U.S. patent application number 15/393580 was filed with the patent office on 2017-04-20 for casing mounted metering device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Downhole Innovations LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Downhole Innovations LLC. Invention is credited to Henry Joe Jordan, JR., Khai Tran, Ryan Ward.
Application Number | 20170107790 15/393580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51568275 |
Filed Date | 2017-04-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170107790 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ward; Ryan ; et al. |
April 20, 2017 |
CASING MOUNTED METERING DEVICE
Abstract
The present invention relates to an inflow control device for
controlling the flow of fluid into a tubular deployed in a.
wellbore comprising coupling between joints of tubulars. The inflow
control device is mounted transversely through the coupling in any
inflow can control devices the initial condition fluid flow between
the exterior and interior of the tubular is prevented. As
sufficient pressure is exerted upon the inflow control device from
the interior of the tubular the inflow control device is actuated
to allow fluid flow between the interior and exterior the tubular.
A nozzle in the inflow control device allows fluid to pass at a
preset rate. The present invention furthermore relates to a method
of assembling an inflow control device according to the invention
and to a completion system comprising an inflow control device
according to the invention.
Inventors: |
Ward; Ryan; (Cypress,
TX) ; Jordan, JR.; Henry Joe; (Willis, TX) ;
Tran; Khai; (Pearland, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Downhole Innovations LLC |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Downhole Innovations LLC
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
51568275 |
Appl. No.: |
15/393580 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14219658 |
Mar 19, 2014 |
9567831 |
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15393580 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/12 20130101;
E21B 34/10 20130101; E21B 34/063 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 34/06 20060101
E21B034/06; E21B 34/10 20060101 E21B034/10 |
Claims
1. A downhole device comprising: a tubular having, a center, an
exterior region and an interior region; a flowpath connecting the
exterior region to the interior region; a housing in the flowpath;
wherein the housing has a throughbore; an erodible disk; a sealing
disk; wherein the erodible disk supports the sealing disk
preventing a first fluid flow from the exterior region to the
interior region; and a rupture disk preventing a second fluid flow
from the interior region from reaching the erodible disk below a
predetermined pressure.
2. The downhole device of claim 1, wherein the erodible disk has
fluid ports aligned with the flowpath.
3. The downhole device of claim 1, wherein the throughbore has a
nozzle aligned with the flowpath.
4. The downhole device of claim 1, wherein the throughbore is a
nozzle aligned with the flowpath.
5. The downhole device of claim 1, wherein the second fluid flow
from the interior region removes the sealing disk to allow the
second fluid flow to reach the exterior region.
6. The downhole device of claim 1, wherein the erodible disk is
polyglycolic acid.
7. The downhole device of claim 1, wherein the throughbore is
generally perpendicular to the fluid flow through the tubular.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/219,658 filed on Mar. 19, 2014, which in turn claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/803,600 that
was filed on Mar. 20, 2013.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
methods and apparatuses for a downhole operation. More
particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for
controlling the flow of fluids from a hydrocarbon formation into
the interior of the tubular.
BACKGROUND
[0003] When producing an oil or gas well it is desirable to control
the fluid flow into or out of the production tubular, for example,
to balance inflow or outflow of fluids along the length of the
well. For instance, some horizontal wells have issues with a heel
and toe effect, where differences in pressure or the amount of the
various fluids that are present at a particular location can lead
to premature gas or water breakthrough significantly reducing the
production from the reservoir. Inflow control devices have been
positioned in the completion string at the heel of the well to
stimulate inflow at the toe and balance fluid inflow along the
length of the well. In another example, different zones of the
formation accessed by the well can produce at different rates.
Inflow control devices may be placed in the completion string to
reduce production from high producing zones, and thus stimulate
production from low or non-producing zones.
