RU2577347C2 - System with varying flow drag to prevent ingress of unwanted fluid through well - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mining.

SUBSTANCE: claimed system comprises the flow chamber for fluid to flow there through and shutoff device displacing to the closed position to prevent the fluid flow through the chamber. Said shutoff device can displace to closed position in response to the increase in the ratio between unwanted fluids and required fluids in the fluid composition. The structure can prevent the shutoff device displacement to closed position. Fluid of said composition can flow through the structure to fluid chamber discharge outlet. Said increase in the ratio between unwanted fluids and required fluids in the fluid composition can cause the destruction of structure which resists the shutoff device displacement.

EFFECT: higher reliability of well fluid flow control.

24 cl, 9 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This invention relates generally to the equipment used and the work carried out during the construction and operation of an underground well. An example of preventing the passage of unwanted fluid through a system with varying flow resistance is given below.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a production hydrocarbon well, the ability to control the flow of fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore is highly preferred. Such regulation can serve various purposes, including preventing the formation of a watering cone or gas cone, minimizing the flow of sand, minimizing the flow of water and / or gas, maximizing the production of oil and / or gas, creating balanced production by zones, etc.

In an injection well, uniform injection of water, steam, gas, etc., is usually required. into several zones, while hydrocarbons are uniformly displaced in the underground reservoir, without premature breakthrough of the injected fluid into the wellbore. Thus, the ability to control the flow of fluids from the wellbore to the subterranean formation may also be preferred for injection wells.

Therefore, it is understood that an improvement in the technique for controlling fluid flow in a well is required in the circumstances mentioned, and such an improvement is also preferred in many other circumstances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention described below provides a flow control system that improves a technique for controlling fluid flow in wells. One example is described below where a flow control system is used in conjunction with a system with a variable flow resistance. Another example is described in which passage through a system with varying flow resistance is completely prevented when an unacceptable amount of unwanted fluids passes through the system.

In one aspect, a flow control system for use in an underground well may include a flow chamber through which the composition of the fluid passes, and a shut-off device that is biased toward a closed position in which the shut-off device prevents flow through the chamber. The locking device may be moved to the closed position in response to an increase in the ratio of undesired fluids to the desired fluids in the fluid composition.

In another aspect, the flow control system may include a shut-off device and a structure that prevents the shut-off device from shifting to a closed position in which the shut-off device prevents the passage of flow through the chamber. The composition of the fluid may pass through the structure to the outlet of the flow chamber.

These and other features, advantages and benefits will become apparent to a person skilled in the art after carefully studying the detailed description of the examples below and the accompanying drawings, in which like elements in different Figures are shown with the same reference numbers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1 shows a part of a cross-section of a downhole system where the principles of the present invention can be implemented.

In FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-section of a downhole filter and a system with variable flow resistance that can be used in the downhole system. FIG. one.

In FIG. 3A and 3B in sections along line 3-3 of FIG. Figure 2 shows in plan how a sweep is one configuration of a system with varying flow resistance.

In FIG. 4A and 3B show in plan another configuration of a system with varying flow resistance.

In FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a downhole filter and a flow control system that can be used in the downhole system. FIG. one.

In FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a flow control system of another example.

In FIG. 7 shows an isometric flow control system of another example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 shows a downhole system 10 in which the principles of the present invention can be implemented. As shown in FIG. 1, the wellbore 12 has a generally vertical uncased section 14 extending downward from the casing 16, as well as a generally horizontal uncased section 18 extending through the subterranean formation 20.

A tubing string 22 (for example, a tubing production string) is installed in the wellbore 12. As part of the pipe string 22, several downhole filters 24, systems 25 with varying flow resistance and packers 26 are interconnected.

The packers 26 isolate the annular space 28 formed radially between the tubular string 22 and the borehole section 18. In this way, fluids 30 can be obtained from several intervals or zones of the formation 20 through isolated portions of the annular space 28 between pairs of adjacent packers 26.

