Fluid flow control device and method for use of same

Abstract

A fluid flow control device ( 130 ) for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprises a screen assembly ( 132 ) positioned around a base pipe ( 134 ). The base pipe ( 134 ) has a blank pipe section and a perforated section including at least one fluid passageway ( 136 ). The screen assembly ( 132 ) has a filter medium section ( 142 ) positioned around the blank pipe section and defining a first region ( 144 ) therebetween and a housing section ( 146 ) positioned around the perforated section defining a second region ( 148 ) therebetween with a sleeve ( 150 ) slidably positioned therein. When it is desired to prevent the inflow of the production fluids through the fluid flow control device ( 130 ), the sleeve ( 150 ) is operated from a first position to a second position which prevent fluid flow from the second region ( 148 ) to the fluid passageway ( 136 ).

1 . A fluid flow control device for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprising: 
 a tubular member having a blank pipe section and a perforated section including at least one fluid passageway;    a screen assembly positioned exteriorly of the tubular member, the screen assembly having a filter medium section positioned around the blank pipe section and defining a first region therebetween and a housing section positioned around the perforated section defining a second region therebetween;    a sleeve slidably positioned within the second region, the sleeve having a first position wherein fluid communication is permitted between the second region and the fluid passageway and a second position wherein fluid communication is prevented between the second region and the fluid passageway; and    a control line extendable from uphole of the screen assembly, the control line having a first section that is operable to selectively communicate with the sleeve to operate the sleeve from its first to its second position, the control line having a second section that is extendable downhole of the screen assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the control line is a hydraulic control line.  
   
   
       3 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a valve positioned within the housing section to selectively prevent and permit fluid communication between the first section of the control line and the sleeve.  
   
   
       4 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 3  wherein the valve is a eutectic valve.  
   
   
       5 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a sensor operably associated with the screen assembly to sense at least one downhole parameter selected from the group comprising temperature, pressure and fluid composition.  
   
   
       6 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an energy conductor extendable from uphole of the screen assembly and extendable downhole of the screen assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 6  wherein the energy conductor further comprising an electrical conductor.  
   
   
       8 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 6  wherein the energy conductor further comprising a fiber optic conductor.  
   
   
       9 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 8  wherein the fiber optic conductor provides information relating to at least one downhole parameter selected from the group comprising temperature and pressure to a surface location from a location proximate the screen assembly.  
   
   
       10 . The fluid flow control device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the control line passes through the first region.  
   
   
       11 . A fluid flow control device for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprising: 
 a tubular member having at least one fluid passageway in a sidewall section thereof;    a screen assembly positioned exteriorly around the tubular member, the screen assembly having a filter medium section defining a first annular region with the tubular member and a housing section defining a second annular region with the tubular member;    a sleeve slidably positioned within the second annular region, the sleeve having a first position wherein fluid communication is permitted between the second annular region and the fluid passageway and a second position wherein fluid communication is prevented between the second annular region and the fluid passageway;    a hydraulic control line extending from a surface location to the screen assembly, the hydraulic control line having a first section with a terminus that is selectively in fluid communication with the sleeve to operate the sleeve from the first position to the second position, the hydraulic control line having a second section that passes through the first annular region and extends downhole of the screen assembly;    a eutectic valve positioned within the housing section to selectively prevent and permit fluid communication between the first section of the hydraulic control line and the sleeve;    a sensor positioned on the housing section to sense at least one downhole parameter selected from the group comprising temperature, pressure and fluid composition; and    an energy conductor extending from the surface location to the screen assembly, the energy conductor passing through the first annular region and extending downhole of the screen assembly, the energy conductor in communication with the eutectic valve and the sensor, whereby energy is supplied to the eutectic valve in response to the sensed downhole parameter, thereby operating the sleeve from the first position to the second position.    
   
   
       12 . A method for controlling the inflow of production fluids into a production conduit within a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing the production conduit including a screen assembly positioned around a base pipe, the base pipe having a blank pipe section and a perforated section including at least one fluid passageway, the screen assembly having a filter medium section positioned around the blank pipe section and defining a first region therebetween and a housing section positioned around the perforated section defining a second region therebetween with a sleeve slidably positioned therein;    installing the production conduit within the wellbore;    producing the production fluids into the production conduit through the filter medium, the first and second regions and the fluid passageway; and    operating the sleeve from a first position to a second position to prevent the inflow of the production fluids.    
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the step of operating the sleeve from a first position to a second position to prevent the inflow of the production fluids further comprises communicating an operating fluid via a control line to the sleeve to operate the sleeve from its first to its second position.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13  further comprising passing the control line through the first region to a location downhole of the screen assembly.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 13  wherein the step of operating the sleeve from a first position to a second position to prevent the inflow of the production fluids further comprises operating a valve to allow communication of the operating fluid.  
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15  wherein the step of operating the sleeve from a first position to a second position to prevent the inflow of the production fluids further comprises melting material in a eutectic valve.  
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the step of operating the sleeve from a first position to a second position to prevent the inflow of the production fluids further comprises sensing at least one downhole parameter selected from the group comprising temperature, pressure and fluid composition.  
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 17  wherein the step of operating the sleeve from a first position to a second position to prevent the inflow of the production fluids further comprises sensing the at least one downhole parameter with a sensor operably associated with the screen assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 18  further comprising providing power and signal capabilities to the sensor via an energy conductor.  
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 17  wherein the step of operating the sleeve from a first position to a second position to prevent the inflow of the production fluids further comprises sensing the at least one downhole parameter with a fiber optic conductor.