Downhole fluid flow control system and method having autonomous closure
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsJohn Charles Gano, Michael Linley Fripp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A downhole fluid flow control system for autonomously controlling the inflow of production fluids. The fluid flow control system includes a flow control assembly having a fluid flow path through which a fluid flows. A support structure is positioned in the fluid flow path. A plug is releasably coupled to the support structure such that when fluid flow through the fluid flow path induces sufficient movement in the support structure, the movement causes release of the plug from the support structure into the fluid flow path, thereby restricting subsequent fluid flow in at least one direction through the fluid flow path.
Claims16
A downhole fluid flow control system comprising:
- a flow control assembly having a fluid flow path through which a fluid flows;
- an elongate slender support structure positioned in the fluid flow path, said support structure characterized by a tuned resonant frequency;
- and
- a plug releasably coupled to a distal end of the support structure,
- wherein a predetermined fluid flow through the fluid flow path past the support structure induces a resonance of the support structure and a resultant separation of the plug from the support member;
- and
- wherein movement of the support structure causes release of the plug into the fluid flow path, thereby restricting fluid flow in at least one direction through the fluid flow path.
A flow control screen comprising:
- a base pipe with an internal passageway;
- a filter medium positioned around the base pipe;
- a housing positioned around the base pipe defining a fluid passageway between the filter medium and the internal passageway;
- a flow control assembly positioned in the fluid passageway, the flow control assembly having a fluid flow path through which a fluid flows;
- an elongate slender support structure positioned in the fluid flow path, said support structure characterized by a tuned resonant frequency;
- and
- a plug releasably coupled to a distal end of the support structure,
- wherein a predetermined fluid flow through the fluid flow path past the support structure induces a resonance of the support structure and a resultant separation of the plug from the support member;
- and
- wherein movement of the support structure causes release of the plug into the fluid flow path, thereby restricting fluid flow in at least one direction through the fluid flow path.
A downhole fluid flow control method comprising:
- tuning an elongate slender support structure to a resonant frequency;
- releasably coupling a plug to a distal end of said support structure;
- disposing said support structure and said plug in a fluid flow path of a flow control assembly of a fluid flow control system, said fluid flow path including a seat dimensioned for sealing with said plug;
- positioning said fluid flow control system at a target location downhole;
- flowing a fluid through the fluid flow path of the flow control assembly past the support structure;
- inducing a resonance in the support structure responsive to a predetermined fluid flow in said fluid flow path;
- and then
- releasing by said support structure the plug into the fluid flow path responsive to said resonance so as to restrict fluid flow through the fluid flow path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.