Fully integrated flow control module

Abstract

A system and method for a fully-integrated flow control module (FI-FCM) in a hydrocarbon reservoir is disclosed. The FI-FCM is a unibody structure or a single-piece machined body having a flow meter integrated to the unibody structure. A choke is to be associated within a provision of the FI-FCM that also has an entry flow path for reservoir fluid and an exit flow path for the reservoir fluid. The entry flow path and the exit flow path inside the unibody structure or the single-piece machined body. Fluid communication is enabled between the flow meter, which is upstream relative to the choke, and an entry flow path. The choke is to control flow between the entry flow path and the exit flow path.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for a fully-integrated flow control module (FI-FCM) in a hydrocarbon reservoir, the system comprising:
 a single-piece machined body forming the FI-FCM and comprising a choke and a flow meter, the flow meter located upstream relative to the choke; and   an exit flow path for reservoir fluid inside the FI-FCM, the exit flow path comprising a section which is horizontal with respect to the axis of a wellbore of the hydrocarbon reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a provision that is inside the FI-FCM, wherein the provision is for the choke and is to enable the choke to access the FI-FCM in only one direction that is vertical with respect to the axis of the wellbore of the hydrocarbon reservoir.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flow meter is in fluid communication with an entry flow path and with the exit flow path to control a flow between the entry flow path and the exit flow path. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the FI-FCM further comprises, integrated therewith, one or more sensors for one or more of salinity measurements, sand detection, erosion monitoring, pressure monitoring, or temperature monitoring. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the FI-FCM further comprises, integrated therewith, a feature for injection applications of well fluid or intervention fluid to be injected into a well associated with the hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the FI-FCM is further adapted for multiphase flow measurements or single-phase flow measurements based in part on an application of the FI-FCM. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an indicating or transmitting component of the flow meter to transmit flow information remotely from the FI-FCM.   
     
     
         8 . A method for a fully-integrated flow control module (FI-FCM) in a hydrocarbon reservoir, the method comprising:
 providing a single-piece machined body forming the FI-FCM to be associated with a wellbore of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the single-piece machined body comprising a provision for a choke, comprising a flow meter, and comprising an exit flow path, the exit flow path comprising a section which is horizontal with respect to an axis of the wellbore, wherein the flow meter is located upstream relative to the provision for the choke;   associating the FI-FCM with the wellbore of the hydrocarbon reservoir; and   enabling flow of reservoir fluid through the FI-FCM and to exit the exit flow path through the section which is horizontal.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the provision is to enable the choke to access the FI-FCM in only one direction that is vertical with respect to the axis of the wellbore of the hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the flow meter is in fluid communication with an entry flow path and with the exit flow path, the method further comprising:
 controlling the flow of the reservoir fluid between the entry flow path and the exit flow path using the choke.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the FI-FCM further comprises, integrated therewith, one or more sensors for one or more of salinity measurements, sand detection, erosion monitoring, pressure monitoring, or temperature monitoring. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the FI-FCM further comprises, integrated therewith, a feature for injection applications of well fluid or intervention fluid to be injected into a well associated with the hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the FI-FCM is further adapted for multiphase flow measurements or single-phase flow measurements based in part on an application of the FI-FCM. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 transmitting information about the flow remotely from the FI-FCM using an indicating or transmitting component of the flow meter.   
     
     
         15 . A method for a fully-integrated flow control module (FI-FCM) in a hydrocarbon reservoir, the method comprising:
 machining the FI-FCM as a single-piece machined body which comprises a flow meter integrated in the single-piece machined body, comprises an exit flow path with a section which is horizontal with respect to an axis of a wellbore with which the FI-FCM is to be used, and comprises a provision that is inside the FI-FCM for associating a choke within the provision, wherein the flow meter is located upstream relative to the provision; and   associating the choke within the provision.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 machining the FI-FCM to further comprise, integrated therewith, one or more sensors for one or more of salinity measurements, sand detection, erosion monitoring, pressure monitoring, or temperature monitoring.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 machining the FI-FCM to further comprise, integrated therewith, a feature for injection applications of well fluid or intervention fluid to be injected into a well associated with the hydrocarbon reservoir.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the FI-FCM is further adapted for multiphase flow measurements or single-phase flow measurements based in part on an application of the FI-FCM. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 machining the FI-FCM to further comprise a retrievability feature to allow retrievable installation for all or part of the FI-FCM.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a coupling feature of the FI-FCM to associate a gate valve with the FI-FCM, the gate valve within a second single-piece machined body; and   enabling driving movement of the gate valve between an open position, a closed position, or a further position there between using at least one feature of the FI-FCM.