Water Sensing Devices and Methods Utilizing Same to Control Flow of Subsurface Fluids

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a wellbore includes a reactive element that reacts when exposed to a fluid and a flow control device configured to control a flow of the fluid. The flow control device may be actuated by a reaction of the reactive element to the fluid. In embodiments, the reactive element reacts by exhibiting a change in a material property. The reaction of the reactive element may be reversible. In embodiments, the reactive element may be a shape memory polymer. The flow control device may include an actuating element operably coupled to the reactive element. The reaction of the reactive element to a given fluid releases the actuating element to actuate the flow control device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to systems and methods for selective control of fluid flow into a wellbore.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Hydrocarbons such as oil and gas are recovered from a subterranean formation using a wellbore drilled into the formation. Such wells are typically completed by placing a casing along the wellbore length and perforating the casing adjacent each such production zone to extract the formation fluids (such as hydrocarbons) into the wellbore. These production zones are sometimes separated from each other by installing a packer between the production zones. Fluid from each production zone entering the wellbore is drawn into a tubing that runs to the surface. It is desirable to have substantially even drainage along the production zone. Uneven drainage may result in undesirable conditions such as an invasive gas cone or water cone. In the instance of an oil-producing well, for e...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent provides an apparatus and method for controlling the flow of fluids into a wellbore tubular. The apparatus includes a reactive element and a flow control device that can be actuated by the reaction of the reactive element to the fluid. The reactive element can react by changing its mechanical material properties, such as hardness or ductility, and the reaction can be reversible. The flow control device can be a valve, an orifice, or a tortuous path, and can be actuated by the compression or tension applied by the reactive element. The invention allows for the control of fluid flow into the wellbore tubular, which can be useful in producing fluids from subterranean formations.

Problems solved by technology

Uneven drainage may result in undesirable conditions such as an invasive gas cone or water cone.

In like fashion, a water cone may cause an inflow of water into the oil production flow that reduces the amount and quality of the produced oil.

Images