Internally Adjustable Flow Control Module for Wellbore Fluid Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling wellbore fluid flow, such as using threaded plugs or o-rings with sand control screens, lack the ability for in-field or internal adjustment, which limits the control over fluid production.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable flow control module with a base pipe and a movable sleeve that can be internally adjusted before deployment, allowing for alignment and isolation of base pipe openings with movable sleeve openings to control fluid flow, enabling in-field adjustment of flow settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If threaded plugs or o-rings are used with sand control screens, then fluid flow control is provided, but in-field or internal adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device incorporates a movable sleeve that can be rotated to different positions, transforming a static flow control structure into a dynamic one. This allows the device to adjust flow control settings in-field by rotating the sleeve to align different openings with the base pipe openings, providing adaptability without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The movable sleeve integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a flow control element and an adjustment mechanism. By rotating the sleeve, the same component provides different flow control settings, eliminating the need for separate adjustment devices and maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing versatility
2Measurement precision
If fixed flow control settings are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but control precision over fluid production is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sleeve enables dynamic adjustment of flow control precision by allowing rotation to specific positions that align openings precisely. This dynamic capability provides measurement-level precision in flow control without requiring complex measurement and adjustment mechanisms, as the rotational positioning itself provides the precision control needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow configurations are provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides multiple flow configurations by segmenting the flow paths through different combinations of base pipe openings and movable sleeve openings. Rather than adding separate components for each configuration, the segmentation of openings within the existing structure allows multiple flow states to be achieved through simple rotation of the movable sleeve, maintaining component simplicity while enhancing adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable flow control device. In one aspect, the flow control device comprises a base pipe having one or more openings extending from an exterior to an interior of the base pipe; and a movable sleeve positioned along the interior of the base pipe, the movable sleeve having one or more associated openings extending from an exterior to an interior of the movable sleeve, and configured to rotate to a first position that aligns a first of the base pipe openings with a first of the movable sleeve openings.