Apparatus for autonomously controlling the inflow of production fluids from a subterranean well
A flow control apparatus (100) for controlling the inflow of production fluids (134, 140) from a subterranean well includes a tubular member (118) having at least one opening (138) that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the tubular member (118) and an interior flow path of the tubular member (118) and a flow restricting device (120) operably positioned in a fluid flow path between a fluid source and the at least one opening (138). The flow restricting device (120) includes a valve (128, 130) and an actuator (126). The actuator (126) includes a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid (140), such as water or gas. The flow restricting device (120) is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow through the flow control apparatus (100) in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid (140).
This invention relates, in general, to controlling the production of fluids from a well that traverses a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation and, in particular, to an apparatus for autonomously controlling the inflow of production fluids from the subterranean well in response to contact with an undesired fluid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWithout limiting the scope of the present invention, its background will be described with reference to producing fluid from a subterranean formation, as an example.
During the completion of a well that traverses a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation, production tubing and various equipment are installed in the well to enable safe and efficient production of the formation fluids. For example, to prevent the production of particulate material from an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated subterranean formation, certain completions include one or more sand control screens positioned proximate the desired production intervals. In other completions, to control the flow rate of production fluids into the production tubing, it is common practice to install one or more flow control devices within the tubing string.
Recently, attempts have been made to utilize fluid flow control devices within completions requiring sand control. For example, in one such device, after production fluids flows through the filter media of the sand control screen, the fluids are directed into a flow control labyrinth. A slidable sleeve on the labyrinth controls the fluid velocity therethrough. The slidable sleeve is moved by a remotely and electrically-operated device placed in the sand control screen. The fluid leaving the labyrinth passes to the tubing string for carrying to the surface. While certain benefits have been achieved through the use of such devices, many of these devices are complicated to operate, have suffered from poor reliability and require certain intervention for operation.
Accordingly, need has arisen for a fluid flow control device for controlling the inflow of formation fluids in a completion requiring sand control. A need has also arisen for such a fluid flow control device that is not difficult or expensive to manufacture. Further, a need has arisen for such a fluid flow control device that is reliable in a variety of flow conditions and does not require intervention to control inflow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention disclosed herein comprises a flow control apparatus for controlling the inflow of formation fluids. The flow control apparatus of the present invention is not difficult or expensive to manufacture. In addition, the flow control apparatus of the present invention is reliable in a variety of flow conditions and does not require intervention to control inflow.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a flow control apparatus for controlling the inflow of production fluids from a subterranean well that includes a tubular member having at least one opening that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the tubular member and an interior flow path of the tubular member and a flow restricting device operably positioned in a fluid flow path between a fluid source and the at least one opening. The flow restricting device includes a valve and an actuator. The actuator includes a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid, such as water or gas. The flow restricting device is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow through the flow control apparatus in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
In one embodiment of the flow control apparatus, fluid flow through the flow control apparatus is increasingly restricted in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid. In another embodiment, fluid flow through the flow control apparatus is substantially completely restricted in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
In certain embodiments of the flow control apparatus, the valve includes a sliding sleeve that is operated from the open position to a choking or closed position by the actuator. In other embodiments, the valve includes a longitudinally shiftable valve element that is operated from the open position to a choking or closed position by the actuator. In still other embodiments, the valve includes a valve element having a fluid flow passageway with a cross sectional area that is reduced in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid. In yet another embodiment, the actuator includes a biasing member that biases a valve element in a first direction. In this embodiment, the material prevents movement of the valve element in the first direction until the material is contacted by the undesired fluid.