The well filter 24 and the variable flow resistance system 25 connected between each pair of adjacent packers 26 are connected to each other in the pipe string 22. The well filter 24 filters the fluids 30 passing into the pipe string 22 from the annular space 28. A system 25 with a variable flow resistance with the change throttles the fluid flow 30 in the tubing string 22 based on the specific characteristics of the fluids.

It should be noted here that the downhole system 10 shown in the drawings and described herein is just one example of a wide variety of downhole systems in which the principles of the present invention can be used. It should be understood that the principles of the present invention are not generally limited to any of the details of the downhole system 10, or its components, shown in the drawings or described herein.

For example, it is not necessary to conform to the principles of the present invention with a well 12 in the overall vertical section 14 or in the general horizontal section 18. It is not necessary to produce fluids 30 from the formation 20, since in other examples, fluids can be injected into the formation, the fluids media can be either injected into the reservoir, or obtained from the reservoir, etc.

It is not mandatory for each downhole filter 24 and system 25 with varying flow resistance to install between each pair of adjacent packers 26. It is not necessary to use one system 25 with varying flow resistance in connection with one downhole filter 24. Any number, location and / or combination these components can be used.

It is not necessary for any system 25 with varying flow resistance to use with a downhole filter 24. For example, in injection operations, a pumped fluid may be supplied through system 25 with varying flow resistance without passing through the downhole filter 24.

It is not necessary for downhole filters 24, system 25 with variable flow resistance, packers 26 or any other components of the tubing string 22 to be installed in open sections 14, 18 of the wellbore 12. Any section of the wellbore 12 may be cased or uncased, and any portion of the tubing string 22 may be installed in the uncased or cased section of the wellbore in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

It should be understood that the present invention describes an embodiment and use in the form of specific examples, but the principles of the invention are not limited to any details of these examples. On the contrary, these principles can be applied in various other examples using the knowledge obtained from this description.

One skilled in the art will recognize that it is preferable to control the flow of fluids 30 into the tubing string 22 from each zone of the formation 20, for example, to prevent the formation of a water cone 32 or a gas cone 34 in the formation. Other applications of downhole flow control include, but are not limited to, obtaining balanced production from (or injecting into) several zones, minimizing the production or injection of unwanted fluids, maximizing the production or pumping of desired fluids, etc.

Variable flow resistance systems 25, examples of which are described in more detail below, can provide these benefits by increasing flow resistance if the fluid velocity exceeds a predetermined level (for example, to obtain a balanced inflow into zones, to prevent the formation of a water cone or gas cone, etc.) and / or increasing the flow resistance if the viscosity of the fluid falls below a predetermined level (for example, to throttle the flow of an undesirable fluid such as water or gas, in an oil production well).

When used in this document, the term "viscosity" is used to indicate any of the rheological properties, including kinematic viscosity, ultimate shear stress, viscoplasticity, surface tension, wettability, etc.

The qualification of the fluid as desired or undesirable depends on the purpose of the operation or injection. For example, if you want to get oil from a well, but not get water or gas, then oil is the required fluid, and water and gas are undesirable fluids. If gas is required from the well but no water or oil is required, gas is the desired fluid, and water and oil are undesirable fluids. If steam injection into the formation is required, but not water injection, then steam is the desired fluid, and water is the undesirable fluid.

We note that at temperatures and pressures in the bottom zone, the hydrocarbon gas can actually be completely or partially in the liquid phase. From this it is understood that when the term "gas" is used herein, the scope of the term encompasses the supercritical phase, the liquid phase, the condensate phase and / or the gas phase.

In FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-section of one of the systems 25 with varying flow resistance and a portion of one of the downhole filters 24. In this example, the composition of the fluid 36 (which may include one or more fluids, such as oil and water, liquid water and steam , oil and gas, gas and water, oil, water and gas, etc.) passes into the downhole filter 24, is filtered in it and then passes into the inlet 38 of the system 25 with a variable flow resistance.

