Inflow control solutions for wellbores

Abstract

A selectively openable inflow control sub includes a sliding sleeve valve slidable within an inner bore of the sub between a closed-port position, closing the inflow port, and an open-port position, opening the inflow port to fluid flow therethrough, the sliding sleeve valve is axially moveable from the closed-port position to the open-port position by pushing the sleeve with a mill string.

1 . A selectively openable inflow control sub comprising:
 a tubular body including a wall defining an outer surface and an inner bore, an inflow port through the wall of the tubular body, an inflow controller to control inflow through the inflow port and a sliding sleeve valve slidable within the inner bore between a closed-port position, closing the inflow port, and an open-port position, opening the inflow port to fluid flow therethrough, the sliding sleeve valve being axially moveable from the closed-port position and the open-port position by pushing the sleeve with a mill string.   
     
     
         2 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 1  wherein the sliding sleeve valve includes a mill protrusion that defines a diameter less than an outer diameter of the mill string. 
     
     
         3 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 2  wherein the diameter at the mill protrusion is less than a drift diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 2  wherein the mill protrusion is an annular protrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 2  wherein the mill protrusion has a frustoconical upper surface. 
     
     
         6 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 1  wherein the sliding sleeve valve is held in the closed-port position by a releasable lock selected to be overcome by the force applied by a mill string. 
     
     
         7 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 1  further comprising a stop wall in the inner bore and positioned downhole of the sliding sleeve valve, the stop wall positioned to stop axial movement of the sliding sleeve valve when it reaches the open-port position. 
     
     
         8 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 7  wherein the stop wall is a portion of the wall. 
     
     
         9 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 7  wherein the stop wall is an end of a sleeve valve positioned downhole of the sliding sleeve valve. 
     
     
         10 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 7  wherein the inner bore is free of obstructions to the axial sliding movement of the sleeve between the closed-port position and the stop wall. 
     
     
         11 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 1  further comprising a shifting profile on the sliding sleeve valve. 
     
     
         12 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 1  further comprising a frac port through the wall, the frac port axially spaced from the inflow port. 
     
     
         13 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 12  further comprising a sleeve valve in the inner bore and being moveable from a closed position overlying the frac port to an open position, retracted at least in part from the frac port. 
     
     
         14 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 13  further comprising a ball seat on the sleeve valve for catching a ball launched to move the sleeve valve hydraulically. 
     
     
         15 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 12  wherein the sliding sleeve valve overlies the frac port in the open-port position. 
     
     
         16 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 12  further comprising a closing sleeve moveable to overlie the frac port, when the sleeve valve is in the open position. 
     
     
         17 . The selectively openable inflow control sub of  claim 16  further comprising a first shifting profile on the sliding sleeve valve and a second shifting profile on the closing sleeve, and the first shifting profile has a form different from the second shifting profile such that a tool that engages the first shifting profile cannot engage the second shifting profile. 
     
     
         18 . A method for a wellbore operation, the method comprising:
 running a tubing string into a wellbore to a desired position for treating the wellbore;   running a mill through the tubing string to apply an axially directed force to a sliding sleeve valve to move the sliding sleeve valve axially through the tubing string from one position to another position; and removing the mill from the tubing string.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the axially directed force is applied as the mill is run down into the tubing string. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the sliding sleeve valve controls the open and closed condition of a fluid port and the force moves the sleeve to open or close the fluid port. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the axially directed force moves the sliding sleeve valve to open a port controlled by the sliding sleeve valve and permitting fluid to pass from the wellbore into the tubing string through the port. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising controlling inflow through the port. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the axially directed force is applied to a protrusion on the sliding sleeve valve that protrudes into the path of the mill. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising milling through the protrusion. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising pushing the sliding sleeve valve against a stop and milling through the protrusion. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising opening a frac port in the tubing string by applying a force to a first sliding sleeve valve for the frac port; and injecting stimulating fluids through the frac port.