U.S. patent application number 11/875631 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for water sensing devices and methods utilizing same to control flow of subsurface fluids.
This patent application is currently assigned to BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Stephen L. Crow, Steven R. Hayter, Kevin C. Holmes, Priyesh Ranjan.
Application Number | 20090101354 11/875631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40562298 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090101354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holmes; Kevin C. ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
Water Sensing Devices and Methods Utilizing Same to Control Flow of
Subsurface Fluids
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a wellbore includes a
reactive element that reacts when exposed to a fluid and a flow
control device configured to control a flow of the fluid. The flow
control device may be actuated by a reaction of the reactive
element to the fluid. In embodiments, the reactive element reacts
by exhibiting a change in a material property. The reaction of the
reactive element may be reversible. In embodiments, the reactive
element may be a shape memory polymer. The flow control device may
include an actuating element operably coupled to the reactive
element. The reaction of the reactive element to a given fluid
releases the actuating element to actuate the flow control
device.
Inventors: |
Holmes; Kevin C.; (Houston,
TX) ; Ranjan; Priyesh; (Houston, TX) ; Hayter;
Steven R.; (Houston, TX) ; Crow; Stephen L.;
(Kingwood, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MADAN, MOSSMAN & SRIRAM, P.C.
2603 AUGUSTA DRIVE, SUITE 700
HOUSTON
TX
77057-5662
US
|
Assignee: |
BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
HOUSTON
TX
|
Family ID: |
40562298 |
Appl. No.: |
11/875631 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/373 ;
166/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/32 20130101;
E21B 43/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/373 ;
166/53 |
International
Class: |
E21B 34/08 20060101
E21B034/08 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for controlling fluid flow between a wellbore
tubular and a formation, comprising: (a) a reactive element
configured to react when exposed to a fluid; and (b) a flow control
device configured to control a flow of the fluid and being actuated
by a reaction of the reactive element to the fluid.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fluid includes
one of: (i) water, (ii) a hydrocarbon, (iii) an engineered fluid,
and (iv) a naturally occurring fluid.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reaction of the
reactive element is one of a change in: (i) a mechanical material
property, (ii) a modulus, (iii) a storage modulus, (iv) shear
strength, (v) glass transition temperature, (vi) ductility, (vii)
hardness (vi) density; (vii) a chemical resistance; and (viii)
resistance to corrosion.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reaction of the
reactive element is one of: (i) a deformation, (ii) a bending,
(iii) an expansion, (iv) a contraction, and (v) a twisting.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reactive element
is configured to have one of: (i) a chemical reaction to the fluid,
and (ii) a molecular reaction to the fluid.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is
reversible.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow control
device is one of: (i) a valve, (ii) an orifice, and (iii) a
tortuous path.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow control
device is actuated by of: (i) a compression applied by the reactive
element, (ii) a tension applied by the reactive element; and (iii)
a torsion applied by the reactive element.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flow control
device includes an actuating element operably coupled to the
reactive element, wherein the reaction releases the actuating
element to actuate the flow control device.
10. A method for producing fluid from a subterranean formation,
comprising: (a) positioning a reactive element downhole in a
wellbore; (b) actuating a flow control device in response to a
reaction of the reactive element to a fluid.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the fluid is one of:
(i) water, (ii) a hydrocarbon, (iii) an engineered fluid, and (iv)
a naturally occurring fluid.
12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the reaction of the
reactive element is one of a change in: (i) a mechanical material
property, (ii) a modulus, (iii) a storage modulus, (iv) shear
strength, (v) glass transition temperature, (vi) ductility, (vii)
hardness and (viii) density.
13. The method according to claim 10 wherein the reaction of the
reactive element is one of: (i) a deformation, (ii) a bending,
(iii) an expansion, (iv) a contraction, and (v) a twisting.
14. The method according to claim 10 wherein the reactive element
is configured to have one of (i) a chemical reaction to the fluid,
and (ii) a molecular reaction to the fluid.
15. The method according to claim 10 the reaction is
reversible.
16. The method according to claim 10 wherein the flow control
device is one of: (i) a valve, and (ii) an orifice; and (iii) a
tortuous path.
17. A system for controlling flow of one or more fluids into a
wellbore intersecting a subterranean formation, comprising: (a) a
wellbore tubular conveying the one or more fluids to a surface
location; (b) a plurality of flow control devices distributed along
a section of the wellbore tubular, each flow control device
including a reactive element configured to react when exposed to a
fluid, each flow control device being actuated by a reaction of the
reactive element to the fluid to control a flow of the fluid into
the wellbore tubular.
