TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to apparatuses, systems and methods for producing hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation.

BACKGROUND

Reservoirs are difficult to characterize and it would be useful to provide some flexibility within hardware used for injecting and producing fluids to optimize flow of material to and/or from the reservoir. Although electrically-actuatable tools are useful for effecting optimization, reliability of such tools may be compromised by loss of electrical communication with the surface. It can also be challenging to provide fluid flow into or out of different locations along a well in order to promote efficient hydrocarbon recovery operations.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, there is provided a flow control apparatus (valve assembly) for disposition within a wellbore of a subterranean formation, comprising: a housing; a fluid conducting passage defined within the housing; a housing flow communicator (housing port/outlet) configured for effecting flow communication between the fluid conducting passage and an environment external to the housing; a flow control member (valve sleeve) configured for controlling material flow between the fluid conducting passage and the environment external to the housing via the housing flow communicator (housing outlet); wherein: the flow control member defines a first flow modulator-defining flow communicator (first sleeve outlet) and a second flow modulator-defining flow communicator (second sleeve outlet); in a first operational configuration, the first flow modulator-defining flow communicator is aligned with the housing flow communicator; in a second operational configuration, the second flow modulator-defining flow communicator is aligned with the housing flow communicator; the housing flow communicator and the flow control member are co-operatively configured such that: while the flow control apparatus is disposed in the first operational configuration, flow communication is established between the fluid conducting passage and the environment external to the housing via the housing flow communicator; while the flow control apparatus is disposed in the second operational configuration, flow communication is established between the fluid conducting passage and the environment external to the housing via the housing flow communicator; and a change in disposition of the flow control apparatus between the first and second operational configurations is effectible in response to displacement of the flow control member, relative to the housing flow communicator.

In another aspect, there is provided a flow control apparatus for disposition within a wellbore of a subterranean formation, comprising: a housing; a fluid conducting passage defined within the housing; a housing flow communicator configured for effecting flow communication between the fluid conducting passage and an environment external to the housing; an uphole-disposed sealed interface effector that is actuatable to an actuated state for defining an uphole-disposed sealed interface; a downhole-disposed sealed interface that is actuatable to an actuated state for define a downhole-disposed sealed interface; a flow controller configured for controlling material flow between the fluid conducting passage and the environment external to the housing via the housing flow communicator; wherein: the flow controller defines a first flow modulator-defining flow communicator and a second flow modulator-defining flow communicator; in a first operational configuration, the first flow modulator-defining flow communicator is aligned with the housing flow communicator; in a second operational configuration, the second flow modulator-defining flow communicator is aligned with the housing flow communicator; the flow controller, the housing flow communicator, the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector, and the downhole-disposed sealed interface effector are co-operatively configured such that: while: (i) the flow control apparatus is disposed within the wellbore, (ii) the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector is disposed in the actuated state, and (iii) the downhole disposed sealed interface effector is disposed in the actuated state, a wellbore interval is established between the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector and the downhole-disposed sealed interface effector; while: (i) the wellbore interval is established, and (ii) the flow control apparatus is disposed in the first operational configuration, flow communication is established between the fluid conducting passage and the wellbore interval; and while: (i) the wellbore interval is established, and (ii) the flow control apparatus is disposed in the second operational configuration, flow communication is established between the fluid conducting passage and the wellbore interval.

