Wells – Valves – closures or changeable restrictors – Destructible element
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-10-02
Dang, Hoang (Department: 3672)
Wells
Valves, closures or changeable restrictors
Destructible element
C166S318000, C166S320000, C166S332400, C137S599010, C137S601010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296059
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to valves used in downhole operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During downhole operations, in which tubing is concentrically located within casing or the borehole, there are two flow directions. In one flow direction, referred to as normal circulation, fluid flows down the tubing and up the annulus between the tubing and casing. In the other flow direction, referred to as reverse circulation, fluid flows down the annulus between the tubing and casing and up the tubing.
Sometimes during downhole operations, as for example during fraccing, it is necessary to allow both normal and reverse circulation, but when hydrocarbons, foreign fluid or gases are present downhole, it is preferable only to permit normal circulation.
In the present state of the art this is accomplished by pulling the downhole tools used for two way circulation out of the well and reentering the well with one way circulating tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, it is proposed to provide a circulation control valve that allows two way circulation and may be configured, without removal from the well, into one way circulation. Two way circulation is used during downwell operations such as fraccing, stimulating and cleaning. When production fluid is present, the circulation control valve is set to one way circulation, preventing return fluid flow up the tubing and forcing the production fluids up the annulus in a controlled manner.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a circulation control valve, comprising a top sub having a bore, a body connected to the top sub and having a first fluid passageway and a second fluid passageway parallel to the first fluid passageway, the bore communicating with both the first fluid passageway and second fluid passageway, a one-way valve in the second fluid passageway, and a first activatable block for the first fluid passageway, whereby upon activation of the block, fluid in the first fluid passageway is blocked and only flows through the second fluid passageway.
In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a second activatable block for the second fluid passageway, the second activatable block being inactive when the first activatable block is active and blocking the first fluid passageway, and the second activatable block being active to block the second fluid passageway when the first activatable block is inactive.
In a further aspect of the invention, both the first activatable block and the second activatable block are formed from a sleeve disposed in the first fluid passageway; and the sleeve is slidable from a first position in which a lower portion of the sleeve blocks the first fluid passageway to a second position in which an upper portion of the sleeve blocks the second fluid passageway.
In a further aspect of the invention, the first fluid passageway and second fluid passageway lie side by side in the body; and a deflection shoulder is supported above the second fluid passageway to deflect fluid towards the first fluid passageway.
In a further aspect of the invention, the second fluid passageway is concentrically disposed within the first fluid passageway.
In a further aspect of the invention, the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway merge in a common bore above the one-way valve; and a sliding sleeve in the common bore is movable from a first position in which fluid may flow in both the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway to a second position in which the first fluid passageway is blocked.
These and other aspects of the invention are described in the detailed description of the invention and claimed in the claims that follow.
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patent: 4445571 (1984-05-01), Hushbeck
patent: 4749037 (1988-06-01), Christensen
patent: 5062481 (1991-11-01), Gullett
patent: 5673751 (1997-10-01), Head et al.
patent: 5819852 (1998-10-01), Cunningham et al.
Leeb Gerald
Leeb Rodney
Dang Hoang
Lambert Anthony R.
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