Wellbore Flow Control Sleeve with Deformable Seat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wellbore flow control systems require physical interventions and tools to reconfigure completion assemblies, which are time-consuming and inefficient, especially in adjusting resistance to fluid flow along the wellbore to balance production and adapt to changes in reservoir properties.

Innovation Solution

A flow control apparatus with a sleeve and deformable seat within a wellbore tubular, where a driving member engages the seat to create a pressure differential, allowing the sleeve to translate and reconfigure the system between closed, restricted, and open configurations without the need for surface tools, using progressively larger driving members to shift the sleeve to multiple positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical interventions and tools are used to reconfigure completion assemblies, then the flow control apparatus can be reconfigured between different configurations, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses internally generated pressure differentials across the driving member to automatically translate the sleeve between positions. The pressure differential, created by fluid flow through the wellbore tubular, serves as the actuating force that moves the sleeve from a first position to a second position, eliminating the need for external physical interventions or surface tools to reconfigure the completion assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sleeve is translated to multiple positions using driving members, then selective adjustment of fluid flow resistance is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow resistance adjustmentVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the flow resistance parameter by translating the sleeve between multiple discrete positions along the wellbore tubular. Each position corresponds to a different flow resistance state, allowing selective adjustment of fluid flow characteristics. The sleeve can be positioned at different locations to provide varying degrees of flow restriction or enhancement, enabling adaptation to changing reservoir conditions without requiring complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the deformable seat is used to engage and release the driving member, then the sleeve can be translated efficiently, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetranslation efficiencyVSAvoidseat engagement tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable seat is configured to deform in response to the driving member passing through it, allowing the seat to flex and accommodate the driving member during engagement and translation. This deformability provides a tolerance buffer that reduces the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while still enabling efficient translation of the sleeve. The seat's ability to deform allows for practical manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable engagement and release functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables efficient and minimally invasive reconfiguration of wellbore tubular strings, allowing for selective adjustment of fluid flow resistance along the wellbore, improving production balance and adaptability to reservoir changes without the need for physical interventions.

Implementation Method 1

the deformable seat is configured to deform in response to the driving member passing through the deformable seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

increasing the pressure differential across the driving member when the driving member is engaged with the seat, axially translating the sleeve in response to increasing the pressure differential across the driving member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9546537B2Multi-positioning flow control apparatus using selective sleeves

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An actuating apparatus comprises a sleeve disposed within a wellbore tubular, at least one actuable member, and a deformable seat engaged to the sleeve. The sleeve is configured to longitudinally translate along the wellbore tubular interior, and at least one actuable member engages the sleeve and the wellbore tubular. The deformable seat is configured to form a sealing engagement with a driving member, and the deformable seat is configured to deform in response to the driving member passing through the deformable seat.