Profiled Arm Actuator for Inflow Control Device Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wellbore hydrocarbon production, existing inflow control devices face challenges in maintaining consistent fluid flow rates due to irregular rock properties and stratified formations, leading to unwanted water breakthrough and unproduced hydrocarbons, as they require high forces to actuate, which can cause coiled tubing buckling.
Innovation Solution
A bottom-hole assembly with a housing, arm, and anchor is used to selectively engage and manipulate inflow control devices within the wellbore, applying a bi-directional force to control fluid flow, featuring a motor-actuated profiled portion that interacts with the ICD to adjust its configuration and an anchor to redirect reactive forces, preventing coiled tubing buckling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional packers and ICDs are used to control fluid flow in wellbores, then fluid flow rates can be controlled across different zones, but the force required to actuate the ICD rises sharply and may cause coiled tubing buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the force application approach by using a profiled arm that engages with the ICD profile to apply force in the opposite direction of conventional actuation. The arm applies force to the ICD profile in a direction that opens the ICD, counteracting the closing force, which prevents coiled tubing buckling while maintaining reliable flow control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a profiled arm as an intermediary component between the coiled tubing and the ICD. The arm engages with the ICD profile and transfers force from the coiled tubing to the ICD, acting as a mediator that distributes and directs the actuation force to prevent buckling while maintaining control reliability
2Productivity
If high forces are applied to actuate ICDs in irregular formations, then fluid flow can be controlled, but coiled tubing may buckle and fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific engagement interface between the profiled arm and the ICD profile. The arm applies force locally at the engagement point between the profiled surfaces, concentrating the actuation force where needed to control the ICD without distributing excessive force throughout the coiled tubing that would cause buckling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inverted force application where the profiled arm applies force to open the ICD by engaging with its profile, counteracting the natural closing force. This inversion allows productivity improvement through effective ICD control while preventing the harmful effect of coiled tubing buckling by applying force in the opposite direction of conventional actuation
3Reliability
If multiple ICDs are installed to control fluid flow from different zones, then consistent flow rates can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single profiled arm mechanism that can engage with and control multiple ICDs with different profiles. The arm serves multiple functions by engaging with various ICD profiles along the wellbore, allowing one component to control multiple zones and achieve flow rate consistency without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An inflow control device (“ICD”) is in production tubing in a wellbore, and used to control a flow of fluid through the ICD. The ICD is adjustable in response to an external force, which is selectively applied by an actuator that is included with a bottom-home assembly (“BHA”). The BHA is deployed on coiled tubing, and anchored in the wellbore to isolate the coiled tubing from resultant or counter forces generated when adjusting the ICD. Fluid is optionally injected into the coiled tubing on surface, and directed into the wellbore from the BHA. A latching arm is included with the actuator, which is equipped with a profile that matches a profile on the ICD to facilitate engagement between the arm and the ICD.