SUMMARY
[0004] The concepts described herein encompass various types of
inflow control devices. In one embodiment, a first hole is bored
transversely, or across the sidewall, in a coupling. A second hole
is bored from or otherwise formed in the interior of the coupling
to intersect the first hole in the sidewall of the coupling. The
two holes cooperate to permit fluid communication between the
interior of the tubing and annulus. A housing having a throughbore
and a piston that is pinned, with the shear pin, in the housing
throughbore is inserted into the first hole and locked in place
typically by threads on the exterior of the housing that match
threads on the interior of the first hole. Typically, the piston is
sized so that one end may fit into the housing throughbore while
the other end is sized to fit into the first hole. Additionally,
the end of the piston sized to fit in the first hole has a
circumferential groove cut into the periphery so that a seal may be
placed in the circumferential groove thereby sealing the piston
against fluid leaking past the piston towards the exterior of the
tubular. Finally, a biasing device, such as a spring, is added to
bias the piston away from the housing.
[0005] In order to actuate the inflow control device described
above, fluid pressure inside the tubular is increased in order to
apply force to the end of the piston thereby forcing the piston
further into the housing throughbore. The fluid pressure inside the
tubular may be increased as many times as is required as long as
the pressure necessary to shear the shear pin and to overcome the
spring bias is not surpassed. However, when sufficient pressure is
applied to the interior of the tubular and the piston is forced to
move further into the housing throughbore the shear pin is sheared
releasing the piston toe move relatively freely in the housing
throughbore. When the pressure inside of the tubular is released
the bias device pulls the piston out of the housing throughbore
allowing fluid access between the interior of the tubular and the
exterior the tubular although the nozzle in the housing limits the
amount of fluid that may pass.
[0006] In another embodiment of an inflow control device a first
hole is formed transversely, or across the sidewall, in a coupling.
A second hole is formed from the interior of the coupling to
intersect the first hole in the sidewall of the coupling so that
the two holes together permit fluid communication between the
interior of the tubing and annulus. A housing having a throughbore
is inserted into the first hole and locked in place typically by
threads on the exterior of the housing that match threads on the
interior of the first hole. In many instances a circumferential
groove is cut in the housing allowing a seal to be inserted into
the housing to seal the potential fluid pathway between the
exterior of the housing and the first hole although in some
instances the groove may be cut into the sidewall of the first
hole. Typically, the housing includes a rupture disc on the end of
the housing towards the interior of the tubular. The rupture disc
may be incorporated into the housing or may be a separate assembly
as long as the rupture disc prevents fluid flow into the interior
of the housing from the interior of the tubular when the fluid
pressure in the interior of the tubular is below a specified
pressure. The throughbore of the housing also incorporates a series
of shoulders where the shoulders are arranged to support parts of
the inflow control device placed on the shoulder from the exterior
of the tubular, in other words the shoulders provide support for
parts of the inflow control device to resist pressure applied from
the exterior or annular region of the tubular. The first shoulder
or the shoulder furthest away from the exterior of the tubing
retains and supports an erodible or frangible support disc. The
erodible support disc may have holes, aligned with the throughbore,
that pass through the erodible support disk to allow fluid to pass
through after the rupture disc ruptures. The second shoulder,
slightly closer to the exterior of the tubing than the first
shoulder supports a sealing disk. The sealing disk is supported by
both the erodible support disc and the second shoulder. The sealing
disk prevents fluid, including high-pressure fluid, from moving
through the inflow control device from the exterior of the tubing
towards the interior of the tubing. A nozzle is inserted into the
through bore usually slightly closer to the exterior of the tubing
the sealing disk to allow the nozzle to be easily replaced. In some
instances, the nozzle may be part of the through bore.