18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the reactive element
is a shape memory polymer.
19. The system according to claim 18 wherein the reaction is one
of: (i) an applied compression, and (ii) an applied tension.
20. The system according to claim 18 wherein the flow control
device includes an actuating element operably coupled to the
reactive element, wherein the reaction releases the actuating
element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to systems and methods for
selective control of fluid flow into a wellbore.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Hydrocarbons such as oil and gas are recovered from a
subterranean formation using a wellbore drilled into the formation.
Such wells are typically completed by placing a casing along the
wellbore length and perforating the casing adjacent each such
production zone to extract the formation fluids (such as
hydrocarbons) into the wellbore. These production zones are
sometimes separated from each other by installing a packer between
the production zones. Fluid from each production zone entering the
wellbore is drawn into a tubing that runs to the surface. It is
desirable to have substantially even drainage along the production
zone. Uneven drainage may result in undesirable conditions such as
an invasive gas cone or water cone. In the instance of an
oil-producing well, for example, a gas cone may cause an inflow of
gas into the wellbore that could significantly reduce oil
production. In like fashion, a water cone may cause an inflow of
water into the oil production flow that reduces the amount and
quality of the produced oil. Accordingly, it is desired to provide
even drainage across a production zone and/or the ability to
selectively close off or reduce inflow within production zones
experiencing an undesirable influx of water and/or gas.
[0005] The present disclosure addresses these and other needs of
the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] In aspects, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for
controlling fluid flow into a wellbore tubular. In one embodiment,
the apparatus includes a reactive element configured to react when
exposed to a fluid and a flow control device configured to control
a flow of the fluid. The flow control device may be actuated by a
reaction of the reactive element to the fluid, which may be water,
a hydrocarbon, an engineered fluid, and/or a naturally occurring
fluid.
[0007] In embodiments, the reactive element reacts by exhibiting a
change in a mechanical material property, a modulus, a storage
modulus, a shear strength, a glass transition temperature,
ductility, hardness and/or density. In embodiments, the reaction of
the reactive element may a deformation, a bending, an expansion,
contraction, and/or a twisting. In aspects, the reactive element
may be configured to have a chemical reaction to the fluid, and/or
a molecular reaction to the fluid. In aspects, the reaction of the
reactive element is reversible. In some embodiments, the reactive
element may be a shape memory polymer.
[0008] In embodiments, the flow control device may be a valve, an
orifice, and/or a tortuous path. Depending on the configuration of
the flow control device, the flow control device may be actuated by
a compression applied by the reactive element, and/or a tension
applied by the reactive element. In some arrangements, the flow
control device includes an actuating element operably coupled to
the reactive element. The reaction of the reactive element to a
given fluid, such as water, releases the actuating element to
actuate the flow control device.
[0009] In aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for
producing fluid from a subterranean formation. The method may
include positioning a reactive element downhole in a wellbore, and
actuating a flow control device in response to a reaction of the
reactive element to a given fluid. The fluid may be water, a
hydrocarbon, an engineered fluid, and/or a naturally occurring
fluid. In some embodiments, the reactive element may be a shape
memory polymer.
[0010] In aspects, the present disclosure provides a system for
controlling flow of one or more fluids into a wellbore intersecting
a subterranean formation. The system may include a wellbore tubular
conveying the one or more fluids to a surface location, and a
plurality of flow control devices distributed along a section of
the wellbore tubular. Each flow control device may include a
reactive element configured to react when exposed to a fluid. Each
of the flow control device may be actuated by a reaction of the
reactive element to the fluid to control a flow of the fluid into
the wellbore tubular. In some embodiments, the reactive element may
be a shape memory polymer.
[0011] It should be understood that examples of the more important
features of the disclosure have been summarized rather broadly in
order that detailed description thereof that follows may be better
understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form
the subject of the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The advantages and further aspects of the disclosure will be
readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the
same becomes better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate
like or similar elements throughout the several figures of the
drawing and wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of an exemplary
multi-zonal wellbore and production assembly which incorporates an
inflow control system in accordance with one embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic elevation view of an exemplary open
hole production assembly which incorporates an inflow control
system in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary
production control device made in accordance with one embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a flow control device made in
accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another flow control device
made in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of still another flow control
device made in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for
controlling production of a hydrocarbon producing well. The present
disclosure is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. There
are shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail,
specific embodiments of the present disclosure with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and is not
intended to limit the disclosure to that illustrated and described
herein. Further, while embodiments may be described as having one
or more features or a combination of two or more features, such a
feature or a combination of features should not be construed as
essential unless expressly stated as essential.
