Inflow control valve and device producing distinct acoustic signal
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorJinjlang Xiao
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Abstract
Systems and methods for generating and monitoring an acoustic response to particular fluid flow conditions in a wellbore include incorporating a sound-producing element into each inflow control device installed in a wellbore. Each of the sound-producing elements generates an acoustic signature that is readily identifiable from each other sound-producing element installed in the wellbore.
Claims26
A monitoring system for use in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation, the system, comprising:
- first and second inflow control tools disposed in the wellbore and operable to regulate fluid flow into the wellbore;
- a first sound-producing element operable to generate a first acoustic signal in response to fluid flow through the first inflow control tool, wherein the first acoustic signal defines a first acoustic signature;
- a second sound-producing element operable to generate a second acoustic signal in response to fluid flow through the second inflow control tool, wherein the second acoustic signal defines a second acoustic signature that is distinguishable from the first acoustic signature;
- and
- a sensing subsystem operable to detect the first and second acoustic signals and operable to distinguish between the first and second acoustic signatures.
The monitoring system of claim II, wherein the first sound-producing element is disposed at a downstream location with respect to the first inflow control tool.
The monitoring system of claim I. wherein the first sound-producing element comprises a structure induced to vibrate in response to fluid flow through the first inflow control tool.
A method of monitoring fluid flow in a wellbore, the method comprising:
- (i) installing first and second inflow control tools in corresponding first and second annular regions within the wellbore;
- (ii) installing first and second sound-producing elements in the wellbore, each of the first and second sound-producing element operable to actively generate a respective first and second acoustic signals in response to fluid flowing through a respective corresponding one of the first and second inflow control tools, the first acoustic signal operable to be distinguishable from the second acoustic signal;
- (iii) producing a production fluid from the we bore through at least one of the first and second inflow control tools;
- (iv) detecting at least one of the first and second acoustic signals;
- and
- (v) identifying which of the first and second acoustic signals was detected to determine through which of the first and second inflow control tools the production fluid was produced,
A method of monitoring fluid flow in a wellbore, the method comprising:
- (i) producing a production fluid from the wellbore through a first inflow control tool disposed in a first annular region within the wellbore;
- (ii) actively generating a first acoustic signal in response to the production fluid flowing through the first inflow control toot;
- (iii) detecting the first acoustic signal;
- and
- (iv) distinguishing the first acoustic signal from a second acoustic signal, wherein the second acoustic signal is actively generated in response to the production fluid flowing through a. second inflow control tool disposed in a second annular region within the wellbore.
An inflow control tool monitoring system for use with fluid flow in conjunction with a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, the inflow control tool monitoring system comprising:
- an inflow control tool operable to be disposed in the wellbore and operable to regulate fluid flow through the wellbore, the inflow control tool comprising:
- an inflow control tool housing, the inflow control tool housing being operable to be installed in line with production tubing;
- a restrictive passage within the inflow control tool housing, the restrictive passage operable to regulate the fluid flow;
- and,
- a sound-producing element disposed within the inflow control tool housing, the sound-producing element operable to generate a first acoustic signal in response to fluid flow through the inflow control tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.