Series Vortex Flow Restrictors for Subterranean Well Coning Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for regulating fluid flow in subterranean wells, such as hydrocarbon production and injection wells, face challenges in effectively managing fluid velocities and viscosities, particularly with gases, leading to issues like water or gas coning and erosion problems.

Innovation Solution

A variable flow resistance system utilizing vortex devices connected in series, where the resistance to flow is dependent on the rotation of the fluid composition at the inlet and outlet of each device, increasing with higher velocities and lower viscosities, effectively balancing flow among zones and restricting undesired fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional flow regulation methods are used, then flow control is provided, but erosion problems and coning occur due to inability to effectively manage fluid velocities and viscosities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerosion and coningVSAvoidability to manage fluid velocities and viscosities

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex device provides dynamic flow resistance that automatically adjusts based on fluid velocity and viscosity characteristics. As fluid velocity increases, the vortex intensity increases, thereby increasing resistance to flow and preventing erosion and coning without requiring external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device exploits changes in fluid parameters (velocity and viscosity) to modulate flow resistance. The vortex phenomenon responds naturally to variations in fluid properties, providing adaptive control that prevents harmful effects while maintaining desired flow rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If flow resistance is increased to prevent coning and restrict undesired fluids, then production control is improved, but fluid flow velocity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction controlVSAvoidfluid flow velocity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The vortex device provides dynamic resistance that increases with fluid velocity. At low velocities, resistance is minimal allowing high productivity. At high velocities, resistance increases automatically to prevent coning and erosion, thus maintaining optimal flow rates without sacrificing production control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple vortex devices are connected in series, then flow control precision is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow control precisionVSAvoidnumber of vortex devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow control function is divided into multiple sequential vortex devices, each contributing to the overall flow resistance. This segmentation allows for finer control precision as each device processes the fluid sequentially, while the modular design keeps individual device complexity low.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple vortex devices are combined in series to achieve enhanced flow control precision. The cumulative effect of multiple vortex phenomena provides more precise control over fluid flow characteristics while maintaining the simplicity of individual vortex device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides enhanced control over fluid flow by increasing resistance when necessary, preventing coning and maximizing production or injection of desired fluids, while minimizing erosion and balancing production or injection across multiple zones.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2614215B1Series configured variable flow restrictors for use in a subterranean well

Publication Date: 2016.12.07 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A variable flow resistance system can include a vortex device, with resistance to flow of a fluid composition through the vortex device being dependent on a rotation of the fluid composition at an inlet to the vortex device. Another system can include a second vortex device which receives a fluid composition from an outlet of a first vortex device, a resistance to flow of the fluid composition through the second vortex device being dependent on a rotation of the fluid composition at the outlet. Another system can include a first vortex device which causes increased rotation of a fluid composition at an outlet thereof in response to an increase the fluid composition velocity, and a second vortex device which receives the fluid composition from the outlet, a flow resistance through the second vortex device being dependent on the rotation of the fluid composition at the outlet.