Flow controller for uniform deployment of horizontal wells and applications

Abstract

The application relates to a flow controller for uniform operation of a horizontal well and application, which comprises an arc-shaped gas-liquid separation flow channel, a convex arc-shaped area and a worm-shaped area arranged in sequence; the arc-shaped radius of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation flow channel is 20-60 mm; the convex arc-shaped area comprises a condensation gas flow area arranged at a convex end and a liquid flow area arranged below the condensation gas flow area; the convex end of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation flow channel and the convex end of the convex arc-shaped area face opposite directions; the inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation flow channel is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped area; the inner diameter of a feed inlet of the worm-shaped area is smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped area; the worm-shaped area comprises a cyclone pressure reduction area and a fluid outlet connected with the cyclone pressure reduction area. The flow controller can solve the problems of large abrasion, easy plugging, oil drainage blockage, small pressure drop and the like of the existing flow controller in a heavy oil well. The flow controller has the characteristics of good reliability, wear resistance, steam channeling inhibition, inflow improvement and outflow profile uniformity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oil and gas field development technology, specifically to a flow controller and its application for uniform operation of horizontal wells. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the development of heavy oil wells typically employs horizontal wells with steam-assisted gravity drainage for extraction.

[0003] For example, CN105986793A discloses an improved steam-assisted gravity drainage oil recovery method. This method includes: preheating two parallel steam-assisted gravity drainage horizontal wells; injecting steam into the upper steam-assisted gravity drainage horizontal well, while the lower steam-assisted gravity drainage horizontal well serves as a production well; and deploying two horizontal wells on either side of the steam-assisted gravity drainage horizontal well as steam-assisted gravity drainage compensation wells, injecting a certain amount of steam into each of these two compensation wells, and then shutting down and restarting the wells for production. This improved steam-assisted gravity drainage oil recovery method utilizes horizontal well steam injection and output to fully heat areas not reached by conventional steam-assisted gravity drainage steam chambers, connecting the steam chambers of the steam-assisted gravity drainage method with the steam chambers formed by injection and output heating, expanding the steam coverage area, increasing the steam chamber volume, thereby reducing reserve loss and improving recovery rate.

[0004] CN210033395U discloses a gravity drainage oil extraction device for a single horizontal well utilizing downhole steam generation, comprising a dual-tube injection-production wellhead, a downhole steam generation and injection system, and an oil production lift system. The injection system consists of a coiled tubing channel, a water tank, a fuel tank, a combustion aid tank, a preheater, an igniter, a steam generator, a power supply, and a test signal receiver. The coiled tubing channel is lowered into the horizontal well through the injection-production wellhead, and is connected to the water tank, fuel tank, and combustion aid tank on the surface. Downhole, it is connected to the preheater, igniter, and steam generator in sequence. The coiled tubing channel is also connected to the power supply and test signal receiver located on the surface. The oil production lift system includes tubing and an oil production pump. This device is easy to operate, enabling coordinated steam injection and oil production lift operations in the same horizontal well, thus saving production costs.

[0005] However, existing heavy oil well flow controllers suffer from problems such as significant wear and tear, easy clogging leading to oil blockage and drainage issues, and low pressure drop during use. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a flow controller and its application for uniform flow in horizontal wells, so as to solve the problems of high wear, easy clogging leading to oil blockage and drainage, and low pressure drop in existing flow controllers for heavy oil wells. It features good reliability, wear resistance, suppression of gas channeling, and improved uniformity of inflow and outflow profiles.

[0007] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a flow controller for uniform operation of horizontal wells, the flow controller comprising an arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel, a convex arc-shaped region and a spiral region arranged sequentially.

[0009] The arc radius of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 20-60 mm;

[0010] The convex arc-shaped region includes a condensation gas flow region disposed at the convex end and a liquid flow region disposed below the condensation gas flow region;

[0011] The convex end of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel and the convex end of the convex arc-shaped region face opposite directions;

[0012] The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region;

[0013] The inner diameter of the feed inlet in the volute region is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc region;

[0014] The spiral region includes a swirling pressure-reducing zone and a fluid outlet connected to the swirling pressure-reducing zone.