In another aspect, there is provided a flow control apparatus for disposition within a wellbore of a subterranean formation, comprising: a housing; a fluid conducting passage defined within the housing; a housing flow communicator configured for effecting flow communication between the fluid conducting passage and an environment external to the housing; a flow controller configured for controlling material flow between the fluid conducting passage and the environment external to the housing via the housing flow communicator; an uphole-disposed sealed interface effector that is actuatable to an actuated state for defining an uphole-disposed sealed interface; a downhole-disposed sealed interface that is actuatable to an actuated state for define a downhole-disposed sealed interface; wherein: the flow controller defines a first flow modulator, a second flow modulator, and a third flow modulator; the first flow modulator defines a closure; the second flow modulator defines a second flow modulator-defining flow communicator; the third flow modulator defines a third flow modulator-defining flow communicator; the apparatus is configurable in at least a first operational configuration, a second operational configuration, a third operational configuration, and a fourth operational configuration; the first operational configuration corresponds to alignment between the first flow modulator and the housing flow communicator; the second operational configuration corresponds to alignment between the second flow modulator and the housing flow communicator; the third operational configuration corresponds to alignment between the closure and the housing flow communicator; the fourth operational configuration corresponds to alignment between the third flow modulator and the housing flow communicator; the flow controller, the housing flow communicator, the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector, and the downhole-disposed sealed interface effector are co-operatively configured such that: while: (i) the flow control apparatus is disposed within the wellbore, (ii) the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector is disposed in the actuated state, and (iii) the downhole disposed sealed interface effector is disposed in the actuated state, a wellbore interval is established between the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector and the downhole-disposed sealed interface effector; while: (i) the wellbore interval is established, and (ii) the flow control apparatus is disposed in the first operational configuration, there is an absence of flow communication, via the housing flow communicator, between the fluid conducting passage and the wellbore interval; while: (i) the wellbore interval is established, and (ii) the flow control apparatus is disposed in the second operational configuration, flow communication between the fluid conducting passage and the environment external to the housing, via the housing flow communicator, is effected via a second operational configuration-defined flow communicator having a second flow modulator-defining resistance to material flow, such that the fluid conducting passage is disposed in flow communication with the wellbore interval via the housing flow communicator; while: (i) the wellbore interval is established, and (ii) the flow control apparatus is disposed in the third operational configuration, there is an absence of flow communication, via the housing flow communicator, between the fluid conducting passage and the wellbore interval; while: (i) the wellbore interval is established, and (ii) the flow control apparatus is disposed in the fourth operational configuration, flow communication between the fluid conducting passage and the environment external to the housing, via the housing flow communicator, is effected via a fourth operational configuration-defined flow communicator having a third flow modulator-defining resistance to material flow, such that the fluid conducting passage is disposed in flow communication with the wellbore interval via the housing flow communicator; and the third flow modulator-defining resistance to material flow is greater than the second flow modulator-defining resistance to material flow by a multiple of at least 50.

In another aspect, there is provided a process for effecting material flow between the surface and a subterranean formation via a flow communication station, wherein the flow communication station includes a housing, a housing flow communicator, and a flow controller, wherein the flow communicator is disposed for communicating with the subterranean formation via a wellbore interval of the wellbore, and is disposed relative to one or more other flow communication stations such that there is an absence of flow communication, via the wellbore, with the one or more flow communication stations, wherein the flow controller is configured for controlling material flow between the surface and the subterranean formation and defines a first flow modulator-defining flow communicator and a second flow modulator-defining flow communicator, comprising: aligning the first flow modulator-defining flow communicator with the housing flow communicator with effect that flow communication is effected between the surface and the wellbore interval, via the housing flow communicator, such that the flow control apparatus becomes disposed in a first operational configuration; while the flow control apparatus is disposed in the first operational configuration, flowing material between the surface and the subterranean formation via the flow communicator; and effecting a change in the operational configuration of the flow control apparatus, with effect that the alignment between the first flow modulator-defining flow communicator and the housing flow communicator is defeated, and the second flow modulator-defining flow communicator becomes aligned with the housing flow communicator, such that the flow control apparatus becomes disposed in a second operational configuration.