[0007] In order to actuate the inflow control device described
above, fluid pressure inside the tubular is increased in order to
rupture the rupture disc. The fluid from inside the tubular then
flows past the rupture disc and to the erodible support disc. The
fluid then flows through the holes in the erodible support disc
allowing the fluid to apply force to the sealing disk. Typically,
the sealing disk is not supported, or maybe lightly supported,
towards the exterior of the tubular allowing the fluid from the
interior of the tubular to push the sealing disk out of the inflow
control device. After the rupture disk and the sealing disk have
been removed by fluid under pressure from the interior of the
tubular fluid communication is established between the exterior to
the interior of the tubular. Over time, as fluid passes through the
holes in the erodible support disc, the erodible support disc
dissolves or is eroded away allowing fluid to flow between the
interior of the tubular and the exterior of the tubular at a flow
rate determined by the nozzle in the throughbore.
[0008] In another embodiment of an inflow control device a first
hole is formed transversely, or across the sidewall, in a coupling.
A second hole is formed from the interior of the coupling to
intersect the first hole in the sidewall of the coupling so that
the two holes together permit fluid communication between the
interior of the tubing and annulus. A housing having a throughbore
is inserted into the first hole and locked in place, typically by
threads, on the exterior of the housing that match threads on the
interior of the first hole. In many instances a circumferential
groove is cut in the housing or first hole sidewall to allow a seal
to be inserted into the groove to seal the fluid pathway between
the exterior of the housing and the first hole. A piston that is
typically pinned with a shear pin in the housing throughbore is
inserted into the first hole. Typically, the piston is sized so
that one end may fit into the housing throughbore while the other
end is sized to fit into the first hole. Additionally, the end of
the piston sized to fit in the first hole may have a
circumferential groove cut into the periphery so that a seal may be
added sealing the piston into the first hole. An explosive charge
including a primer is located in the housing throughbore on the
side of the piston towards the annulus of the tubular. A charge
seal is then placed in the housing throughbore on the side of the
explosive charge towards the annulus of the tubular. The charge
seal prevents fluid, including high-pressure fluid, from moving
through the inflow control device from the exterior of the tubing
towards the interior of the tubing. A nozzle may be included in the
housing throughbore. In some instances, the nozzle may be part of
the through bore.
[0009] In order to actuate the inflow control device described
above, fluid pressure inside the tubular is increased to a level
that causes the piston to shear the shear pin thereby allowing the
piston to move further into the housing throughbore. As the piston
moves further into the housing throughbore the piston strikes or
otherwise causes the primer to the fire causing the explosive
charge to detonate. The force of the explosive charge detonating
removes the charge seal and forces the piston out of the through
bore. Fluid communication is thereby established between the
exterior to the interior of the tubular. Overtime, as fluid passes
through the holes in the erodible support disc, the erodible
support disc dissolves or is eroded away allowing fluid to flow
between the interior of the tubular and the exterior of the tubular
at a flow rate determined by the nozzle in the through bore.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] So that the manner in which the above recited features of
the present invention can be understood in detail, a more
particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above,
may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however,
that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of
this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a tubing string having multiple couplings
were each coupling incorporates an inflow control device.
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a coupling having a tubular threaded into
each end thereof where the coupling includes an inflow control
device.
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts an end view of the coupling including an
inflow control device.
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a portion of a coupling with a closeup view
of an inflow control device prior to actuation.
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a portion of a coupling with a closeup view
of an inflow control device where pressure is being exerted upon
the piston from the interior of the tubular thereby shearing the
shear pin.
[0016] FIG. 6 depicts a portion of a coupling with a closeup view
of an inflow control device after pressure from the interior of the
tubular has been relieved allowing the bias device to remove the
piston from the housing throughbore.
[0017] FIG. 7 depicts a portion of a coupling with a closeup view
of an alternative inflow control device prior to actuation.
[0018] FIG. 8 depicts a portion of a coupling with a closeup view
of an alternative inflow control device after pressure has been
exerted upon the rupture disk from the interior of the tubular and
the same fluid has passed through the holes in the support disc to
remove the sealing disk from the through bore of the housing.
[0019] FIG. 9 depicts a portion of a coupling with a closeup view
of another alternative inflow control device prior to
actuation.
