VÁLVULA DE PREENCHIMENTO AUTOMÁTICO, CIRCULAÇÃO E PRODUÇÃO PARA SISTEMAS DE COMPLETAÇÃO DE POÇOS, E MÉTODO DE OPERAR VÁLVULA POSICIONADA EM COLUNA TUBULAR EM UM FURO DE POÇO

Abstract

AUTOMATIC FILLING, CIRCULATION AND PRODUCTION VALVE FOR WELL COMPLETION SYSTEMS. This is a valve for use in a wellbore that includes a replaceable throttling device that is threaded into at least one opening formed through a sidewall of a tubular housing of the valve. The throttling device is sealable to the sidewall of the tubular housing with an elastomeric sealing component, and the throttling device controls at least one of the fluid pressure within the tubular string and a pressure drop across the valve.The valve also includes a flow sleeve carried by the tubular housing for movement relative to it between a first position in which fluid flow is permitted through the valve, a second position in which the flow sleeve prevents fluid flow through the valve, and a third position in which the flow sleeve is locked in place relative to the tubular housing by a locking ring.

Description

1 / 9 “AUTOMATIC FILLING, CIRCULATION AND PRODUCTION VALVE FOR WELL COMPLETION SYSTEMS, AND METHOD OF OPERATING A VALVE POSITIONED IN A TUBULAR COLUMN IN A BOREHOLE "FROM THE WELL" CROSS-REFERENCE ON RELATED REQUEST

[0001] This document is based on and claims priority over Provisional Application No. US 63 / 038,246, filed on June 12, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FUNDAMENTALS

[0002] When a completion string is run through a well, it is generally advantageous to allow fluid to enter the wellbore as the string is lowered into the well. It is also generally advantageous to allow flow capabilities through the sidewalls of a string when the string is run through the borehole. Furthermore, to ensure successful operations, it is generally considered good practice to periodically test the string pressure while it is being run through the well. Finally, after the string has been installed and the pressure test has been completed, or in other situations, it may be advantageous to prevent fluid flow through the string wall. From the foregoing, there is a continuing need to provide improved devices and methods that accomplish the functionalities mentioned above. SUMMARY

[0003] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a valve for use in a wellbore includes: a tubular housing having at least one opening formed through a side wall thereof; tubular hose connectable to a tubular string via an upper sub-section and a lower sub-section; a replaceable throttling device that is threaded into at least one opening formed through the side wall of the tubular housing, wherein the replaceable throttling device controls at least one of fluid pressure within the tubular string and a pressure drop across the valve; and a flow sleeve carried by the tubular housing for movement relative to it between a first position in which fluid flow is permitted through the valve, a second position in which the flow sleeve impedes fluid flow through the valve, and a third position in which the flow sleeve is locked in place relative to the Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page 10 / 38 2 / 9 tubular housing secured by a locking ring.

[0004] In a method of operating a valve positioned in a wellbore along a tubular string, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the method includes: initiating fluid flow through the tubular string and to the valve suitable for moving a flow-responsive sleeve of the valve from a first open position to a second closed position; with the valve in the second closed position, reducing or removing fluid flow through the tubular string and to the valve to move the flow-responsive sleeve from the second closed position to the first open position; and with the valve in the second closed position, increasing the fluid pressure in the tubular string to move the valve from the second closed position to a third closed position.

[0005] However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Consequently, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure, as defined in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying figures, where similar reference numbers indicate similar elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the various technologies described herein, and:

[0007] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional product design of an apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in an open position;

[0008] Figure 2 shows more details of portion A shown in Figure 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 3 shows more details of portion B shown in Figure 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 4 shows more details of portion C shown in Figure 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figures 5A-5C show a cross-sectional product design of an apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in different operating positions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following description, numerous details are established in order to provide a Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page 11 / 38 3 / 9 understanding of some aspects of this disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the system and / or methodology can be practiced without these details and that numerous variations and modifications of the described aspects may be possible.

