Flow control apparatus
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorMark A. Schnatzmeyer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flow control apparatus and associated methods of using provide enhanced longevity and reliability without requiring complex mechanisms. In a described embodiment, a choke for use within a subterranean well has multiple trim sets which may be individually selected by manipulation of a sleeve relative to an inner tubular cage. In another described embodiment, a single trim set is provided. Additional features include provision of a separate valve to selectively permit or prevent fluid flow through the single or multiple trim sets.
Claims59
A flow control apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising:
- a valve;
- a first member interconnected to the valve, such that the valve is selectively openable and closeable by displacement of the first member;
- and
- a second member having a plurality of ports formed therethrough, at least one of the ports being selectable by the first member for flow of fluid therethrough, fluid flow through the selected one of the ports being regulatable by displacement of the first member relative to the second member.
Apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising:
- a generally tubular member having a flow passage extending generally axially therethrough, and the member further having first and second spaced apart ports formed through a sidewall portion thereof;
- and
- a generally tubular first sleeve externally and slidingly disposed about the member, the first sleeve being positionable relative to the member in a selected one of a first position in which the first sleeve substantially prevents fluid flow through the first and second ports, a second position in which fluid flow is permitted through the first port and substantially prevented through the second port, and a third position in which fluid flow is substantially prevented through the first port and fluid flow is permitted through the second port.
A choke operatively positionable within a subterranean well and operatively connectable to an actuator disposed within the well, the actuator having an actuator member which is displaceable relative to the choke, the choke comprising:
- a generally tubular member having first and second spaced apart flow ports formed through a sidewall portion thereof;
- and
- a first sleeve interconnectable to the actuator member and displaceable therewith, the first sleeve having first and second spaced apart openings formed through a sidewall portion thereof, the first sleeve being coaxially disposed relative to the member, and the first sleeve being positionable relative to the member in a selected one of a first position in which the first opening is generally aligned with the first port, a second position in which the second opening is generally aligned with the second port, and a third position in which fluid flow through the first and second ports is substantially blocked by the first sleeve.
A choke operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the choke comprising:
- a generally tubular inner cage having a plurality of spaced apart ports formed through a sidewall portion thereof;
- a generally tubular sleeve slidingly disposed relative to the cage, the sleeve being capable of obstructing fluid flow through selected ones of the ports;
- and
- a valve, the valve being capable of selectively preventing and permitting fluid flow through the ports.
A method of controlling fluid flow into a tubing string disposed within a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- attaching an actuator to the tubing string;
- operatively attaching a choke to the actuator, the choke being capable of regulating fluid flow through a sidewall portion thereof, and the choke including multiple sets of trim and a valve;
- actuating the actuator to open the valve;
- actuating the actuator to regulate fluid flow through a first trim set;
- and
- actuating the actuator to regulate fluid flow through a second trim set.
A method of controlling fluid flow within a subterranean well, comprising the steps of:
- providing an actuator having an actuator member which is displaceable relative to the remainder of the actuator in a selected one of first and second positions;
- providing a choke including a first member interconnectable to the actuator member and displaceable therewith, the first member having first and second openings formed therethrough, and a second member having first and second flow ports formed therethrough, the first member being displaceable relative to the second member;
- operatively interconnecting the actuator to the choke;
- disposing the actuator and choke within the well;
- positioning the actuator member in the first position to thereby permit substantially unobstructed fluid flow between the first opening and the first port;
- and
- positioning the actuator member in the second position to thereby permit substantially unobstructed fluid flow between the second opening and the second port.
A method of controlling fluid flow within a subterranean well, comprising the steps of:
- providing a tubular member having a plurality of spaced apart ports formed therethrough;
- providing a blocking member for selectively obstructing and permitting substantially unobstructed fluid flow through selected ones of the plurality of ports;
- and
- providing a valve for selectively preventing and permitting fluid flow through the selected ones of the plurality of ports.
A choke operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the choke comprising:
- a generally tubular cage having at least one flow port formed through a sidewall portion thereof;
- a generally tubular sleeve slidingly disposed relative to the cage, the sleeve being variably positionable relative to the cage to variably regulate fluid flow through the flow port;
- and
- a valve, the valve being capable of selectively preventing and permitting fluid flow through the flow port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.