ADJUSTABLE ORFICE IN FLOW CONTROL DEVICE (ICD)

Abstract

An inflow control device (ICD) includes an annular body having an outer surface and an inner surface. An annular recess extends along the inner surface. An opening extends through the outer surface into the annular recess, and a removable orifice plug is arranged in the opening. The removable orifice plug includes a body member having an annular wall including a first end arranged at the outer surface and a second end extending through the annular recess. The removable orifice plug further includes an orifice passage extending into the annular body from the second end and at least one channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.

Description

BACKGROUND

Hydrocarbon drilling and recovery systems employ strings of tubulars that extend downhole. Oftentimes one or more of the tubulars include openings. In some cases, the openings take the form of sand screens. The sand screen allows fluid to pass into the string of tubulars and filter out entrained particulate. The fluid passing through the screen enters into the string of tubulars through an inflow control device (ICD). The ICD includes one or more openings that may be sized to control characteristics of the fluid flow into the tubular. In some cases the ICD controls fluid flow from the tubular back through the sand screen. Changing control characteristics of the fluid flow requires changing the ICD. Assembling and disassembling an ICD in the field is a labor intensive process. Accordingly, improvements in ICDs are well received by the industry.

SUMMARY

An inflow control device (ICD) includes an annular body having an outer surface and an inner surface. An annular recess extends along the inner surface. An opening extends through the outer surface into the annular recess, and a removable orifice plug is arranged in the opening. The removable orifice plug includes a body member having an annular wall including a first end arranged at the outer surface and a second end extending through the annular recess. The removable orifice plug further includes an orifice passage extending into the annular body from the second end and at least one channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.

A tubular member includes an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion that defines a fluid conduit. A passage extends through the outer surface portion and the inner surface portion. A sand screen is mounted about the tubular member adjacent the passage, and an inflow control device (ICD) is positioned about the tubular member over the passage and at least a portion of the sand screen. The ICD includes an annular body having an outer surface and an inner surface. An annular recess extends along the inner surface. An opening extends through the outer surface into the annular recess. The opening registers with the passage. A removable orifice plug is arranged in the opening. The removable orifice plug includes a body member having an annular wall including a first end arranged at the outer surface and a second end extending through the annular recess and extending into the passage. The orifice plug further includes an orifice passage extending into the body from the second end and at least one channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:

FIG. 1 depicts a resource extraction system including a downhole string having a sand screen and an inflow control device (ICD), in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the ICD mounted to a tubular member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of the ICD, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a partial cross-sectional end view of the tubular member and the ICD of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 depicts a partial cross-sectional end view of the tubular member having an ICD, in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A resource extraction system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at 2, in FIG. 1. Resource extraction system 2 includes an uphole system 4 operatively connected to a downhole system 6. Uphole system 4 may include pumps 8 that aid in completion and/or extraction processes as well as fluid storage 10. Fluid storage 10 may contain a completion fluid that is introduced into downhole system 6. Downhole system 6 may include a downhole string 20 that is extended into a wellbore 21 formed in a formation 22. Wellbore 21 may include a well casing 23. Downhole string 20 may include a tubular member 25 having a sand screen 30 and an inflow control device (ICD) 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, tubular member 25 includes a wall 48 having an outer surface portion 50 and an inner surface portion 52. Inner surface portion 52 defines a fluid conduit 56 that may transport fluids from formation 22 uphole, or fluids from, for example, fluid storage 10 downhole. A passage 60 extends through wall 48 to allow fluids to pass into, or out of, fluid conduit 56. In accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiment, passage 60 is surrounded by a recess 62 having an inner wall 64. In further accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiment, sand screen 30 is positioned about outer surface portion 50 creating a flow path 66 that is fluidically connected with passage 60, as will be detailed more fully below.

