Schlumberger Technology Corporation

University of Illinois

Qing Yao

Mark H Fraker

Alexander F Zazovsky

Donald W Ross

Thomas D MacDougall

Placid M Ferreira

Adinathan Venkitaraman

Colin Atkinson

Nihat Ovutmen

Franck B G Monmont

To develop a flow control system for use in a well, a multi-level approach is used, where the multi-level approach includes setting goals for the flow control system. According to the goals set, an overall design of the flow control system is specified, and based on the specified overall design for the flow control system, operation of the flow control system is simulated.

Developing a flow control system for a well

An apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a flow conduit and a structure defining a tortuous fluid path proximate the flow conduit, where the tortuous fluid path receives a flow of fluid. The tortuous fluid path is defined by at least first and second members of the structure, and the first and second members are movable with respect to each other to adjust a cross-sectional flow area of the tortuous fluid path.

Flow control using a tortuous path

A system for use in a well includes plural flow control devices to control fluid flow in respective zones of the well, where each of at least some of the flow control devices includes a membrane having a permeable material to provide a flow restriction. The membranes of the at least some flow control devices have different permeabilities to provide corresponding different flow restrictions.

Flow control device with a permeable membrane

In one embodiment, a flexure stage comprises a base, a stage, a positioning mechanism, and a control device. The base and stage have first and second portions that are spaced apart from each other. The positioning mechanism is coupled between the base and the stage. The positioning mechanism includes an actuator and a flexure structure engaged by the actuator. The flexure structure includes base links coupled to the first base portion, stage links coupled to the first stage portion, and an intermediate link coupled to both the base and stage links. All structures are coupled by flexure hinge connections. The control device generates a control signal to change position of the stage by sending a control signal to the actuator which provides a force to elastically deform the flexure structure and correspondingly move the stage.

Flexure stage

Growing community of inventors

Pearland, TX, United States of America

Qing Yao