In one embodiment of the flow control apparatus, once the material contacts the undesired fluid, the material permanently remains in a swelled state. In another embodiment of the flow control apparatus, once the material contacts the undesired fluid, the material remains in a swelled state as long as the material stays in contact with the undesired fluid but returns to an unswelled state if contact with the undesired fluid ceases.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a sand control screen that is positionable within a wellbore. The sand control screen includes a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the base pipe and an interior flow path of the base pipe and a filter medium positioned exteriorly of the base pipe. The filter medium selectively allows fluid flow therethrough and prevents particulate flow of a predetermined size therethrough. A flow restricting device is operably positioned in a fluid flow path between the filter medium and the at least one opening. The flow restricting device including a valve and an actuator. The actuator includes a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid such that the flow restricting device is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow through the screen in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a sand control completion for installation in a wellbore. The completion includes first and second seal assemblies that define a production zone in the wellbore and a sand control screen operably positioned between the first and second seal assemblies. The sand control screen includes a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the base pipe and an interior flow path of the base pipe, a filter medium positioned exteriorly of the base pipe, the filter medium selectively allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow of a predetermined size therethrough and a flow restricting device operably positioned in a fluid flow path between the filter medium and the at least one opening. The flow restricting device includes a valve and an actuator. The actuator includes a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid such that the flow restricting device is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow from the production zone in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a multizone sand control completion for installation in a wellbore. The completion includes at least two sets of first and second seal assemblies that define at least two production zones in the wellbore and a sand control screen positioned between each of the first and second seal assemblies. Each of the sand control screens includes a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the base pipe and an interior flow path of the base pipe, a filter medium positioned exteriorly of the base pipe, the filter medium selectively allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow of a predetermined size therethrough and a flow restricting device operably positioned in a fluid flow path between the filter medium and the at least one opening. Each flow restricting device includes a valve and an actuator. The actuators include a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid such that each of the flow restricting devices is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow from the respective production zones in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:
While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention.
Referring initially to
Positioned within wellbore 12 and extending from the surface is a tubing string 22. Tubing string 22 provides a conduit for formation fluids to travel from formation 20 to the surface. Positioned within tubing string 22 are a plurality of seal assemblies 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and a plurality of fluid flow control devices 36, 38, 40, 42, 44. Each of the seal assemblies 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 provides a fluid seal between tubing string 22 and the wall of wellbore 12. Each pair of seal assemblies defines a production interval. As illustrated, seal assemblies 24, 26 define production interval 46, seal assemblies 26, 28 define production interval 48, seal assemblies 28, 30 define production interval 50, seal assemblies 30, 32 define production interval 52 and seal assemblies 32, 34 define production interval 54.
Through use of the fluid flow control devices 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 of the present invention and by providing numerous production intervals 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, precise control over the volume and composition of the produced fluids is enabled. For example, in an oil production operation if an undesired fluid component, such as water or gas, is entering one of the production intervals, the fluid flow control device in that interval will autonomously restrict the production of that undesired fluid component and in some cases the entire fluid stream from that production interval. Accordingly, when a production interval corresponding to a particular one of the fluid flow control devices produces a greater proportion of an undesired fluid, the fluid flow control device in that interval will increasingly or entirely restrict flow from that interval. Thus, the other production intervals which are producing a greater proportion of desired fluid, in this case oil, will contribute more to the production stream entering tubing string 22. In particular, there will be a greater pressure drop from formation 20 to tubing string 22, resulting in a greater production of the desired fluid, due to the increased restriction to flow from the production interval that would otherwise be producing a greater proportion of the undesired fluid.
In the illustrated embodiment, each of the fluid flow control devices 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 provides not only fluid flow control capability but also sand control capability. The sand control screen elements or filter media associated with fluid flow control devices 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 are designed to allow fluids to flow therethrough but prevent particulate matter of sufficient size from flowing therethrough. The exact design of the screen element associated with fluid flow control devices 36, 38, 40, 42, 44 is not critical to the present invention as long as it is suitably designed for the characteristics of the formation fluids and any treatment operations to be performed. For example, the sand control screen may utilize a nonperforated base pipe having a wire wrapped around a plurality of ribs positioned circumferentially around the base pipe that provide stand off between the base pipe and the wire wrap. Alternatively, a fluid-porous, particulate restricting, metal material such as a plurality of layers of a wire mesh that are sintered together to form a fluid porous wire mesh screen could be used as the filter medium. As illustrated, a protective outer shroud having a plurality of perforations therethrough may be positioned around the exterior of the filter medium.
