Integrated flow control device and isolation element
An apparatus for use in a well includes a mandrel, a flow control device provided on the mandrel, and an isolation element provided on the mandrel to provide isolation between zones of the well.
The invention relates to an apparatus having an integrated flow control device and isolation element provided on a mandrel.
BACKGROUNDAs part of completing a well, various components are provided into a wellbore to perform different tasks. Two such components include flow control devices and packers. Flow control devices control flow between various parts of the well, such as between reservoir(s) and a flow conduit (e.g., production tubing, injection tubing, etc.), or between other portions of the well.
The flow control device and packer are typically provided as separate components on a tool string. For example, as shown in
Providing the flow control devices and packers as separate modules adds to the overall complexity and cost of a tool string. Also, because the flow control device and packer are separate components, the overall length of the tool string is increased, particularly when there are a large number of flow control devices and packers provided on a tool string.
SUMMARYIn general, according to an embodiment, an apparatus for use in a well comprises a mandrel, a flow control device provided on the mandrel, and an isolation element provided on the same mandrel to provide isolation between zones of the well.
Other or alternative features will become apparent from the following description, from the drawings, and from the claims.
In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible.
As used here, the terms “above” and “below”; “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “upwardly” and “downwardly”; and other like terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element are used in this description to more clearly describe some embodiments of the invention. However, when applied to equipment and methods for use in wells that are deviated or horizontal, such terms may refer to a left to right or right to left relationship as appropriate.
As depicted in
A “mandrel” refers to an integral support structure, such as a housing or other member, on which various components can be supported, including the flow control device and isolation element. The integral mandrel is distinguished from conventional solutions in which a flow control device and packer are typically provided on separate mandrels that are coupled to each other, such as by a threaded connection, or by some other coupling mechanism.
The other module 204 similarly includes an integrated flow control device 214 and isolation element 216 arranged on a common mandrel 218. The isolation element includes an expandable sealing element 220.
In
As further depicted in
In alternative embodiments, the control line 308 can be an electrical control line or a fiber optic control line. In these cases, the actuating mechanisms 300, 306 are provided with the appropriate control circuitry to decode electrical signaling or optical signaling.
Furthermore, alternative embodiments may employ more than one control line to address and actuate different functions of the integrated module 202. A combination of hydraulic, electrical, or fiber optic control lines may be used to control an integrated module and provide feedback to the surface. Some of these control lines are shared with and may continue to other integrated modules, for example 204, in the wellbore 100 to minimize the number of control lines going to the surface.
An application where some of the
By integrating multiple functions onto a single mandrel (module), in accordance with some embodiments, more efficient usage of space in a wellbore can be achieved. The integration allows for more compact (shorter) assemblies of components such that shallow zonal isolation can be achieved. Also, integration allows for the sharing of a control line for enhanced efficiency. Moreover, misalignment issues of different components in a tool string can be eliminated or reduced, due to integration of multiple components in one module. Other advantages include a lower probability of leaks due to the elimination of threaded or other connections, reduced number of connections and splices for control lines, and quicker deployment at the job site due to pre-integration.
While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An apparatus for use in a well, comprising:
- a mandrel;
- a flow control device provided on the mandrel; and
- an isolation element provided on the mandrel to provide isolation between zones of the well.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolation element comprises an expandable sealing element.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the isolation element comprises a packer.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising
- a second mandrel;
- a second flow control device on the second mandrel; and
- a second isolation element on the second mandrel to provide isolation between zones of the well.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second flow control device on the mandrel such that the apparatus provides a dual flow control function integrated with an isolation function.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second isolation element on the mandrel such that the apparatus provides a dual isolation function integrated with a flow control function.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor mounted to the mandrel.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising at least one control device mounted to the mandrel, the at least one control device to perform a downhole control task.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a common control line operatively coupled to both the flow control device and isolation element to operate the flow control device and the isolation element from the common control line.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control line comprises a hydraulic control line,
- wherein the hydraulic control line enables remote setting or unsetting of the isolation element using hydraulic pressure, and actuation of the flow control device using hydraulic pressure.
11. (canceled)
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the isolation element and flow control device are responsive to different pressures.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the isolation element and flow control device are responsive to different numbers of pressure cycles.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control line comprises one of an electrical line and fiber optic line.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising at least another control line, wherein the control lines comprise a combination of at least two of hydraulic, electrical, and fiber optic lines.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control lines are shred with other integrated modules in the well bore.
17. A method for use in a well, comprising:
- providing a common mandrel;
- mounting a flow control device onto the common mandrel; and
- mounting an isolation element onto the common mandrel, the isolation element to provide isolation of zones of the well.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
- actuating the flow control device to control fluid flow in the well; and
- actuating the isolation element to isolate two zones in the well.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein actuating the flow control device and actuating the isolation element is performed using a common control line.
20. (canceled)
21. The method of claim 17, wherein mounting the isolation element onto the common mandrel comprises mounting a packer onto the common mandrel.
22. The method of claim 17, further comprising mounting an instrumentation section onto the common mandrel,
- wherein the instrumentation section comprises mounting the instrumentation section that comprises at least one sensor.
23. (canceled)
24. The method of claim 22, wherein mounting the instrumentation section comprises mounting the instrumentation section that comprises at least one sensor and control device.
25. A system for use in a well, comprising:
- a tool string having a first mandrel, a first flow control device provided on the first mandrel, and a first isolation element provided on the first mandrel to provide isolation between zones of the well.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the first isolation element comprises a packer.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the tool string further comprises a second mandrel, a second flow control device provided on the second mandrel, and a second isolation element provided on the second mandrel to provide isolation between zones of the well.
28. The system of claim 25, wherein the tool string further comprises an instrumentation section provided on the first mandrel,
- wherein the instrumentation section comprises at least one sensor and control device.
29. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 20, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 26, 2008
Inventors: Stephane Hiron (Igay), Ives D. Loretz (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 11/642,373
International Classification: E21B 43/12 (20060101); E21B 33/12 (20060101);