IP Library Granted Patent US 10,267,119
Granted Patent B2
US 10,267,119 · App. 15/322,876 · Granted Apr 23, 2019

Downhole well system

Inventor: Paul Hazel (Aberdeen, GB)
Assignee: Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG
E21B34/08E21B33/1243E21B33/1277E21B34/066E21B43/12E21B43/14E21B47/06
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,267,119
App. No.
15/322,876
Granted
Apr 23, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A downhole well system for producing hydrocarbon-containing fluid from a reservoir downhole includes a well tubular structure having first and second annular barriers for isolating an annulus outside the well tubular structure. Each annular barrier has a tubular part adapted to be mounted as part of the well tubular structure, the tubular part having an outer face, an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular part, and an annular space between the inner sleeve face of the expandable sleeve and the tubular part. An inflow valve assembly is arranged between the first and the second annular barriers for providing fluid communication between the production zone and the inside of the well tubular structure through a passage in the inflow valve assembly by adjusting a closing member in relation to the passage.

Claims (32)

1. A downhole well system for producing hydrocarbon-containing fluid from a reservoir downhole, comprising:

a well tubular structure having an inside,

a first and a second annular barrier for isolating an annulus outside the well tubular structure, each annular barrier comprising:

a tubular part adapted to be mounted as part of the well tubular structure, the tubular part having an outer face,

an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular part and having an inner sleeve face facing the tubular part and an outer sleeve face facing a wall of a borehole, each end of the expandable sleeve being connected with the tubular part, and

an annular space between the inner sleeve face of the expandable sleeve and the tubular part,

the first and second annular barriers being adapted to isolate a production zone when expanded, and

an inflow valve assembly mounted as part of the tubular structure, the inflow valve assembly being arranged between the first and the second annular barriers opposite the production zone for providing fluid communication between the production zone and the inside of the well tubular structure through a passage in the inflow valve assembly by adjusting a closing member in relation to the passage, the closing member being mounted on the well tubular structure, wherein the inflow valve assembly comprises

a sensor unit comprising:

a sensor adapted to measure at least one property of the fluid,

a power supply for powering at least the sensor, and

a control unit for activating the adjustment of the closing member based upon the measurement of the sensor.

2. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is arranged outside the well tubular structure or in the well tubular structure.

3. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a flow rate sensor, a pressure sensor, a capacitance sensor, a resistivity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a temperature sensor or a strain gauge.

4. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the property is pressure, density, capacitance, resistivity, flow rate, water content or temperature.

5. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to measure the property of fluid outside the well tubular structure.

6. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to measure a pressure inside the well tubular structure, and the system further comprises a second sensor adapted to measure a pressure in the annulus.

7. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the inflow valve assembly comprises a valve having the closing member.

8. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the inflow valve assembly comprises several sensors.

9. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a processor for comparing the measurement with a preselected property range.

10. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the inflow valve assembly comprises a plurality of passages.

11. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein a second sensor is arranged in the annular space for measuring a pressure of the fluid in the annular space, the control unit being adapted to open the passage upon receiving an indication that the measured pressure in the annular space is lower than a pressure of the fluid in the production zone.

12. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit comprises a communication module.

13. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply is rechargeable.

14. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is adapted to measure the property at predetermined intervals or continuously.

15. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of first and second annular barriers for isolating a plurality of production zones.

16. The downhole well system according to claim 15 , wherein an inflow valve assembly is arranged opposite each production zone for adjusting the flow of fluid from the production zone.

17. An inflow regulation method for adjusting the inflow of fluid in the downhole well system according to claim 1 , comprising:

measuring a property of the fluid by the sensor,

comparing the measurement to a preselected property range, and

activating adjustment of the closing member upon receiving an indication that the measurement is outside the range.

18. The downhole well system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor, the power supply and the control unit are mounted as part of the tubular structure.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 8, 2024
From: WELLTEC A/S
To: WELLTEC MANUFACTURING CENTER COMPLETIONS APS
Reel/Frame 069327/0618 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Apr 10, 2019
From: WELLTEC OILFIELD SOLUTIONS AG
To: WELLTEC OILFIELD SOLUTIONS AG
Reel/Frame 048853/0289 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2018
From: WELLTEC A/S
To: WELLTEC OILFIELD SOLUTIONS AG
Reel/Frame 047724/0079 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2017
From: HAZEL, PAUL
To: WELLTEC A/S
Reel/Frame 042677/0662 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 14174986 · Jun 30, 2014 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170159405A1 · Jun 8, 2017