[0020] FIG. 10 depicts a portion of a coupling with a closeup view
of another alternative inflow control device after sufficient
pressure has been applied from the interior of the tubing to shear
the shear pin and allow the piston to contact the primer.
[0021] FIG. 11 depicts a portion of a coupling with a closeup view
of another alternative inflow control device after the explosive
charges detonated thereby removing the charge seal and the piston
from the housing through bore.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] As depicted in FIG. 1 an inflow control device 118 has been
designed for use with a liner string completion in a deviated or
horizontal application. Individual tubular joints of liner are
joined using a threaded coupling 112. A first hole 116 has been
drilled into the wall of the coupling 112 which houses the inflow
control device 118.
[0023] As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 a second hole 120 is drilled
through the wall of the coupling 112 which intersects the first
hole 116 such that it permits communication of fluids between the
tubing and annulus of the liner string. In certain instances, the
first hole may be drilled in to the coupling such that the first
hole allows for fluid communication between the exterior of the
coupling to the interior of the coupling through the first hole. In
one embodiment, an inflow control device is placed into the hole to
moderate the fluid flow through the hole between the interior of
the coupling and the exterior of the coupling.
[0024] The inflow control device 118 is placed inside the first
hole 116, and once installed, creates a pressure barrier between
the tubing 110 and coupling 112 assembly and the annular area 113
exterior of the tubing 110 and coupling 112 assembly while still
sensing pressure from both the tubing interior 115 and the annular
area 113. The inflow control device 118 typically is capable of
withstanding cyclical, hydrostatic annular area pressure or the
application of high pressure in the tubing interior 115. Typically,
such pressure cycles may be 3000 psi hydrostatic annular area 113
pressure or 3000 psi tubing interior 115 pressure for five cycles.
The application of pressure in excess of the normally expected
pressure should cause the inflow control device 118 to actuate,
allowing at least some fluid communication between the tubing
interior 115 and the annular area 113. Typically, such excess
pressure may be about 3,700 psi-5,000 psi before the tubing
pressure causes the device to actuate, allowing fluid communication
between tubing and annulus. Once actuated the inflow control device
118 creates a user-selectable orifice for flow restriction, which
can be changed at any time prior to run-in. Typically, the user
selectable orifice may be between 4-6 millimeters.
[0025] Typically, the coupling 112 is a standard casing coupling.
The first hole is typically formed by drilling, milling, casting or
any other means known in the art. The typical coupling 112 shown in
FIG. 2 has a first box end 122, a second box end 124, and a center
121. A first tubing 110 has a first pin end 126 that is threadedly
attached to the first box end 122 of the coupling 112. A second
tubing 130 has a second pin end 132 that is threadedly attached to
the second box end 124 of the coupling 112. Between the first box
end 122 and the second box end 124 the coupling 112 typically has a
region 134 that has about the same wall thickness D1 as the wall
thickness D2 as the tubings 110 and 130. The first hole 112 is
typically formed in the coupling 112 in the region 134.
[0026] FIGS. 4-6 depict an embodiment of an inflow control device
118 in coupling 112. A first hole 116 is formed in the region 134
of the coupling 112. In certain instances, the first hole 116 may
be cut full bore or partial bore through the coupling 112 with a
plug inserted from the opposing end to plug at least a portion of
the bore and in many instances may provide an anchor for the spring
314, such as a second female thread 218 or a ferrule. The first
hole 116 typically consists of a first female thread 210, an angled
shoulder 212, a hone bore 214, a hone relief bore 216, and a second
female thread 218. A second hole 120 has been cut through the wall
of the coupling 112 such that it intersects the first hole 116 to
permit fluid communication between the tubing interior 115 and
annular area 113.
[0027] A piston 310 with a seal 312 is placed in the hone bore 214
of the first hole 116 such that it creates a pressure barrier
between tubing interior 115 and annular area 113. The front face
330 of piston 310 has a bore 332 having a female thread. A spring
314 may be threadedly attached to the bore 332 of the piston 310.
