Downhole Fluid Flow Control System and Method having Autonomous Flow Control

摘要

A downhole fluid flow control system and method includes a fluid control module having a main fluid pathway, a valve element and a pressure sensing module. The valve element has open and closed positions relative to the main fluid pathway to allow and prevent fluid flow therethrough. The pressure sensing module includes a secondary fluid pathway in parallel with the main fluid pathway having an upstream pressure sensing location and a downstream pressure sensing location. In operation, the valve element moves between open and closed positions responsive to a pressure difference between pressure signals from the upstream and downstream pressure sensing locations. The pressure difference is dependent upon the viscosity of a fluid flowing through the secondary fluid pathway such that the viscosity is operable to control fluid flow through the main fluid pathway.

主权项

1. A downhole fluid flow control system comprising:
a fluid control module having a main fluid pathway; a valve element disposed within the fluid control module, the valve element having a first position wherein fluid flow through the main fluid pathway is allowed and a second position wherein fluid flow through the main fluid pathway is prevented; and a pressure sensing module including a secondary fluid pathway tuned to enhance viscous losses that is in parallel with the main fluid pathway, the pressure sensing module having an upstream pressure sensing location and a downstream pressure sensing location; wherein, the valve element is moved between the first and second positions responsive to a pressure difference between pressure signals from the upstream and downstream pressure sensing locations; and wherein, the pressure difference is dependent upon the viscosity of a fluid flowing through the secondary fluid pathway such that the viscosity of the fluid is operable to control fluid flow through the main fluid pathway.