INJECTION DISTRIBUTION DEVICE

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for controlling injection profile. One embodiment provides an injection distribution device. The injection distribution device includes a shield portion and a baffle portion. The baffle portion comprises a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough. At least a portion of the first baffle overlaps with the second.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for controlling injection distribution for production of hydrocarbons from downhole wellbores.

2. Description of the Related Art

Steam or fluid injection, such as water injection, is widely used in maintaining reservoir pressure, enhancing production of hydrocarbon reserves, and reducing the environmental impact. During steam or fluid injection, steam or fluid is injected towards a reservoir from one or more regions of an injection well to assist hydrocarbon recovery from the reservoir by producer wells.

During injection, a selected length of the injection well may be open to allow steam or fluid flow to a formation zone of the reservoir. Screens or liners are commonly used in the injection well to provide sand control and/or equalize fluid distribution. However, traditional injection methods usually result in non-uniform injection profile which negatively affects oil recovery efficiency and causes damages to screens or liners.

The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for controlling and improving injection distribution profile during injection.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for controlling injection profile.

One embodiment provides an injection distribution device. The injection distribution device comprises a shield portion and a baffle portion. The baffle portion comprises a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough. At least a portion of the first baffle overlaps with the second baffle.

Another embodiment provides an injection assembly for injecting fluid or steam to a formation zone. The injection assembly comprises a base pipe including an inject port, a screen mechanism surrounding the base pipe, and an injection distribution device disposed between the base pipe and the screen mechanism. The injection distribution device comprises a shield portion, wherein the shield portion is disposed over the inject port of the base pipe, and a baffle portion. The baffle portion comprises a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough. At least a portion of the first baffle overlaps with the second baffle.

Another embodiment provides a method for injecting steam or liquid to a formation zone. The method comprises injecting a flow of an injection steam or liquid from an interior of a base pipe to an exterior of the base pipe through an inject port formed through the base pipe, shielding a screen mechanism surrounding the base pipe with a shield portion of an injection distribution device and directing the flow of the injection steam or liquid from the port towards a baffle portion of the injection distribution device, and flowing the injection steam or liquid through one or more baffles in the baffle portion and a screen mechanism to the formation zone.

Another embodiment provides an injection distribution device. The injection distribution device includes a first baffle having a plurality of first openings, and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings. At least a portion of the second baffle overlap with the first baffle. The plurality of second openings are arranged so that flow resistance of through the second baffle varies along a length of the second baffle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the various aspects, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a production system having an injection well.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an injection assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the injection assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the injection assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the injection assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an injection distribution device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an injection distribution device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of an injection assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an injection distribution device according one embodiment of the present disclosure.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. The drawings referred to here should not be understood as being drawn to scale unless specifically noted. Also, the drawings are often simplified and details or components omitted for clarity of presentation and explanation. The drawings and discussion serve to explain principles discussed below, where like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a production system having an injection well 10. The injection well 10 includes a tubular string 14 disposed from surface 11 in a wellbore casing 12. The injection well 10 may include one or more injection assemblies 20 configured to inject a fluid, such as water or steam, to a formation zone 22. A production well 40 may be used to recover the hydrocarbons in the formation zone 22. Isolation packers 16 may be disposed between the one or more injection assemblies 20 so that each of the one or more injection assemblies 20 may be selectively activated. Each injection assembly 20 includes a perforated sleeve 18 and an injection distribution device 24. The perforated sleeve 18 may be opened to allow injection steam or fluid from inside the tubular string 14 to the formation zone 22 via the injection distribution device 24. The injection distribution device 24 is configured to control the injection profile 26 of the injection assembly 20. In one embodiment, the injection distribution device 24 improves uniformity of the injection profile across the length of the injection assembly 20.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an injection assembly 200 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The injection assembly 200 may be used in an injection well, such as the injection well 10 of FIG. 1. The injection assembly 200 may include a base pipe 202. An injection distribution device 228 may be disposed around the base pipe 202. A screen mechanism 210 may be disposed around the injection distribution device 228.

