Flexible Tube Flow Regulator for Hydrocarbon Well Pressure Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydrocarbon production wells, existing devices for regulating the flow of formation fluids are often non-discriminating and fail to effectively manage the flow of different types of fluids, leading to issues such as water and gas coning, sand production, and uneven pressure distribution among subterranean zones.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of autonomous fluid flow control systems that utilize a fluid flow device with a flexible tube or movable sleeve to maintain a constant fluid flow, independent of fluid density, by adjusting diameters or flow paths in response to pressure changes, ensuring laminar flow and regulating fluid access based on pressure differentials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If autonomous flow control devices are designed to provide greater resistance to undesired fluids (gas and water) than desired fluids (oil), then fluid discrimination capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a tortuous flow path with specific geometric characteristics (length, diameter, curvature) that create different flow resistance characteristics for different fluid types. The localized structural features of the tortuous path provide density-based discrimination without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The ICD device dynamically adjusts flow resistance based on fluid density and flow conditions. The tortuous path design allows the effective flow resistance to vary automatically with fluid properties, providing adaptive discrimination between oil, water, and gas without external control.
2Device complexity
If non-discriminating gatekeeper devices are used to regulate fluid flow, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid flow regulation effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the flow path geometry parameters (tortuosity, length, diameter) to create density-dependent flow resistance. This parameter optimization allows the simple tortuous path structure to achieve effective fluid discrimination and regulation without complex mechanisms.
3Productivity
If autonomous flow control devices are implemented to prevent water and gas coning, then fluid flow regulation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tortuous flow path incorporates localized geometric features (curves, constrictions, expansions) that create specific flow dynamics. These local structural qualities generate density-dependent resistance that automatically prevents water and gas coning while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively regulates fluid flow, preventing water coning, minimizing undesired fluid production, and maximizing desired fluid production by maintaining a constant flow rate regardless of fluid density and pressure variations within a specific range, thereby optimizing hydrocarbon extraction and pressure balance across subterranean zones.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tube positioned within the housing, the flexible tube defining a fluid flow path, the flexible tube operable to have a first diameter (d1) when the flexible tube encounters a first pressure (P2) from the fluid nozzle and a second different diameter (d2) when the flexible tube encounters a second greater pressure (P2) from the fluid nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided, in one aspect, is a fluid flow device. The fluid flow device may include a housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet. The fluid flow device according to this aspect may further include a flexible tube positioned within the housing, the flexible tube defining a fluid flow path, the flexible tube operable to have a first diameter (d1) when the flexible tube encounters a first pressure from fluid within the housing and a second different diameter (d2) when the flexible tube encounters a second greater pressure within the housing, the first diameter (d1) and second different diameter (d2) configured to provide a constant flow of the fluid out of the at least one fluid outlet.