[0020] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary
wellbore 10 that has been drilled through the earth 12 and into a
pair of formations 14, 16 from which it is desired to produce
hydrocarbons. The wellbore 10 is cased by metal casing, as is known
in the art, and a number of perforations 18 penetrate and extend
into the formations 14, 16 so that production fluids may flow from
the formations 14, 16 into the wellbore 10. The wellbore 10 has a
deviated, or substantially horizontal leg 19. The wellbore 10 has a
late-stage production assembly, generally indicated at 20, disposed
therein by a wellbore tubular or tubing string 22 that extends
downwardly from a wellhead 24 at the surface 26 of the wellbore 10.
The production assembly 20 defines an internal axial flowbore 28
along its length. An annulus 30 is defined between the production
assembly 20 and the wellbore casing. The production assembly 20 has
a deviated, generally horizontal portion 32 that extends along the
deviated leg 19 of the wellbore 10. Production devices 34 are
positioned at selected points along the production assembly 20.
Optionally, each production device 34 is isolated within the
wellbore 10 by a pair of packer devices 36. Although only two
production devices 34 are shown in FIG. 1, there may, in fact, be a
large number of such production devices arranged in serial fashion
along the horizontal portion 32.
[0021] Each production device 34 features a production control
device 38 that is used to govern one or more aspects of a flow of
one or more fluids into the production assembly 20. As used herein,
the term "fluid" or "fluids" includes liquids, gases, hydrocarbons,
multi-phase fluids, mixtures of two of more fluids, water, brine,
engineered fluids such as drilling mud, fluids injected from the
surface such as water, and naturally occurring fluids such as oil
and gas. Additionally, references to water should be construed to
also include water-based fluids; e.g., brine or salt water. In
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the
production control device 38 may have a number of alternative
constructions that ensure selective operation and controlled fluid
flow therethrough.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary open hole wellbore
arrangement 11 wherein the production devices of the present
disclosure may be used. Construction and operation of the open hole
wellbore 11 is similar in most respects to the wellbore 10
described previously. However, the wellbore arrangement 11 has an
uncased borehole that is directly open to the formations 14, 16.
Production fluids, therefore, flow directly from the formations 14,
16, and into the annulus 30 that is defined between the production
assembly 21 and the wall of the wellbore 11. There are no
perforations, and open hole packers 36 may be used to isolate the
production control devices 38. The nature of the production control
device is such that the fluid flow is directed from the formation
16 directly to the nearest production device 34, hence resulting in
a balanced flow. In some instances, packers maybe omitted from the
open hole completion.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown one embodiment of a
production control device 100 for controlling the flow of fluids
from a reservoir into a production string. This flow control can be
a function of one or more characteristics or parameters of the
formation fluid, including water content, fluid velocity, gas
content, etc. Furthermore, the control devices 100 can be
distributed along a section of a production well to provide fluid
control at multiple locations. This can be advantageous, for
example, to equalize production flow of oil in situations wherein a
greater flow rate is expected at a "heel" of a horizontal well than
at the "toe" of the horizontal well. By appropriately configuring
the production control devices 100, such as by pressure
equalization or by restricting inflow of gas or water, a well owner
can increase the likelihood that an oil bearing reservoir will
drain efficiently. Exemplary production control devices are
discussed herein below.
[0024] In one embodiment, the production control device 100
includes a particulate control device 110 for reducing the amount
and size of particulates entrained in the fluids, an in-flow
control device 120 that controls overall drainage rate from the
formation, and a flow control device 130 that controls in-flow area
based upon the composition of a flowing fluid. The particulate
control device 110 can include known devices such as sand screens
and associated gravel packs and the in-flow control device 120 can
utilize devices employing tortuous fluid paths designed to control
inflow rate by created pressure drops.
[0025] An exemplary flow control device 130 may be configured to
control fluid flow into a flow bore 102 based upon one or more
characteristics (e.g., water content) of the in-flowing fluid. In
embodiments, the flow control device 130 is actuated by a reactive
element 132 that reacts with a specified fluid in the vicinity of
the flow control device 130. By react or reaction, it is meant that
the reactive element 132 undergoes a change in one or more
characteristics or properties upon exposure to the specified fluid.
