Subterranean well interventionless flow restrictor bypass system
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsLiam A. Aitken, Nicholas A. Kuo, Gregory S. Cunningham, Jean-Marc Lopez
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Abstract
A method of variably restricting flow in a subterranean well can include resisting flow through a flow path, and then selectively opening a pressure barrier which previously prevented flow through another flow path. The flow paths are configured for parallel flow. A flow restrictor system for use with a subterranean well can include at least two flow paths configured for parallel flow, a flow restrictor which resists flow through one flow path, and a pressure barrier which prevents flow through another flow path. The pressure barrier is selectively openable to permit flow through the second flow path.
Claims23
A flow restrictor system for use with a subterranean well, the system comprising:
- at least first and second flow paths extending within an annular space formed between a base pipe and a sleeve surrounding the base pipe, wherein the first and second flow paths extend an equal distance longitudinally through the annular space;
- a housing defined radially between the base pipe and the sleeve, wherein the first flow path is defined through the housing and wherein at least a portion of the second flow path is defined radially between the sleeve and the housing;
- a flow restrictor secured in the housing which resists flow through the first flow path;
- and
- a pressure barrier which prevents flow through the second flow path, the pressure barrier being selectively openable to permit flow through the second flow path, wherein at least a portion of the second flow path is radially outward from the flow restrictor with respect to the base pipe.
A method of variably restricting flow in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
- resisting flow through a first flow path;
- and
- then selectively opening a pressure barrier which previously prevented flow through a second flow path, wherein the first and second flow paths extend within an annular space formed between a base pipe and a sleeve surrounding the base pipe, wherein the first and second flow paths extend an equal distance longitudinally through the annular space, wherein a flow restrictor secured in a housing resists flow through the first flow path, and wherein at least a portion of the second flow path is radially between the sleeve and the housing and radially outward from the flow restrictor with respect to the base pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.