Patent attributes
A well has a downhole flow meter that is installed in a sub in a string of tubing. The flow meter has a body having an external profile that lands on a landing profile in the sub. The body has a passage with a throat area of reduced diameter. Upstream and downstream body ports in a side wall of the body are in fluid communication with the throat area and a downstream portion of the passage downstream of the throat area. Seals are located between the body and the sub, defining an upstream annular chamber and a downstream annular chamber surrounding the body, the chambers being in communication with the upstream and downstream body ports. Upstream and downstream sub ports in a side wall of the sub are in fluid communication with the upstream and downstream chambers. A sensor circuit is in operative engagement with the sub ports for determining a flow rate based on a pressure difference sensed between the throat area and the downstream portion of the passage in the body.