Flow control apparatus for use in a wellbore
AssigneeWeatherford/Lamb, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Bode, Craig Fishbeck, Jeffrey Lembcke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for use in a wellbore to meter and choke certain components from being produced, based upon their density relative to the density of oil are disclosed. The device includes an inner tubular body portion having apertures in the wall thereof for passing oil, an outer tubular body and at least one metering orifice therebetween to meter production. Disposed around the inner body is an axially movable member to selectively cover and expose the apertures of the inner body, thereby permitting fluid to flow therethrough.
Claims19
A flow control device for use in a wellbore, comprising:
- an inner member having at least one aperture formed therein;
- at least one axially movable piston disposed radially outwards of the inner member and having a piston surface formed on a first side thereof, wherein a portion of a second side of the piston is configured to selectively cover the at least one aperture of the inner member, and wherein a fluid path across the piston permits flow of production fluid between the first and second sides of the movable piston;
- a biasing member disposed adjacent the movable piston and opposing axial movement of the movable piston;
- and
- an outer casing disposed radially outward of the movable piston.
A method of controlling fluid flow into a hydrocarbon producing wellbore, comprising:
- inserting a flow control apparatus into the wellbore adjacent a fluid bearing formation such that a fluid in the formation is in communication with an outer surface of the apparatus;
- causing the fluid to act upon a piston surface formed on an axial movable sleeve in the apparatus;
- metering inflow of the fluid across the sleeve through an orifice;
- and
- causing the sleeve to shift in reaction to a predetermined density of components in the fluid, thereby misaligning apertures formed in the sleeve with apertures formed in an inner member of the apparatus.
A method of choking production in a wellbore based upon characteristics of components in a production stream, comprising:
- placing a device between a downhole formation and an interior of the wellbore, the device including a biased piston preventing flow into the wellbore in a first position and permitting the flow in a second position, the piston having a fluid path formed therethrough;
- and
- causing the piston to be axially translated by a first production fluid having a first percentage of oil and having a first density.
A method of metering and choking gas into a horizontal wellbore, comprising:
- disposing an apparatus in the wellbore, the apparatus having an outer slidable member and an inner member with at least one aperture disposed in a wall thereof, the outer member having a piston surface formed on a first side thereof;
- causing production fluid comprising at least oil and gas to act upon the piston surface while metering flow of the production fluid to a second side of the outer member with at least one metering orifice;
- and
- moving the inner member with a predetermined density of oil while permitting the inner member to remain unmoved with application of a component having a lesser density.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.