Erosion resistant crossover for fracturing/gravel packing

Abstract

An erosion resistant crossover which may be used in fracturing and/or gravel packing. In one aspect, a fluid delivery system for use in a subterranean well may comprise a fluid discharge apparatus including a flow passage, at least one discharge opening for discharging fluid from the flow passage to an exterior of the apparatus, and a flow diversion device operative to more evenly distribute flow through the opening by diverting fluid flow through the opening in a more upstream direction relative to fluid flow through the passage.

1 . A fluid delivery system for use in a subterranean well, the system comprising: 
 a fluid discharge apparatus including a flow passage, at least one discharge opening for discharging fluid from the flow passage to an exterior of the apparatus, and a flow diversion device operative to more evenly distribute flow through the opening by diverting fluid flow through the opening in a more upstream direction relative to fluid flow through the passage.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diversion device comprises at least one annular shaped obstruction in the passage.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diversion device comprises a restriction to flow through the passage increasing in a downstream direction relative to fluid flow through the passage.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diversion device comprises multiple obstructions longitudinally spaced apart in the passage.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow diversion device comprises a shield positioned between the opening and the passage, the shield having multiple ports for flow between the opening and the passage, the ports intersecting the passage at different flow areas of the passage.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes at least first and second discharge openings, the first opening being upstream of the second opening relative to flow through the passage, and 
 wherein the flow diversion device comprises the first opening intersecting the passage at a first flow area of the passage, the second opening intersecting the passage at a second flow area of the passage, and the first flow area being greater than the second flow area.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes only a single opening.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes multiple openings configured to induce helical flow of fluid on the exterior of the apparatus.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes multiple openings configured in a manner evenly longitudinally distributing flow to the exterior of the apparatus.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes multiple openings, and wherein the flow diversion device comprises a flow area of the openings decreasing in a downstream direction relative to fluid flow through the passage.  
   
   
       11 . A fluid delivery system for use in a subterranean well, the system comprising: 
 a fluid discharge apparatus including a longitudinal flow passage, at least one discharge opening for discharging fluid from the passage to an exterior of the apparatus, and at least one restriction to flow in the passage.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the restriction is due to a generally annular shaped obstruction in the passage.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the apparatus includes at least two openings, and wherein the restriction is positioned between the openings.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the opening has upstream and downstream ends relative to a direction of flow through the passage, and wherein the restriction diverts fluid flow in a direction from the downstream end toward the upstream end of the opening while permitting fluid flow through the downstream end of the opening.  
   
   
       15 . A fluid delivery system for use in a subterranean well, the system comprising: 
 a fluid discharge apparatus including a longitudinal flow passage, at least one discharge opening for discharging fluid from the passage to an exterior of the apparatus, and a flow area of the passage decreasing in a direction of flow through the passage.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein an interior wall progressively protrudes into the passage and decreases the flow area of the passage in the direction of flow through the passage, and wherein the wall is positioned opposite the opening.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the opening has upstream and downstream ends relative to the direction of flow through the passage, and wherein the decreasing flow area of the passage diverts fluid flow toward the upstream end of the opening while permitting fluid flow through the downstream end of the opening.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the opening has upstream and downstream ends relative to the direction of flow through the passage, and wherein the decreasing flow area of the passage diverts fluid flow in a direction from the downstream end toward the upstream end of the opening while permitting fluid flow through the downstream end of the opening.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the opening has an upstream end relative to the direction of flow through the passage, and wherein the decreasing flow area of the passage diverts fluid flow toward the upstream end of the opening while permitting fluid flow through the downstream end of the opening.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the apparatus includes multiple openings, a first opening being positioned upstream of a second opening relative to the direction of flow through the passage, and wherein the decreasing flow area of the passage diverts fluid flow from the second opening to the first opening while permitting fluid flow through the second opening.