Autonomous self-regulating injection control valve (ASRICV)

A tubing string used for injecting fluid into a subterranean formation, the tubing string comprising:

• a plurality of tubing pipes coupled end to end;
• and
• a sub positioned between a first tubing pipe and a second tubing pipe of the plurality of tubing pipes, wherein the sub comprises:
• a housing comprising a housing wall forming a cavity, wherein the housing comprises a first coupling feature disposed at a first end and a second coupling feature disposed at a second end, wherein the first coupling feature is configured to be coupled to the first tubing pipe, wherein the second coupling feature is configured to be coupled to the second tubing pipe, and wherein the housing wall has a first flow orifice that traverses therethrough;
• and
• an autonomous self-regulating injection control valve (ASRICV) disposed within the cavity, wherein the ASRICV comprises:
• a chamber disposed within the cavity, wherein the chamber is bounded by a chamber wall, wherein the chamber wall has a second flow orifice that traverses therethrough, and wherein the first flow orifice and the second flow orifice are aligned with each other;
• a sleeve movably disposed within the chamber, wherein the sleeve has an open position and a plurality of closed positions, wherein the plurality of closed positions of the sleeve excludes a completely closed position, and wherein the sleeve partially covers the first flow orifice and the second flow orifice when in one of the plurality of closed positions;
• and
• an actuator disposed within the chamber and in communication with the sleeve, wherein the actuator is configured to move the sleeve between the open position and the plurality of closed positions, and wherein the actuator is configured to operate automatically based on a differential between a first pressure within the cavity and a second pressure outside the housing.

A system for injecting fluid into a subterranean formation, the system comprising:

• a fluid injection apparatus located at a surface, wherein the fluid injection apparatus is configured to deliver an injection fluid;
• a tubing string inserted into a wellbore from the surface, wherein the tubing string comprises a plurality of tubing pipes, wherein the injection fluid is delivered by the fluid injection apparatus through a tubing cavity of the tubing string;
• and
• a sub positioned between two of the plurality of tubing pipes, wherein the sub comprises:
• a housing comprising a housing wall forming a housing cavity that is part of the tubing cavity, wherein the housing comprises coupling features that are coupled to the two of the plurality of tubing pipes, and wherein the housing wall has a first flow orifice that traverses therethrough;
• and
• an autonomous self-regulating injection control valve (ASRICV) disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the ASRICV comprises:
• a chamber disposed within the housing cavity, wherein the chamber is bounded by a chamber wall, wherein the chamber wall has a second flow orifice that traverses therethrough, and wherein the first flow orifice and the second flow orifice are aligned with each other;
• a sleeve movably disposed within the chamber, wherein the sleeve has an open position and a plurality of closed positions, wherein the plurality of closed positions of the sleeve excludes a completely closed position, and wherein the sleeve partially covers the first flow orifice and the second flow orifice when in one of the plurality of closed positions;
• and
• an actuator disposed within the chamber and in communication with the sleeve, wherein the actuator is configured to move the sleeve between the open position and the plurality of closed positions, and wherein the actuator is configured to operate automatically based on a differential between a first pressure within the housing cavity and a second pressure outside the housing.