Fluid intake system

Abstract

Disclosed is a fluid intake system for use with a flow control device which controls fluid flow into a tubular. At least a portion of the fluid intake system comprises or is provided with a coating for interacting with the fluid flowing through the fluid intake system. Further disclosed is a method of reducing foam within a fluid or of breaking down multiple phases within a fluid passing through a fluid intake system, the method comprising providing at least a portion of the fluid intake system with a coating.

1 . A fluid intake system for use with a flow control device which controls fluid flow into a tubular, wherein at least a portion of the fluid intake system comprises or is provided with a coating for interacting with the fluid flowing through the fluid intake system. 
     
     
         2 . The fluid intake system of  claim 1 , wherein the coating comprises or consists of a foam control coating. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid intake system according to  claim 2 , wherein the coating comprises or consists of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid intake system according to  claim 3 , wherein the coating is hydrophobic. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid intake system according to any one of  claim 4 , wherein the coating comprises a polysiloxane coating. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid intake system of  claim 1 , wherein the coating is capable of breaking or promoting breaking of emulsions or multiple-phase compositions within the fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid intake system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a manifold configured to circumscribe a tubular which includes a flow control device, the manifold comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged inlet ports for receiving a fluid into the manifold; and   a fluid outlet to be arranged in communication with the flow control device to, in use, communicate fluid from the manifold to the flow control device.   
     
     
         8 . The fluid intake system according to  claim 7 , wherein the coating is provided on at least one of the manifold and an extended flow conduit connected to the manifold. 
     
     
         9 . A flow control system, comprising:
 a flow control device locatable within a wall of a tubular for controlling fluid flow into the tubular; and   a fluid intake system, wherein at least a portion of the fluid intake system comprises or is provided with a coating for interacting with the fluid flowing through the fluid intake system.   
     
     
         10 . The flow control system of  claim 9  wherein the fluid intake system further comprises a manifold configured to circumscribe the tubular and comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged inlet ports for receiving a downhole fluid into the manifold; and
 a fluid outlet in communication with the flow control device to, in use, communicate downhole fluid from the manifold to the flow control device. 
 
     
     
         11 . The flow control system according to  claim 10 , wherein the flow control device comprises an inlet, an outlet, a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the fluid intake system is in fluid communication with the inlet of the flow path; and
 a valve member disposed within the fluid flow path, the valve member being moveable in first and second reverse directions to selectively vary a flow area of the flow path.   
     
     
         12 . The flow control system according to any one of  claim 11 , wherein the flow control device comprises a control arrangement for controlling flow through the flow control device, wherein the fluid intake system is in fluid and/or pressure communication with the control arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The flow control system according to  claim 12 , wherein the control arrangement comprises a sealed pilot chamber, in fluid and or pressure communication with the outlet of the fluid intake system. 
     
     
         14 . The flow control system according to  claim 13 , wherein the fluid intake system is in communication with both the inlet and the control arrangement of the flow control device. 
     
     
         15 . The flow control system according to  claim 14 , wherein the fluid intake system is a first fluid intake system in fluid communication with the inlet of the flow control device, and the flow control system comprises a second fluid intake system in fluid and/or pressure communication with the control arrangement. 
     
     
         16 . The flow control system of  claim 9 , wherein the coating is provided on an inlet, an outlet, or a pilot conduit of the flow control system. 
     
     
         17 . An inflow control system, comprising:
 a flow control device locatable within the wall of a tubular for controlling flow of fluid into the tubular, the flow control device comprising a flow path therethrough and a control arrangement; and   a first fluid intake system and a second fluid intake system, at least one of the first and second fluid intake systems comprising a coating for interacting with the fluid flowing through the fluid intake system.   
     
     
         18 . The inflow control system of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second fluid intake systems comprises
 a manifold, the manifold configured to circumscribe the tubular, and comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged inlet ports for receiving a fluid into the manifold; and,   a fluid outlet in communication with the flow control device to, in use, communicate fluid from the manifold to the flow control device,   wherein the outlet of the first fluid intake system is in fluid communication with the flow path of the inflow control device; and   wherein the outlet of the second fluid intake system is in fluid communication with the control arrangement of the flow control device.   
     
     
         19 . A method of reducing foam within a fluid or of breaking down multiple phases within a fluid passing through a fluid intake system, the method comprising providing at least a portion of the fluid intake system with a coating. 
     
     
         20 . A method of flow control, the method comprising:
 immersing a manifold in a fluid, said manifold comprising plurality of circumferentially arranged inlet ports and a coating for interacting with the fluid flowing through the fluid intake system;   flowing the fluid into the manifold through the plurality of circumferentially arranged inlets; and   flowing the fluid out of an outlet in fluid communication with the manifold.