Inflow control devices with multi-flow port capabilities

Abstract

A well system includes a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, production tubing extended into the wellbore and terminating at a completion string, and one or more inflow control devices forming part of the completion string. The inflow control device includes a base pipe defining one or more first flow ports and one or more second flow ports axially spaced from the first flow ports. A first flow regulation device is arranged within the base pipe and actuatable to expose or occlude the first flow ports, and a second flow regulation device is arranged within the base pipe and actuatable to expose or occlude the second flow ports. A downhole shifting device is operable to independently manipulate a position of the first and second flow regulation devices and thereby selectively expose or occlude the first or second flow ports.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A well system, comprising:
 a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation;   production tubing extended into the wellbore and terminating at a completion string;   one or more inflow control devices forming part of the completion string, each inflow control device including:
 a base pipe defining one or more first flow ports and one or more second flow ports axially spaced from the one or more first flow ports, each flow port facilitating fluid communication between the subterranean formation and an interior of the base pipe; 
 a first flow regulation device arranged within the base pipe and actuatable to expose or occlude the one or more first flow ports; 
 a second flow regulation device arranged within the base pipe and actuatable to expose or occlude the one or more second flow ports; and 
 a downhole shifting device operable to independently manipulate a position of the first and second flow regulation devices and thereby selectively expose or occlude the one or more first or second flow ports, 
   wherein positioning the first flow regulation device such that the one or more first flow ports are exposed, while simultaneously positioning the second flow regulation device such that the one or more second flow ports are occluded results in the inflow control device operating at 50% capacity.   
     
     
         2 . The well system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sand control screen assembly disposed about an exterior of the base pipe and in fluid communication with the one or more first and second flow ports, the sand control screen assembly including:
 first and second end rings axially spaced from each other on the exterior of the base pipe; and   a sand screen that extends between the first and second end rings.   
     
     
         3 . The well system of  claim 1 , wherein the first flow regulation device comprises a first sliding sleeve movable between an open position, where the one or more first flow ports are exposed, and a closed position, where the one or more first flow ports are occluded by the first sliding sleeve, and
 wherein the second flow regulation device comprises a second sliding sleeve movable between an open position, where the one or more second flow ports are exposed, and a closed position, where the one or more second flow ports are occluded by the second sliding sleeve.   
     
     
         4 . The well system of  claim 3 , wherein each sliding sleeve is received within a corresponding recess defined in the inner radial surface, and wherein each recess defines a first shoulder configured to stop uphole movement of the first and second sliding sleeves and a second shoulder configured to stop downhole movement of the first and second sliding sleeves. 
     
     
         5 . The well system of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole shifting device is conveyable downhole to the base pipe using a conveyance. 
     
     
         6 . The well system of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole shifting device is pumped downhole to the base pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The well system of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole shifting device is selected from the group consisting of a mechanical actuator, an electric actuator, an electromechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The well system of  claim 1 , wherein the downhole shifting device provides one or more actuatable dogs configured to locate and mate with corresponding profiles defined by the first and second flow regulation devices. 
     
     
         9 . The well system of  claim 8 , wherein the profile of the first flow regulation device differs from the profile of the second flow regulation device. 
     
     
         10 . The well system of  claim 8 , wherein an axial load provided by the downhole shifting device is transferred to the first and second flow regulation devices upon mating the one or more actuatable dogs with the corresponding profiles of the first and second flow regulation devices. 
     
     
         11 . The well system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more actuatable dogs are hydraulically actuatable to extend radially outward. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a well system, comprising:
 receiving a formation fluid from a subterranean formation into an inflow control device, the inflow control device forming part of a completion string arranged within a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, wherein the inflow control device includes:
 a base pipe defining one or more first flow ports and one or more second flow ports axially spaced from the one or more first flow ports, each flow port facilitating fluid communication between the subterranean formation and an interior of the base pipe; 
 a first flow regulation device arranged within the base pipe and actuatable to expose or occlude the one or more first flow ports; 
 a second flow regulation device disposed within the base pipe and actuatable to expose or occlude the one or more second flow ports; and 
 a downhole shifting device operable to independently manipulate a position of the first and second flow regulation devices; 
   operating the downhole shifting device to move the first flow regulation device from an open position, where the one or more first flow ports are exposed, to a closed position, where the one or more first flow ports are occluded by the first flow regulation device; and   flowing the formation fluids into the interior of the base pipe via only the one or more second flow ports and thereby operating the inflow control device at 50% capacity.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first flow regulation device comprises a first sliding sleeve defining a first profile, and the downhole shifting device provides one or more actuatable dogs, and wherein operating the downhole shifting device comprises:
 actuating the one or more actuatable dogs;   locating the first profile with the one or more actuatable dogs and mating the one or more actuatable dogs with the first profile; and   applying an axial load on the first sliding sleeve with the downhole shifting device and thereby moving the first sliding sleeve to the closed position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second flow regulation device comprises a second sliding sleeve defining a second profile, and wherein operating the downhole shifting device further comprises:
 actuating the one or more actuatable dogs;   locating the second profile with the one or more actuatable dogs and mating the one or more actuatable dogs with the second profile; and   applying an axial load on the second sliding sleeve with the downhole shifting device and thereby moving the second sliding sleeve to a closed position, where the one or more second flow ports are occluded by the second sliding sleeve.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein operating the downhole shifting device is preceded by conveying the downhole shifting device to the base pipe using a conveyance.