The composition of the fluid may include one or more undesirable or desired fluids. Both steam and water can be combined into a fluid. As another example, oil, water and / or gas may be combined into a fluid.

A fluid composition stream 36 passing through a variable flow resistance system 25 experiences resistance based on one or more characteristics (such as viscosity, speed, etc.) of the fluid composition. The fluid composition 36 is then discharged from the system 25 with varying flow resistance to the inner pipe string 22 through the outlet 40.

In other examples, the well filter 24 may not be used in conjunction with a system 25 with varying flow resistance (for example, in injection operations), the fluid composition 36 may pass in the opposite direction through various elements of the well system 10 (for example, in injection operations), one a system with a variable flow resistance can be used in conjunction with several downhole filters, several systems with a variable flow resistance can be used with one or more downhole filters in liters, the composition of the fluid can be taken from or released in zones of the well that are not annular space or the tubing string, the composition of the fluid can pass through a system with varying flow resistance before passing through the well filter, any other components can be connected upstream or downstream flow from a downhole filter and / or a system with varying flow resistance, etc. Thus, it is understood that the principles of the present invention are not at all limited to the details of the example shown in FIG. 2 and described herein.

Although the downhole filter 24 shown in FIG. 2, refers to a type known to those skilled in the art, such as a downhole filter with wire winding, downhole filters of any other types or combinations thereof (for example, obtained by sintering, sliding, pre-filled with gravel, from a wire mesh, etc.) can use in other examples. Additional components (such as enclosures, shunt tubes, lines, instrumentation, sensors, flow control devices, etc.) can also be used if required.

A variable flow resistance system 25 is shown in FIG. 2 simplified, but in a preferred example, the system may include various channels and devices for performing various functions, as described in detail below. In addition, the system 25 preferably at least partially circumferentially surrounds the pipe string 22, and / or the system can be implemented in the wall of the pipe structure, attached as part of the pipe string.

In other examples, the system 25 may not circle around the pipe string or run in the wall of the pipe structure. For example, system 25 can be implemented as a flat structure, etc. The system 25 can be located in a separate casing, which is attached to the pipe string 22, or can be oriented so that the axis of the outlet 40 is parallel to the axis of the pipe string. The system 25 may be located on a logging string or attached to the device not in the form of a pipe. Any orientation or configuration of the system 25 can be used without violating the principles of the present invention.

In FIG. 3A and 3B, a cross section of one example system 25 is shown in more detail. The circumferential system 25 is shown in FIG. 3A and 3B in the form of a scan are generally in a planar configuration.

As described above, the fluid composition 36 enters the system 25 through the inlet 38 and exits the system through the outlet 40. The flow resistance of the fluid composition 36 passing through the system 25 varies based on one or more fluid composition characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a relatively high speed and / or low viscosity fluid composition 36 passes through a flow channel 42 from a system inlet 38 to an inlet 44 of a flow chamber 46. The flow channel 42 has a sharp change in direction 48 immediately upstream of the inlet 44. A sharp change in direction 48 is shown as a curve of a relatively small radius in the sector of ninety degrees in the channel 42 of the flow, but another type of direction change device can be used if necessary.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the chamber 46 has a generally cylindrical shape, and until a sharp change in direction 48, the flow channel 42 directs the flow of the fluid composition 36 generally tangentially with respect to the chamber. Due to the relatively high speed and / or low viscosity of composition 36, the fluid does not strictly follow a sharp change in direction 48, but instead continues to pass into the chamber 46 through the inlet 44 in a direction substantially at an angle (see angle A in FIG. 3A) relative to the straight line direction 50 from the inlet 44 to the outlet 40. The fluid composition 36 should thus go in a circular path from the inlet 44 to the outlet 40, resulting in a spiraling inward direction to the outlet.