In the first state, depicted in FIG. 4, the spring 314 is extended
and exerts an axial force on the piston 310 as depicted by arrow
334. There is a radial hole 316 through the piston 310. Towards the
annular area 113 adjacent to piston 310, a shear sleeve 318 is
mated against the angled shoulder 212. The shear sleeve 318 has a
radial hole 320 through its wall which aligns with the radial hole
316 in the piston 310. A shear pin 322 is placed through the mating
holes 316 and 320. Towards the annular area 113 adjacent to shear
sleeve 318, a flow nozzle 324 with a male thread is threaded into
the female thread 210. The flow nozzle 324 may have an internal
diameter sized to restrict fluid flow between the tubing interior
115 and annular area 113 of the well to a desired rate. This
internal diameter can be adjusted based on the requirements of a
specific well environment. An erodible and/or dissolvable metering
disk 326 may reside in the internal diameter of the flow nozzle
324. The metering disk 326 may have one or more holes through it to
permit fluid communication between the tubing interior 115 and
annular area 113. The flow nozzle 324 is threaded into the first
hole 116 such that it is adjacent to shear sleeve 316. The flow
nozzle 324 locks all internal parts in place within the coupling
112. Various sizes of flow nozzles 324 can be used, and can be
interchanged at any time without affecting operation of the device
118, without requiring disassembly of the device 118, and without
the need for specialized tooling.
[0028] Pressure applied to the annular area 113 of the well acts on
the piston 310 creating an axial force in the direction of arrow
334 on piston 310 which tends to shear the shear pin 320. The shear
pin 320 is sized such that it can withstand constant applied
pressure from the annular area 113 without actuating the inflow
control device 118. Typically, the shear pin is sized such that it
can withstand about 3,000 psi constant applied pressure from the
annular area 113 without actuating the inflow control device
118.
[0029] FIG. 5 depicts an intermediate position of the inflow
control device 118 where pressure applied to the tubing interior
115 acts on the front face 330 of piston 310. This pressure creates
an axial force on the piston 310 in the direction of arrow 336
which tends to shear the shear pin 320. The shear pin 320 is sized
such that it can withstand about 3,000 psi applied pressure from
the tubing interior 115 five times without being sheared. However,
when higher pressure, typically between 3,700 and 5,000 psi, is
applied to the tubing, the shear pin 320 shears, allowing the
piston 310 to travel outward while maintaining a seal in its hone
bore 214. The piston 310 travels outward until it shoulders against
the shear sleeve 316. In this condition, the inflow control device
118 continues to maintain the seal between the tubing interior 115
and the annular area 113 as long as tubing pressure is maintained.
Decreasing pressure in the tubing interior 115 causes a decreasing
outward force in the direction of arrow 336 on the piston 310,
allowing the spring 314 to pull, as indicated by arrow 337, the
piston 310 away from the annular area 115 until the seal 312 is
past the end of the hone bore 214 and is inside the hone relief
bore 216. At this point, fluid communication is achieved between
the tubing interior 115 and annular area 113.
[0030] As depicted in FIG. 5, the spring 314 continues to pull the
piston 310 inward until the spring reaches its relaxed state. At
this point, the piston 310 is far enough away from the annular area
113 that full flow capacity is achieved between the tubing interior
115 and annular area 113, with the flow nozzle 324 acting as the
primary restriction in the system. Once fluid begins to flow across
the metering disk 326, the metering disk 326 may begin to erode
and/or dissolve. Because of the flow restriction created by the
small holes 338 in the metering disk 326, prior to the metering
disk 326 eroding or dissolving away, it may be possible to build
pressure inside the tubing even if a number of devices 118 in the
completion string have opened and are communicating fluid between
the tubing interior 115 and the and annular area 113. Thereby
allowing the operator to develop sufficient pressure in the tubing
interior 115 to ensure that all inflow control devices 118 in the
well are actuated prior to full flow being established between the
tubing interior 115 and annular area 113. Typically, the metering
disks 326 each erode and/or dissolve over a short period of time as
a result of production through the completion string, leaving the
flow nozzles 324 as the primary flow restrictions in the completion
string.
