Downhole fluid flow control system and method having a fluidic module with a flow control turbine

• US 9,234,404 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Felten, Frederic
• Primary Examiner(s): MICHENER, BLAKE E
• Application Number:
  US13/688,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20130220633A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/08 Screens or liners expandable screens or liners E21B43/108
• 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 downhole fluid flow control system includes a fluidic module having a turbine chamber. A flow control turbine is rotatably disposed within the turbine chamber. The flow control turbine is operable to provide fluid discriminating flow resistance such that a pressure drop for a desired production fluid passing through the fluidic module is less than a pressure drop for an undesired production fluid passing through the fluidic module. For example, the flow control turbine is operable generate a greater pressure drop in water produced therethrough as compared to oil produced therethrough due to differences in the density, viscosity or other property of the produced fluid.

Claims

1. A flow control screen comprising:

a base pipe with an internal passageway;

a filter medium positioned around the base pipe;

a housing positioned around the base pipe defining an annular fluid flow path between the filter medium and an exterior surface of the base pipe;

an opening formed through said base pipe fluidly coupling said annular fluid flow path with said internal passageway; and

at least one fluidic module disposed within the annular fluid flow path, the fluidic module having a turbine chamber with a flow control turbine rotatably disposed therein, the flow control turbine operable to provide fluid discriminating flow resistance such that a pressure drop for a desired production fluid passing through the fluidic module is less than a pressure drop for an undesired production fluid passing through the fluidic module.

2. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the flow control turbine further comprises a single stage turbine.

3. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the flow control turbine further comprises a multi stage turbine.

4. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the flow control turbine further comprises a rotor and a stator.

5. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 further comprising an electrically-operated inflow valve fluidly coupled within said fluid flow path and electrical generator mechanically coupled to said flow control turbine and electrically coupled to said inflow valve.

6. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the production fluid enters the turbine chamber substantially parallel to a plane of rotation of the flow control turbine.

7. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the production fluid enters the turbine chamber substantially perpendicular to a plane of rotation of the flow control turbine.

8. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the desired production fluid is selected from oil and gas.

9. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 further comprising first and second fluidic modules in series with one another.

10. The flow control screen as recited in claim 9 wherein the first fluidic module includes the flow control turbine and wherein the second fluidic module includes a vortex chamber.

11. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the undesired production fluid is selected from gas and water.

12. The flow control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein:

said base pipe is disposed within a wellbore; and

said internal passageway is fluidly coupled to an interior of a tubing string extending to the surface.

13. A downhole fluid flow control method comprising:

positioning a fluid flow control system at a target location within a wellbore, the fluid flow control system including a base pipe disposed within a housing so as to define an annular fluid flow path between the base pipe and the housing, a fluidic module having a turbine chamber with a flow control turbine rotatably disposed within said annular flow path;

producing a desired fluid through the fluidic module into said base pipe and to a surface of the wellbore;

generating a first pressure drop responsive to production of the desired fluid;

producing an undesired fluid through the fluidic module; and

generating a second pressure drop responsive to production of the undesired fluid, the second pressure drop being higher than the first pressure drop, thereby providing fluid discriminating flow resistance.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising generating electricity with the flow control turbine responsive to producing fluid through the fluidic module.

15. The method as recited in claim 14 further comprising operating an inflow valve fluidly coupled to said turbine chamber with the electricity generated by the flow control turbine.