[0013] In this descriptive report and the accompanying claims: the terms up and down, superior and inferior, upward and downward, upstream and downstream; hole above and hole below, above and below and other similar terms indicating relative positions above or below a certain point or a certain element are used in this description to describe more clearly some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0014] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate, in general, to equipment used in conjunction with well site operations.More specifically, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for certain practical and important downhole functionalities for a tubing string, including: (1) automatic filling of a tubing string as it is passed through a well; (2) allowing constant circulation of tubing to annulus, or vice versa, as the tubing string is passed through a well; (3) testing the pressure of the tubing string as it is passed through a well; and (4) preventing fluid flow through the tubing sidewall in desired instances.

[0015] First, when a completion string is passed into a well, it is generally advantageous for the fluid in the well to flow into the tubing as the tubing is lowered into the well. This way, the fluid pressure in the tubing can be equalized. With this, in an annulus formed between the tubing and the wellbore, subsequent operations requiring fluid in the tubing become more convenient.

[0016] Secondly, it is also generally advantageous to allow circulation capabilities through the sidewalls of the tubing string when the tubing string is passed through the borehole. For example, when a formation is under loss, it is beneficial to have the capability to pump the lost circulation material in the tubing to maintain well stability. On the other hand, if objects (e.g., debris, spheres, etc.) in the tubing string need to be circulated out of the well, it is beneficial to have the capability to pump the annulus and circulate the fluid out of the tubing string.

[0017] Thirdly, in order to ensure successful operations, it is generally considered good practice to test the tubular column pressure periodically as the column Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page 12 / 38 4 / 9 tubular is passed into the well. However, if the tubular string is open, or otherwise opened for fluid communication with the annulus (e.g., through an opening formed through a side wall of the tubular string), it may be difficult or uneconomical to periodically close the opening to perform the pressure test and then reopen the tubular string so that the tubular string can continue to fill while it is lowered further into the well. Furthermore, when other equipment items are pressure tested, such as after setting a packer, it may be advantageous to allow fluid flow through the opening in the tubular string. Thus, it can be observed that the ability to open and close the opening in the tubular string at will to allow automatic filling of the tubular string, pressure testing of the tubular string, and pressure testing of other equipment in the well is very beneficial in these operations.

[0018] Fourthly, after the tubular string has been installed and the pressure test has been completed, or in other situations, it is sometimes advantageous to prevent fluid flow through the side wall of the tubular string. For example, after a production pipeline has been installed, it may be desirable to close any opening through the side wall of the pipeline, except in particular locations. Thus, a device that allows the automatic filling of a tubular string must, in some cases, have the ability to prevent any fluid flow through a side wall of the device. As further described below, a valve and a corresponding method, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, integrates the four functionalities mentioned above to facilitate the displacement of the valve in three positions simply by switching the tubular flow rates on / off.