[0031] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict an alternate embodiment of an inflow
control device 417. A port 410 placed in the wall of the coupling
112 consists of a hone bore 412, a female thread 444, an angled
sealing shoulder 416, and a hole for fluid communication 418. A
slot 420 has been cut through the wall of the coupling 112 such
that it intersects the port 410 to permit fluid communication
between the tubing interior 440 and annular area 442.
[0032] A housing 422 with a seal 424 and a male thread 446 is
inserted into the port 410 in the coupling 112 such that it threads
into a female thread 444 in the coupling 112, and its seal 420
resides in the hone bore 412. The housing 422 is threaded in and
tightened until a metal-to-metal pressure seal is achieved between
an angled nose of the housing 426 and the angled sealing shoulder
416. The housing 422 has an integral rupture device 428. A small
erodible and/or dissolvable metering disk 430 has been press-fit
into the end of the housing 422 nearest to the annular area 442.
The metering disk 430 may have one or more holes such as holes 450,
452, and 454 through its thickness to permit fluid communication
between the tubing interior 440 and annular area 442. A sealing
disk 432 is placed inside the housing 410 adjacent to the metering
disk 430. The sealing disk 432, housing 422, and seal 424, isolate
pressure in the annular area 442 from the rupture device 428 and
metering disk 430. Behind the sealing disk 432, a flow nozzle 434
with a male thread is threaded into the female thread 414 inside
the housing 422. The flow nozzle 434 is tightened into the housing
422 such that the flow nozzle 434 creates a seal between itself and
the sealing disk 432, as well as between the sealing disk 432 and a
shoulder 436 inside the housing 422. The flow nozzle 434 has a
specific internal diameter sized to restrict fluid flow between the
tubing interior 440 and annular area 442 of the well to a desired
rate. This internal diameter can be adjusted based on the
requirements of a specific well environment. Various sizes of flow
nozzles 434 can be used, and can be interchanged at any time
without affecting operation of the device 118 and typically without
the need for specialized tooling.
[0033] Pressure in the annular area 442 typically does not affect
the inflow control device 118, as the rupture device 428 does not
sense pressure from the annular area 442. The sealing disk 432 is
supported by the metering disk 430, which allows the sealing disk
432 to seal pressure in the annular area 442 without yielding.
Therefore, pressure can be applied to the annular area 442 as
needed without actuating the inflow control device 118.
[0034] Pressure applied to the tubing interior 440 acts on the side
of the rupture device 428 that is exposed to the tubing interior
440. The rupture device 428 is typically sized such that a
designated pressure may be applied to the tubing over many cycles
without affecting the rupture disk 428. However, when a pressure in
excess of the designated pressure is applied, the rupture disk 428
ruptures in a controlled and predictable manner.
[0035] As depicted in FIG. 8, once the pressure limit of the
rupture disk 428 is reached, the rupture disk 428 ruptures,
allowing fluid to flow through the metering disk 430. The fluid
communication holes 450, 452, and 454 in the metering disk 430
permit fluid from the tubing interior 440 to apply pressure to the
sealing disk 432, which is not supported towards the annular area
442. Therefore, the sealing disk 432 breaks or otherwise be removed
as pressure is applied from the tubing interior 442 establishing
fluid communication between the tubing interior 440 and annular
area 442.
[0036] Typically, the metering disk 430 is made of an erodible
and/or dissolvable material such as polyglycolic acid. Fluid flow
in either direction across the metering disk 430 tends to erode
and/or dissolve the metering disk 430 at a predictable rate. Prior
to the metering disk 430 eroding and/or dissolving, pressure can
still be built up in the tubing interior 440 because of the
temporary flow restriction created by the small holes 450, 452, and
454 in the metering disk 430, allowing the operator to develop
sufficient pressure in the tubing interior 440 to ensure that all
inflow control devices 118 in the completion string may be actuated
prior to full flow being established between the tubing and
annulus. The metering disks 430 then erode over a time as a result
of production through the completion string, leaving the flow
nozzle 434 as the primary flow restriction in the completion
string.
