Pressure and friction reducing flow adapter
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsJames H. Holt, Jr., Joel M. Riggs, Richard YingQing Xu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flow adapter includes an adapter body which defines a central axial flow bore and one or more lateral flow openings for fluid communication between the central flow bore and a production tubing flowbore surrounding the adapter. The central axial flow bore of the flow adapter provides a flow restriction which creates a pressure drop across the flow adapter. The flow restriction may be in the form of a conically tapered flowbore wherein the downstream end of the flowbore has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the upstream end of the flowbore.
Claims17
A flow assembly for attachment to a wellbore lock, the flow assembly comprising:
- a flow adapter body having two axial ends, each axial end having a threaded connection;
- a flow adapter defining a central axial flowbore having an upstream end and a downstream end;
- a lateral flow opening disposed through the flow adapter body to provide fluid communication between the upstream end and a production tubing flowbore surrounding the flow adapter body;
- and
- wherein the central axial flowbore provides a flow restricted portion to reduce the fluid pressure of fluid entering the lock.
A lock assembly for securing a device within a production tubing string and permitting flow of production fluid through the lock assembly, the lock assembly comprising:
- a) a lock comprising:
- a lock housing defining an axial lock flowbore;
- a locking member that is moveable with respect to the lock housing to selectively secure the lock within the production tubing string;
- b) a flow adapter affixed to the lock and comprising:
- a flow adapter body having two axial ends, each axial end having a threaded connection;
- the flow adapter defining a central axial flowbore having an upstream end and a downstream end;
- a lateral flow opening disposed through the flow adapter body to provide fluid communication between the upstream end and a production tubing flowbore surrounding the flow adapter body;
- and
- wherein the central axial flowbore provides a flow restricted portion to reduce the fluid pressure of fluid entering the lock.
A work tool to be disposed within a production tubing string for monitoring of wellbore conditions within the tubing string, the work tool comprising:
- a) a lock comprising:
- a lock housing defining an axial lock flowbore;
- a locking member that is moveable with respect to the lock housing to selectively secure the lock within the production tubing string;
- b) a flow adapter affixed to the lock and comprising:
- a flow adapter body having two axial ends, each axial end having a threaded connection;
- the flow adapter defining a central axial flowbore having an upstream end and a downstream end;
- a lateral flow opening disposed through the flow adapter body to provide fluid communication between the upstream end and a production tubing flowbore surrounding the flow adapter body;
- wherein the central axial flowbore provides a flow restricted portion to reduce the fluid pressure of fluid entering the lock;
- c) a monitoring package affixed to the flow adapter for monitoring at least one wellbore condition within the production tubing string.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.