US 12,460,508 B2
Electronic inflow control device
Ivar Kjøsnes, Trondheim (NO); and Bjarne Bugten, Saksvik (NO)
Assigned to EQUINOR ENERGY AS, Stavanger (NO)
Appl. No. 18/688,527
Filed by Equinor Energy AS, Stavanger (NO)
PCT Filed Aug. 31, 2022, PCT No. PCT/NO2022/050206
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Mar. 1, 2024,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/033657, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 9, 2023.
Claims priority of application No. 2112525 (GB), filed on Sep. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0352827 A1, Oct. 24, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 34/06 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 34/066 (2013.01) 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
14. A method of controlling inflow of fluids into a well by controlling an electric current through an electromagnet in an electronic inflow control device, the electronic inflow control device including a housing having an electromagnet configured to generate a magnetic field having a main magnetic axis through a north pole and a south pole of the magnetic field; a gate comprising one or more permanent magnets and moveable within the housing between a closed state and an open state; the housing defining a first valve seat for receiving the gate in a closed state, a second valve seat for receiving the gate in an open state, an inlet, and an outlet, the method comprising:
sending an electric current in a first direction through the electromagnet to open the electronic inflow control device; and
sending an electric current in a second direction through the electromagnet to close the electronic inflow control device,
wherein when the gate is in the open state, the gate defines a fluid communication channel that extends along said main magnetic axis through which fluid can flow from the inlet towards the outlet in a direction along said main magnetic axis,
wherein the gate defines a central opening, and
wherein the central opening is part of said fluid communication channel in the open state.