Downhole flow control apparatus

Abstract

There is provided a downhole flow control apparatus comprising: a housing; a port extending through the housing; a passage disposed within the housing for conducting material to and from the port; a flow control member displaceable relative to the port; and a flow control member actuator configured for producing a pressurized fluid for urging the displacement of the flow control member.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A downhole flow control apparatus comprising;
 a housing;   a port extending through the housing;   a passage disposed within the housing for conducting material to and from the port;   a flow control member displaceable relative to the port; and   a flow control member actuator configured for producing a pressurized fluid for urging the displacement of the flow control member.   
     
     
         28 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 ;
 wherein the pressurized fluid that is producible by the flow control member actuator is a pressurized gaseous material.   
     
     
         29 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a controller configured for determining a subsurface condition;   wherein the flow control member actuator is coupled to the controller such that the generating of the pressurized fluid is effectible based on the determination of a subsurface condition by the controller.   
     
     
         30 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 ;
 wherein:   the pressurized fluid is producible, for urging displacement of the flow control member from the closed position to the open position based on the determination, by the controller, of a subsurface condition that is a flow control member opening condition; and   the pressurized fluid is producible, for urging displacement of the flow control member from the open position to the closed position, based on the determination, by the controller, of a subsurface condition that is a flow control member closing condition.   
     
     
         31 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 :
 wherein:   the flow control member actuator includes an opening actuator and a closing actuator;   the opening actuator is configured to effect generation of a pressurized fluid such that the displacement of the flow control member, from the closed position to the open position, is effected by the generated pressurized fluid; and   the closing actuator is configured to effect generation of a pressurized fluid such that the displacement of the flow control member, from the closed position to the open position, is effected by the generated pressurized fluid.   
     
     
         32 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 ;
 wherein:   the pressurized fluid that is producible by the opening actuator is a pressurized gaseous material; and   the pressurized fluid that is producible by the closing actuator is a pressurized gaseous material.   
     
     
         33 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 ;
 wherein:   the opening actuator includes a first squib; and   the closing actuator includes a second squib.   
     
     
         34 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a first chamber and a second chamber;   wherein:   the opening actuator, the first chamber, and the flow control member are co-operatively configured such that, the pressurized fluid, producible by the opening actuator, is conductible to the first chamber for communication to the flow control member for such that the displacement of the flow control member, from the closed position to the open position, is effectible by urging by the pressurized fluid; and   the closing actuator, the second chamber, and the flow control member are co-operatively configured such that, a pressurized fluid, producible by the closing actuator, is conductible to the second chamber for communication to the flow control member such that the displacement of the flow control member, from the open position to the closed position, is effectible by urging by the pressurized fluid.   
     
     
         35 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , further comprising:
 a sealing interface;   wherein fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber is sealed, or substantially sealed, by the sealing interface.   
     
     
         36 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a controller configured for determining a subsurface condition, and to operate the opening actuator, upon determination of a flow control member opening condition by the controller, to effect generation of the pressurized fluid by the opening actuator;   and to operate the closing actuator, upon determination of a flow control member closing condition by the controller, to effect generation of the pressurized fluid by the opening actuator.   
     
     
         37 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 ;
 wherein the flow control member includes a sleeve that is slideably disposed within the housing.   
     
     
         38 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 ;
 wherein the flow control member, the port, and the passage are co-operatively configured such that, while the flow control apparatus is disposed within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, the displaceability of the flow control member relative to the port is such that at least a change in the degree of interference to fluid communication, via the port, between the subterranean formation and the passage, is effected by the displacement.   
     
     
         39 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 ;
 wherein the flow control member, the port, and the passage are co-operatively configured such that, while: (i) the flow control apparatus is disposed within a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation, and (ii) treatment material is being flowed through the passage, the displaceability of the flow control member relative to the port is such that a change in at least the degree of restriction to fluid flow, via the one or more ports, between the subterranean formation and the passage, is effected by the displacement.   
     
     
         40 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 27 ;
 wherein the flow control member, the port, and the passage are co-operatively configured such that:   while: (i) the flow control apparatus is disposed within a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation, and (ii) the flow control member is disposed in a closed position, a sealed interface is defined such that fluid communication, via the port, between the subterranean formation and the passage, is sealed or substantially sealed; and   while: (i) the flow control apparatus is disposed within a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation, and (ii) the flow control member is disposed in an open position, the passage is disposed in fluid communication with the subterranean formation via the port.   
     
     
         41 . The downhole flow control apparatus as claimed in  claim 29 , further comprising:
 a sensor configured for sensing a subsurface condition;   wherein the sensor is coupled to the controller for transmitting a signal to the controller based on the sensing of the subsurface condition.   
     
     
         42 . A downhole flow control apparatus comprising;
 a housing;   a port extending through the housing;   a passage disposed within the housing for conducting material to and from the port;   a flow control member displaceable relative to the port for effecting opening of the port;   a flow control member actuator configured for effecting the displacement of the flow control member; and   a controller configured to determine completion of a wellbore stimulation stage, and upon the determination, to operate the flow control member actuator to effect the displacement of the flow control member such that the port becomes opened.