In another aspect, there is provided a process of producing hydrocarbon material that is disposed within a subterranean formation, comprising: over a first time interval, producing at least a fraction of the hydrocarbon formation from the subterranean formation such that voidage within the subterranean formation is created; after the first time interval, emplacing a flow communication station downhole within a wellbore extending into the subterranean formation, wherein the flow communication station includes a housing, a housing flow communicator, and a flow controller, wherein the flow communicator is disposed for communicating with the subterranean formation via a wellbore interval of the wellbore, and is disposed relative to one or more other flow communication stations such that there is an absence of flow communication, via the wellbore, with the one or more flow communication stations, wherein the flow controller is configured for controlling material flow between the surface and the subterranean formation and defines a first flow modulator-defining flow communicator and a second flow modulator-defining flow communicator; after the emplacing of the flow communication station: aligning the first flow modulator-defining flow communicator with the housing flow communicator with effect that flow communication is effected between the surface and the wellbore interval, via the housing flow communicator, such that the flow control apparatus becomes disposed in a first operational configuration; while the flow control apparatus is disposed in the first operational configuration, flowing material between the surface and the subterranean formation via the flow communicator; effecting a change in the operational configuration of the flow control apparatus, with effect that the alignment between the first flow modulator-defining flow communicator and the housing flow communicator is defeated, and the second flow modulator-defining flow communicator becomes aligned with the housing flow communicator, such that the flow control apparatus becomes disposed in a second operational configuration; while the flow control apparatus is disposed in the second operational configuration, flowing material between the surface and the subterranean formation via the flow communicator; wherein: the flowing of material between the surface and the subterranean formation via the flow communicator, while the flow control apparatus is disposed in the first operational configuration, effects voidage replacement within the subterranean formation; and the flowing of material between the surface and the subterranean formation via the flow communicator, while the flow control apparatus is disposed in the second operational configuration, effects displacement of at least a fraction of the remaining hydrocarbon material from the subterranean formation.

In another aspect, there is provided a flow communication station configured for disposition within a wellbore of a subterranean formation, comprising: an electrically-actuatable flow control apparatus; a mechanically-actuatable flow control apparatus; an uphole-disposed sealed interface effector that is actuatable to an actuated state for defining an uphole-disposed sealed interface; a downhole-disposed sealed interface that is actuatable to an actuated state for define a downhole-disposed sealed interface; wherein: the electrically-actuatable flow control apparatus, the mechanically-actuatable flow control apparatus, the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector, and the downhole-disposed sealed interface effector are co-operatively configured such that: while: (i) the flow communication station is disposed within the wellbore, (ii) the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector is disposed in the actuated state, and (iii) the downhole disposed sealed interface effector is disposed in the actuated state, a wellbore interval is established between the uphole-disposed sealed interface effector and the downhole-disposed sealed interface effector; and while the wellbore interval is established, each one of the electrically-actuatable flow control apparatus and the mechanically-actuatable flow control apparatus, independently, is disposed for effecting flow communication between the surface and the wellbore interval.

In another aspect, there is provided a process for effecting material flow between the surface and a subterranean formation via a flow communication station, wherein the flow communication station includes an electrically-actuatable flow control apparatus configured for effecting flow communication between the surface and the subterranean formation, and also includes a mechanically-actuatable flow control apparatus configured for effecting flow communication between the surface and the subterranean formation, comprising: determining that the electrically-actuatable flow control apparatus is ineffective for effecting flow communication between the surface and the subterranean formation; and mechanically actuating the mechanically-actuatable flow control apparatus, with effect that the flow communication is effected between the surface and the subterranean formation.

In yet another aspect, there is provided a method for enhanced oil recovery using an existing horizontal well section of a wellbore that has been fractured and operated for primary production. The method includes the steps of: running a tubing string into the horizontal well to define an annulus between the tubing string and the wellbore, and defining a plurality of wellbore intervals isolated from one another along the horizontal well defined by isolation devices deployed in spaced-apart relation to each other within the annulus; for one or more of the wellbore intervals, installing a valve assembly along the tubing string, the valve assembly comprising at least a first valve and a second valve to define a multivalve interval, each of the first and second valves being operable in a corresponding open configuration for allowing fluid flow from the tubing string into the surrounding reservoir via a corresponding fluid passage and a closed configuration for preventing fluid flow into the surrounding reservoir, the fluid passage of at least one of the first and second valves being elongated and configured such that the open configuration of the corresponding valve is a choked configuration where fluid flowrate from the tubing string into the reservoir is restricted; in at least one of the multivalve intervals, operating the first valve in the open configuration and the second valve in the closed configuration; injecting a fluid down the tubing string so as to pass through the first valve in the open configuration to measure an injectivity of the corresponding wellbore interval or surrounding reservoir; based on the measured injectivity, selectively operating each of the first valve and the second valves in the open or closed configuration; and injecting a fluid down the tubing string so as to pass through at least one of the first valve and second valve to drive oil toward a production well.