[0019] An apparatus, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, controls the fluid flow of a tubular column in a wellbore in response to a pressure drop in the apparatus. Referring now to Figure 1, a cross-sectional product design of a valve 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in an open position is shown. In addition, Figures 2, 3 and 4 show further details of portions A, B and C shown in Figure 1, respectively, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. An automatic filling circulation valve 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, includes a set of throttling devices 12 in a tubular housing 9. The throttling devices 12 can be configured in various quantities and bore sizes. Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, p. 13 / 38 5 / 9 of a throttling mechanism is used to produce a constant flow through the tubular column or a desired pressure drop in valve 100. The valve body 100 contains four sets of seals 23, 24, 29, 30 and a flow sleeve 10 that change the states of valve 100 between the first (open), second (temporarily closed), and third (permanently closed) positions in response to a pressure drop in valve 100. A replaceable spring 11 in valve 100 is designed to deflect a certain piston-effect force generated by the pressure drop in valve 100. A set of shear devices 19, 20 is included in the lower section of valve 100, which activates and displaces the shear sleeve 18 in a downward direction when a desired flow-induced pressure drop is achieved in valve 100.After the shear sleeve 18 is displaced and the flow sleeve 10 is engaged in the lower sealing units 23, a locking ring 6 locks the valve 100 in the closed position, preventing any further fluid communication through the valve 100. As shown in Figure 1, for example, the locking ring 6 may be a component of a locking ring housing 7 in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The locking ring housing 7 may be fixed to the upper sub 1 of the valve 100 and the tubular housing 9 may be fixed to the locking ring housing 7 by means of at least one screw 8 or other type of fastener, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] As mentioned previously, the valve 100, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, includes a throttling device assembly 12 in a tubular housing 9. More specifically, the tubular housing 9 of the valve 100 includes at least one opening formed through a side wall of the tubular housing 9, and a replaceable throttling device 12 is threaded into at least one opening formed through the side wall of the tubular housing 9, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. As shown in Figure 3, the replaceable throttling device 12 can be sealed to the side wall of the tubular housing 9 with an elastomeric sealing component 32, for example. As further shown in Figure 1, the tubular housing 9 is connectable to a tubular column by means of an upper sub 1 and a lower sub 22 of the valve 100.In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the replaceable throttling device 12 controls at least one fluid pressure within the tubular column and a pressure drop across the valve 100. Advantageously, the replaceable throttling device 12 is a flow restriction device that can be... Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, p. 14 / 38 6 / 9 replaced at different times or service locations in one or more modalities of this disclosure.

[0021] Referring again to Figure 1, the valve 100 includes a flow sleeve 10 carried by the tubular housing 9 for movement relative to the tubular housing 9 between a first position (Figures 1, 5A) in which fluid flow is permitted through the valve, a second position (Figure 5B) in which the flow sleeve 10 prevents fluid flow through the valve 100, and a third position (Figure 5C) in which the flow sleeve 10 is locked in place relative to the tubular housing 9 by a locking ring 6. Thus, the valve 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively opens, temporarily closes, or permanently closes the bypass ports in response to flow-induced pressure in the valve 100. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the valve 100 is operable from a remote surface location.As further described below, the valve bypass ports can be repeatedly cycled from the first open position to the second temporarily closed position, selectively raising and lowering the fluid pressure, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure. As previously described, one or more of the replaceable throttling devices 12, which are sized to produce a desired flow-induced pressure drop across the valve 100, can control the fluid pressure within the valve 100.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1-3, the flow sleeve 10 includes a first set of sealing units 24, 29 in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The first set of sealing units 24, 29 includes differential sealing units, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, the first set of sealing units 24, 29 generates a piston-effect force and pushes the flow sleeve 10 downward when a sufficient flow-induced pressure drop is achieved within the valve 100. For example, the piston effect generated by the first set of sealing units 24, 29 displaces the flow sleeve 10 from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the third position, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.In one or more embodiments, the downward movement of the flow sleeve 10 allows the flow sleeve 10 to seal against a second set of sealing units 29, 30 within a sealing conveyor 13 of the valve 100 (Figures 3, 4), reaching the second temporarily closed position. The conveyor. Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page 15 / 38 The 7 / 9 sealing unit 13 provides a seal and prevents flow through the valve 100 when the valve 100 is in the second position (i.e., the temporarily closed position). As shown in Figure 4, in addition to the second set of sealing units, the sealing carrier 13 may also include a support ring 27 and O-rings 15, 31, for example. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, a retaining ring 16, such as a type c retaining ring, may be used to retain the position of the sealing carrier 13 when the valve 100 is in the second position. In this second position, the communication between the tubular string and a wellbore annulus is isolated by the sealing units 24, 29, 30, allowing for pipe pressure testing. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, one or both of the first and second sealing units 24, 29, 30 may be protected by at least one support ring 28 as shown in Figure 3, for example.Furthermore, the sealing conveyor 13 can be attached to the valve 100 with a screw 14 or other type of fastener, as shown in Figure 4, for example.