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Flow restrictor section 104 is configured in series with sand control screen section 102 such that fluid must pass through sand control screen section 102 prior to entering flow restrictor section 104. Flow restrictor section 104 includes an outer housing 110. Outer housing 110 defines an annular chamber 112, an annular chamber 114 and an annular chamber 116 with base pipe 118. Disposed between annular chamber 112 and annular chamber 114 and partially within annular chamber 114 is a valve assembly 120. Valve assembly 120 includes a tubular fluid passageway 122, a support member 124, an actuator 126 and a sliding sleeve 128. Disposed between annular chamber 114 and annular chamber 116 is a support member 130 having a tubular fluid passageway 132.
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As noted above, the actuation of valve assembly 120 is achieved in response to the expansion of actuator 126. More specifically, actuator 126 is formed from a material that expands when it comes in contact with an activating agent. For example, the material of actuator 126 may be a polymer that swells multiple times its initial size upon activation by an activating agent that stimulates the polymer chains to expand both radial and axially. In an autonomous implementation of fluid flow control device 100, the undesired fluid serves as the activating agent. For example, when the undesired fluid is water, the material of actuator 126 may be a water-swellable polymer such as a water-swellable elastomer or water-swellable rubber. More specifically, the material of actuator 126 may be a water-swellable hydrophobic polymer or water-swellable hydrophobic copolymer and preferably a water-swellable hydrophobic porous copolymer. As another example, the material of actuator 126 may be a salt polymer such as polyacrylamide or modified crosslinked poly(meth)acrylate that has the tendency to attract water from salt water through osmosis wherein water flows from an area of low salt concentration, the formation water, to an area of high salt concentration, the salt polymer, across a semi permeable membrane, the interface between the polymer and the production fluids, that allows water molecules to pass therethrough but prevents the passage of dissolved salts therethrough. Other embodiments of actuator 126 may employ different types of swelling polymers or materials that are activated by other activating agents. For example, in certain implementations, it may be desirable to have the material of actuator 126 swell upon activation by a hydrocarbon gas component of the production fluids.
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Depended upon the specific composition of actuator 126, the swelling process may take place over a relatively short period of time, several minutes, or a relatively long period of time, several days or weeks. As flow control device 100 is typically installed in a well that contains drilling fluids, which may include the activating agent of actuator 126, a composition for the material of actuator 126 with a relatively long swelling process may be desirable to enable the installation of actuator 126 without immediate actuation of flow control device 100, thus enabling the drilling fluid to be removed from contact with actuator 126 before actuation takes place. The removal of the drilling fluids could be done by displacing the drilling fluids with other fluids form the surface of by flowing reservoir fluids through flow control device 100. Additionally or alternatively, an outer skin may be applied to actuator 126 prior to installation that protects actuator 126 from any activation agent in the drilling fluids. For example, the skin may be relatively impermeable to the activating agent such that contact between the activating agent and actuator 126 is initially limited or the skin may entirely prevent contact between the activating agent and actuator 126 until such skin is removed, for example, due to the passage of time or a treatment used to remove the skin from actuator 126.
Even though fluid flow control device 100 has been described as having one valve assembly 120, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that a fluid flow control device of the present invention could alternatively have more than one valve assembly positioned in the flow restrictor section thereof. The number of valve assemblies and the exact location and circumferential distribution of the valve assemblies will be determined based upon a number of factors including the volume of desired fluid to be produced through fluid flow control device 100, the types or types of fluid that comprise the desired fluid and undesired fluid, the mechanical space requirements within fluid flow control device 100 and the like. In addition, even though the fluid passageways 122, 132 have been described as being tubular, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the passageways or nozzles that restrict fluid flow through fluid flow control device 100 could alternatively have different configurations including different cross sectional shapes and different directional pathways such as labyrinth type pathways, without departing from the principles of the present invention.
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Flow restrictor section 204 is configured in series with sand control screen section 202 such that fluid must pass through sand control screen section 202 prior to entering flow restrictor section 204. Flow restrictor section 204 includes an outer housing 210. Outer housing 210 defines an annular chamber 212 and an annular chamber 214 with base pipe 218. Disposed at least partially within annular chamber 214 is a valve assembly 220. Valve assembly 220 includes a tubular fluid passageway 222, a support member 224, an actuator 226, a sliding sleeve 228 and a support member 230.
