Internal adjustments to autonomous inflow control devices
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Ryan Huffer, Aaron Bonner, Gregory Scott Cunningham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are wellbore flow control devices that allow on-site field adjustments to flow characteristics. One autonomous inflow control device (AICD) assembly includes a base pipe defining one or more flow ports and an interior, at least one AICD arranged on the base pipe and having at least one fluid inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one of the one or more flow ports, and a fluid barrier configured to be arranged about the at least one AICD by a well operator on-site and configured to isolate the at least one AICD from an influx of fluid during operation.
Claims21
An autonomous inflow control device (AICD) assembly, comprising:
- a base pipe defining one or more flow ports and an interior;
- at least one AICD arranged on the base pipe and having at least one fluid inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one of the one or more flow ports;
- a fluid barrier, wherein the entirety of the fluid barrier is configured to be arranged about and outside the at least one AICD by a well operator on-site and configured to isolate the at least one AICD from the one or more flow ports during operation;
- and
- a cover plate configured to be coupled to the base pipe and configured to be removed by the well operator on-site to provide access to the at least one AICD, wherein the cover plate engages the fluid barrier when coupled to the base pipe.
A method, comprising:
- receiving an autonomous inflow control device (AICD) assembly, the AICD assembly including a base pipe defining one or more flow ports and an interior, the AICD assembly further including at least one AICD arranged on the base pipe and having at least one fluid inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with one of the one or more flow ports;
- arranging a fluid barrier, wherein the entirety of the fluid barrier is arranged about and outside the at least one AICD on-site, such that the at least one AICD is isolated from the one or more flow ports;
- coupling a cover plate to the base pipe, wherein the cover plate engages the fluid barrier when coupled to the base pipe;
- and
- deploying the AICD assembly into a wellbore after arranging the fluid barrier about the at least one AICD.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.