ICD 40 is mounted to tubular member 25 at passage 60. More specifically, ICD 40 includes an annular body 70 having a first axial end 72 that is secured to sand screen 30 by a first weld 74, and a second axial end 78 that is secured to outer surface portion 50 by a second weld 80. Annular body 70 includes an outer surface 84 and an inner surface 86. Inner surface 86 includes an annular recess 90 that is fluidically connected to flow path 66. Annular body 70 also includes an opening 94 that extends through outer surface 84 and inner surface 86 at annular recess 90. In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, opening 94 includes a threaded section 98 (FIG. 3).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, ICD 40 includes a removable orifice plug 110 positioned in opening 94. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, removable orifice plug 110 includes a body member 114 having an annular wall 116. Body member 114 may be formed from a corrosion resistant metal such as 13 Chrome, and/or 718 Nickel Alloy. Orifice plug 110 may be formed from ceramic and/or tungsten carbide and also includes a first end 118 and an opposing, second end 120. Second end 120 passes through opening 94 toward passage 60. Recess 62 receives second end 120 and constrains radial inward movement of removable orifice plug 110. Orifice plug 110 may also include a removable orifice element 124 that extends into body member 114 through second end 120. Orifice element 124 defines an orifice passage 125 that is fluidically connected with fluid conduit 56. In accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a first channel 128 extends through annular wall 116 and fluidically connects with orifice passage 125. A second channel 130 also extends through annular wall 116 and connects with orifice passage 125. Second channel 130 is spaced from first channel 128. First and second channels 128 and 130 take the form of slotted openings 132, 134 having a generally rectangular cross-section. Of course, it should be understood that the channels 128 and 130 may take on a variety of forms.

In accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiment, first end 118 includes a threaded portion 140 that operatively engages with threaded section 98 of opening 94 to constrain radial outward movement of orifice plug 110. First end 118 also includes a tool receiving recess 143 that aids installation of orifice plug 110 into ICD 40. Second end 120 includes an annular groove 150 that receives an O-ring seal 152. O-ring seal 152 seals against inner wall 64 of recess 62 when orifice plug 110 is installed into ICD 40. Orifice plug 110 may be readily installed into ICD 40 to accommodate a desired flow characteristic from between flow path 66 and fluid conduit 56. Orifice plug 110 may also be readily removed and replaced if desired. Further, orifice element 124 may also be readily removed and replaced in order to achieve a desired flow characteristic. Downhole fluids passing through sand screen 30 enter flow path 66 and pass to annular recess 90. The downhole fluids pass through channels 128 and 130 into orifice 124 and into fluid conduit 56. The downhole fluids then pass through tubular member 25 uphole. Of course, it should be understood that uphole fluids may also pass through ICD 40 to, for example, backflow through sand screen 30.

FIG. 5 depicts a removable orifice plug 170 in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment. Removable orifice plug 170 includes a body member 180 having an annular wall 184. Body member 180 may be formed from ceramic and includes a first end 186 and an opposing, second end 188. Second end 188 passes through opening 94 into passage 60. Recess 62 receives second end 188 and constrains radial inward movement of removable orifice plug 170. Orifice plug 170 also includes an orifice 190 that extends into body member 180 through second end 188. Orifice 190 includes an orifice passage 192 that is fluidically connected with fluid conduit 56. In accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a first channel 194 extends through annular wall 184 and fluidically connects with orifice passage 192. A second channel 196 also extends through annular wall 184 and connects with orifice passage 192. Second channel 196 is spaced from first channel 194. First and second channels 194 and 196 take the form of slotted openings 198, 200. Of course, it should be understood that the channels 196 and 198 may take on a variety of forms.

In accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiment, first end 186 includes a first annular groove 204 that receives a first O-ring seal 206. O-Ring seal 206 seals against an inner surface (not separately labeled) of opening 94. Second end 188 includes a second annular groove 208 that receives a second O-ring seal 210. Second O-ring seal 210 seals against inner wall 64 of recess 62 when orifice plug 110 is installed into ICD 40. First end 186 may also include a tool receiving recess 212 that aids installation of orifice plug 170 into ICD 40. In the exemplary embodiment shown, orifice plug 170 is held in ICD 40 by a retaining element 214. Retaining element 214 may nest within a recess (not separately labeled) formed in opening 94 adjacent outer surface 84. In a manner similar to that discussed above, orifice plug 170 may be readily installed into ICD 40 to accommodate a desired flow characteristic between flow path 66 and fluid conduit 56. Orifice plug 170 may also be easily replaced if desired.

