CONDITION DEPENDENT SELF-CONFIGURING INFLOW CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD
A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a flow path configured to change in response to a different fluid flow therethrough, a degradable material disposed in the flow path that prevents the change until the degradable material is degraded. A method for maximizing production over a life of a wellbore including maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations, producing fluids through the ICD, automatically releasing the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations, and preferentially producing fluids through the ICD.
In the resource recovery industry well systems are in use for many years and conditions will change over the lifetime of a well. While much value has been achieved by managing a profile of produced fluids entering the well, thereby reducing early breakthrough, by building in inflow control devices (ICDs) along a production conduit, there are also drawbacks to the use of such devices. Specifically, consideration of likely conditions over the life of the well must be taken into account when type and number of ICD is determined. This necessarily entails a compromise that inevitably reduces the production potential toward the beginning of the life of the well in order to support continued production toward the end of life of the well.
With ever-increasing pressure on costs of production, the art will well receive alternative concepts and configurations that improve production over the lifetime of the well.
SUMMARYAn embodiment of a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a flow path configured to change in response to a different fluid flow therethrough, a degradable material disposed in the flow path that prevents the change until the degradable material is degraded.
A method for maximizing production over a life of a wellbore including maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations, producing fluids through the ICD, automatically releasing the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations, and preferentially producing fluids through the ICD
A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a fluid pathway configured to cause a pressure drop in fluid flowing therein through the ICD, a degradable material disposed in a portion of the pathway such that while the degradable material is present, the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD is less than the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD when the degradable material is not present.
A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a mobile member disposed in a fluid pathway of the ICD, the moveable member changing a pressure drop in a fluid flowing in the fluid pathway based upon a position of the mobile member, and a degradable material disposed in contact with the movable member to restrain the movable member in a position of a least pressure drop for the ICD.
A wellbore including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) as claimed in claim 1 disposed in the string.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.
Referring to
Referring to
The foregoing explanation relates to any ICD with a tortuous flow path and no moving parts. Selecting a portion of the path to block using a degradable material will result in a reduced tortuosity and therefore a smaller pressure drop than will be the case after the degradable material is removed.
The concept of improving inflow control devices by causing such a device to have at least first and a final configuration where the ICD performs differently by physically and automatically changing between the first and final configurations also applies to ICDs having moving parts.
Referring to
In use, the ICDs as described herein help increase production over the life of the well by maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations. This keeps the greatest production rate while the well is not producing significant undesirable fluid. The operator thus produces fluids in this stage through the ICD. The ICD then automatically releases the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations on the trigger of being exposed to a fluid that can degrade the material discussed above. Upon this occurring, which happened completely automatically the operator simply continues producing using the full capability of the now unencumbered ICD and preferentially produces desirable fluids through the ICD.
Also contemplated herein is a wellbore 30 (see
Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:
Embodiment 1: A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a flow path configured to change in response to a different fluid flow therethrough, a degradable material disposed in the flow path that prevents the change until the degradable material is degraded.
Embodiment 2: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the flowpath includes a mobile member.
Embodiment 3: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the degradable material immobilizes the mobile member.
Embodiment 4: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the flow path is cyclonic.
Embodiment 5: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the material is disposed in a portion of the flow path that causes a reduction in flow path length.
Embodiment 6: The ICD as in any prior embodiment, wherein the mobile member is fixed in a first position by the degradable material.
Embodiment 7: A method for maximizing production over a life of a wellbore including maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations, producing fluids through the ICD, automatically releasing the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations, and preferentially producing fluids through the ICD.
Embodiment 8: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the automatically releasing is degrading a degradable material; Embodiment 9: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the automatically releasing is allowing a mobile member to move.
Embodiment 10: The method as in any prior embodiment, wherein the automatic releasing is opening a portion of a flow path.
Embodiment 11: A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a fluid pathway configured to cause a pressure drop in fluid flowing therein through the ICD, a degradable material disposed in a portion of the pathway such that while the degradable material is present, the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD is less than the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD when the degradable material is not present.
Embodiment 12: A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) including a mobile member disposed in a fluid pathway of the ICD, the moveable member changing a pressure drop in a fluid flowing in the fluid pathway based upon a position of the mobile member, and a degradable material disposed in contact with the movable member to restrain the movable member in a position of a least pressure drop for the ICD.
Embodiment 13: A wellbore including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) as claimed in claim 1 disposed in the string.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.
Claims
1. A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) comprising:
- a flow path configured to change in response to a different fluid flow therethrough;
- a degradable material disposed in the flow path that prevents the change until the degradable material is degraded.
2. The ICD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flowpath includes a mobile member.
3. The ICD as claimed in claim 2 wherein the degradable material immobilizes the mobile member.
4. The ICD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flow path is cyclonic.
5. The ICD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the material is disposed in a portion of the flow path that causes a reduction in flow path length.
6. The ICD as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mobile member is fixed in a first position by the degradable material.
7. A method for maximizing production over a life of a wellbore comprising:
- maintaining an inflow control device (ICD) in a first of a plurality of configurations wherein the first configuration is of the relatively lowest pressure drop of the plurality of configurations;
- producing fluids through the ICD;
- automatically releasing the ICD to change to another of the plurality of configurations; and
- preferentially producing fluids through the ICD.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the automatically releasing is degrading a degradable material.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the automatically releasing is allowing a mobile member to move.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the automatic releasing is opening a portion of a flow path.
11. A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) comprising:
- a fluid pathway configured to cause a pressure drop in fluid flowing therein through the ICD;
- a degradable material disposed in a portion of the pathway such that while the degradable material is present, the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD is less than the pressure drop for fluid flowing through the ICD when the degradable material is not present.
12. A condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) comprising:
- a mobile member disposed in a fluid pathway of the ICD the moveable member changing a pressure drop in a fluid flowing in the fluid pathway based upon a position of the mobile member; and
- a degradable material disposed in contact with the movable member to restrain the movable member in a position of a least pressure drop for the ICD.
13. A wellbore comprising:
- a borehole in a subsurface formation;
- a string in the borehole; and
- a condition dependent self-configuring inflow control device (ICD) as claimed in claim 1 disposed in the string.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 3, 2020
Publication Date: Jan 11, 2024
Inventor: Andrew Dorban (Moscow)
Application Number: 18/254,332