Flow control device for production tubing

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling the flow of reservoir fluids into production tubing comprises abase pipe, a screen, a nozzle being adapted to receive filtered reservoir fluids passing through the screen, and a diverter adapted to receive the fluids from the nozzle and to divert such fluids into a port extending into the base pipe. The nozzle includes at least one converging-diverging section, whereby pressure of the fluids passing there-through is reduced.

1 . An apparatus for controlling flow of fluids from a subterranean reservoir into production tubing provided in a well in the reservoir, the apparatus comprising:
 a base pipe, adapted to be connected to the production tubing, the base pipe having a first end and a second end and at least one port extending through the wall thereof for conducting reservoir fluids into the base pipe;   a screen for filtering reservoir fluids entering the port, the screen being provided on the outer surface of the base pipe;   a nozzle provided between the screen and the port, the nozzle having a nozzle channel for receiving fluids filtered by the screen, the nozzle channel extending between an inlet and an outlet of the nozzle;   the nozzle channel having a throat provided downstream of the nozzle inlet and a diverging section downstream of the throat, whereby the nozzle channel is provided with a converging-diverging profile; and,   a diverter provided adjacent the nozzle outlet for diverting fluid exiting the nozzle into the port, the diverter having a diverter channel extending between an inlet, adapted to receive fluids exiting the nozzle outlet, and an outlet fluidly connected to the port on the base pipe, whereby fluids exiting the diverter enter the port.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle channel includes an outlet section downstream of the diverging section, the outlet section having a constant cross-sectional area extending to the nozzle outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle channel is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter channel comprises an inlet portion aligned with the nozzle channel and an outlet portion aligned with the port. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the diverter channel comprises an elbow extending from the diverter inlet to the diverter outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the diverter outlet has a larger cross-sectional area than the diverter inlet and wherein the cross-sectional area of the diverter channel increases in a direction from the diverter inlet to the diverter outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the diverter channel comprises an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the inlet portion and outlet portion being joined at an elbow, the inlet portion extending from the diverter inlet and being generally aligned with the nozzle channel, the outlet portion extending from the elbow to the diverter outlet. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the inlet portion of the diverter channel has a constant cross-sectional area and wherein the cross-sectional area of the outlet portion increases in the direction from the elbow to the diverter outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the outlet portion of the diverter channel is angled with respect to the inlet portion of the diverter channel. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the outlet portion of the diverter channel has a conical or frustoconical shape. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base pipe includes a first recess to receive the diverter. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base pipe includes a second recess to receive the nozzle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the screen is retained on the base pipe with one or more collars and wherein at least one of said collars overlaps the nozzle and the diverter. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one collar includes a first recess to receive the diverter. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one collar includes a second recess to receive the nozzle. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle channel comprises a smooth surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle channel comprises a stepped surface. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter channel comprises a smooth surface. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter channel comprises a stepped surface. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter includes a recess adapted to receive the nozzle outlet. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter and the nozzle are separate elements. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for controlling flow of fluids from a subterranean reservoir into production tubing provided in a well in the reservoir, the apparatus comprising:
 a base pipe, adapted to be connected to the production tubing, the base pipe having a first end and a second end and at least one port extending through the wall thereof for conducting reservoir fluids into the base pipe;   a screen for filtering reservoir fluids entering the port, the screen being provided on the outer surface of the base pipe; and,   a nozzle provided between the screen and the port, the nozzle having a nozzle channel for receiving fluids filtered by the screen, the nozzle channel extending between an inlet and an outlet of the nozzle;   the nozzle channel having: a throat provided downstream of the nozzle inlet; a diverging section downstream of the throat; and, an outlet section downstream of the diverging section; the outlet section extending to the nozzle outlet and having a constant cross-sectional area.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the nozzle channel is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base pipe. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the base pipe includes a recess to receive the nozzle. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the screen is retained on the base pipe with one or more collars and wherein at least one of the collars overlaps the nozzle. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one collar includes a recess to receive the nozzle. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the nozzle channel comprises a smooth surface. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the nozzle channel comprises a stepped surface.