[0023] In addition to the above, the flow sleeve 10 has the ability to change from the second position back to the first position in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, and as further described below, a set of replaceable shear devices 19, 20 along a shear sleeve 18 limits the pressure that can be applied, preventing the flow sleeve 10 from moving from the second position to the third position until the shear device is activated. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the valve 100 includes a deflection spring 11, as shown in Figure 1. When the tubular flow / pressure is removed from the surface, the deflection spring 11 pushes the flow sleeve 10 upward, displacing the valve 100 from the temporarily closed second position (Figure 5B) back to the open first position (Figure 1, 5A).Thus, valve 100 and the associated method, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, allow free bidirectional movement of the flow sleeve 10 until the shear device is activated, which locks valve 100 permanently closed in the third position when desired.

[0024] As previously described, a set of shear devices 19, 20 along a shear sleeve 18 limits the pressure that can be applied by preventing the flow sleeve 10 from moving from the second position to the third position until the shear device is activated. That is, when a desired flow-induced pressure drop is achieved across the valve 100, the set of devices Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page 16 / 38 8 / 9 shear 19, 20 shear, causing the activation of the shear device, which displaces the shear sleeve 18. In other words, the set of shear devices 19, 20 and the shear sleeve 18 prevent the flow sleeve 10 from moving from the second position to the third position until the shear device is activated. Once the flow sleeve 10 moves from the second position to the third position after activation of the shear device, the locking ring 6 locks the valve 100 in the third position by expanding into a groove in the flow sleeve 10. The use of the shear device assembly 19, 20 of the shear sleeve 18, in this way, is beneficial insofar as the pressure required for a pipeline pressure test does not affect the pressure drop required to change the valve state (i.e., position) of valve 100, therefore making superior pipeline pressure tests possible.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the valve 100 may also include at least one production seal stack 23, 24 according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure. For example, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the production seal stack 23, 24 may be protected by one or more of the upper sub 1, the lower sub 22 and one or more debris barrier rings 25, 26, with or without a sealing bearing ring 17, as the tubular string is passed through the wellbore or is otherwise in service, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure. An upper sealing cap 2 of the valve 100 may further protect the production seal stack 23, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, one or both of the production sealing stacks 23, 24 may prevent flow through valve 100 when valve 100 is in the third permanently closed position.Thus, one or both of the production sealing stacks 23, 24 can be activated to provide sealing when the flow sleeve 10 seals on one or both of the production sealing stacks 23, 24 after activation of the shear device (i.e., displacement of the shear sleeve 18), whereby the flow sleeve 10 assumes the third permanently closed position. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a retaining ring 3, such as a c-type retaining ring 4, can be used to retain the position of the production sealing stacks 23, 24 when the valve 100 is in the third position.

[0026] Although some modalities of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, those of common skill in the art will readily understand that many Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page 17 / 38 9 / 9 Modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Consequently, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure, as defined in the claims. Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page 18 / 38

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. Valve (100) for use in a wellbore characterized in that it comprises: a tubular housing (9) having at least one opening formed through a side wall thereof, wherein the tubular housing (9) is connectable to a tubular string via an upper sub (1) and a lower sub (22); a replaceable throttling device (12) threaded into at least one opening formed through the side wall of the tubular housing (9), wherein the replaceable throttling device (12) can be sealed to the side wall of the tubular housing (9) with an elastomeric sealing component (32), and wherein the replaceable throttling device (12) controls at least one fluid pressure within the tubular string and one pressure drop across the valve (100);a flow sleeve (100) carried by the tubular housing (9) for movement relative to the same between a first position in which fluid flow is permitted through the valve (100), a second position in which the flow sleeve (10) prevents fluid flow through the valve (100) and a third position in which the flow sleeve (10) is locked in place relative to the tubular housing (9) by a locking ring (6); and a production seal stack (23) which is configured to prevent flow through the valve (100), wherein the production seal stack (23) does not seal against the flow sleeve (10) in the first and second positions, and wherein the production stack (23) seals against the flow sleeve (10) in the third position.