The characteristic or property may include, but is not limited to,
a mechanical property, an electrical property, and a material
composition. Moreover, the change may be reversible in some
arrangements. That is, the reactive element 132 may revert to an
original condition once the specified fluid has dissipated or is no
longer present. Also, the reactive element 132 may revert to an
original condition upon exposure to another specified fluid.
Illustrative reactive elements are described below.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown embodiments
of flow control devices 200 and 240 that are actuated using
reactive elements 202 and 242, respectively. In one illustrative
arrangement, the reactive elements 202 and 242 incorporate a shaped
memory polymer (SMP) material. An SMP material may be configured
such that when a threshold value for an activation parameter is
exceeded, the SMP material undergoes a transformation that
manifests as a change in a material property. Illustrative
activation parameters include chemistry and heat. In one
arrangement, a water-activated SMP may use a glass transition
temperature, or Tg, as a threshold value for an activation
parameter based on heat. The material property affected may be
storage modulus. In an exemplary configuration, exposing a
water-activated SMP material to water causes a transformation in
the SMP that manifests as a change in storage modulus. Thus, for
instance, prior to exposure to water, the SMP material may have a
first Tg and after exposure to water may have a lower second Tg. If
a surrounding temperature is between the first Tg and the second
Tg, then exposing a water-activated SMP material to water causes a
shift between a relatively stiff condition to a relatively flexible
condition.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, the flow control device 200
utilizes a reactive element 202 that may be operably coupled to a
flow restriction element 204 that is configured to partially or
completely restrict flow through an orifice 206. The orifice 206,
when open, may provide fluid communication between the formation
and the flow bore 102 (FIG. 3). The reactive element 202 is formed
of a water-activated SMP material that has a Tg greater than the
ambient downhole temperature encountered by the flow control device
200 when the reactive element 202 is not exposed to water. For
clarity, the condition wherein the reactive element 202 is not
exposed to a fluid that induces a transformation will be referred
to as a "null" activation. When exposed to water, the
water-activated SMP material has a Tg lower than the ambient
downhole temperature encountered by the flow control device 200. In
one arrangement, a lever 208 having a fulcrum at a connection point
210 connects the reactive element 202 to the flow restriction
element 204. The reactive element 202 may be formed as a band that
engages one end of the lever 208 that generates a force that
counteracts the force urging the flow restriction element 204 into
a sealing engagement with the orifice 206. In this case, the force
is gravity, but in other cases, a biasing member, hydraulic
pressure, etc., may urge the flow restriction element 204 toward
the orifice 206.
[0028] During the "null" activation, the reactive element 202 is
sized to orient the lever 208 such that the flow restriction
element 204 is not engaged with or seated on the orifice 206.
Because the reactive element 202 is relatively stiff in the "null"
activation, the lever 208 and flow restriction element 204 are
generally static and remain in this position. A counter weight lobe
212 may also be positioned on the lever 208 to assist the reactive
element 202 in applying the necessary force on the lever 208 to
keep the flow restriction element 204 unseated. When a sufficient
amount of water surrounds the reactive element 202, the reactive
element 202 undergoes a transformation that causes a drop in the
value of Tg. Because the new Tg is below the ambient downhole
temperature, the reactive element 202 becomes flexible and loses
its capacity to apply a counter force on the lever 208. As the
weight of the flow restriction element 204 overcomes the force
applied by the reactive element 202, the flow restriction element
204 rotates into a seating engagement with the orifice 206. Thus,
the flow control device 200 is actuated by the reaction of the
reactive element 202 when exposed to water. This reaction may be
characterized as a change in material property in one aspect, a
change in shape in another aspect or a change in Tg in still
another aspect.
[0029] If water no longer surrounds the reactive element 202, the
value of Tg returns to that for "null" activation. Thus, the
reactive element 202 reverts to its shape and/or size during "null"
activation, which causes the flow restriction element 202 to rotate
out of engagement with the orifice 206. Thus, the reaction of the
reactive element 204 may be considered reversible.