[0015] The flow controller provided by this invention, through the combination of a specific arc-shaped structure and a volute structure, allows the fluid to undergo pre-separation within an arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel. Then, under expansion conditions, the fluid enters a convex arc-shaped region. Due to the expansion at this inlet, the fluid velocity decreases, and the corresponding static pressure increases. Some of the water vapor in the fluid becomes undersaturated and undergoes phase change condensation. Simultaneously, the liquid outlet direction of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is the tangent direction of the arc at the corresponding point.

[0016] In the convex arc region, the denser phase, such as liquid, flows in the liquid flow region, while the less dense phase, such as gas, flows in the condensation flow region. Then, due to the design of the narrowed pipe, the denser material, such as liquid, will pass through preferentially and will hinder the less dense material, such as gas.

[0017] When the material enters the volute zone, the inlet direction of the swirling pressure-reducing zone is designed to be tangential to the outlet of the convex arc zone. After entering tangentially, the fluid undergoes swirling pressure reduction in the swirling pressure-reducing zone. At this time, because the material has been pretreated in the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel and the convex arc zone, it is possible to ensure a larger pressure drop (high flow rate) for the low-density phase and a smaller pressure drop (low flow rate) for the high-density phase.

[0018] In this invention, the angle α between the straight line containing the highest point of the arc and the center of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel and the straight line containing the center of the convex arc region and the center point of the volute region is 45-75°. For example, it can be 45°, 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°, 62°, 64°, 66°, 68°, 70°, 72°, 74°, or 75°, but is not limited to the listed values. Other unlisted combinations within this range are also applicable. The straight line containing the center of the convex arc region and the center point of the volute region passes through the plane containing the largest cross-section along the fluid direction in the convex arc region.

[0019] In this invention, the convex end of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel and the convex end of the convex arc-shaped region face opposite directions, meaning that the convex end of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel and the convex end of the convex arc-shaped region face opposite directions.

[0020] In this invention, the arc radius of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 20-60 mm, for example, it can be 20 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm, 23 mm, 24 mm, 25 mm, 26 mm, 27 mm, 28 mm, 29 mm, 30 mm, 31 mm, 32 mm, 33 mm, 34 mm, 35 mm, 36 mm, 37 mm, 38 mm, 39 mm, 40 mm, 41 mm, 42 mm, 43 mm, 44 mm, 45 mm, 46 mm, 47 mm, 48 mm, 49 mm, 50 mm, 51 mm, 52 mm, 53 mm, 54 mm, 55 mm, 56 mm, 57 mm, 58 mm, 59 mm or 60 mm, but is not limited to the listed values. Other combinations not listed within this range are also applicable.

[0021] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 2-8mm, for example, it can be 2mm, 2.2mm, 2.4mm, 2.6mm, 2.8mm, 3mm, 3.2mm, 3.4mm, 3.6mm, 3.8mm, 4mm, 4.2mm, 4.4mm, 4.6mm, 4.8mm, 5mm, 5.2mm, 5.4mm, 5.6mm, 5.8mm, 6mm, 6.2mm, 6.4mm, 6.6mm, 6.8mm, 7mm, 7.2mm, 7.4mm, 7.6mm, 7.8mm or 8mm, but is not limited to the listed values, and other unlisted combinations within this range are also applicable.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 12-200 mm². 2 For example, it could be 12mm 2 15mm 2 20mm 225mm 2 30mm 2 35mm 2 40mm 2 45mm 2 50mm 2 55mm 2 60mm 2 65mm 2 70mm 2 75mm 2 80mm 2 85mm 2 90mm 2 95mm 2 100mm 2 105mm 2 110mm 2 115mm 2 120mm 2 125mm 2 130mm 2 135mm 2 140mm 2 145mm 2 150mm 2 155mm 2 160mm 2 165mm 2 170mm 2 175mm 2 180mm 2 185mm 2 190mm 2 195mm 2 Or 200mm 2 And, but not limited to, the listed values, other unlisted combinations within this range also apply.

