Adjustable orfice in flow control device (icd)

Abstract

An inflow control device (ICD) includes an annular body having an outer surface and an inner surface. An annular recess extends along the inner surface. An opening extends through the outer surface into the annular recess, and a removable orifice plug is arranged in the opening. The removable orifice plug includes a body member having an annular wall including a first end arranged at the outer surface and a second end extending through the annular recess. The removable orifice plug further includes an orifice passage extending into the annular body from the second end and at least one channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.

1 . An inflow control device (ICD) comprising:
 an annular body including an outer surface and an inner surface;   an annular recess extending along the inner surface;   an opening extending through the outer surface into the annular recess; and   a removable orifice plug arranged in the opening, the removable orifice plug including a body member having an annular wall including a first end arranged at the outer surface and a second end extending through the annular recess, the orifice plug further including an orifice passage extending into the annular body from the second end and at least one channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice.   
     
     
         2 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a threaded section and the first end of the orifice plug includes a threaded portion configured to engage with the threaded section to retain the orifice plug to the annular body. 
     
     
         3 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , further comprising: an annular groove formed about the second end, the annular groove configured and disposed to receive an O-ring seal positioned to seal against a surface of a tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a retaining element arranged in the opening, the retaining element restricting radial outward movement of the orifice plug. 
     
     
         5 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , further comprising: an annular groove formed about the first end and an O-ring seal nested in the annular groove, the O-ring seal sealing between the orifice plug and the annular body. 
     
     
         6 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , wherein the orifice plug is formed from at least one of a ceramic material and a tungsten carbide material. 
     
     
         7 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice and a second channel off-set from the first channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice. 
     
     
         8 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a slotted opening having a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         9 . The ICD according to  claim 1 , wherein the orifice passage is defined by a removable orifice element arranged in the removable orifice plug. 
     
     
         10 . A tubular member comprising:
 an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion that defines a fluid conduit;   a passage extending through the outer surface portion and the inner surface portion;   a sand screen mounted about the tubular member adjacent the passage; and   an inflow control device (ICD) positioned about the tubular member over the passage and at least a portion of the sand screen, the ICD comprising:
 an annular body including an outer surface and an inner surface; 
 an annular recess extending along the inner surface; 
 an opening extending through the outer surface into the annular recess, the opening registering with the passage; and 
 a removable orifice plug arranged in the opening, the removable orifice plug including a body member having an annular wall including a first end arranged at the outer surface and a second end extending through the annular recess and extending into the passage, the orifice plug further including an orifice passage extending into the annular body from the second end and at least one channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice. 
   
     
     
         11 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , wherein the opening includes a threaded section and the first end of the orifice plug includes a threaded portion configured to engage with the threaded section to retain the orifice plug to the annular body. 
     
     
         12 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , further comprising: an annular groove formed about the second end, the annular groove configured and disposed to receive an O-ring seal positioned to seal against an inner surface of the passage. 
     
     
         13 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , further comprising: a recess having an inner wall formed in the outer surface portion of the tubular member about the passage, the O-ring seal being arranged against the inner wall of the recess. 
     
     
         14 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , further comprising: a retaining element arranged in the opening, the retaining element restricting radial outward movement of the orifice plug. 
     
     
         15 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , further comprising: an annular groove formed about the first end and an O-ring seal nested in the annular groove, the O-ring seal sealing between the orifice plug and the annular body. 
     
     
         16 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , wherein the orifice plug is formed from at least one of a ceramic material and a tungsten carbide material. 
     
     
         17 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one channel includes a first channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice and a second channel off-set from the first channel extending through the annular wall into the orifice. 
     
     
         18 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a slotted opening having a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         19 . The tubular member according to  claim 10 , wherein the orifice passage is defined in a removable orifice element arranged in the removable orifice plug.