[0030] In some embodiments, the FIG. 4 flow control device 200 may
be oriented in the wellbore such that gravity can pull the flow
restriction element 204 downward into engagement with the orifice
206. In other embodiments, the flow control device 200 may be
rotatably mounted on a wellbore tubular 22 (FIG. 1) and include a
counter weight (not shown). Thus, upon being positioned in the
wellbore, the counter weight causes the flow restriction element
204 to rotate into a wellbore highside position, which thus allows
gravity to act on the flow restriction element 204 in a manner
previously described.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 5, the flow control device 240
utilizes the reactive element 242 in an electrical circuit 244 that
can move or displace a flow restriction element 246 that partially
or completely restricts flow through an orifice 248. The orifice
248, when open, may provide fluid communication between the
formation and the flow bore 102 (FIG. 3). The reactive element 242
is formed of a water-activated SMP material and is configured in
the same manner as described with respect to FIG. 4. In one
arrangement, the flow restriction element 246 is coupled at a
pivoting element 250 in a manner that allows rotation between an
open and closed position. The flow restriction element 246 may be
formed of a non-metallic material that includes a magnetic element
252 that co-acts with the electrical circuit 244. In an
illustrative configuration, the electrical circuit 248 generates a
magnetic field that attracts the magnetic element 252. The force
applied by the generated magnetic field pulls or rotates the flow
restriction element 246 out of engagement with the orifice 248. The
electrical circuit 244 may be energized using a surface power
source that supplies power using a suitable conductor and/or a
downhole power source. Exemplary downhole power sources include
power generators and batteries.
[0032] The electrical circuit 244 includes a switch 254 that
selectively energizes an electromagnetic circuit 256. In some
embodiments, the switch 254 may be a switch that is activated using
an applied magnetic field, such as a Reed switch. For example, the
switch 254 may be moved between an energized and non-energized
position by a magnetic trigger 258. The magnetic trigger 258
includes a magnetic element 260 that may slide or shift between two
positions. In a first position, the magnetic field generated by the
magnetic element 260 is distant from and does not affect the switch
254. In a second position, the magnetic field generated by the
magnetic element 260 is proximate to and does affect the switch
254. The switch 254 may be configured to energize the
electromagnetic circuit 256 when the magnetic trigger 258 is in the
first position and de-energize the electromagnetic circuit 256 when
the magnetic trigger 258 is in the second position. It should be
understood that, in addition to magnetic fields, the switch 254 may
also be activated by mechanical co-action, an electrical signal, a
hydraulic or pneumatic arrangement, a chemical or additive, or
other suitable activation systems.
[0033] Movement of the magnetic trigger 258 between the first
position and the second position is controlled by the reactive
element 242 and a biasing element 262. In the "null" activation,
the reactive element 242 has a size and stiffness than maintains
the biasing element 262 in a compressed state and the magnetic
trigger 258 in the first position. When a sufficient amount of
water surrounds the reactive element 242, the reactive element 242
loses its capacity to resist the biasing force applied by the
biasing element 262. As the biasing element 262 overcomes the
resistive force of the reactive element 242, the biasing element
262 slides the magnetic trigger 260 into the second position. When
magnetic elements 262 of the magnetic trigger 260 are sufficiently
close to the switch 254, the switch 254 opens or breaks the
electromagnetic circuit 256 and thereby de-activates the magnetic
field generated by the electromagnetic circuit 256. Thereafter,
gravity or some other force urges the flow restriction element 246
to rotate into engagement with the orifice 248.
[0034] If water no longer surrounds the reactive element 242, the
value of Tg returns to that for "null" activation. Thus, the
reactive element 242 reverts to shape and/or size during "null"
activation, which compresses the spring 262 and causes the magnetic
trigger 260 to return to the first position. Because the magnetic
elements 260 no longer affect the switch 254, the switch 254
re-energizes the electromagnetic circuit 244 and the generated
magnetic field causes the flow restriction element 244 to rotate
out of engagement with the orifice 248. Thus, again, the reaction
of the reactive element 242 may be considered reversible.
