Method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids into wellbore tubulars

摘要

A flow restriction device for controlling flow of a fluid into a wellbore tubular from a production zone. The device comprises a housing and at least one divergent passageway having a throat section and a divergent section disposed within the housing, wherein the average angle of divergence in the divergent section is between 2° and 40°. Fluid is directed from the production zone, through the divergent passageway and into the wellbore. The divergent passageway may or may not comprise a convergent section before the throat. Also described is a flow restriction device in which the discharged flow is aligned at an angle of between 0 and 60 degrees of the direction of flow within the wellbore tubular. The flow restriction device is used to control distributed fluid flow into a wellbore tubular.

主权项

1. An apparatus for controlling flow of a fluid into a wellbore tubular from a production zone comprising:
a) a housing connectable to the wellbore tubular adjacent to the production zone and b) divergent passageway disposed within the housing between:
i) a first opening in the housing for entry of the fluid from the production zone into the divergent passageway, andii) a second opening in the housing for exit of the fluid from the divergent passageway and into a bore of the wellbore tubular, c) the divergent passageway comprising:
i) a throat disposed at the first opening or between the first opening and the second opening, the throat opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the second opening, andii) a divergent section disposed between the throat and the second opening, the divergent section having a gradual increase in cross-sectional area from the throat and the second opening, andhaving an average angle of divergence between 2° and 40°.