A fluid composition 36 with a relatively low speed and / or high viscosity passes through a flow channel 42 into the chamber inlet 44 of FIG. 3B otherwise. Note that the fluid composition 36 in this example more strictly follows a sharp change 48 in the direction of the flow channel 42 and therefore passes through the inlet 44 into the chamber 46 in the direction forming a small angle (see the angle in FIG. 3B) with respect to the direct direction 50 from the inlet 44 to the outlet 40. The fluid composition 36 in this example should thus extend in the direction from the inlet 44 to the outlet 40 in a direction closer to the straight line.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 3B, the fluid composition 36 also exits the chamber 46 through the outlet 40 in a direction at a slight angle with respect to the straight direction 50 from the inlet 44 to the outlet 40. Thus, the fluid composition 36 exits the chamber 46 in a direction that varies with speed , viscosity and / or ratio of the desired fluids and undesirable fluids in the composition of the fluid.

It is understood that as the fluid composition 36 passes through the circular path in the example of FIG. 3A dissipates more energy of the fluid composition at the same flow rate, and thus the result is a higher flow resistance compared to walking along a path close to the direct fluid composition in the example of FIG. 3B. If oil is the desired fluid, and water and / or gas are undesirable fluids, it is understood that the variable flow resistance system 25 of FIG. 3A and 3B should create a reduced flow resistance when the composition of the fluid 36 has an increased ratio of desired and undesirable fluids, and should create an increased flow resistance when the composition of the fluid has a reduced ratio of desired and undesirable fluids.

Since the chamber 46 has a generally cylindrical shape, as shown in the examples of FIG. 3A and 3B, the forward direction 50 from the inlet 44 to the outlet 40 is a radial direction. The flow channel 42 upstream from the abrupt change in direction 48 is directed generally tangentially relative to the chamber 46 (i.e., perpendicular to a line extending radially from the center of the chamber). However, the chamber 46 is not necessarily cylindrical, and the forward direction 50 from the inlet 44 to the outlet 40 is not necessarily a radial direction according to the principles of the present invention.

Since the chamber 46 in this example has a cylindrical shape with a central outlet 40 and the composition of the fluid 36 (at least in FIG. 3A) spirals around the chamber with increasing speed, approaching the outlet under the action of a pressure drop from the inlet 44 to the outlet, the chamber can be called a "vortex" camera.

In FIG. 4A and 4B schematically illustrate another configuration of a variable resistance system 25. The configuration of FIG. 4A and 4B is similar in many aspects of the configuration of FIG. 3A and 3B, but differs at least in that the flow channel 42 extends much closer to the radial direction relative to the chamber 46 upstream from the abrupt change in direction 48, and the abrupt change in direction affects the departure of the fluid composition 36 from the direct direction 50 from the inlet 44 to release 40.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a fluid composition 36 with a relatively high viscosity and / or low speed is affected by a sharp change 48 of the flow direction in the chamber 46 in the direction from the forward direction 50 (for example, at a relatively large angle A to the forward direction). Thus, the composition of the fluid 36 must pass in a circular way around the chamber 46 before exiting through the outlet 40.

Note that this is the opposite of the situation described above and shown in FIG. 3B, where a relatively high viscosity and / or low velocity fluid composition 36 enters the chamber 46 through the inlet 44 in a direction deviated only a small angle from the straight direction 50 from the inlet to the outlet 40. However, the similarities shown in FIG. 3B and 4A of the configurations, the fluid composition 36 changes direction due to a sharp change in direction 48 in the flow channel 42.

In contrast, fluid composition 36 with relatively high speed and / or low viscosity passes through flow channel 42 into inlet chamber 44, as shown in FIG. 4B. Note that the fluid composition 36 in this example does not strictly follow a sharp change 48 in the direction of the flow channel 42 and therefore passes through the inlet 44 into the chamber 46 in a direction deviating only a small angle from the direct direction 50 from the inlet 44 to the outlet 40. Composition 36 the fluid in this example should pass closer to the forward direction from inlet 44 to outlet 40.

