Adjustable Flow Control Device for Wellbore Production Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore production technologies face challenges in balancing fluid production along long intervals, leading to uncontrolled water and gas coning, which reduces oil production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable flow control device is introduced, featuring a fluid pathway with multiple flow restrictions and a retaining member that allows for selective adjustment of flow blockages, enabling precise control of fluid flow rates and resistances to balance production across wellbore intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow control devices are used to restrict fluid flow through screens, then production balancing along the wellbore interval is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple flow restrictions and blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device is divided into multiple independent flow restrictions (first flow restriction, second flow restriction) and flow blockages that can be individually adjusted. Each flow restriction contains separate pathways with independent flow control elements, allowing granular control of fluid flow along different segments of the wellbore interval to achieve production balancing without requiring a completely complex integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control device incorporates adjustable flow restrictions and removable flow blockages that can be dynamically modified during wellbore operations. The flow restrictions can be adjusted to change flow rates, and blockages can be selectively installed or removed, providing dynamic control capabilities that adapt to changing production conditions while maintaining a relatively simple base structure
2Measurement precision
If multiple flow restrictions are disposed in series in the fluid pathway, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid pathway is segmented into multiple series flow restrictions, each with its own flow control mechanism. This segmentation allows precise control of flow rates through each restriction point, enabling fine-tuned flow management while keeping each individual restriction component relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
Each flow restriction in the series is configured with specific local characteristics (different flow coefficients, restriction geometries) tailored to control flow at that particular location. This local customization allows precise overall flow control without requiring every component to be complex, as each element is optimized for its specific function in the series
3Adaptability or versatility
If flow blockages are selectively installed or removed from fluid pathways, then adaptability of production control is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Flow blockages are pre-configured and designed for selective installation or removal from fluid pathways before production begins or during planned maintenance. This preliminary preparation allows the system to be quickly adapted to different production scenarios without requiring complex real-time adjustments, improving adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity through pre-planned configurations
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A flow control device comprises a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, a flow restriction disposed in the fluid pathway, wherein the flow restriction is disposed in a radial alignment with respect to the wellbore tubular, and a flow blockage disposed in the fluid pathway, wherein the flow blockage substantially prevents a fluid flow through the fluid pathway.