The base pipe 202 may be connected to a tubing, such as the tubing string 14 of the injection well 10 of FIG. 1, to receive injection steam or fluid. The base pipe 202 may have one or more inject ports 204 formed therethrough. The one or more inject ports 204 may provide a fluid path to allow the injection steam or fluid to exit the base pipe 202. In one embodiment, the one or more inject ports 204 are formed near one end of the base pipe 202.

A sliding sleeve 206 may be movably disposed in the base pipe 202 near the one or more inject ports 204. The sliding sleeve 206 may have a plurality of slit openings 208. The sliding sleeve 206 may move along an axial direction of the base pipe 202 to selectively open and close the one or more inject ports 204. At an open position, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of slit openings 208 align with the one or more inject ports 204 in the base pipe 202 to open the one or more inject ports 204. The injection assembly 200 may shift to a closed position (not shown) by moving the sliding sleeve 206 axially relative to the base pipe 202 so that a solid portion of the sliding sleeve 206 aligns with the inject ports 204 to close the inject ports 204. Standard shifting tools, such as shifting tools running on slickline, coiled tubing or wash pipe, may be used to move the sliding sleeve 206 and shift the injection assembly 200 between the open position and the closed position.

The screen mechanism 210 may cover the length of the base pipe 202 and the injection distribution device 228. The screen mechanism 210 provides flow paths from the inject ports 204 to exterior environment, such as the formation zone. The screen mechanism 210 also prevents any gravel or particles in the formation zone from entering the inject ports 204 and the base pipe 202. In one embodiment, the screen mechanism 210 may be a wire screen having one or more wire segments winding helically to form a tubular screen. In one embodiment, screen mechanism 210 may be a tubular screen formed by one or more wire segments winding around a plurality of ribs 212. It should be noted that other suitable screen mechanism, such perforated tubular and gravel packs, may be used instead of wire screen. The screen mechanism 210 may be secured to two ends of the base pipe 202 by a joint structure 226.

The injection distribution device 228 is disposed between the screen mechanism 210 and the base pipe 202. In one embodiment, the injection distribution device 228 may have a length between about 15 to about 30 foot. A gap is present between the injection distribution device 228 and the screen mechanism 210 leaving a screen annulus 242 therebetween. Injection flow from the inject ports 204 is tuned by the injection distribution device 228 before reaching the screen annulus 242.

The injection flow out of the inject ports 204 is usually a high pressure and/or high temperature flow. For example, the injection flow out of the inject ports 204 may have a pressure up to 8,200 psi and temperature up to 326° C. The screen mechanism 210 may be damaged if encounters the injection flow from the inject ports 204 directly. Additionally, the injection flow directly from the inject ports 204 concentrates around the inject ports 204 instead of distributed along a length of the base pipe 202, therefore, not efficient in improving production in the formation zone. The injection distribution device 228 is configured to shield the screen mechanism 210 from direct blasts by the injection flow and to modify injection distribution profile along the screen mechanism 210. The injection distribution device 228 may be a tubular body having a shield portion 236 with solid sidewalls and a baffle portion 238 made of perforated tubular bodies. The shield portion 236 and the baffle portion 238 may be connected by an adaptor 240 to form a tubular body. The shield portion 236 surrounds the base pipe 202 near the inject ports 204 to prevent injection flow from the inject ports 204 directly hit the screen mechanism 210. The baffle portion 238 allows the injection flow to distribute along the length of the screen mechanism 210.

The shield portion 236 may include an injection blast pipe 214. The injection blast pipe 214 surrounds the base pipe 202 around the inject ports 204. The injection blast pipe 214 is a solid tubular without perforations. The inner diameter of the injection blast pipe 214 is larger than the outer diameter of the base pipe 202 forming an injection annulus 230 between the injection blast pipe 214 and the base pipe 202. The injection blast pipe 214 prevents injection flow from the inject ports 204 from directly reaching the screen mechanism 210. The injection blast pipe 214 directs the injection flow from the inject ports 204 along the axial direction towards the baffle portion 238.