[0023] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the maximum inner diameter of the swirl pressure reduction zone is 20-80mm, for example, it can be 20mm, 22mm, 24mm, 26mm, 28mm, 30mm, 32mm, 34mm, 36mm, 38mm, 40mm, 42mm, 44mm, 46mm, 48mm, 50mm, 52mm, 54mm, 56mm, 58mm, 60mm, 62mm, 64mm, 66mm, 68mm, 70mm, 72mm, 74mm, 76mm, 78mm or 80mm, but is not limited to the listed values, and other unlisted values ​​within this range are also applicable.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the fluid outlet is 2-10 mm, for example, it can be 2 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.4 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.8 mm, 3 mm, 3.2 mm, 3.4 mm, 3.6 mm, 3.8 mm, 4 mm, 4.2 mm, 4.4 mm, 4.6 mm, 4.8 mm, 5 mm, 5.2 mm, 5.4 mm, 5.6 mm, 5.8 mm, 6 mm, 6.2 mm, 6.4 mm, 6.6 mm, 6.8 mm, 7 mm, 7.2 mm, 7.4 mm, 7.6 mm, 7.8 mm, 8 mm, 8.2 mm, 8.4 mm, 8.6 mm, 8.8 mm, 9 mm, 9.2 mm, 9.4 mm, 9.6 mm, 9.8 mm, or 10 mm, but is not limited to the listed values; other unlisted combinations within this range are also applicable.

[0025] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the central angle of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 90-120°, for example, it can be 90°, 92°, 94°, 96°, 98°, 100°, 102°, 104°, 106°, 108°, 110°, 112°, 114°, 116°, 118° or 120°, but is not limited to the listed values. Other unlisted combinations within this range are also applicable.

[0026] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region is 8-35mm, for example, it can be 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, 22mm, 24mm, 26mm, 28mm, 30mm, 32mm, 34mm or 35mm, etc., but is not limited to the listed values, and other unlisted values ​​within this range are also applicable.

[0027] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the radius of the arc of the convex arc region is 4-30mm, for example, it can be 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, 22mm, 24mm, 26mm, 28mm or 30mm, etc., but is not limited to the listed values, and other unlisted combinations within this range are also applicable.

[0028] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, the central angle of the convex arc region is 60-120°, for example, it can be 60°, 62°, 64°, 66°, 68°, 70°, 72°, 74°, 76°, 78°, 80°, 82°, 84°, 86°, 88°, 90°, 92°, 94°, 96°, 98°, 100°, 102°, 104°, 106°, 108°, 110°, 112°, 114°, 116°, 118° or 120°, but is not limited to the listed values, and other unlisted combinations within this range are also applicable.

[0029] In this invention, the maximum inner diameter of the convex arc region is 28-35mm and the minimum inner diameter is 8-15mm. That is, the convex arc region is a gradually expanding structure and a gradually contracting structure arranged sequentially along the fluid movement direction, and is symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane where the largest cross-section of the convex arc region is located.

[0030] Secondly, the present invention provides an application of the flow controller as described in the first aspect, the application including the use of the flow controller for the development of heavy oil thermal recovery horizontal wells, wherein the pressure drop of the fluid during the development process is 50-350 kPa.

[0031] In this invention, the pressure drop of the fluid after passing through the flow controller is 50-350 kPa, for example, it can be 50 kPa, 60 kPa, 70 kPa, 80 kPa, 90 kPa, 100 kPa, 110 kPa, 120 kPa, 130 kPa, 140 kPa, 150 kPa, 160 kPa, 170 kPa, 180 kPa, 190 kPa, 200 kPa, 210 kPa, 220 kPa, 230 kPa, 240 kPa, 250 kPa, 260 kPa, 270 kPa, 280 kPa, 290 kPa, 300 kPa, 310 kPa, 320 kPa, 330 kPa, 340 kPa or 350 kPa, but is not limited to the listed values. Other unlisted combinations within this range are also applicable.