It will be appreciated that on the much more circular flow path through which the fluid composition 36 passes in the example of FIG. 4A, more fluid composition energy is dissipated at the same flow rate, and thus the result is a higher flow resistance compared to walking along a path closer to the direct fluid composition in the example of FIG. 4B. If gas or steam is the desired fluid, and water and / or oil are undesirable fluids, it is understood that the variable flow resistance system 25 of FIG. 4A and 4B should create less flow resistance when the fluid composition 36 has an increased ratio of desired and undesirable fluids, and should create increased flow resistance when the fluid composition has a reduced ratio of desired and undesirable fluids.

In FIG. 5 schematically shows another configuration in which a flow control system 52 is used with a variable flow resistance system 25. The control system 52 includes some elements of the system 25 with variable flow resistance (such as a flow chamber 46, outlet 40, etc.) along with a shut-off device 54 and a structure 56 to prevent inflow into the pipe string 22 when an unacceptable level of undesirable fluid is supplied through the system.

The structure 56 supports the locking device 54 at a distance from the outlet 40 to the flow of unwanted fluid through the chamber 46 with parameters sufficient to destroy the structure. In the additional examples described below, the structure 56 resists the biasing force applied to the locking device 54, while the biasing force biases the locking device to the outlet 40.

The locking device 54 shown in FIG. 5 has a cylindrical shape and a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the outlet 40, so that when the locking device is released, it should close the outlet and prevent the passage of flow through it. However, other types of locking devices (e.g., shutters, etc.) can be used within the scope of this invention.

The locking device 54 may be provided with a seal or a sealing surface for sealingly connecting to the sealing surface (eg, seats) near the outlet 40. Any sealing method may be used in the locking device 54 within the scope of this invention.

The structure 56 can be made of a material that corrodes relatively quickly upon contact with particular undesirable fluids (for example, the structure can be made of cobalt which corrodes upon contact with salt water). The structure 56 can be made of a material that undergoes erosion relatively quickly due to collision with a fluid having a high speed (for example, the structure can be made of aluminum, etc.). However, it should be clear that any material can be used for construction 56 in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

The structure 56 may collapse (for example, erosion, corrode, break, dissolve, decompose, etc.) more quickly when the fluid composition 36 passes in a circular way through the chamber 46. Thus, the structure 56 can deteriorate faster in a relatively high situation the speed and / or low viscosity shown in FIG. 3A, or in the situation with the relatively high viscosity and / or low speed shown in FIG. 4A.

However, note that camera 46 is not necessarily a “vortex” camera. In some examples, the structure 56 can release the shut-off device 54 to move to the closed position when a particular unwanted fluid passes through the chamber 46 when the ratio of unwanted fluids to the desired fluids in the composition of the 36 fluid, etc., increases when the composition 36 fluid passes or does not pass in a circular way through the chamber.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, the structure 56 surrounds the outlet 40, and the fluid composition 36 passes through the structure to the outlet. The holes 58 in the wall in the overall pipe structure 56 serve this purpose. In other examples, the fluid composition 36 may not pass through the structure 56, or the fluid composition may otherwise pass through the structure (for example, through grooves or crevices in the structure, the structure may be porous, etc.).

In addition, in FIG. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of another example of a flow control device 52. In this example, a biasing device 60 (such as a coil spring, Belleville springs, a shape memory member, etc.) biases the locking device 54 to its closed position.

The structure 56 is placed between the locking device 54 and the wall of the chamber 46, while preventing the locking device from shifting to its closed position. However, when the structure 56 collapses sufficiently (for example, with a sufficiently large ratio of undesired and required fluids, with a sufficient volume of undesired fluids passing through the system, etc.), the structure should not retain the resistance to bias transmitted biasing device, and should ensure the displacement of the locking device 54 in its closed position, while preventing the passage of flow through the chamber 46.