The baffle portion 238 may include one or more baffles 216, 218. The one or more baffles 216, 218 may be concentrically disposed between the base pipe 202 and the screen mechanism 210. The one or more baffles 216, 218 may be perforated tubing. A distribution annulus 222 may be formed between the baffle 216 and the base pipe 202. A distribution annulus 224 that is radially outwards from the distribution annular 222 may be formed between the baffle 216 and the baffle 218. The screen annulus 242 may be formed between the baffle 218 and the screen mechanism 210. The baffles 216, 218 and the annulus 222, 224, 242 allow injection flow to distribute along the length of the screen mechanism 210.

A plurality of through holes 232 are formed therethrough the baffle 216. In one embodiment, the plurality of through holes 232 may be evenly distributed along the baffle 216. Alternatively, at least one of size, density, shape, and pattern of the plurality of through holes 232 may be varied along axial and/or azimuthal direction of the baffle 216 to achieve desired distribution profile along the injection assembly 210. Similarly, the baffle 218 has a plurality of through holes 234 formed therethrough. The plurality of through holes 234 may be evenly distributed or at least one of size, density, shape, and pattern of the plurality of through holes 234 may be varied along axial and/or azimuthal direction of the baffle 218.

Although the baffle portion 238 of FIG. 2 shows two baffles 216, 218, less or more baffles may be used in the baffle portion 238 depending on process requirement and/or geometrical limitation of the base pipe 202 and the screen mechanism 210.

It should be noted that the injection distribution device 228 may include two or more shield portions 236 when the base pipe 202 includes two or more sets of inject ports. A shield portion 236 may be disposed near each set of the inject ports.

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view of the injection assembly 200 showing injection flow near the inject ports 204. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the injection assembly 200 near the inject ports 204. When the sliding sleeve 206 is in the open position, injection fluid or steam flows through the slit openings 208 in the sliding sleeve 206 and the inject ports 204 in the base pipe 202 to the injection annulus 230. The injection blast pipe 214 shields the screen mechanism 210 from the injection flow and guides the injection flow towards the distribution annulus 222.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the injection assembly 200 showing injection flow through the baffles 216, 218. In the distribution annulus 222, the injection fluid or steam may be distributed along the baffle 216 by flowing axially away from the inject ports 204 and radially outwards via the through holes 232 to the distribution annulus 224. In the distribution annulus 224, the injection fluid or steam may be distributed along the baffle 218 by flowing axially towards the inject ports 204 and radially outwards via the through holes 234 to the screen annulus 240. The injection fluid or steam may then exit the screen annulus 240 through the screen mechanism 210 to the formation zone.

The injection fluid or steam is usually close to a point injection near the inject ports 204. The baffles 216, 218 functions to equalize the point injection along the length of the injection distribution device 228. Patterns, dimensions and/or shapes of the through holes 232, 234 in the baffles 216, 218 may be arranged to achieve a desired equalization effect.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a baffle pattern arrangement in an injection distribution device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 illustrates patterns of an inner baffle 616 and an outer baffle 618. The inner baffle 616 and the outer baffle 618 may be concentrically disposed. The inner baffle 616 may be used in position of the baffle 216 in FIG. 2. The outer baffle 618 may be used in position of the baffle 218 in FIG. 2. A first end 616a of the inner baffle 616 and a first end 618a of the outer baffle 618 are positioned proximal to an inject port, for example the inject port 204 of FIG. 2. A second end 616b of the inner baffle 616 and a second end 618b of the outer baffle 618 are positioned distal from the inject port.

The inner baffle 616 has a plurality of through holes 602 formed therethrough. Resistance to flow through the inner baffle 616 may be determined by size, shape, and/or distribution of the plurality of through holes 602. The plurality of through holes 602 are arranged so that resistance to flow through the inner baffle 616 decreases along the direction from the first end 616a to the second end 616b. The decreased flow resistance enables an equalized flow 604 from the first end 616a to the second end 616b in the distribution annulus 222 of the inner baffle 616. To achieve the decreased resistance, the plurality of through holes 602 may vary in size, shape and/or distribution. In one embodiment, the plurality of through holes 602 are evenly distributed along the inner baffle while the size of the plurality of through holes 602 increases along the direction from the first end 616a to the second end 616b. In another embodiment, the size of the plurality of through holes 602 is constant while the density of the plurality of through holes 602 increases along the direction from the first end 616a to the second end 616b. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the size of the plurality of through holes 602 increases along the direction from the first end 616a to the second end 616b and the density of the plurality of through holes 602 increases along the direction from the first end 616a to the second end 616b. In another embodiment, the through holes 602 are configured to increase the flow through the holes 602 or in the direction along the inner baffle 616.