[0032] Compared with existing technical solutions, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0033] (1) The present invention has a large flow area and is not prone to blockage; due to the design of the condensate flow zone, the relative flow velocity is low, the risk of mechanical wear is low, the service life is long, stable and reliable, and the cost of use is low; the multi-structure combination structure has a large pressure drop of steam, which can effectively suppress steam production when used in production wells and can effectively regulate the distribution of steam along the horizontal well when used in steam injection wells.

[0034] (2) The present invention has a small pressure drop on the flow of oil and water, which is beneficial to oil and water production; in particular, under multiphase flow conditions, the present invention selectively blocks steam and discharges oil / water, which is especially suitable for heavy oil steam injection thermal recovery conditions.

[0035] (3) When the present invention is installed on the casing, it can accelerate the circulation preheating process; when transferring to the horizontal well for steam-assisted gravity oil drainage, only the oil pipe inside the casing needs to be pulled out, which reduces the requirements for well workover operations, while ensuring the maximum effective flow area inside the casing; there are no moving parts, the structure is simple and compact, and the manufacturing cost is low. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a flow controller for uniform operation of a horizontal well provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a vector distribution diagram of the fluid in Application Example 1 of this invention;

[0038] Figure 3 This is a pressure field distribution diagram of the fluid in Application Example 1 of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a pressure drop-flow velocity relationship diagram of the fluid in Application Example 1 of the present invention.

[0040] In the figure: 1-arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel, 2-convex arc-shaped area, 2.1-condensation gas flow area, 2.2-liquid flow area, 3.1-swirling pressure reduction area, 3.2-fluid outlet.

[0041] The present invention will now be described in further detail. However, the examples described below are merely simplified examples of the present invention and do not represent or limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is determined by the claims. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To better illustrate the present invention and facilitate understanding of its technical solutions, typical but non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0043] Example 1

[0044] This embodiment provides a flow controller for uniform flow in horizontal wells, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the flow controller includes an arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1, a convex arc-shaped region 2, and a volute region arranged sequentially.

[0045] The arc radius of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 40 mm;

[0046] The convex arc-shaped region 2 includes a condensation gas flow region 2.1 disposed at the convex end and a liquid flow region 2.2 disposed below the condensation gas flow region 2.1;

[0047] The protruding end of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 and the protruding end of the convex arc-shaped region 2 have opposite orientations;

[0048] The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region 2;

[0049] The inner diameter of the feed inlet in the volute region is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc region 2;

[0050] The spiral region includes a swirling pressure-reducing region 3.1 and a fluid outlet 3.2 connected to the swirling pressure-reducing region 3.1.

[0051] The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 5 mm.

[0052] The cross-sectional area of ​​the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 78.5 mm². 2 .

[0053] The maximum inner diameter of the swirl pressure reduction zone 3.1 is 50 mm.

[0054] The diameter of the fluid outlet 3.2 is 6 mm.

[0055] The central angle of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 120°.

[0056] The inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region 2 is 10-35mm, that is, the inner diameter at the largest position in the convex arc-shaped region 2 is 35mm and the inner diameter at the smallest position is 10mm, and the structure of gradual expansion and contraction is adopted along the fluid flow direction.

[0057] The radius of the arc of the convex arc region 2 is 10mm.

[0058] The central angle of the convex arc region 2 is 60°.

[0059] Simultaneously, the angle α between the straight line containing the highest point of the arc and the center of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel and the straight line containing the center of the convex arc region and the center point of the volute region is 50°. The straight line containing the center of the convex arc region and the center point of the volute region passes through the plane containing the largest cross-section along the fluid direction in the convex arc region.

[0060] Example 2

[0061] This embodiment provides a flow controller for uniform operation of a horizontal well. The flow controller includes an arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1, a convex arc-shaped area 2, and a spiral area arranged sequentially.

