Inflow control valve and device producing distinct acoustic signal
First Claim
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1. A monitoring system for use in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation, the system, comprising:
- first and second inflow control tools disposed in the wellbore and operable to regulate fluid flow into the wellbore;
a first sound-producing element operable to generate a first acoustic signal in response to fluid flow through the first inflow control tool, the first sound-producing element disposed in an interior flow path of the first inflow control tool proximate a fluid inlet of the first inflow control tool, wherein the first acoustic signal defines a first acoustic signature, and wherein the first sound-producing element is responsive only to the fluid flow from the first inflow control tool;
a second sound-producing element operable to generate a second acoustic signal in response to fluid flow through the second inflow control tool, the second sound-producing element disposed in an interior flow path of the second inflow control tool proximate a fluid inlet of the second inflow control tool, wherein the second acoustic signal defines a second acoustic signature that is distinguishable from the first acoustic signature, and wherein the second sound-producing element is responsive only to the fluid flow from the second inflow control tool; and
a sensing subsystem operable to detect the first and second acoustic signals and operable to distinguish between the first and second acoustic signatures.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for generating and monitoring an acoustic response to particular fluid flow conditions in a wellbore include incorporating a sound-producing element into each inflow control device installed in a wellbore. Each of the sound-producing elements generates an acoustic signature that is readily identifiable from each other sound-producing element installed in the wellbore.
35 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A monitoring system for use in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation, the system, comprising:
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first and second inflow control tools disposed in the wellbore and operable to regulate fluid flow into the wellbore; a first sound-producing element operable to generate a first acoustic signal in response to fluid flow through the first inflow control tool, the first sound-producing element disposed in an interior flow path of the first inflow control tool proximate a fluid inlet of the first inflow control tool, wherein the first acoustic signal defines a first acoustic signature, and wherein the first sound-producing element is responsive only to the fluid flow from the first inflow control tool; a second sound-producing element operable to generate a second acoustic signal in response to fluid flow through the second inflow control tool, the second sound-producing element disposed in an interior flow path of the second inflow control tool proximate a fluid inlet of the second inflow control tool, wherein the second acoustic signal defines a second acoustic signature that is distinguishable from the first acoustic signature, and wherein the second sound-producing element is responsive only to the fluid flow from the second inflow control tool; and a sensing subsystem operable to detect the first and second acoustic signals and operable to distinguish between the first and second acoustic signatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of monitoring fluid flow in a wellbore, the method comprising:
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(i) installing first and second inflow control tools in corresponding first and second annular regions within the wellbore; (ii) installing first and second sound-producing elements in the wellbore, each of the first and second sound-producing element operable to actively generate a respective first and second acoustic signals in response to fluid flowing through a respective corresponding one of the first and second inflow control tools, the first acoustic signal operable to be distinguishable from the second acoustic signal, wherein the first sound-producing element is responsive only to the fluid flow from the first inflow control tool, and wherein the second sound-producing element is responsive only to the fluid flow from the second inflow control tool; (iii) producing a production fluid from the wellbore through at least one of the first and second inflow control tools; (iv) detecting at least one of the first and second acoustic signals; and (v) identifying which of the first and second acoustic signals was detected to determine through which of the first and second inflow control tools the production fluid was produced. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of monitoring fluid flow in a wellbore, the method comprising:
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(i) producing a production fluid from the wellbore through a first inflow control tool disposed in a first annular region within the wellbore; (ii) actively generating a first acoustic signal only in response to the production fluid from the first annular region flowing through the first inflow control tool; (iii) detecting the first acoustic signal; and (iv) distinguishing the first acoustic signal from a second acoustic signal, wherein the second acoustic signal is actively generated only in response to the production fluid from a second annular region flowing through a second inflow control tool disposed in the second annular region within the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An inflow control tool monitoring system for use with fluid flow in conjunction with a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, the inflow control tool monitoring system comprising:
an inflow control tool operable to be disposed in the wellbore and operable to regulate fluid flow through the wellbore, the inflow control tool comprising; an inflow control tool housing, the inflow control tool housing being operable to be installed in line with production tubing; a restrictive passage within the inflow control tool housing, the restrictive passage operable to regulate the fluid flow; and
,a sound-producing element disposed within the inflow control tool housing, the sound-producing element operable to generate a first acoustic signal in response to fluid flow through the inflow control tool, and the sound-producing element not producing sound in response to fluid in the production tubing flowing from sources other than the inflow control tool housing. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
Specification