The outer baffle 618 has a plurality of through holes 606 formed therethrough. The plurality of through holes 606 are arranged so that resistance to flow through the outer baffle 618 decreases along the direction from the second end 618b to the first end 618a. The decreased flow resistance enables an equalized flow 608 from the second end 618b to the first end 618a in the distribution annulus 224 of the outer baffle 618. To achieve the decreased flow resistance, the plurality of through holes 606 may vary in size, shape, and/or distribution. In one embodiment, the plurality of through holes 606 are evenly distributed along the inner baffle while the size of the plurality of through holes 606 increases along the direction from the second end 618b to the first end 618a. In another embodiment, the size of the plurality of through holes 606 is constant while the density of the plurality of through holes 606 increases the direction from the second end 618b to the first end 618a. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the size of the plurality of through holes 602 increases along the direction from the second end 618b to the first end 618a and the density of the plurality of through holes 602 increases along the direction from the second end 618b to the first end 618a.

The variation in flow resistance through the inner baffle 616 and the outer baffle 618 equalizes pressure and velocity of the injection flow along the length of an outlet, such as the screen mechanism 210. The equalized flow not only improves injection performance but also protects the screen mechanism from being damaged by high pressure and/or high temperature injection flow.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a pattern arrangement for an injection distribution device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates patterns of an inner baffle 716 and an outer baffle 718. The inner baffle 716 and the outer baffle 718 may be concentrically disposed. The inner baffle 716 may be used in position of the baffle 216 in FIG. 2. The outer baffle 718 may be used in position of the baffle 218 in FIG. 2. A first end 616a of the inner baffle 716 and a first end 718a of the outer baffle 718 are positioned towards an inject port, for example the inject port 204 of FIG. 2. A second end 716b of the inner baffle 716 and a second end 718b of the outer baffle 718 are positioned away from the inject port.

The inner baffle 716 has a plurality of through holes 702 formed therethrough. The inner baffle 716 is similar to the inner baffle 616 of FIG. 6. The plurality of through holes 702 are arranged so that fluid resistance through the inner baffle 716 decreases along the direction from the first end 716a to the second end 716b. The decreased flow resistance enables a flow 704 from the first end 716a to the second end 716b in the distribution annulus 222 thus facilitate equalized flow along the length of the inner baffle 716.

The outer baffle 718 has a plurality of through holes 706 formed therethrough. The plurality of through holes 706 are arranged so that fluid resistance through the outer baffle 718 remains substantially constant along the length of the outer baffle 718. In one embodiment, the plurality of through holes 706 are of the same size and evenly distributed along the outer baffle 718. The constant resistance arrangement enables minimal total flow resistance by the outer baffle 718, therefore, allowing more flow and increasing efficient.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of an injection assembly 800 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The injection assembly 800 is similar to the injection assembly 200 of FIG. 2 except that the injection assembly 800 has a base pipe 802 that includes two sets of inject ports 204 and 804. The two set of the inject ports 204 and 804 are positioned on opposite sides of an injection distribution device 828. A second sliding sleeve 806 having a plurality of slit openings 808 is disposed inside the base pipe 802 to selectively open and close the second set of ports 804. The injection distribution device 828 includes two injection blast pipes 214, 814 disposed over the inject ports 204, 804 respectively. One or more baffles, such as an inner baffle 816 and an outer baffle 818, are disposed between the injection blast pipes 214, 814 to equalize injection flows come from both inject ports 204, 804. The two sets inject ports 204 and 804 may open together or separately to achieve desired injection profile.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a through hole arrangement pattern suitable for the injection assembly 800. A first end 816a of the inner baffle 816 and a first end 818a of the outer baffle 818 are the sliding sleeve 206 of FIG. 2. A second end 816b of the inner baffle 816 and a second end 818b of the outer baffle 818 are positioned near the second sliding sleeve 806.

