Flow Control Screen Tube With Inverted Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow control screens in oilfield exploitation face challenges in maintaining an unobstructed flow guide layer under increased pressure, leading to high flow resistance and reduced oil production due to the use of costly and inefficient methods for distributing longitudinal ribs, which are time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A flow control screen with fixed-supports on the inner wall of the filter pipe, made from a metal plate with inwardly protruding slots, ensures the flow guide layer remains unobstructed under external pressure, reducing flow resistance and enhancing oil production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If longitudinal ribs are evenly disposed in the flow guide layer to prevent closing under pressure, then the flow guide layer remains unobstructed, but the manufacturing process becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding longitudinal ribs on the outer surface of the base pipe as done in prior art, the invention inverts the approach by providing longitudinal ribs on the inner surface of the filter pipe. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process while achieving the same functional effect of preventing flow guide layer closure under external pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the longitudinal ribs with the filter pipe structure itself, making the ribs an integral part of the filter pipe's inner surface. This merging eliminates the need for separate rib components and their associated installation processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the reliability of keeping the flow guide layer unobstructed.
2Productivity
If the gap of the flow guide layer is made small (1-10mm) for flow control, then flow control is achieved, but the flowing resistance of crude oil increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by providing longitudinal ribs at specific locations on the inner surface of the filter pipe rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized approach maintains the small gap for flow control in most areas while creating localized expansion zones where the ribs prevent complete closure, thereby reducing overall flowing resistance without sacrificing flow control capability.
3Productivity
If the flow guide layer is kept unobstructed under external pressure, then oil production is enhanced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the filter pipe structure by incorporating discrete longitudinal ribs on its inner surface. These ribs are distributed at specific intervals and locations, creating a segmented structure that prevents flow guide layer closure under external pressure. This segmentation approach achieves the goal of maintaining unobstructed flow and enhancing oil production while avoiding the need for a completely complex structural redesign.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A flow control screen for use in oilfield exploitation comprises: a base pipe (1) provided with a base pipe inlet (11) thereon; a filter pipe (2) sleeved over the base pipe (1); a flow guide layer (3) formed between the base pipe and the filter pipe; and a flow control device (4) including an inlet (41) of the flow control device, a flow control channel (42) and an outlet (43) of the flow control device, wherein the inlet of the flow control device is in fluid communication with the flow guide layer, and the outlet of the flow control device is in fluid communication with the base pipe inlet. The pipe is simply structured and cost-effective, and effectively meets the requirements in oil production.