[0037] Typically, the rupture disk 428 is sized such that 3,000 psi
may be applied to the tubing interior 440 about five times. The
rupture disk 428 ruptures in a controlled and predictable manner
when between 3,700 and 5,000 psi is applied to the tubing interior
440.
[0038] An alternate embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 9-11. A port
510 formed in the wall of the coupling 112 consists of a female
thread 512, a bore 514 with a seal groove 516, an angled shoulder
518, and a hone bore 520. A slot 522 has been cut through the wall
of the coupling 112 such that it intersects the port 510 to permit
fluid communication between the tubing interior 550 and annular
area 552.
[0039] A housing 524 with a male thread 513 is threaded into the
female thread 512 in the port 510 until the angled shoulder 526 on
the housing 524 mates against the angled shoulder 518. A seal is
created between the outer diameter of the housing 524 and a housing
seal 528 that resides in the seal groove 516. A first radial hole
530 has been drilled through the housing 524. A piston 532 with a
piston seal 534 is located inside the hone bore 520. A second
radial hole 536 has been drilled through the end of the piston 532.
The piston 532 is located such that the second radial hole 536 is
aligned with the first radial hole 530. A shear pin 538 is inserted
through first radial hole 530 and second radial hole 536, locking
the piston 532 and housing 524 together. An explosive charge 540,
such as a shaped charge, with an integral primer 542 is inside the
housing 524 such that the primer 542 faces the piston 532. A charge
seal 544 is located behind the explosive charge 540. The charge
seal 544 forms a seal inside the inner diameter of the housing 524.
The piston 532 has a small protrusion 546 on its outer face that is
designed to engage the primer 542 on the explosive charge 540.
[0040] Pressure applied to the annular area 552 of the well does
not affect the inflow control device, as the housing seal 528 and
charge seal 544 create pressure barriers inside the port 510.
Therefore, pressure can be applied to the annular area 552 without
actuating the inflow control device.
[0041] Pressure applied to the tubing interior 550 of the well acts
upon the piston 532. This pressure creates a force on the piston
532, in the direction of arrow 554, which tends to shear the shear
pin 538. The shear pin 538 is sized such that it can withstand
pressure applied from the tubing interior 550 over several cycles
without being sheared. Typically, the shear pin 538 is sized such
that it can withstand about 3,000 psi applied pressure from the
tubing interior 550 about five times without shearing. However,
when higher pressure is applied to the tubing, the shear pin 538
shears, allowing the piston 532 to travel outward while maintaining
a seal in the hone bore 520. Typically, the shear pin 538 shears
when pressure between 3,700 and 5,000 psi is applied to the tubing
interior 550. The piston 532 travels outward until the protrusion
546 contacts the primer 542 on the explosive charge 540. When the
protrusion 546 contacts the primer 542, it ignites the explosive
charge 540, which applies pressure to create a hole through the
piston 532, as well as eliminate the charge seal 544. At this
point, fluid communication between the tubing an annulus is
achieved, with the inner diameter of the housing 524 functioning as
the primary flow restriction in the completion string.
[0042] Bottom, lower, or downward denotes the end of the well or
device away from the surface, including movement away from the
surface. Top, upwards, raised, or higher denotes the end of the
well or the device towards the surface, including movement towards
the surface. While the embodiments are described with reference to
various implementations and exploitations, it is understood that
these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the
inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations,
modifications, additions and improvements are possible.
[0043] Plural instances may be provided for components, operations
or structures described herein as a single instance. In general,
structures and functionality presented as separate components in
the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined
structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality
presented as a single component may be implemented as separate
components. These and other variations, modifications, additions,
and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject
matter.
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