The inner baffle 816 has a plurality of through holes 906 formed therethrough. The outer baffle 818 has a plurality of through holes 910 formed therethrough. In one embodiment, the through holes 906, 910 may be arranged so that flow resistances through the inner baffle 816 and the outer baffle 818 are symmetrical about a middle line 902.

The plurality of through holes 906 are arranged so that flow resistance through the inner baffle 816 decreases along the direction from the first end 816a to the middle line 902 and along the direction from the second end 816b to the middle lien 902. The decreased flow resistance enables a flow 904 from the first end 816a to the center line 902 and from the second end 816b to the middle line 902. To achieve the decreased resistance, the plurality of through holes 902 may vary in size, shape, and/or distribution. In one embodiment, the plurality of through holes 906 are evenly distributed along the inner baffle 816 while the size of the plurality of through holes 906 increases from the first end 816a to the middle line 902 and from the second end 816b to the middle line 902. In another embodiment, the size of the plurality of through holes 906 is constant while the density of the plurality of through holes 906 increases from the first end 816a to the middle line 902 and from the second end 816b to the middle line 902. In another embodiment, the size of the plurality of through holes 906 increases from the first end 816a to the middle line 902 and from the second end 818b to the middle line 902 and the density of the plurality of through holes 906 increases from the first end 816a to the middle line 902 and from the second end 816b to the middle line 902.

The plurality of through holes 910 are arranged so that flow resistance through the outer baffle 818 decreases along the direction from the middle line 902 to the first end 818a and along the direction from the middle line 902 to the second end 818b. The decreased flow resistance enables a flow 908 from the middle line to the first end 818a and from the middle line 902 to the second end 818b thus facilitate equalized flow along the length of the outer baffle 818. To achieve the decreased resistance, the plurality of through holes 910 may vary in size and/or distribution. In one embodiment, the plurality of through holes 910 are evenly distributed along the inner baffle while the size of the plurality of through holes 910 increases from the middle line 902 to the first end 818a and from the middle line 902 to the second end 818b. In another embodiment, the size of the plurality of through holes 910 is constant while the density of the plurality of through holes 910 increases from the middle line 902 to the first end 818a and from the middle line 902 to the second end 818b. In another embodiment, the size of the plurality of through holes 910 increases from the middle line 902 to the first end 818a and from the middle line 902 to the second end 818b and the density of the plurality of through holes 910 increases from the middle line 902 to the first end 818a and from the middle line 902 to the second end 818b.

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an injection distribution device comprising a shield portion and a baffle portion. The baffle portion includes a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the first baffle overlaps with the second baffle.

In one or more embodiments, the first baffle has a first end disposed close to the shield portion and a second end disposed away from the shield portion, the plurality of first openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the first baffle decreases along the direction from the first end to the second end.

In one or more embodiments, size of the plurality of first openings increases along the direction from the first end to the second end.

In one or more embodiments, density of the plurality of first openings increases along the direction from the first end to the second end.

In one or more embodiments, the second baffle has a first end disposed close to the shield portion and a second end disposed away from the shield portion, the plurality of second openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the second baffle increases along the direction from the first end to the second end.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of second openings are of the same size and evenly distributed along the second baffle.

In one or more embodiments, the baffle portion has a length between about 15 ft to about 30 ft.

In one or more embodiments, the injection distribution device further includes a second shield portion, wherein the shield portion and the second shield portion are disposed on opposite ends of the baffle portion.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an injection assembly for injecting fluid or steam to a formation zone. The injection assembly includes a base pipe including an inject port, a screen member surrounding the base pipe, and an injection distribution device disposed between the base pipe and the screen member. The injection distribution device comprises a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the first baffle overlaps with the second baffle

In one or more embodiments, the first baffle has a first end disposed adjacent to the port and a second end disposed away from the port, the plurality of first openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the first baffle decreases along the direction from the first end to the second end.