According to an implementation, each valve of the multivalve interval comprises a corresponding valve housing provided with a valve sleeve slidably mounted therein, and wherein each valve sleeve is operable in a central position, an uphole position and a downhole position, the position of the valve sleeves within their respective valve housings corresponding to an operational configuration of the respective valves.

According to an implementation, each valve sleeve is initially in the central position when the first and second valves are installed along the tubing string.

According to an implementation, the central position of each valve sleeve corresponds to the closed configuration of the corresponding valve, and wherein at least one of the uphole and downhole positions of at least one valve sleeve corresponds to the open configuration of the corresponding valve.

According to an implementation, the uphole position of the valve sleeve of the first valve corresponds to a first open configuration of the first valve, and wherein the downhole position of the valve sleeve of the first valve corresponds to a second open configuration of the first valve.

According to an implementation, the first and second open configurations of the first valve are configured such that the fluid flowrate between the tubing string and the reservoir when in one of the first and second open configurations is greater than the fluid flowrate between the tubing string and the reservoir when in the other one of the first and second open configurations.

According to an implementation, the first and second open configurations are provided by respective elongated fluid passages each defined by a channel in an outer surface of the sleeve of the first valve and an inner surface of the housing that overlays the channel.

According to an implementation, the elongated fluid passages of the first and second open configurations have different cross-sectional areas or different lengths or a combination thereof, to provide different resistance to fluid flow.

According to an implementation, the elongated fluid passages of the first and second open configurations are sized and configured to provide different resistances to fluid flow by a multiple of 1.25 to 5 times.

According to an implementation, the first and second valves are preconfigured to provide redundancy where at least two different configurations of the valve assembly provides a substantially similar overall openness for fluid flow through the fluid passages.

According to an implementation, the first and second valves are preconfigured to provide higher precision of fluid flow adjustment at lower flowrates compared to higher flowrates.

According to an implementation, the first and second valves are preconfigured to provide a range of overall openness for fluid flow through the fluid passages at the different configurations of the valve assembly, the range comprising evenly distributed flow resistances from minimum to maximum fluid flow.

According to an implementation, at least one of the first and second vales comprises an open configuration for injecting fluid via a fully open aperture for high throughput.

According to an implementation, the fluid flowrate between the tubing string and the reservoir when in the first or second open configuration is substantially the same.

According to an implementation, the fluid flowrate between the tubing string and the reservoir is defined by at least one of a shape and size of the fluid passage of each valve in the open configuration.

According to an implementation, the valve assembly comprises a plurality of valves each having corresponding elongated fluid passages defining respective fluid flowrates between the tubing string and the reservoir when the valves are in the open configuration, and wherein each valve is independently operable between the open and closed configurations, thereby defining a predetermined range of fluid flowrates between the tubing string and the reservoir.

According to an implementation, the injectivity is characterized by a shut-off threshold, and wherein, when the measured injectivity is below the shut-off threshold, the first valve and the second valve are both operated in the closed configuration.

According to an implementation, when the measured injectivity is above the shut-off threshold, the first valve is operated in the open configuration, and the second valve is operated in the open configuration.

According to an implementation, the open configuration of one of the first and second valves is the choked configuration for restricting fluid flowrate into the reservoir, and wherein the open configuration of the other one of the first and second valves is a high throughput configuration.

According to an implementation, multiple wellbore intervals comprise respective valve assemblies that are operated to provide fluid injection based on the respective measured injectivities.

According to an implementation, when one of the wellbore intervals experiences a rise in injectivity above a given threshold indicating fluid bypass or thief zone, both of the valves of the valve assembly installed along the corresponding wellbore interval are displaced to the closed configuration to cease injection via the corresponding valve assembly.

According to an implementation, when one of the wellbore intervals has a rise in injectivity, at least one of the first and second valves installed along the corresponding wellbore interval is displaced to a more restricted configuration to reduce the flowrate into the corresponding interval.

According to an implementation, the valve assemblies of adjacent wellbore intervals are operated in a manner to cooperate with one another when fluid communication is established between the adjacent wellbore intervals.

According to an implementation, fluid communication between adjacent valves along the same wellbore interval is established along the annulus, in the surrounding reservoir, or a combination thereof.

