INFLOW CONTROL DEVICE
First Claim
1. An inflow control device for use in controlling the flow of fluid into a production tubing in a subterranean wellbore, comprising:
- a body with two ends comprising inner and outer concentric tubular members with an annulus between said members, where the annulus is closed at one end of the body and is open at the other end of the body;
an opening formed in the inner tubular member proximate the end of the body which is closed;
a wall which is disposed in the annulus between the first and second ends of the body; and
an orifice having an opening which is adjustable in size and which is disposed in the wall in the annulus to permit communication of fluid from one end of the body to the other.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inflow control device is disclosed for use in controlling the flow of fluid into a production tubing in a subterranean wellbore. The device is especially adapted for use with sand screen apparatus, but is modular in that it is manufactured separately from the sand screen apparatus. An inflow control device according to the present invention contains an orifice having an opening which is adjustable in size and which is disposed in the device to permit communication of fluid from one end of the body to the other. An inflow control device according to the present invention may be utilized with multiple sand screen assemblies.
126 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An inflow control device for use in controlling the flow of fluid into a production tubing in a subterranean wellbore, comprising:
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a body with two ends comprising inner and outer concentric tubular members with an annulus between said members, where the annulus is closed at one end of the body and is open at the other end of the body; an opening formed in the inner tubular member proximate the end of the body which is closed; a wall which is disposed in the annulus between the first and second ends of the body; and an orifice having an opening which is adjustable in size and which is disposed in the wall in the annulus to permit communication of fluid from one end of the body to the other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for use in controlling the flow of fluid between a subterranean wellbore and a production tubing in the subterranean wellbore, comprising:
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a plurality of sand screen assemblies which are connected together in tandem where an uninterrupted fluid flow path exists through said sand screen assemblies; and an inflow control device which is coupled to the upstream end of the plurality of sand screen assemblies for controlling flow of fluid between the production tubing and the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for use in controlling the flow of fluid between a subterranean wellbore and a production tubing in the subterranean wellbore, comprising:
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a tubular member which includes sand screen apparatus; and an inflow control device which is manufactured separately from the tubular member and which coupled to the upstream end of the tubular member for controlling flow of fluid between the wellbore and the production tubing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification