vortex chamber in response to a change in a fluid characteristic of the flowing fluid in the vortex chamber;

reducing fluid flow through the first outlet by the moving the autonomous valve element.

13. A method as in claim 12, further comprising the step of:

preventing fluid flow through the first outlet by the moving of the autonomous valve element.

14. A method as in claim 12, wherein the fluid characteristic is viscosity.

15. A method as in claim 12, wherein, in response to a change in fluid characteristic, the fluid flow in the vortex chamber increases in velocity.

16. A method as in claim 12, wherein, in response to a change in fluid characteristic, a centrifugal force exerted by the fluid flow in the vortex chamber increases.

17. A method as in claim 12, wherein, in response to a change in fluid characteristic, a force exerted by the fluid flow on a face of the autonomous valve increases.

18. A method as in claim 12, wherein the step of moving the autonomous valve element includes moving the autonomous valve element towards a closed position;

and further comprising the step of;

moving the autonomous valve element toward an open position in response to another change in the fluid characteristic.

19. A method as in claim 12, wherein the step of moving the autonomous valve element further comprises:

moving the autonomous valve element alternately toward a closed position and toward an open position in response to changes in fluid characteristic over time.

20. A method as in claim 12, wherein the step of moving the autonomous valve element further includes pivoting the autonomous valve element.