Fluid flow control device and method for use of same

Abstract

A fluid flow control device (130) for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprises a screen assembly (132) positioned around a base pipe (134). The base pipe (134) has a blank pipe section and a perforated section including at least one fluid passageway (136). The screen assembly (132) has a filter medium section (142) positioned around the blank pipe section and defining a first region (144) therebetween and a housing section (146) positioned around the perforated section defining a second region (148) therebetween with a sleeve (150) slidably positioned therein. When it is desired to prevent the inflow of the production fluids through the fluid flow control device (130), the sleeve (150) is operated from a first position to a second position which prevent fluid flow from the second region (148) to the fluid passageway (136).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a divisional application of co-pending application Ser. No. 10 / 227,935, entitled Fluid Flow Control Device and Method for Use of Same, filed on Aug. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. ______.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates, in general, to controlling the inflow of formation fluids from a well that traverses a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation and, in particular, to a fluid flow control device for controlling the inflow of formation fluids and a method for use of the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Without limiting the scope of the present invention, its background will be described with reference to producing fluid from a subterranean formation, as an example. After drilling each of the sections of a subterranean wellbore, individual lengths of relatively large diameter metal tubulars are typically secured together to form a casing string that is positioned within each section of the wel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a fluid flow control device for use in oil and gas wells that allows for control of the inflow of production fluids. The device is simple and easy to manufacture and can be positioned in a variety of ways to control the pressure drop in the production fluids. It can be adjusted using mechanical shifting tools, hydraulic pressure, or electrically operated devices. The device can be used in conjunction with downhole pressure sensors or other types of sensors to automatically adjust its position and control the pressure drop in the production fluids. Overall, the device provides a reliable and effective means for controlling the inflow of production fluids in oil and gas wells.

Problems solved by technology

It has been found, however, that typical sliding sleeve type flow control devices are not suitable in completions requiring sand control as they are not compatible with typical sand control screens.

It has been found, however, the labyrinth type flow control devices are difficult and expensive to manufacture and can be unreliable under certain inflow conditions.

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