A Novel Autonomous Inflow Control Device Design: Improvements to Hybrid ICD

Abstract

In long horizontal wells, early water or gas may breakthrough into the wellbore due to the imbalanced production profile caused by the heel-toe effect, reservoir anisotropic, reservoir heterogeneity or fractureexisting. Once coning occurs, oil production may severely decrease due to the limited flow contribution from the non-coning regions. Inflow control devices (ICD) are installed to maintain the flow across production zones uniformly by creating an additional pressure differential which cancels out the imbalanced production profile. This will lower startup production, however, unwanted fluids from breaking through are significant delayed, and total oil production is maximized. Unfortunately, once water/gas does break through, they will take over the well, significantly reducing oil production.In this paper, a novel autonomous inflow control device (AICD) design is proposed on the combination of hybrid ICD and water swelling rubber (WSR). The WSR installed in the slot will swell once water breakthrough occurs, and the swell increment will be adjusted automatically according to the water content, thus changing the minimum flow area and the flow resistance rating (FRR). This autonomous function enables the well to produce oil while restrict water. To highlight the excellent performance of the novel design, four other designs (nozzle-based, helical channel, tube-type, and hybrid) with a same FRR were compared, with structural parameter optimization, and fluid property sensitivities researched. The results show that the novel design has good performances during every phase of a well's life: high plugging resistance at startup, high erosion-resistant during peak production, continuous inflow control and low viscosity sensitivity during declining, and significantly flow resistance increase at eventual water onset.

Study of the Dynamic Behavior of an Autonomous Inflow-Control Device Using a Digital Twin

“…These rate controlled production (RCP) valves, which were under study in this research, act under Bernoulli's principle, causing the mechanism to act with the densest fluid's entry and stopping its production. Figure 5 summarizes the different inflow technologies [6].…”

“…These rate controlled production (RCP) valves, which were under study in this research, act under Bernoulli's principle, causing the mechanism to act with the densest fluid's entry and stopping its production. Figure 5 summarizes the different inflow technologies [6]. Among the disadvantages of ICVs is the requirement for a control system and extended cables that reach the ground surface to maintain its operation.…”

“…Fluidic-diode-type devices, on the other hand, only delay the production of the less viscous fluid but do not stop its production altogether. The RCPs' disadvantage is the plate's integrity because high velocities cause the plate to hit against the chamber's walls, resulting in damaged or a loss in functionality [6].…”

Design and Performance of a Novel Autonomous Inflow Control Device

“…The movable disk type − uses the balance between the dynamic and static pressures to control the position of a movable disk; however, the disk may be damaged by the pressure difference exerted on it. The passageway type − uses the balance between the inertial and viscous forces to change the flow path; however, the oil viscosity and flow rate range available are quite narrow for each specific design. Shortages in current AICDs limit the application of this technology.…”