Multiple in-flow control devices and methods for using same

Abstract

An apparatus controls flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore using a particulate control device configured to be disposed in the wellbore and at least two parallel and directionally opposing flow paths in fluid communication with the particulate control device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus, comprising:
 a particulate control device configured to be disposed in the wellbore; and   at least two parallel and directionally opposing flow paths in fluid communication with the particulate control device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least two flow paths are configured to generate a substantially greater pressure drop than the particulate control device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a first flow path of the at least two flow paths is in fluid communication with a first end of the particulate control device and a second flow path of the at least two flow paths is in fluid communication with a second end of the particulate control device, the first and second ends being at opposite ends of the particulate control device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the particulate control device includes a fluid impermeable base pipe portion radially inward of the particulate control device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two flow paths are configured to generate a minimum flow into the particulate control device at a substantially medial location along the particulate control device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the particulate control device is configured to generate two fluid streams flowing in axially opposing directions. 
     
     
         7 . A method for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus, comprising:
 separating a fluid flowing from a formation surrounding the wellbore into at least two parallel streams flowing in opposing directions; and   generating a pressure drop in the at least two streams.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising filtering the fluid before separating the fluid into at least two parallel streams. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  further comprising generating a substantially greater pressure drop in the at least two streams than during filtering. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the fluid is filtered at a selected location in the wellbore, and the pressure drops are generated uphole and downhole of the selected location. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising receiving a gas from the formation, the gas being the fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the gas is received through an open annular space. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein a particulate control device is configured to separate the fluid. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling a flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore annulus, comprising:
 separating a fluid flowing between the wellbore annulus and a bore of the wellbore tubular into at least two parallel streams flowing in opposing directions; and   generating a pressure drop in the at least two streams.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising filtering the fluid before separating the fluid into at least two parallel streams. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  further comprising generating a substantially greater pressure drop in the at least two streams than during filtering. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising flowing the fluid from the bore of the wellbore tubular to the wellbore annulus.