In addition, in FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of another example of a flow control system 52 with the top wall of a chamber 46 removed to demonstrate the internal structure of the chamber. In this example, a biasing device 60 surrounds the upper portion of the locking device 54.

The design 56 prevents the locking device 54 from shifting to its closed position. The biasing device 60 transfers the biasing force to the locking device 54, displacing the locking device to a closed position, but the biasing force creates a resistance to the structure 56 until it is sufficiently destroyed.

Although in the examples shown in FIG. 3A-7, only one inlet 44 is used to introduce the fluid composition 36 into the chamber 46, in other examples, several inlets can be created if desired. The fluid composition 36 may pass into the chamber 46 through several inlets 44 simultaneously or separately. For example, various inlets 44 may be used when the fluid composition 36 has correspondingly different characteristics (e.g., different speeds, viscosity, etc.).

Although the various configurations of the variable flow resistance system 25 and the flow control system 52 are described above, for each configuration having some features that are different from other configurations, it should be clearly understood that these features are not mutually exclusive. In contrast, any of the features of any of the configurations of systems 25, 52 described above can be used with any other configurations.

It is understood that the invention described above creates a number of improvements in the technique for controlling fluid flow in a well. The flow control system 52 can operate automatically without requiring personnel to shut off the flow of the fluid composition 36 having a relatively low viscosity, high speed and / or a relatively low ratio of desired and undesired fluids. These advantages are obtained despite the fact that the system 52 is a relatively efficient design, simple and economical, and reliable in operation.

The invention described above creates in technology a flow control system 52 for use in an underground well. In one example, system 52 may include a flow chamber 46 through which fluid composition 36 passes, and a shut-off device 54 that slides toward a closed position in which the shut-off device 54 prevents flow from flowing through chamber 46. The shut-off device 54 can be moved into closed position in response to an increase in the ratio of undesired fluids to the desired fluids in the 36 fluid.

The biasing device 60 may bias the locking device 54 to the closed position.

The locking device 54 may be biased automatically in response to an increase in the ratio of unwanted and desired fluids.

An increase in the ratio of unwanted and desired fluids can cause the destruction of the structure 56, which resists the displacement of the locking device 54.

The fluid composition 36 may pass through the structure 56 to the outlet 40 of the flow chamber 46.

Design 56 may surround the outlet 40 of flow chamber 46.

An increase in the ratio of undesired and desired fluids can lead to corrosion, erosion and / or structural failure 56.

The locking device 56, upon release, can prevent the passage of flow to the outlet 40 of the flow chamber 46.

An increase in the ratio of undesired and desired fluids in the 36 fluid may result from an increase in the proportion of water or gas in the 36 fluid.

An increase in the ratio of undesired and desired fluids in the fluid composition 36 may result in an increase in the rate of the fluid composition 36 in the flow chamber 46.

Also described above is an example of a flow control system 52 in which the structure 56 prevents the shut-off device 54 from moving to the closed position, in which the shut-off device 54 prevents the passage of the fluid composition 36 through the flow chamber 46 and in which the fluid composition 36 passes through the exhaust structure 56 40 cameras 46 stream.

Although various examples are described above and each example has specific features, it is understood that the exclusive use of a specific feature of one example in this example is not required. On the contrary, any of the features described above and / or shown in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, supplementing or replacing any other features of these examples. The characteristics of one example are not mutually exclusive for the characteristics of another example. On the contrary, the scope of the present invention covers any combination of any features.

Although each example described above includes a specific combination of features, it is understood that it is not necessary to use all the features of the example. On the contrary, any of the signs described above can be used without using any other specific sign or signs.

