Remotely Activated Flow Control Device for Well Gravel Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gravel packing operations in oil and gas exploration face challenges in efficiently controlling fluid flow and sand migration, particularly at great depths, where manual manipulation of well components is difficult and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A completion system incorporating a remotely activated flow control device within a tubular member, which can be controlled via signals based on pressure, temperature, or flow rate to manage fluid flow between the inner and outer tubular members, allowing for selective opening and closing of fluid paths without the need for physical movement of the inner and outer tubular members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of well components is used to control fluid flow, then the system is simpler in structure, but the operation becomes difficult and error-prone at great depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with a remotely activated flow control device that can be operated from the surface. The device uses a port and closure mechanism that responds to remote signals, eliminating the need for direct mechanical handling at depth while maintaining flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remotely activated flow control device as an intermediary between the wellbore environment and the operator. This device includes a port in the tubular member and a closure mechanism that can be activated remotely, serving as a mediator that enables flow control without direct manual intervention at depth.
2Ease of operation
If physical movement of inner and outer tubular members is required to control flow, then the control mechanism is simpler, but the operation becomes more difficult at deep well depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically moving tubular members with a remotely activated closure mechanism. The closure can be opened and closed in response to remote signals without requiring physical displacement of the inner or outer tubular members, simplifying the operational complexity at depth.
3Length of moving object
If gravel packing operations are performed at great depths, then access to deeper hydrocarbon deposits is enabled, but manual control of well components becomes more difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remotely activated flow control device as an intermediary that enables operation at great depths. The device includes a port and closure mechanism that can be activated remotely from the surface, eliminating the need for direct manual manipulation at depth while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow during gravel packing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with a remotely activated system that can be operated from the surface. This substitution enables effective flow control during gravel packing at great depths without the difficulties and errors associated with manual manipulation in deep well environments.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling fluid flow into a well includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a screen configured to enable fluid flow therethrough between an exterior and an interior of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member is configured to be positionable within the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member is a remotely activated flow control device configured to control fluid flow between an exterior and an interior of the inner tubular member.