[0062] The arc radius of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 20 mm;

[0063] The convex arc-shaped region 2 includes a condensation gas flow region 2.1 disposed at the convex end and a liquid flow region 2.2 disposed below the condensation gas flow region 2.1;

[0064] The protruding end of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 and the protruding end of the convex arc-shaped region 2 have opposite orientations;

[0065] The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region 2;

[0066] The inner diameter of the feed inlet in the volute region is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc region 2;

[0067] The spiral region includes a swirling pressure-reducing region 3.1 and a fluid outlet 3.2 connected to the swirling pressure-reducing region 3.1.

[0068] The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 8 mm.

[0069] The cross-sectional area of ​​the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 200 mm². 2 .

[0070] The maximum inner diameter of the swirl pressure reduction zone 3.1 is 20 mm.

[0071] The diameter of the fluid outlet 3.2 is 2 mm.

[0072] The central angle of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 90°.

[0073] The inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region 2 is 8-24mm, that is, the inner diameter at the largest position in the convex arc-shaped region 2 is 24mm and the inner diameter at the smallest position is 8mm, and the structure of gradual expansion and contraction is adopted along the fluid flow direction.

[0074] The radius of the arc of the convex arc region 2 is 4mm.

[0075] The central angle of the convex arc region 2 is 90°.

[0076] Example 3

[0077] This embodiment provides a flow controller for uniform operation of a horizontal well. The flow controller includes an arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1, a convex arc-shaped area 2, and a spiral area arranged sequentially.

[0078] The arc radius of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 60 mm;

[0079] The convex arc-shaped region 2 includes a condensation gas flow region 2.1 disposed at the convex end and a liquid flow region 2.2 disposed below the condensation gas flow region 2.1;

[0080] The protruding end of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 and the protruding end of the convex arc-shaped region 2 have opposite orientations;

[0081] The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region 2;

[0082] The inner diameter of the feed inlet in the volute region is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc region 2;

[0083] The spiral region includes a swirling pressure-reducing region 3.1 and a fluid outlet 3.2 connected to the swirling pressure-reducing region 3.1.

[0084] The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 2 mm.

[0085] The cross-sectional area of ​​the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 12.56 mm². 2 .

[0086] The maximum inner diameter of the swirl pressure reduction zone 3.1 is 80 mm.

[0087] The diameter of the fluid outlet 3.2 is 10 mm.

[0088] The central angle of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel 1 is 120°.

[0089] The inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region 2 is 9-32mm, that is, the inner diameter at the largest position in the convex arc-shaped region 2 is 32mm and the inner diameter at the smallest position is 9mm, and the structure of gradual expansion and contraction is adopted along the fluid flow direction.

[0090] The radius of the arc of the convex arc region 2 is 30mm.

[0091] The central angle of the convex arc region 2 is 120°.

[0092] Application Example 1

[0093] This application example uses the flow controller from Example 1 to process the stored fluid. When the fluid contains only saturated steam, the pressure drop is relatively large due to the low density and high flow velocity of the steam. (See...) Figure 4 ;

[0094] When the fluid is pure oil or pure water, after the oil (water) enters through the inlet, due to its high density and low flow velocity, the pressure drop is relatively small. (See...) Figure 4 ;

[0095] When the fluid is an oil-water-vapor / gas mixture, upon entering the device, the less dense vapor / gas flows along the upper part of the flow channel under centrifugal force. Upon entering the inner condensation zone, the pressure increases, and some steam condenses. Simultaneously, the oil and water intermittently form a liquid seal, hindering the flow of vapor / gas. Finally, the oil-water-vapor / gas mixture enters the swirling pressure-reducing zone. Due to the presence of gas in the fluid, the flow velocity is high, the swirling energy consumption is high, and the pressure drop is relatively high. The velocity vector diagram of the process is shown below. Figure 2 As shown, from Figure 2 It can be seen that the fluid enters the device inlet, where the flow velocity is relatively low, and the velocity distribution within the gas-liquid separation channel is relatively uniform. The velocity decreases slightly upon entering the inner condensate flow zone / outer liquid flow zone. Upon entering the swirling pressure-reducing zone, vortices are formed, with the velocity increasing closer to the vortex center. The pressure field distribution diagram of the device is shown below. Figure 3As shown, the pressure at the inlet of the device is the highest, and the pressure gradually decreases in the gas-liquid separation channel, but the change is small. After entering the inner condensate gas flow zone, the pressure rises instead, and then the pressure field distribution shows obvious differentiation. The main pressure drop is generated in the swirling pressure reduction zone, and the pressure is the lowest at the outlet.

