Flow control using a tortuous path

Abstract

Generally, an apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a flow conduit and a structure defining a tortuous fluid path proximate the flow conduit, where the tortuous fluid path receives a flow of fluid. The tortuous fluid path is defined by at least first and second members of the structure, and the first and second members are movable with respect to each other to adjust a cross-sectional flow area of the tortuous fluid path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in a wellbore, comprising:
 a flow conduit; and   a structure defining a tortuous fluid path proximate the flow conduit, the tortuous fluid path to receive a flow of fluid from the flow conduit, wherein the tortuous fluid path is defined by at least first and second members of the structure, and the first and second members are rotatable with respect to each other to adjust a cross-sectional flow area of the tortuous fluid path.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second members are threadably connected to each other to enable relative rotation of the first and second members to adjust the cross-sectional flow area of the tortuous fluid path. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second members have respective threads to enable threaded rotation of the first and second members relative to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein tooth widths of the threads of the first member vary. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein tooth widths of the threads of the second member vary. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the threads of the first member have a constant pitch. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the threads of the first member have varying diameters. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow conduit is a first flow conduit, the apparatus further comprising a second flow conduit,
 wherein different cross-sectional flow areas provided by different relative positions of the first and second members provide corresponding different flow restrictions for the flow of fluid through the tortuous fluid path from the first flow conduit to the second flow conduit.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pipe and a screen around the pipe, wherein the structure is located proximate the screen to receive the flow of fluid that has passed through the screen and through an annulus between the screen and the pipe, wherein the flow conduit includes the annulus. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the screen comprises a sand screen. 
     
     
         11 . A system for use in a well having plural zones, comprising:
 plural flow control devices for placement in the corresponding zones, wherein each of at least some of the plural flow control device comprises:
 a flow conduit; and 
 a structure defining a tortuous flow path proximate the flow conduit, wherein the structure has members rotatable relative to each other to adjust a cross-sectional flow area of the tortuous flow path. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least some of the plural flow control devices are configured to have tortuous flow paths of different cross-sectional flow areas for adjusting flow restriction through the at least some flow control devices in corresponding zones. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the flow control devices are adjustable using one of an intervention mechanism and an intervention-less mechanism to adjust corresponding cross-sectional flow areas. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second members have respective threads to enable threaded rotation of the first and second members relative to each other. 
     
     
         15 . A method for use in a well, comprising:
 positioning a flow control device in the well, wherein the flow control device has a tortuous flow path to define a flow restriction of the flow control device, and wherein the tortuous flow path is defined by members of a structure that are rotatable with respect to each other to adjust a cross-sectional flow area of the tortuous flow path; and   rotating the members relative to each other to adjust the cross-sectional flow area.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein rotating the members of the structure is performed prior to inserting the flow control device into the well. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein rotating the members of the structure to adjust the cross-sectional flow area is performed after inserting the flow control device into the well. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein rotating the members of the structure is performed by rotating the members that are threadably coupled to each other.