Sliding Sleeve Remedial Component for Passive ICD Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflow control devices (ICDs) face challenges in effectively managing water production while balancing costs and complexities, particularly in striking an adequate balance between initial installation and potential remediation, as passive ICDs are less effective in reducing water production and require invasive procedures for remediation.
Innovation Solution
A remedial sleeve component with selectively opening and closing ports is installed in a passive ICD, allowing for controlled fluid throughput and preventing water flow, which can be actuated using a shifting tool to convert a passive ICD into an active ICD, enabling responsive management of water production without the need for extensive well recompletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a passive ICD is installed to restrict flow and equalize hydrocarbon flow along the wellbore, then flow equalization is improved, but the ability to prevent or remediate water production deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts a static passive ICD into a dynamic system by adding a sliding sleeve component that can be actuated to open or close ports. This allows the ICD to adapt its flow control characteristics in response to changing reservoir conditions, particularly water production, while maintaining its flow equalization function through the base pipe's restrictive geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flow control function into two independent components: the base pipe provides continuous flow restriction and equalization along the wellbore, while the removable sliding sleeve component provides selective port closure capability. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together to solve the water production problem.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If invasive remediation procedures are used to address water production in passive ICDs, then water production is reduced, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding sleeve component is designed to nest within the base pipe of the passive ICD, with the sleeve's outer diameter fitting inside the base pipe's inner diameter. This nested configuration allows the remediation component to be installed inside the existing ICD structure without requiring well recompletion or extensive intervention, significantly reducing installation complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the active control functionality from the passive ICD by adding a separate, self-contained sliding sleeve component with closing portions that can be actuated independently. This extracted control mechanism can be installed and actuated without affecting the base pipe's flow equalization function, providing targeted water production management with minimal intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a remedial sleeve component with closing portions is added to convert passive ICD to active ICD, then water production control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding sleeve component serves multiple functions: it provides selective port closure to prevent water production, maintains flow equalization when ports are open, and can be actuated remotely without well intervention. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated component design, reducing the need for multiple separate devices and minimizing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes monitoring fluid production at a passive ICD installed in a base pipe in a wellbore. Responsive to monitored fluid production meeting one or more predetermined criteria, a remedial sleeve component is installed for the passive ICD. The remedial sleeve component includes: one or more ports which permit throughput of fluid into the base pipe; a closing portion which selectively opens and closes the one or more ports; and one or more sealing portions, which prevent a flow of fluid into the base pipe when the one or more ports are closed. The one or more ports are selectively opened or closed responsive to one or more additional predetermined criteria. A related system includes an actuation tool which deploys into the wellbore to actuate the closing portion to selectively open and close the one or more ports.