Thermally activated autonomous inflow control device

Abstract

A system includes an inflow control device (ICD) that modulates an inflow of hydrocarbons within the wellbore and a sleeve. The sleeve is slidably disposed adjacent to the ICD and connected to an elastic material with a thermal memory. The elastic material changes its shape based on a change in temperature. Based on (i) the elastic material being in a compressed state below a temperature threshold and (ii) the sleeve being at a first position relative to the ICD, the elastic material allows a fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore. Based on (i) the elastic material being in a stretched state at or above the temperature threshold and (ii) the sleeve being at a second position relative to the ICD, the elastic material blocks the fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore.

1 . A system for controlling a flow of fluid within a wellbore, the system comprising:
 an inflow control device (ICD) configured to modulate an inflow of hydrocarbons within the wellbore;   a sleeve that is (i) slidably disposed adjacent to the ICD and (ii) connected to an elastic material with a thermal memory, wherein the elastic material changes its shape based on a change in temperature; and   a sliding rail that is disposed within the ICD and guides a sliding of the sleeve,   wherein the sleeve is configured to:
 based on (i) the elastic material being in a compressed state below a temperature threshold and (ii) the sleeve being at a first position relative to the ICD, allow a fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore, and 
 based on (i) the elastic material being in a stretched state at or above the temperature threshold and (ii) the sleeve being at a second position relative to the ICD, block the fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, the second position corresponds to a position where the sleeve is slid into the ICD, thereby shutting the fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, based on a fluid having a temperature at or above the threshold heating up the elastic material, the elastic material stretches out from the compressed state to the stretched state, and
 wherein, based on the elastic material being stretched, the sleeve is moved from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid includes formation water. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the elastic material is a wire made of nitinol or nickel and titanium mixture. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the wire is in a form of a spring. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein, based on a change in a composition ratio of nickel and titanium of the elastic material, the threshold temperature changes and the sleeve moves to the second position based on changed threshold temperature. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising:
 an inflow control device (ICD) configured to modulate an inflow of hydrocarbons within a wellbore;   a sleeve that is (i) slidably disposed adjacent to the ICD and (ii) connected to an elastic material with a thermal memory, wherein the elastic material changes its shape based on a change in temperature; and   a sliding rail that is disposed within the ICD and guides a sliding of the sleeve,   wherein the sleeve is configured to:
 based on (i) the elastic material being in a compressed state below a temperature threshold and (ii) the sleeve being at a first position relative to the ICD, allow a fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore, and 
 based on (i) the elastic material being in a stretched state at or above the temperature threshold and (ii) the sleeve being at a second position relative to the ICD, block the fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore, and 
   wherein one or more elastomeric seals are attached to the sleeve and configured to seal against the sliding rail.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing that is disposed within the wellbore and defines an opening that is in fluid communication with outside the wellbore, wherein the ICD and the sleeve are disposed within the housing.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a casing disposed within the wellbore, wherein the housing is integrated into the casing.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the housing is disposed within the casing. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 using an elastic material with a thermal memory, a sleeve disposed adjacent to the elastic material, and a sliding rail disposed within an inflow control device (ICD) to control fluid communication between the ICD and outside a wellbore,   wherein using the elastic material, the sleeve, and the ICD comprises:
 based on (i) the elastic material being in a compressed state below a temperature threshold and (ii) the sleeve being at a first position relative to the ICD, allow the fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore, and 
 based on (i) the elastic material being in a stretched state at or above the temperature threshold and (ii) the sliding rail guiding the sleeve to move to a second position relative to the ICD, block the fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein, based on a fluid having a temperature at or above the threshold heating up the elastic material, the elastic material stretches out from the compressed state to the stretched state, and
 wherein, based on the elastic material being stretched, the sleeve is moved from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid includes formation water. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the elastic material is a wire made of nitinol or nickel and titanium mixture. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the wire is in a form of a spring. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein one or more elastomeric seals are attached to the sleeve and configured to seal against the sliding rail. 
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 receiving a fluid including a formulation water within a wellbore; and   based on (i) a temperature of the formulation water heating up an elastic material disposed adjacent to an inflow control device (ICD) at or over a threshold temperature, (ii) the elastic material being stretched out to move a sleeve that is connected to the elastic material to a target position based on the threshold temperature, and (iii) a sliding rail disposed within the ICD guiding the sleeve to move to the target position, shutting a fluid communication between the ICD and outside the wellbore,   wherein one or more elastomeric seals are attached to the sleeve and configured to seal against the sliding rail.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the elastic material is a wire made of nitinol or nickel and titanium mixture. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein, based on a change in a composition ratio of nickel and titanium of the elastic material, the threshold temperature changes and the sleeve moves to the target position based on changed threshold temperature.