Variable Flow Resistance for Wellbore Coning Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in effectively regulating fluid flow in subterranean wells, particularly in preventing water or gas coning, minimizing undesired fluid production, and maximizing desired fluid production, as they lack efficient mechanisms to variably restrict fluid flow based on characteristics like velocity and viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A variable flow resistance system is introduced, comprising a sensor to measure fluid properties and an actuator to adjust flow rates, which can increase or decrease resistance based on measured characteristics, ensuring optimal fluid management within the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed flow restrictor is used in the wellbore, then fluid flow can be restricted to some extent, but the system cannot adapt to varying fluid properties such as viscosity and velocity, limiting its effectiveness in preventing coning and optimizing production
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is transformed from a static component to a dynamic one by introducing an actuator that can adjust the restrictor opening based on real-time fluid property measurements. The system dynamically adapts to changing fluid conditions (viscosity, velocity) by modifying the restrictor geometry, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through controlled dynamic adjustment rather than complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor measures fluid properties (viscosity, velocity) and feeds this information back to a controller, which then adjusts the actuator to modify the restrictor opening. This closed-loop feedback system enables the flow restrictor to automatically adapt to varying fluid conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or complete system replacement
Solution Approach 3:
The system uses the fluid's own properties (measured by the sensor) to automatically control its own flow restriction. The fluid characteristics directly influence the restrictor opening through the sensor-actuator-controller loop, allowing the system to self-regulate based on the actual fluid conditions without external intervention
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flow resistance is increased to prevent water or gas coning, then coning can be minimized, but the system cannot differentiate between desired and undesired fluids, potentially reducing desired fluid production
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different flow resistance levels to different fluid types by measuring fluid properties (such as resistivity or density) and selectively adjusting the restrictor opening. Desired fluids (e.g., hydrocarbons) experience lower resistance while undesired fluids (e.g., water, gas) experience higher resistance, resolving the contradiction by creating quality-based differentiation in flow management
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow resistance parameter dynamically based on measured fluid properties. When undesired fluids are detected (through sensor measurements of properties like resistivity, density, or velocity), the controller increases the restrictor opening to create higher resistance. When desired fluids are detected, the restrictor opening is reduced to minimize resistance, thereby optimizing both coning prevention and productivity
3Ease of operation
If a sensor and actuator system is added to measure and control fluid flow, then flow regulation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to measure multiple fluid properties (viscosity, velocity, density, resistivity) simultaneously, and the actuator serves multiple control functions by adjusting the restrictor opening based on different measurement inputs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each measurement and control task, thereby improving ease of operation while limiting the increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A variable flow resistance system for use with a subterranean well includes a first flow path configured to receive a fluid, a sensor configured to measure a property of the fluid received into the first flow path, and an actuator configured to control an inflow rate of the fluid received into the first flow path based upon the property of the fluid measured by the sensor.