Adjustable Flow Control Device for Wellbore Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore flow control devices have fixed resistances and flow rates, limiting the ability to finely tune production from specific intervals and requiring complete pathway opening or closure, which is inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable flow control device with multiple fluid pathways and flow restrictions, allowing individual pathway adjustments via a retaining member for precise resistance and flow rate control, enabling direct access and reconfiguration without removing the flow restriction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional flow control devices with fixed resistance are used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to finely tune production from specific intervals is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control device is divided into multiple independent flow pathways, each with its own flow restriction and flow blockage mechanism. This segmentation allows individual pathways to be adjusted independently, enabling fine-tuning of production from specific intervals while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates movable flow blockages that can be selectively positioned within flow pathways to dynamically adjust flow resistance. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different production requirements without changing the basic device structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Productivity
If complete pathway opening or closure is required for adjustment, then the control mechanism is simple, but the adjustment process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the flow control function into independent pathways with individual flow blockages. This allows adjustment of only the specific pathways that need modification rather than requiring complete opening or closure of all pathways, significantly improving adjustment efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables partial adjustment by allowing selective positioning of flow blockages in individual pathways. Instead of requiring complete opening or closure of all flow pathways, operators can apply partial action by adjusting only the necessary pathways, reducing operational time and effort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flow blockages are permanently installed in fluid pathways, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to reconfigure flow resistance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic flow blockages that can be moved between different positions within flow pathways. This dynamic design enables reconfiguration of flow resistance patterns without permanently altering the device structure. The flow blockages can be selectively positioned or removed to adapt to changing production requirements while maintaining a simple base device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-configured with multiple flow pathways and flow restriction elements, but the actual flow blockage positioning is deferred to when needed. This preliminary preparation of the structural framework allows for quick reconfiguration by simply moving or installing flow blockages in the required positions, balancing structural simplicity with reconfiguration capability.
Data Source
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 a fluid pathway, a flow blockage disposed in the fluid pathway, and a retaining member configured to maintain the flow blockage within the fluid pathway and allow access to the flow blockage within the fluid pathway. The flow blockage substantially prevents a fluid flow through the fluid pathway.