In one or more embodiments, the second baffle has a first end disposed adjacent to the port and a second end disposed away from the port, the plurality of second openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the second baffle increases along the direction from the first end to the second end.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of second openings are of the same size and evenly distributed along the second baffle.

In one or more embodiments, the baffle portion has a length between about 15 ft to about 30 ft.

In one or more embodiments, the injection distribution device further comprises a shield portion disposed around the port in the base pipe.

In one or more embodiments, the injection assembly further includes a sliding sleeve disposed inside the base pipe to selectively open and close the inject port.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for supplying a fluid into a formation zone. The method includes injecting a fluid from an interior of a base pipe to an exterior of the base pipe through an inject port formed through the base pipe, shielding a screen mechanism surrounding the base pipe with a shield portion of an injection distribution device and directing the flow of the fluid from the port towards a baffle portion of the injection distribution device, and flowing the fluid through one or more baffles in the baffle portion and a screen mechanism to the formation zone.

In one or more embodiments, the method further includes opening the inject port formed through the base pipe using a sliding sleeve disposed in the base pipe.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more baffles comprises a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, and the first baffle has a first end disposed close to the shield portion and a second end disposed away from the shield portion, the plurality of first openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the first baffle decreases along the direction from the first end to the second end. In one or more embodiments, flowing the fluid through the one or more baffles comprises directing the fluid in a distribution annulus between the first baffle and the base pipe from the first end of the first baffle towards the second end of the first baffle.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more baffles further comprises a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough, and the second baffle is disposed concentrically outside the first baffle, the second baffle has a first end disposed close to the shield portion and a second end disposed away from the shield portion, the plurality of second openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the second baffle increases along the direction from the first end to the second end. In one or more embodiments, flowing the fluid through the one or more baffles comprises directing the fluid in a second distribution annulus between the second baffle and the first baffle from the second end of the second baffle towards the first end of the second baffle.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for injecting steam or liquid to a formation zone. The method includes positioning an injection distribution device between an inject port in a base pipe and a screen mechanism surrounding the base pipe. The injection distribution device comprises a tubular body having a shield portion and a baffle portion. The shield portion is disposed over the inject port of the base pipe. The baffle portion includes a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the first baffle overlaps with the second baffle. The method further includes injecting a flow of an injection steam or liquid from an interior of the base pipe to the formation zone through the inject port, the injection distribution device and the screen mechanism.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an injection distribution device including a first baffle having a plurality of first openings, and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings, wherein at least a portion of the second baffle overlap with the first baffle, and the plurality of second openings are arranged so that flow resistance of through the second baffle varies along a length of the second baffle.

In one or more embodiments, the flow resistance through the second baffle increases from a first end to a second along the length of the second baffle.

In one or more embodiments, the flow resistance through the second baffle increases from a first end to a center point and decreases from the center point to a second end.

In one or more embodiments, the flow resistance through the second baffle decreases from a first end to a center point and increases from the center point to a second end.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of first openings are arranged in a manner that a flow resistance through the first baffle decreases from the first end to the second end along the length of the first baffle.

In one or more embodiments, the plurality of first openings are evenly distributed along the first baffle.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an injection distribution device comprising a base tubular having a port, a first baffle disposed around the base tubular and having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the first baffle overlaps with the second baffle.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for supplying a fluid into a formation zone. The method includes injecting the fluid from an interior of a base pipe to an exterior of the base pipe through an inject port formed through the base pipe, directing the flow of fluid from the port along a first baffle disposed around the base pipe, allowing the fluid to selectively flow through a plurality of openings in the first baffle, allowing the fluid from the first baffle to selectively flow through a plurality of openings in a second baffle, and flowing the fluid from the second baffle through a screen mechanism to the formation zone.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for supplying a fluid into a formation zone. The method includes injecting the fluid from an interior of a base pipe to an exterior of the base pipe through an inject port formed through the base pipe, directing the flow of fluid from the port along a baffle disposed around the base pipe, wherein the baffle includes a plurality of openings configured to vary the flow resistance through the baffle along a length of the baffle, allowing the fluid to selectively flow through the plurality of openings in the baffle, and flowing the fluid from the baffle through a screen mechanism to the formation zone.

