Wells – Valves – closures or changeable restrictors – Longitudinally movable operator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-05
2001-07-03
Bagnell, David (Department: 3671)
Wells
Valves, closures or changeable restrictors
Longitudinally movable operator
C166S316000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253853
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a well stimulation and production apparatus and method and in particular to an apparatus tubing valve assembly for control of stimulation and production fluids to an oil or gas well and a method for using the assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tubing having openings therein for delivery of stimulation fluids such as, for example, steam to, and for receiving fluids from, a formation are known. Often the openings have removable closures for use during tubing installation. Once the closures are removed, the openings are permanently open.
Recently, a tubing assembly including a sliding sleeve valve has been used in controlling stimulation fluid flow into formations. The tubing assembly includes a sliding sleeve valve positioned over a port through the tubing wall. The sliding sleeve valve is moveable between a closed position, wherein the sleeve blocks the port, and an open position for permitting the flow of the stimulation fluid through the port and to the formation.
Various problems have been encountered by use of the previous sliding sleeve valve tubing assembly. In particular, the stimulation fluid passing through the port tends to cause damage to the formation because of the high pressures of the fluid. In addition, when the sleeve is maintained in the closed position for extended periods, it tends to jam due to a pressure lock and the port tends to become blocked with scale or debris.
The sliding sleeve valves are sometimes used in series along a tubing string in a well. It is intended that the provision of a series of valves will permit stimulation fluid to be delivered along a length of the well. However, it often occurs that the stimulation fluid passes out through the first few valves that it reaches so that the deeper valves transport very little or no stimulation fluid to the formation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An injection fluid tubing assembly has been invented which overcomes the disadvantages of injection fluid tubing assemblies. The sleeve valves are useful for placement in series along a length of tubing for use in the injection of stimulation fluid to a formation.
An injection fluid tubing assembly according to the present invention lowers the kinetic energy of and/or diffuses the stimulation fluid prior to releasing it and, thereby, reduces damage to the formation. When application of stimulation fluids to the formation is stopped, the injection fluid tubing can be left in place to act in sand retainment.
In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an injection fluid tubing assembly for handling a flow of fluid comprising: a tube having a port formed through its wall; a sliding sleeve valve retained within the tube and moveable between a closed position in which it blocks the port and an open position for permitting the flow of fluid to pass through the port; and a flow diverting means in association with the port for diverting the flow of fluid against passing directly radially outwardly through the wall of the tube.
The tube can be any tubular structure suitable for withstanding borehole conditions and for conveying a flow of fluid such as, for example, a stimulating fluid. The tube can be a unitary member or can be formed of a plurality of interconnected parts such as, for example tubing sections and couplings.
The port extends through the wall of the tube to permit stimulating fluid to pass outwardly from the bore of the tube to the outer surface of the tube to, for example, enter a formation. The tube can also be positioned downhole in a producing well and, therefore, the ports can act to permit production fluids to pass from the formation into the tube bore.
A diverting means is provided in association with the port to divert the flow of fluid passing therethrough and to prevent it from passing directly radially outwardly from the bore of the tube. In one embodiment, the diverting means is a wall of the port positioned to divert the flow of fluid to pass through a channel extending substantially longitudinally or substantially circumferentially, relative to the tube, and opening to the outer surface of the tube. There can be one or more channels extending through the tube from the port, as desired. Preferably, the port includes an inner opening from the bore of the tube and an outer opening to the outer surface of the tube and a channel extending between the inner opening and the outer opening. In this arrangement, the wall of the channel acts to divert the fluid through the tube wall. In one embodiment, the channel opens into a header arrangement from which the flow of fluid is divided to pass through a plurality of openings to the outer surface of the tube. Preferably, the plurality of openings cover a large area on the outer surface of the tube. The plurality of openings can be provided, for example, by use of a perforated plate.
In another embodiment, the diverting means is a diffusing material positioned in the port and defining a plurality of tortuous channels through the port. The diffusing material can be for example fibrous material, a slotted plate, or a wire wrapped screen.
In one preferred embodiment, the port includes a longitudinally extending channel which acts to divert the flow of fluid passing through the port and the port further contains a diffusing material, such as a fibrous material or a wire screen, which defines a plurality of tortuous passages through the port.
The sliding sleeve valve is retained within the tube and regulates the flow of fluid through the port. The sliding sleeve valve is moveable between a closed position in which it blocks the port and an open position for permitting the flow of fluid to pass through the port. Any sliding sleeve valve arrangement can be used which permits regulation through the port. in one embodiment, the sleeve valve is formed to permit a reduced flow of fluid through the port when the valve is closed. In other words, a sleeve can be provided which does not completely close off the flow of fluid through the port when the valve is closed. This reduces the chance of a pressure lock and tends to prevent the formation of blockages in the port during periods when the port is closed. In one such embodiment, an opening is formed through the sleeve which is positioned to be in alignment with the port, when the sleeve is in the closed position. The opening is preferably less than 20% of the smallest cross sectional area of the port.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for injecting fluid to a formation comprising: providing a first wellbore into the formation; inserting a tubing assembly into the formation, the tubing assembly including a bore for conveying fluid to the formation, a first port and a second port, the ports opening through the tubing providing access from the bore to the formation and an actuatable valve disposed at each port for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough; providing a second wellbore into the formation, the second wellbore being formed adjacent the first; monitoring wellbore conditions along the second wellbore; and actuating the valves on the tubing assembly to open or close in response to the wellbore conditions.
In a preferred embodiment, the fluid is steam under pressure.
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Bagnell David
Castano Jaime A.
Griffin Jeffrey E.
Mammen Nathan
Stellarton Energy Corporation
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