Water sensing adaptable inflow control device using a powered system

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for selective control of fluid flow into a production string in a wellbore.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hydrocarbons such as oil and gas are recovered from a subterranean formation using a wellbore drilled into the formation. Such wells are typically completed by placing a casing along the wellbore length and perforating the casing adjacent each such production zone to extract the formation fluids (such as hydrocarbons) into the wellbore. These production zones are sometimes separated from each other by installing a packer between the production zones. Fluid from each production zone entering the wellbore is drawn into a tubing that runs to the surface. It is desirable to have substantially even drainage along the production zone. Uneven drainage may result in undesirable conditions such as an invasive gas cone or water cone. In the instance of an oil-producing well, for example, a gas cone may cause an inflow of gas into the wellbore that could significantly reduce oil production. In like fashion, a water cone may cause an inflow of water into the oil production flow that reduces the amount and quality of the produced oil. Accordingly, it is desired to provide even drainage across a production zone and/or the ability to selectively close off or reduce inflow within production zones experiencing an undesirable influx of water and/or gas.

The present disclosure addresses these and other needs of the prior art.

In aspects, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular disposed in a wellbore that intersects a subterranean formation of interest. In embodiments, the apparatus may include a flow control element configured to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular; and a water detector operably coupled to the flow control element. The water detector may be configured to actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of the flowing fluid. In arrangements, the water detector is a capacitive proximity sensor. In arrangements, the measured property may be a dielectric constant. In embodiments, the flow control element may be configured to permit a predetermined amount of flow of fluid after being actuated to a closed position. Also, the water detector may be configured to measure a property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element has been actuated to the closed position. In one aspect, the apparatus may include a power storage element connected to the flow control element. The flow control element may be configured to move between an open position and a closed position based on a charge state of the power storage element.

In aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular in a wellbore. The method may include positioning a flow control element along the wellbore tubular to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular; measuring a property of a flowing fluid using a water detector; and actuating the flow control element in response to the measurement.

In aspects, the present disclosure provides a system for controlling a flow of fluid in a well. In one embodiment, the system may include a tubular positioned in the well; at least one flow control element positioned along the tubular, the at least one flow control element being configured to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular; and a water detector operably coupled to the flow control element, the water detector being configured to actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of a flowing fluid.

It should be understood that examples of the more important features of the disclosure have been summarized rather broadly in order that detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto.