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

[0010]In aspects, the present disclosure provides a system for controlling flow of one or more fluids into a wellbore intersecting a subterranean formation. The system may include a wellbore tubular conveying the one or more fluids to a surface location, and a plurality of flow control devices distributed along a section of the wellbore tubular. Each flow control device may include a reactive element configured to react when exposed to a fluid. Each of the flow control device may be actuated by a reaction of the reactive element to the fluid to control a flow of the fluid into the wellbore tubular. In some embodiments, the reactive element may be a shape memory polymer.

[0011]It should be understood that examples of the more important features of the disclosure have been summarized rather broadly in order that detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto.

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