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Actuator 226 is formed from a material that expands when it comes in contact with an activating agent. In an autonomous implementation of fluid flow control device 200, undesired fluid 240 serves as the activating agent. As best seen in
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Flow restrictor section 304 is configured in series with sand control screen section 302 such that fluid must pass through sand control screen section 302 prior to entering flow restrictor section 304. Flow restrictor section 304 includes an outer housing 310. Outer housing 310 defines an annular chamber 312 and an annular chamber 314 with base pipe 318. Disposed at least partially within annular chamber 314 is a valve assembly 320. Valve assembly 320 includes a tubular fluid passageway 322, a support member 324, an actuator 326 and a support member 330.
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Actuator 326 is formed from a material that expands when it comes in contact with an activating agent. In an autonomous implementation of fluid flow control device 300, undesired fluid 340 serves as the activating agent. As best seen in
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Flow restrictor section 404 is configured in series with sand control screen section 402 such that fluid must pass through sand control screen section 402 prior to entering flow restrictor section 404. Flow restrictor section 404 includes an outer housing 410. Outer housing 410 defines an annular chamber 412 and an annular chamber 414 with base pipe 418. Disposed at least partially within annular chamber 414 is a valve assembly 420. Valve assembly 420 includes a tubular fluid passageway 422, a support member 424, an actuator 426, a plunger 428 and a support member 430.
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Actuator 426 is formed from a material that expands when it comes in contact with an activating agent. In an autonomous implementation of fluid flow control device 400, undesired fluid 440 serves as the activating agent. As best seen in
Depended upon the specific composition of the actuator, the swelling of the actuator may be related to the proportion of the undesired fluid in the production fluid stream. For example, using certain embodiments of the fluid flow control device of the present invention enables the progressive restriction of flow through the fluid flow control device as the proportion of water production increases. While the water cut is small, the material of the actuator may only swell a little such that the increase in the restriction to flow is only slight. As the water cut increase, the material of the actuator may increasingly swell, thereby creating a greater restriction to flow. Once the water proportion reaches a predetermined level, the material of actuator 426 swells to longitudinally shift plunger 428 such that it comes in contact with a seat in support member 424, as described above.
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Flow restrictor section 504 is configured in series with sand control screen section 502 such that fluid must pass through sand control screen section 502 prior to entering flow restrictor section 504. Flow restrictor section 504 includes an outer housing 510. Outer housing 510 defines an annular chamber 512, an annular chamber 514 and an annular chamber 516 with base pipe 518. Disposed between annular chamber 512 and annular chamber 514 is a valve assembly 520. Valve assembly 520 includes a support member 524 and an actuator 526. Disposed between annular chamber 514 and annular chamber 516 is a tubular fluid passageway 522 and a support member 528.
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Actuator 526 is formed from a material that expands when it comes in contact with an activating agent. In an autonomous implementation of fluid flow control device 500, undesired fluid 540 serves as the activating agent. As best seen in
As noted above, the fluid flow control devices of the present invention may have more that one valve assembly positioned in the flow restrictor section thereof. In the illustrated embodiment of
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Flow restrictor section 604 is configured in series with sand control screen section 602 such that fluid must pass through sand control screen section 602 prior to entering flow restrictor section 604. Flow restrictor section 604 includes an outer housing 610. Outer housing 610 defines an annular chamber 612 and an annular chamber 614 with base pipe 618. Disposed between annular chamber 612 and annular chamber 614 is a valve assembly 620. Valve assembly 620 includes a tubular fluid passageway 622, a support member 624 and an actuator 626.
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Actuator 626 is formed from a material that expands when it comes in contact with an activating agent. In an autonomous implementation of fluid flow control device 600, undesired fluid 640 serves as the activating agent. As best seen in
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Flow restrictor section 704 is configured in series with sand control screen section 702 such that fluid must pass through sand control screen section 702 prior to entering flow restrictor section 704. Flow restrictor section 704 includes an outer housing 710. Outer housing 710 defines an annular chamber 712 and an annular chamber 714 with base pipe 718. Disposed at least partially within annular chamber 714 is a valve assembly 720. Valve assembly 720 includes a tubular fluid passageway 722, a support member 724, a sliding sleeve 728 and a support member 730. Valve assembly 720 also includes an actuation system including actuator 726 and biasing member 732.
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Actuator 726 is formed from a composite material that includes a plurality of pellets of a material that expands when it comes in contact with an activating agent in an epoxy matrix. In an autonomous implementation of fluid flow control device 700, undesired fluid 740 serves as the activating agent. As best seen in
While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.