In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the first baffle is disposed concentrically relative to the second baffle.

In one or more of the embodiments described herein, the first baffle has an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the second baffle.

In one or more of the embodiments described herein, an annular area is defined between the first baffle and the second baffle.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. An injection distribution device, comprising:

a first baffle having a plurality of first openings; and

a second baffle having a plurality of second openings, wherein at least a portion of the second baffle overlap with the first baffle, and the plurality of second openings are arranged so that flow resistance of through the second baffle varies along a length of the second baffle.

2. The injection distribution device of claim 1, wherein the flow resistance through the second baffle increases from a first end to a second along the length of the second baffle.

3. The injection distribution device of claim 1, wherein the flow resistance through the second baffle increases from a first end to a center point and decreases from the center point to a second end.

4. The injection distribution device of claim 1, wherein the flow resistance through the second baffle decreases from a first end to a center point and increases from the center point to a second end.

5. The injection distribution device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first openings are arranged in a manner that a flow resistance through the first baffle decreases from the first end to the second end along the length of the first baffle.

6. The injection distribution device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first openings are evenly distributed along the first baffle.

7. The injection distribution device of claim 1, further comprising a shield portion connected to the first and second baffles, wherein the shield portion comprises:

a base pipe including an inject port;

a screen member surrounding the base pipe.

8. The injection distribution device of claim 1, wherein the first baffle is disposed concentrically relative to the second baffle.

9. An injection assembly, comprising:

a base pipe including an inject port;

a screen member surrounding the base pipe; and

an injection distribution device disposed between the base pipe and the screen member, wherein the injection distribution device comprises: a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough;

and a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough, wherein at least a portion of the first baffle overlaps with the second baffle

10. The injection assembly of claim 9, wherein the first baffle has a first end disposed adjacent to the port and a second end disposed away from the port, the plurality of first openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the first baffle decreases from the first end to the second end.

11. The injection assembly of claim 10, wherein the second baffle has a first end disposed adjacent to the port and a second end disposed away from the port, the plurality of second openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the second baffle increases from the first end to the second end.

12. The injection assembly of claim 10, wherein the plurality of second openings are of the same size and evenly distributed along the second baffle.

13. The injection assembly of claim 9, wherein the baffle portion has a length between about 15 ft to about 30 ft.

14. The injection assembly of claim 10, wherein the injection distribution device further comprises a shield portion disposed around the port in the base pipe.

15. The injection assembly of claim 9, further comprising a sliding sleeve disposed inside the base pipe to selectively open and close the inject port.

16. A method for supplying a fluid into a formation zone, comprising:

injecting the fluid from an interior of a base pipe to an exterior of the base pipe through an inject port formed through the base pipe;

directing the flow of fluid from the port along a baffle portion disposed around the base pipe, wherein the baffle portion includes a plurality of openings configured to vary the flow resistance through the baffle portion along a length of the baffle portion;

allowing the fluid to selectively flow through the plurality of openings in the baffle portion; and

flowing the fluid from the baffle through a screen mechanism to the formation zone.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

shielding a screen mechanism surrounding the base pipe with a shield portion of an injection distribution device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

opening the inject port formed through the base pipe using a sliding sleeve disposed in the base pipe.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the baffle portion comprises a first baffle having a plurality of first openings formed therethrough, and the first baffle has a first end disposed close to the shield portion and a second end disposed away from the shield portion, the plurality of first openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the first baffle decreases from the first end to the second end,

wherein flowing the fluid through the baffle portion comprises directing the fluid in a distribution annulus between the first baffle and the base pipe from the first end of the first baffle towards the second end of the first baffle.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the baffle portion further comprises a second baffle having a plurality of second openings formed therethrough, and the second baffle is disposed concentrically outside the first baffle, the second baffle has a first end disposed close to the shield portion and a second end disposed away from the shield portion, the plurality of second openings are arranged so that a flow resistance through the second baffle increases from the first end to the second end,

wherein flowing the fluid through the baffle portion comprises directing the fluid in a second distribution annulus between the second baffle and the first baffle from the second end of the second baffle towards the first end of the second baffle.