Inflow control device

Abstract

An inflow control device is disclosed for use in controlling the flow of fluid into a production tubing in a subterranean wellbore. The device is especially adapted for use with sand screen apparatus, but is modular in that it is manufactured separately from the sand screen apparatus. An inflow control device according to the present invention contains an orifice having an opening which is adjustable in size and which is disposed in the device to permit communication of fluid from one end of the body to the other. An inflow control device according to the present invention may be utilized with multiple sand screen assemblies.

1 . An inflow control device for use in controlling the flow of fluid into a production tubing in a subterranean wellbore, comprising:
 a body with two ends comprising inner and outer concentric tubular members with an annulus between said members, where the annulus is closed at one end of the body and is open at the other end of the body;   an opening formed in the inner tubular member proximate the end of the body which is closed;   a wall which is disposed in the annulus between the first and second ends of the body; and   an orifice having an opening which is adjustable in size and which is disposed in the wall in the annulus to permit communication of fluid from one end of the body to the other.   
   
   
       2 . The inflow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable orifice comprises a variable pressure control valve. 
   
   
       3 . The inflow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable orifice comprises a variable relief valve. 
   
   
       4 . The inflow control device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable orifice comprises an opening formed in the wall between the first and second ends of the body and a movable plate for covering a portion of the opening to regulate the flow of fluid through the opening. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus for use in controlling the flow of fluid between a subterranean wellbore and a production tubing in the subterranean wellbore, comprising:
 a plurality of sand screen assemblies which are connected together in tandem where an uninterrupted fluid flow path exists through said sand screen assemblies; and   an inflow control device which is coupled to the upstream end of the plurality of sand screen assemblies for controlling flow of fluid between the production tubing and the wellbore.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the inflow control device comprises:
 a body with two ends comprising inner and outer concentric tubular members with an annulus between said members, where the annulus is closed at one end of the body and is open at the other end of the body;   an opening formed in the inner tubular member proximate the end of the body which is closed;   a wall which is disposed in the annulus between the first and second ends of the body; and   an orifice which is disposed in the wall in the annulus ends to permit communication of fluid from one end of the body to the other, said orifice having an opening which is variable in size.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the orifice comprises a variable pressure control valve. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the orifice comprises a variable relief valve. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the adjustable orifice comprises an opening formed in the wall between the first and second ends of the body and a movable plate for adjusting the size of the opening through which fluid may flow. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus for use in controlling the flow of fluid between a subterranean wellbore and a production tubing in the subterranean wellbore, comprising:
 a tubular member which includes sand screen apparatus; and   an inflow control device which is manufactured separately from the tubular member and which coupled to the upstream end of the tubular member for controlling flow of fluid between the wellbore and the production tubing.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the inflow control device comprises:
 a body with two ends comprising inner and outer concentric tubular members with an annulus between said members, where the annulus is closed at one end of the body and is open at the other end of the body;   an opening formed in the inner tubular member proximate the end of the body which is closed;   a wall which is disposed in the annulus between the first and second ends of the body; and   an orifice which is disposed in the wall in the annulus ends to permit communication of fluid from one end of the body to the other, said orifice having an opening which is variable in size.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the orifice comprises a variable pressure control valve. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the orifice comprises a variable relief valve. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustable orifice comprises an opening formed in the wall between the first and second ends of the body and a movable plate for adjusting the size of the opening through which fluid may flow.