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.

1 . A flow control apparatus for controlling the inflow of production fluids into an interior passage of a tubular member in a wellbore, the flow control apparatus comprising:
 a flow restrictor positioned in the flow path between an exterior of the tubular member and the passage such that fluid entering the passage from the exterior of the tubular member flows through the flow restrictor, the flow restrictor having an active chamber and a bypass chamber;   a bypass tubing disposed within the bypass chamber, the bypass tubing having a constant effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the bypass chamber; and   a plurality of flow blocking members disposed within the active chamber, the flow blocking members cooperating with outlets of the tubular member to autonomously vary an effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the active chamber based upon the constituent composition of the production fluids.   
   
   
       2 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the flow blocking members autonomously reduce the effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the active chamber when the production fluids include an undesired fluid. 
   
   
       3 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the blocking members have a density greater than that of oil. 
   
   
       4 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the blocking members have a density less than that of oil. 
   
   
       5 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein a first portion of the blocking members have a density greater than that of oil and wherein a second portion of the blocking members have a density less than that of oil. 
   
   
       6 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein a first portion of the blocking members have a density that is greater than that of a second portion of the blocking members. 
   
   
       7 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the blocking members are spherically shaped. 
   
   
       8 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  further comprising nozzles disposed within the outlets of the tubular member. 
   
   
       9 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  further comprising tubular flow restrictors associated with the outlets of the tubular member. 
   
   
       10 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the bypass tubing extends at least partially circumferentially around the tubing member. 
   
   
       11 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the bypass tubing has a plurality of opening in a sidewall portion thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the bypass tubing further comprises at least two independent bypass tubings each having a constant effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the bypass chamber. 
   
   
       13 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the effective flow areas for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the bypass chamber is between about ten and about thirty-five percent of the initial effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the active chamber. 
   
   
       14 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the bypass chamber is between about fifteen and about twenty-five percent of the initial effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the active chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 1  wherein the effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the bypass chamber is about twenty percent of the initial effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the active chamber. 
   
   
       16 . A flow control apparatus for controlling the inflow of production fluids into an interior passage of a tubular member in a wellbore, the flow control apparatus comprising:
 a sand control screen element positioned in the flow path between an exterior of the tubular member and the passage;   a flow restrictor positioned in the flow path between the sand control screen element and the passage, the flow restrictor having an active chamber and a bypass chamber;   a bypass tubing disposed within the bypass chamber, the bypass tubing having a constant effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the bypass chamber; and   a plurality of flow blocking members disposed within the active chamber, the flow blocking members cooperating with outlets of the tubular member to autonomously vary an effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the active chamber based upon the constituent composition of the production fluids.   
   
   
       17 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 16  wherein the flow blocking members autonomously reduce the effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the active chamber when the production fluids include an undesired fluid. 
   
   
       18 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 16  wherein the bypass tubing extends at least partially circumferentially around the tubing member. 
   
   
       19 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 16  wherein the bypass tubing has a plurality of opening in a sidewall portion thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The flow control apparatus as recited in  claim 16  wherein the bypass tubing further comprises at least two independent bypass tubings each having a constant effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the bypass chamber. 
   
   
       21 . A flow control apparatus for controlling the inflow of production fluids into an interior passage of a tubular member in a wellbore, the flow control apparatus comprising:
 a flow restrictor positioned in the flow path between an exterior of the tubular member and the passage, the flow restrictor having an active chamber and a bypass chamber;   a bypass tubing disposed within the bypass chamber, the bypass tubing extends at least partially circumferentially around the tubing member and having a plurality of opening in a sidewall portion thereof, the bypass tubing having a constant effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the bypass chamber; and   a plurality of flow blocking members disposed within the active chamber, the flow blocking members cooperating with outlets of the tubular member to autonomously reduce an effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage from the active chamber when the production fluid includes an undesired fluid type.