Design and Performance of a Novel Autonomous Inflow Control Device

Abstract

Due to geological complexity and the heel–toe effect, the production profiles of long horizontal wells are usually imbalanced, and as a result, premature water breakthrough is usually encountered. Once water breakthrough occurs, this phenomenon will reduce oil production. To maximize oil recovery, inflow-control devices (ICDs) are widely used to create a uniform inflow profile. To date, known ICDs cannot meet all the ideal requirements throughout the well’s life. In this study, based on the combination of a successive restriction mechanism and water swelling rubber, a novel autonomous inflow control device is proposed. Then, the rules of oil–water two-phase flow through the novel design are studied by a numerical simulation based on optimized structural parameters, and the fluid property sensitivities are analyzed. Upon integration of the novel design into the test apparatus, flow tests are conducted. The influences of water content, inflow rate, and injection rate on the pressure drop are further analyze...