According to an implementation, fluid communication between adjacent wellbore intervals is established along the annulus, in the surrounding reservoir, or a combination thereof

According to an implementation, the horizontal well has been fractured via plug-and-perf.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method for oil recovery including the steps of: running a tubing string into an existing well previously operated for primary production, to define an annulus between the tubing string and a wellbore, and defining a plurality of wellbore intervals isolated from one another along the well defined by isolation devices deployed in spaced-apart relation to each other within the annulus; for multiple wellbore intervals, installing a corresponding valve assembly along the tubing string, the valve assembly comprising at least a first valve and a second valve to define a multivalve interval, each valve being operable in at least one of an open configuration for establishing fluid communication between the tubing string and the surrounding reservoir via respective fluid passages and a closed configuration for preventing fluid flow into the surrounding reservoir, the fluid passage of at least one of the first and second valves being elongated and configured such that the open configuration of the corresponding valve is a choked configuration where fluid flowrate from the tubing string into the reservoir is restricted; determining at least one operational parameter comprising at least one property of an injection fluid, or at least one characteristic of the wellbore intervals, or a combination thereof; based on the at least one determined operational parameter, for each wellbore interval selectively operating the first valve and the second valve in the open or closed configuration to provide an selected openness for each valve assembly in the corresponding wellbore interval; injecting at least one injection fluid down the tubing string so as to pass through at least one of the first valve and second valve to enter the reservoir at corresponding wellbore intervals and promote recovery of oil via at least one adjacent production well.

According to an implementation, a single injection fluid is injected over time or different injection fluids are alternated over time.

According to an implementation, the injection fluid is water and the method is operated as a water flooding operation.

According to an implementation, the well is horizontal or vertical.

According to an implementation, the method further includes, after injecting the injection fluid for a period of time, adjusting the configuration of at least one of the valve assemblies in a corresponding wellbore interval to change the selected openness thereof based on a change in the determined operational parameter.

According to an implementation, the change in the determined operational parameter comprises an increase in injectivity, and the change to the selected openness comprises reducing the openness to increase the resistance to flow via the valve assembly.

According to an implementation, the change in the determined operational parameter comprises modifying a type or a property of the injection fluid.

According to an implementation, the first and second valves of the multivalve interval each comprise a corresponding valve housing provided with a valve sleeve slidably mounted therein and being shiftable to different positions to provide the open and closed configurations.

According to an implementation, each valve sleeve is operable in a central position, an uphole position and a downhole position, the position of the valve sleeves within their respective valve housings corresponding to an operational configuration of the corresponding valve.

According to an implementation, the change of the selected openness of each valve assembly is performed by shifting the sleeve of at least one of the first and second valves.

According to an implementation, each valve sleeve is initially in the central position when the first and second valves are installed along the tubing string.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a method for oil recovery in an existing well, the method comprising: running a tubing string into the well to define an annulus between the tubing string and the wellbore, and defining a plurality of wellbore intervals isolated from one another along the well defined by isolation devices deployed in spaced-apart relation to each other within the annulus; for multiple wellbore intervals, installing a valve assembly along the tubing string, the valve assembly comprising a first valve and a second valve to define a multivalve interval, each valve being operable in at least one of an open configuration for establishing fluid communication between the tubing string and the surrounding reservoir via respective fluid passages and a closed configuration for preventing fluid flow from the surrounding reservoir through the valve, the fluid passage of at least one of the first and second valves being elongated and configured such that the open configuration of the corresponding valve is a choked configuration where fluid flowrate the reservoir into the tubing string is restricted; determining at least one operational parameter comprising at least one property of a production fluid, or at least one characteristic of the wellbore intervals, or a combination thereof; based on the at least one determined operational parameter, for each wellbore interval selectively operating the first valve and the second valve in the open or closed configuration to provide a selected openness for each valve assembly in the corresponding wellbore interval; recovering production fluid components that pass through at least one of the first valve and second valve to enter the tubing string from the surrounding reservoir at corresponding wellbore intervals, to form a combined production fluid within the tubing string; and producing the combined production fluid to surface via the tubing string.