While one or more embodiments have been shown and described, modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustrations and not limitation.

Claims

1. An inflow control device (ICD) comprising:

an annular body including an outer surface and an inner surface;

an annular recess extending along the inner surface;

an opening extending through the outer surface into the annular recess; and

a removable orifice plug arranged in the opening, the removable orifice plug including a body member having an annular wall including a first end arranged at the outer surface and a second end extending through the annular recess, the orifice plug further including an orifice passage extending into the annular body from the second end and at least one channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.

2. The ICD according to claim 1, wherein the opening includes a threaded section and the first end of the orifice plug includes a threaded portion configured to engage with the threaded section to retain the orifice plug to the annular body.

3. The ICD according to claim 1, further comprising: an annular groove formed about the second end, the annular groove configured and disposed to receive an O-ring seal positioned to seal against a surface of a tubular member.

4. The ICD according to claim 1, further comprising: a retaining element arranged in the opening, the retaining element restricting radial outward movement of the orifice plug.

5. The ICD according to claim 1, further comprising: an annular groove formed about the first end and an O-ring seal nested in the annular groove, the O-ring seal sealing between the orifice plug and the annular body.

6. The ICD according to claim 1, wherein the orifice plug is formed from at least one of a ceramic material and a tungsten carbide material.

7. The ICD according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice and a second channel off-set from the first channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.

8. The ICD according to claim 1, wherein the at least one channel comprises a slotted opening having a generally rectangular cross-section.

9. The ICD according to claim 1, wherein the orifice passage is defined by a removable orifice element arranged in the removable orifice plug.

10. A tubular member comprising:

an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion that defines a fluid conduit;

a passage extending through the outer surface portion and the inner surface portion;

a sand screen mounted about the tubular member adjacent the passage; and

an inflow control device (ICD) positioned about the tubular member over the passage and at least a portion of the sand screen, the ICD comprising: an annular body including an outer surface and an inner surface; an annular recess extending along the inner surface; an opening extending through the outer surface into the annular recess, the opening registering with the passage; and a removable orifice plug arranged in the opening, the removable orifice plug including a body member having an annular wall including a first end arranged at the outer surface and a second end extending through the annular recess and extending into the passage, the orifice plug further including an orifice passage extending into the annular body from the second end and at least one channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.

11. The tubular member according to claim 10, wherein the opening includes a threaded section and the first end of the orifice plug includes a threaded portion configured to engage with the threaded section to retain the orifice plug to the annular body.

12. The tubular member according to claim 10, further comprising: an annular groove formed about the second end, the annular groove configured and disposed to receive an O-ring seal positioned to seal against an inner surface of the passage.

13. The tubular member according to claim 10, further comprising: a recess having an inner wall formed in the outer surface portion of the tubular member about the passage, the O-ring seal being arranged against the inner wall of the recess.

14. The tubular member according to claim 10, further comprising: a retaining element arranged in the opening, the retaining element restricting radial outward movement of the orifice plug.

15. The tubular member according to claim 10, further comprising: an annular groove formed about the first end and an O-ring seal nested in the annular groove, the O-ring seal sealing between the orifice plug and the annular body.

16. The tubular member according to claim 10, wherein the orifice plug is formed from at least one of a ceramic material and a tungsten carbide material.

17. The tubular member according to claim 10, wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice and a second channel off-set from the first channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.

18. The tubular member according to claim 10, wherein the at least one channel comprises a slotted opening having a generally rectangular cross-section.

19. The tubular member according to claim 10, wherein the orifice passage is defined in a removable orifice element arranged in the removable orifice plug.