Apparatus for controlling the inflow of production fluids from a subterranean well

Abstract: A flow control apparatus (100) for controlling the inflow of production fluids into an interior passage (118) of a tubular member (116) in a wellbore includes a flow restrictor (104) positioned in the flow path between an exterior of the tubular member (116) and the passage (118). The flow restrictor (104) has an active chamber (114) and a bypass chamber (112). A bypass tubing is disposed within the bypass chamber (112). The bypass tubing (122) has a constant effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage (118) from the bypass chamber (112). A plurality of flow blocking members (132) is disposed within the active chamber (114) and cooperate with outlets (128) of the tubular member (116) to autonomously vary an effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage (118) from the active chamber based upon the constituent composition of the production fluids.