Wells – Processes – Operating valve – closure – or changeable restrictor in a well
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-14
2004-10-26
Bagnell, David (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Operating valve, closure, or changeable restrictor in a well
C166S333100, C166S334100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06808020
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of completing wellbores in subterranean zones and more specifically to downhole valves.
2. Description of Related Art
Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Once a wellbore has been drilled, the well must be completed before hydrocarbons can be produced from the well. A completion involves the design, selection, and installation of equipment and materials in or around the wellbore for conveying, pumping, or controlling the production or injection of fluids. After the well has been completed, production of oil and gas can begin.
The completion can include operations such as the perforating of the wellbore casing, acidizing and fracturing the producing formation, and gravel packing the annulus area between the production tubulars and the productive formation.
A flapper valve device is frequently used in a well completion. The flapper valve device is typically included in the production tubular string and used in conjunction with a packer element. The packer element provides a seal in the annular area between the tubular string and wellbore wall. The valve is held open during the well completion operations by an inserted wash pipe. When the wash pipe is removed from the bore of the valve, the valve closes and prevents communication between the completed formation and the wellbore above the valve and packer. Use of this type of device enables additional work to be performed in the well, such as the completion of additional producing zones, without harming the previously completed formation. To initiate production from the formation, the flapper valve device is broken into pieces. The valve is broken either by applying a pressure differential across the valve sufficient to fracture the valve element or by a mechanical means such as using impact jars run on wireline or a percussion drill utilizing coiled tubing.
In vertical wells, the valve pieces will fall to the bottom of the well or inside the gravel pack screens or any extensions that may be attached. Production from the zone can then proceed without the restriction of the valve device.
In horizontal well completions, the debris from the broken valve device can remain within the producing section of the well. This can be problematic due to the possibility of the debris flowing with the produced fluids or becoming an obstacle to later work within the wellbore.
There is a need for an alternative device that can be used when performing well completion operations that will not leave debris within the wellbore.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for use in completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore.
One aspect of the invention is an apparatus that comprises a housing member with a longitudinal bore, an inner diameter, and a valve member located within the housing member that is movable between open and closed positions. A sliding sleeve having a longitudinal bore is disposed within the housing member and can move between an upper position and a lower position. Attached to the sliding sleeve is a seating element where the valve member can seat. When the sliding sleeve is in the lower position, the valve member is held in the open position and communication is established between the longitudinal bore of the housing above and below the valve member. When the sliding sleeve is in the upper position, the valve member is held in the closed position and communication between the longitudinal bore of the housing above and below the valve member is restricted.
The seating element can be of a circular shape and is disposed within the longitudinal bore of the housing member. The sliding sleeve can include a contact surface that contacts the valve member and holds the valve member open when the sliding sleeve is in the lower position. The housing member can comprise a first segment and a second segment, the first segment having a smaller inner diameter than the second segment.
In one embodiment the valve member comprises a flapper type valve that is hinged on one side and located within the larger second segment of the housing member. When the valve member is in its open position, the opening through the longitudinal bore of the second segment can be at least as large as the inner diameter of the first segment. The valve member can also comprise a torsion spring member that urges the valve member towards a location between the open position and the closed position. When the sliding sleeve is in the upper position, the torsion spring member urges the valve member to seat onto the seating element. When the sliding sleeve is between the upper position and the lower position, and the contact surface is not in contact with the valve member, the torsion spring member urges the valve member to be located between the open position and the closed position and to protrude into the longitudinal bore of the second segment.
The apparatus can further comprise a spring element disposed within the housing that is movable between a compressed position and an expanded position. The spring element urges the sliding sleeve into the lower position. When the sliding sleeve is in the upper position the spring element will be in its compressed position.
In one embodiment the apparatus can comprise a mandrel element disposed within the longitudinal bore of the housing, capable of being in an upper position and a lower position. The mandrel element can be rigidly connected to the sliding sleeve.
In another embodiment a shear sleeve member can be disposed within the longitudinal bore of the housing and capable of being in an upper position and a lower position. The shear sleeve member further comprises at least one locking element. When the shear sleeve member is in its upper position, the locking element prevents the shear sleeve member from moving longitudinally relative to the housing member. The shear sleeve member can further comprise at least one shear element.
The apparatus can further comprise a latching element located within the longitudinal bore of the housing and capable of being in a latched or unlatched configuration and in an upper position and a lower position. A latching element can be connected to the sliding sleeve and to the mandrel element. The latching element is connected to the shear sleeve member with at least one shear element. When the shear sleeve member is in its upper position and the latching element is in its upper position and connected to the shear sleeve member, a downward force can be exerted on the mandrel element that will move the mandrel element downward, causing the mandrel element to contact the latching element and forcing the shear element to break and disconnect the latching element from the shear sleeve member. This downward force on the mandrel element can result from hydraulic pressure being applied upon the valve member, this pressure force being transmitted through the sliding sleeve to the mandrel element. When the latching element is disconnected from the shear sleeve member and is in its lower position, the latching element is in its latched configuration and unable to move longitudinally relative to the housing member. When the latching element is in its latched configuration, the sliding sleeve will be in its lower position and unable to move longitudinally relative to the housing member, and the valve member will be in its open position.
One particular embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing member having a longitudinal bore, a first segment, a second segment and an inner diameter. The first segment of the housing member has a smaller inner diameter than the second segment. A valve member is disposed within the housing member and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve member can be hinged on one side and have a torsion spring member that urges the valve member towards a location
Anyan Steven L.
Bixenman Patrick W.
Garcia Christian D.
Virally Stephane J.
Echols Brigitte Jeffery
Griffin Jeffrey E.
Halford Brian
Schlumberger Technology Corporation
Williams Morgan & Amerson P.C.
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