[0096] Comparative Example 1

[0097] The only difference from Example 1 is that the gas-liquid separation channel is straight. In actual application, the change in the channel shape causes the mixed fluid to be unable to separate according to the density difference, thus losing the liquid seal and vapor / gas barrier effect formed by the intermittent oil and water.

[0098] Comparative Example 2

[0099] The only difference from Example 1 is that the inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is greater than or equal to the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped area; at this time, when the oil-water mixed fluid enters the inner condensation gas flow zone, the flow velocity increases, the pressure decreases, some water flashes, and the liquid seal and vapor / gas blocking effect of the inner condensation gas flow zone is lost.

[0100] Comparative Example 3

[0101] The only difference from Example 1 is that the inner diameter of the feed inlet in the volute region is greater than or equal to the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc region; at this time, the speed at which the fluid enters the feed inlet in the volute region is reduced, which affects the swirling energy consumption and the pressure drop is lower.

[0102] The results from the above embodiments and comparative examples demonstrate that the flow controller provided by this invention, through the combination of a specific arc-shaped structure and a volute structure, allows the fluid to undergo pre-separation within the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel. Then, under expanded diameter conditions, it enters the convex arc-shaped region. In the convex arc-shaped region, the denser phase, such as liquid, flows in the liquid flow zone, while the less dense phase, such as gas, flows in the condensate flow zone. Subsequently, due to the design of the narrowed-diameter pipe, the denser material, such as liquid, will preferentially pass through, while hindering the flow of the less dense material, gas. This design exhibits good reliability, wear resistance, suppression of vapor channeling, and improved uniformity of the inflow and outflow profiles.

[0103] The present invention is described in detail through the above embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above detailed structural features, that is, it does not mean that the present invention must rely on the above detailed structural features to be implemented. Those skilled in the art should understand that any improvements to the present invention, equivalent substitutions for the components used in the present invention, additions of auxiliary components, and selection of specific methods, etc., all fall within the protection scope and disclosure scope of the present invention.

[0104] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present invention, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0105] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present invention will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0106] Furthermore, various different embodiments of the present invention can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of the present invention, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow controller for uniform operation in horizontal wells, characterized in that, The flow controller includes an arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel, a convex arc-shaped region, and a volute region arranged sequentially. The arc radius of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 20-60 mm; The convex arc-shaped region includes a condensation gas flow region disposed at the convex end and a liquid flow region disposed below the condensation gas flow region; the maximum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region is 28-35mm and the minimum inner diameter is 8-15mm. The convex arc-shaped region is a gradually expanding structure and a gradually contracting structure arranged sequentially along the direction of fluid movement, and is symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane containing the largest cross-section in the convex arc-shaped region. The convex end of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel and the convex end of the convex arc-shaped region face opposite directions; The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc-shaped region; The inner diameter of the feed inlet in the volute region is less than the minimum inner diameter of the convex arc region; The spiral region includes a swirling pressure-reducing zone and a fluid outlet connected to the swirling pressure-reducing zone.

2. The flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 2-8 mm.

3. The flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 12-200 mm². 2 .

4. The flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The maximum inner diameter of the swirl depressurization zone is 20-80 mm.

5. The flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the fluid outlet is 2-10 mm.

6. The flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The central angle of the arc-shaped gas-liquid separation channel is 90-120°.

7. The flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The radius of the convex arc region is 4-30mm.

8. The flow controller as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The central angle of the convex arc region is 60-120°.

9. An application of the flow controller as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The application includes the use of flow controllers for the development of horizontal wells for heavy oil thermal recovery, during which the pressure drop of the fluid is 50-350 kPa.

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