[0035] In some embodiments, the FIG. 5 flow control device 240 may
be positioned in the wellbore such that gravity can pull the flow
restriction element 246 downward into engagement with the orifice
248. In other embodiments, the flow control device 200 may be
rotatably mounted on a wellbore tubular 22 (FIG. 1) and include a
counter weight (not shown) in a manner previously described in
connection with FIG. 4.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a flow control
device 280 that utilizes a reactive element 282 that selectively
blocks flow across an orifice 284. The reactive element 282 may be
formed of a water-activated SMP material and utilized as an object
commonly referred to as a "dart" that may be pumped down from the
surface. The reactive element 282 may have a "null" activation
during the pump down in which the reactive element 282 has a shape
and/or dimensions that allow the element 282 to enter the orifice
284. Thereafter, exposure to water causes the element 282 to expand
and become secured within the orifice 284 and thereby partially or
fully occlude the orifice 284. In other embodiments, the reactive
element 282 may be positioned in the orifice 284 during initial
installation and be formed of an SMP material that is
oil-activated. Exposure to oil, or some other hydrocarbon, may
cause the reactive element 282 to transform from one size to a
smaller size. Thus, when oil surrounds the orifices 284, the
reactive element 282 reduces in size and falls out of the orifice
284. In still other embodiments, the reactive element 282 may be
positioned on or in the orifice 284 to selectively control flow
through the orifice 284 based on the nature of the surrounding
fluid.
[0037] It should be understood that the above arrangements are
merely illustrative of flow devices according to the present
disclosure. For example, in some variants, a reactive element may
be formed to have a non-reversible reaction with a fluid. For
instance, the reactive element may use a material that reacts to a
specified fluid by disintegrating. Exemplary types of
disintegration include, but are not limited to, oxidizing,
dissolving, melting, and fracturing. Referring to FIG. 5, the
reactive element 242 may be formed of a material, such as aluminum,
that oxidizes, or corrodes, when exposed to water. Thus, once water
has sufficiently corroded an aluminum-based reactive element 242,
the biasing element 262 will shift the magnetic trigger 258 to the
second position.
[0038] In other variants, a reactive element may be configured to
react with fluids other than water. For example, a reactive element
may be configured to utilize an oil-activated SMP material.
Referring now to FIG. 4, an oil-activated reactive element 202 may
be configured to have a shape or dimension that applies the counter
force to maintain the flow restriction element 204 in an open
position as long as oil is present. If water displaces the oil,
then the oil-activated reactive element 202 reverts to a shape or
dimension associated with the "null" activation and the flow
restriction element 204 moves to a closed position. In still other
embodiments, the reactive element 202 may be configured to react
with an engineered fluid, such as drilling mud, or fluids
introduced from the surface such as brine. It should also be
understood that SMP materials are merely illustrative of the type
of materials that may be used for the reactive element. Any
material that undergoes a transformation in a property, dimension,
shape, size, a response to stimulus, etc. may be used for the
reactive element.
[0039] In still other variants, an SMP material may be configured
to use activation thresholds based on parameters other than
temperature, such as pressure or downhole compositions. Moreover,
the activation parameter may also be varied to provide an
additional layer of control over the flow control devices. For
instance, the threshold value may be selected such that human
intervention may be used to complete an actuation of the flow
control device. In one scenario, the "null" activation Tg and the
transformed value for Tg may both be selected to be higher than the
ambient wellbore temperature. Thus, a second step of raising the
ambient wellbore temperature may be used to complete the actuation
process for the flow control device.
[0040] In still other variants, forces other than gravity may be
used to move flow restriction elements between an open position and
a closed position. For example, biasing members, such as springs,
may be used to apply a force that either keeps a flow restriction
element in an open or closed position. The reactive element may be
configured to counteract or restrain the force applied by such a
biasing element. Additionally, while FIGS. 1 and 2 show production
wells wherein fluid flows from a formation into a wellbore tubular,
embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized in connection
with activities wherein fluid flows out of the wellbore tubular.
For instance, injection wells may be used to assist in drainage of
a production well. In a common use, water is injected into an
offset well to increase production from a main well. Embodiments of
the present disclosure may be used in those and other situations to
control fluid flow out of a wellbore tubular.
[0041] It should be understood that FIGS. 1 and 2 are intended to
be merely illustrative of the production systems in which the
teachings of the present disclosure may be applied. For example, in
certain production systems, the wellbores 10, 11 may utilize only a
casing or liner to convey production fluids to the surface. The
teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to control flow
to those and other wellbore tubulars.
[0042] For the sake of clarity and brevity, descriptions of most
threaded connections between tubular elements, elastomeric seals,
such as o-rings, and other well-understood techniques are omitted
in the above description. The foregoing description is directed to
particular embodiments of the present disclosure for the purpose of
illustration and explanation. It will be apparent, however, to one
skilled in the art that many modifications and changes to the
embodiment set forth above are possible without departing from the
scope of the disclosure.
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