Flow control apparatus and methods
US6112817A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B2200/02
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for obtaining equalized production from deviated wellbores. A plurality of spaced apart flow control device are deployed along the length of the wellbore. The fluid from various zones are drawn in a manner that depletes the reservoir uniformly along the entire length of the wellbore. Each flow control device is initially set at a rate determined from initial reservoir simulations or models. The depletion rate, water, oil and gas content, pressure, temperature and other desired parameters are determined over a time period. This data is utilized to update the initial reservoir model, which in turn is utilized to adjust the flow rate from one or more zones so as to equalize the flow rate from the reservoir. The present invention also provides a flow control device which includes an outer shroud that reduces the effect of fluid impact on the flow control device and one or more tortuous paths which carry the formation fluid into the production tubing. A control unit controls the flow output from the flow control device. The control unit may communicate with surface equipment or act autonomously to take actions downhole based on programmed instruct…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.