Sand screen with active flow control and associated method of use

A well tool for regulating the flow rate of fluid from an earth producing zone, said tool comprising:

• a. a well fluid production tube having a production flow channel therein and a production fluid flow screen for passing fluid from said producing zone into said production flow channel;
• b. an intermediate flow channel between said flow screen and said production flow channel;
• c. a static flow restriction in said intermediate channel;
• d. a first fluid flow aperture between said intermediate flow channel and said production flow channel disposed downstream of said static flow restriction;
• e. a second fluid flow aperture between said intermediate flow channel and said production flow channel disposed upstream of said static flow restriction;
• and
• f. a selectively positioned flow obstruction for substantially preventing fluid flow through either or both of said flow apertures.

A method of regulating the flow of production fluid from a fluid producing zone into a production conduit comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing first and second fluid flow routes for production fluid from a producing zone into a production conduit;
• (b) providing greater resistance to flow along said second flow route relative to flow along said first flow route;
• and,
• (c) providing a first selectively engaged flow obstruction along said first flow route.