Inflow control device for wellbore operations
View Patent ↗An adjustable and fixed inflow control device is provided. According to one embodiment, the adjustable inflow control device comprises a set of flow path walls defining a flow path that extends from an inlet to an outlet. The inlet may be open to the outer surface of a tubular and the outlet may be fluidly connected to an inner diameter of the tubular. The flow path may be adapted to control flow of fluid between the outlet and the inlet. The inflow control device further comprises a movable regulator that is movable to alter the flow path. The movable regulator may be movable between a number of positions. The inflow control device may be modular.
1. A wellbore apparatus comprising:
a tubular having a tubular wall with a tubular inlet port extending through the tubular wall to an inner bore of the tubular and at least partially defining a first pocket about the tubular inlet port and a second pocket;
a modular inflow control device (ICD) adapted to be inserted into and extracted from the first pocket, comprising an electromagnet, an inlet, an outlet fluidly connected to the tubular inlet port, a set of flow path walls defining a flow path between the inlet and the outlet, the flow path configured to control at least one of a pressure drop or a flow rate of fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet, and
a power source disposed in the second pocket for powering the electromagnet.
2. The wellbore apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flow path comprises a fixed, non-alterable tortuous flow path.
3. The wellbore apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular ICD comprises a Tesla profile selected to create a desired pressure drop across the flow path.
4. The wellbore apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the Tesla profile comprises a first Tesla profile in series with a second Tesla profile, the second Tesla profile adapted to provide a different resistance to inflow than the first Tesla profile.
5. The wellbore apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first Tesla profile is configured to provide less resistance to inflow than the second Tesla profile.
6. The wellbore apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second Tesla profile adapted to provide a different resistance to outflow than the first Tesla profile.
7. The wellbore apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second Tesla profile is configured to provide less resistance to outflow than the first Tesla profile.
8. The well bore apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular ICD comprises:
a body adapted to be retained in the first pocket; and
a set of selectable segments disposed in the body, the segments defining the flow path.
9. The well bore apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular ICD further comprises a regulator movable to alter the flow path.
10. The well bore apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the regulator is autonomously movable to alter the flow path responsive to downhole conditions.
11. The well bore apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the regulator is movable between a tortuous flow position and a choked flow position.
12. The well bore apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the regulator is movable between a tortuous flow position, a choked flow position and a fluidic flow position.
13. The well bore apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the regulator is movable to a fluidics flow position.
14. The well bore apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular ICD comprises a regulator having a cambered surface shaped to generate a hydrodynamic force on the regulator as fluid in the flow path moves across the regulator, the regulator movable responsive to the hydrodynamic force to alter a pressure drop through the flow path.
15. The well bore apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the regulator pivots to alter a cross-sectional area of the flow path.
16. The well bore apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the set of flow path walls comprises a fixed flow path wall and the regulator pivots responsive to the hydrodynamic force to change a distance between the regulator and the fixed set of flow path walls.
17. The wellbore apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the modular ICD comprises a body defining the fixed flow path wall, wherein the regulator is pivotably coupled to the body.
18. The well bore apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the modular ICD further comprises:
a body configured to fit in the first pocket, the body having an inner wall and sidewalls,
the set of flow path walls comprising the inner wall and at least one of sidewalls of the body;
an inlet opening defined in one or more of the sidewalls of the body; and
an outlet opening defined in the inner wall of the body
wherein a longitudinal axis of the body is approximately parallel to a central axis of the tubular.