Claims
1. A sand control screen positionable within a wellbore, the sand control screen comprising:
- a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the base pipe and an interior flow path of the base pipe;
- a filter medium positioned exteriorly of the base pipe, the filter medium selectively allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow of a predetermined size therethrough; and
- a flow restricting device operably positioned in a fluid flow path between the filter medium and the at least one opening, the flow restricting device including a valve and an actuator, the actuator including a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid such that the flow restricting device is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow through the screen in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
2. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the fluid flow through the screen is increasingly restricted in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
3. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the fluid flow through the screen is substantially completely restricted in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
4. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the undesired fluid is water.
5. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the undesired fluid is gas.
6. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the valve further comprises a sliding sleeve.
7. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the valve further comprises a longitudinally shiftable valve element.
8. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the valve further comprises a valve element having a fluid flow passageway with a cross sectional area that is reduced in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
9. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the actuator further comprises a biasing member that biases a valve element in a first direction and wherein the material prevents movement of the valve element in the first direction until the material is contacted by the undesired fluid.
10. The sand control screen as recited in claim 1 wherein the material remains in a swelled state as long as the material stays in contact with the undesired fluid and returns to an unswelled state when contact with the undesired fluid ceases.
11. A flow control apparatus for controlling the inflow of production fluids from a subterranean well, the flow control apparatus comprising:
- a tubular member having at least one opening that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the tubular member and an interior flow path of the tubular member; and
- a flow restricting device operably positioned in a fluid flow path between a fluid source and the at least one opening, the flow restricting device including a valve and an actuator, the actuator including a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid such that the flow restricting device is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow through the flow control apparatus in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
12. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the fluid flow through the flow control apparatus is increasingly restricted in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
13. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the fluid flow through the flow control apparatus is substantially completely restricted in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
14. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the undesired fluid is water.
15. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the undesired fluid is gas.
16. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the valve further comprises a sliding sleeve.
17. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the valve further comprises a longitudinally shiftable valve element.
18. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the valve further comprises a valve element having a fluid flow passageway with a cross sectional area that is reduced in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
19. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the actuator further comprises a biasing member that biases a valve element in a first direction and wherein the material prevents movement of the valve element in the first direction until the material is contacted by the undesired fluid.
20. The flow control apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein the material remains in a swelled state as long as the material stays in contact with the undesired fluid and returns to an unswelled state if contact with the undesired fluid ceases.
21. A sand control completion for installation in a wellbore, the completion comprising:
- first and second seal assemblies that define a production zone in the wellbore; and
- a sand control screen operably positioned between the first and second seal assemblies, the sand control screen comprising a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the base pipe and an interior flow path of the base pipe, a filter medium positioned exteriorly of the base pipe, the filter medium selectively allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow of a predetermined size therethrough and a flow restricting device operably positioned in a fluid flow path between the filter medium and the at least one opening, the flow restricting device including a valve and an actuator, the actuator including a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid such that the flow restricting device is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow through from the production zone in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
22. A multizone sand control completion for installation in a wellbore, the completion comprising:
- at least two sets of first and second seal assemblies that define at least two production zones in the wellbore; and
- a sand control screen positioned between each of the first and second seal assemblies, each of the sand control screens comprising a base pipe having at least one opening that allows fluid flow between an exterior of the base pipe and an interior flow path of the base pipe, a filter medium positioned exteriorly of the base pipe, the filter medium selectively allowing fluid flow therethrough and preventing particulate flow of a predetermined size therethrough and a flow restricting device operably positioned in a fluid flow path between the filter medium and the at least one opening, the flow restricting device including a valve and an actuator, the actuator including a material that swells in response to contact with an undesired fluid such that each of the flow restricting devices is operable to autonomously reduce the fluid flow from a respective production zone in response to contact between the material and the undesired fluid.
Type: Application
Filed: May 16, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 20, 2008
Inventors: William Mark Richards (Frisco, TX), Travis T. Hailey, JR. (Sugar Land, TX)
Application Number: 11/803,835
International Classification: E21B 34/14 (20060101); E21B 43/08 (20060101);