It is understood that the various embodiments described herein can be used in various orientations, such as tilted, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations without departing from the principles of the present invention. Embodiments are described only as examples of beneficial application of the principles of the invention, which are not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

In the description of the examples above, direction-indicating terms (such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” etc.) are used for convenience in reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to any specific areas described herein.

The terms “including”, “includes”, “comprising”, “contains” and the like are used in a non-limiting sense in this description. For example, if the system, method, device, devices, etc. described as "including" some feature or element, system, method, device, devices, etc. may include a given feature or element, and may also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “contains” is considered meaning “contains without limitation.”

Of course, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art after considering the above description of embodiments of the invention that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes can be made in specific embodiments, and such changes are consistent with the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the above detailed description should be understood only as an illustration and example, the essence and scope of the invention is limited only by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims (24)

1. A flow rate control system for use in an underground well, comprising: a flow chamber for passing a fluid composition stream therethrough; and a shut-off device configured to bias toward the closed position, wherein the shut-off device prevents flow from passing through the chamber, the shut-off device being configured to bias to the closed position in response to an increase in the ratio of undesired fluids to the desired fluids in the fluid composition, which causes the destruction of the design of the flow control system, which resists the displacement of the locking device during operation of the flow control system ka. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the biasing device is configured to bias the locking device to a closed position. 3. The system according to claim 1, in which the locking device is automatically displaced in response to an increase in the ratio of unwanted and required fluids. 4. The system according to claim 1, in which the composition of the fluid passes through the structure to the outlet of the flow chamber. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the structure surrounds the outlet of the flow chamber. 6. The system according to claim 1, in which an increase in the ratio of unwanted and required fluids causes corrosion of the structure. 7. The system according to claim 1, in which an increase in the ratio of unwanted and required fluids causes erosion of the structure. 8. The system according to claim 1, in which an increase in the ratio of unwanted and required fluids causes the destruction of the structure. 9. The system according to claim 1, in which the locking device upon release prevents the passage of flow to the outlet of the flow chamber. 10. The system according to claim 1, in which an increase in the ratio of undesirable and desired fluids in the composition of the fluid is the result of an increase in the proportion of water in the composition of the fluid. 11. The system according to claim 1, in which an increase in the ratio of undesirable and desired fluids in the composition of the fluid results in an increase in the speed of the composition of the fluid in the flow chamber. 12. The system according to claim 1, in which an increase in the ratio of undesirable and desired fluids in the composition of the fluid is the result of an increase in the proportion of gas in the composition of the fluid. 13. A flow rate control system for use in an underground well, comprising: a flow chamber through which a fluid composition passes; locking device; and a structure preventing the locking device from shifting to a closed position in which the locking device prevents the passage of flow through the chamber, and wherein the composition of the fluid passes through the structure to the outlet of the flow chamber. 14. The system according to item 13, in which the locking device is configured to be displaced to the closed position in response to the destruction of the structure by the composition of the fluid. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the structure is destroyed in response to an increase in the ratio of undesired fluids to the desired fluids in the fluid composition. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the locking device is released automatically in response to structural failure. 17. The system according to item 13, in which an increase in the ratio of undesirable fluids and the desired fluid in the composition of the fluid causes erosion of the structure. 18. The system according to item 13, in which the increase in the ratio of undesirable fluids and the desired fluid in the composition of the fluid causes corrosion of the structure. 19. The system according to item 13, in which the increase in the ratio of undesirable fluids and the desired fluid in the composition of the fluid causes the destruction of the structure. 20. The system of claim 13, further comprising a biasing device that biases the locking device to a closed position. 21. The system according to item 13, in which the destruction of the structure is the result of an increase in the proportion of water in the composition of the fluid. 22. The system according to item 13, in which the destruction of the structure is the result of an increase in the speed of the composition of the fluid in the flow chamber. 23. The system according to item 13, in which the destruction of the structure is the result of an increase in the proportion of gas in the composition of the fluid. 24. The system of claim 13, wherein the structure surrounds the outlet.

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