2. Valve (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the replaceable throttling device (12) is configured to a desired throttling hole size to provide a desired pressure drop across the valve (100).

3. Valve (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one differential sealing unit (24, 29) that provides a piston effect to move the flow sleeve (10) from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the third position, in response to a flow-induced pressure drop.

4. Valve (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page 19 / 38 2 / 4 further comprises a deflection spring (11) that pushes the flow sleeve (10) from the second position to the first position when the tubular flow is removed.

5. Valve (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking ring (6) locks the valve (100) in the third position.

6. Valve (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a sealing carrier (13) which is configured to provide sealing and prevents flow through the valve (100) when the valve (100) is in the second position.

7. Valve (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: a sealing carrier (13) which is configured to provide sealing and prevent flow through the valve (100) when the valve (100) is in the second position; and a retaining ring which is configured to maintain the positions of the sealing carrier (13) and the production seal stack (23, 24).

8. Valve according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising a shear sleeve (18) which is held in an initial position by one or more shear devices, wherein, when a desired flow-induced pressure drop is achieved across the valve (100), the flow sleeve (10) displaces the shear sleeve (18) past one or more shear devices (19, 20) to allow the flow sleeve (10) to move from the second position to the third position.

9. Method of operating a valve (100) positioned in a tubular string in a wellbore, wherein the method is characterized in that it comprises: initiating fluid flow through the tubular string and to the valve (100) suitable for displacing a flow-responsive sleeve (10) of the valve (100) from a first open position to a second closed position; with the valve (100) in the second closed position, reducing or removing fluid flow through the tubular string and to the valve (100) to displace the flow-responsive sleeve (10) of the valve (100) from the second closed position to the first open position; with the valve (100) in the second closed position, increasing the fluid pressure in the tubular string to displace the flow-responsive sleeve (10) of the valve (100) from the second closed position to a third closed position; and with the valve (100) in the third closed position, sealing a sealing stack of Petition 870260034410, dated 04 / 13 / 2026, page.20 / 38 3 / 4 production (23) against the flow-sensitive sleeve (10) to prevent fluid from flowing through the valve (100), wherein the production seal assembly (23) does not seal against the flow-sensitive sleeve (10) when the flow-sensitive sleeve (10) is in the first open position and in the second closed position.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the valve (100) is operable from a remote surface location.

11. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises controlling at least one of the fluid flow through the tubular column and a pressure drop across the valve (100) by means of a replaceable throttling device (12) sealable through a side wall of a tubular housing (9) of the valve (100).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the replaceable throttling device (12) is configured for a desired throttling bore size to provide a desired pressure drop within the wellbore when active flow is present through the valve (100).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that moving the valve (100) from the second closed position to the third closed position includes moving a shear sleeve (18), held in an initial position by one or more shear devices (19, 20), in addition to the shear devices (19, 20) to allow the flow-sensitive sleeve (10) to move from the second closed position to the third closed position.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises locking the valve (100) in the third closed position after displacing the shear sleeve (18).

15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the shear sleeve (18) is positioned longitudinally apart from the flow-sensitive sleeve (10) when the flow-sensitive sleeve (10) is in the first open position, and the displacement of the shear sleeve (18) includes contact of the shear sleeve (18) with the flow-sensitive sleeve (10).

16. Valve (100) for use in a well, characterized by comprising: a tubular housing (9) having at least one opening formed through one of its side walls, the tubular housing (9) connectable to a tubular string by means of an upper sub (1) and a lower sub (22); a replaceable throttling device (12) that is threaded into at least one opening formed through the side wall of the tubular housing (9), wherein the replaceable throttling device (12) is sealable to the side wall of the tubular housing (9) with an elastomeric sealing component, and wherein the replaceable throttling device (12) controls at least one of the fluid pressures within the tubular string and a pressure drop across the valve (100);a flow sleeve (10) supported by the tubular housing (9) for movement relative to it between a first position in which fluid flow is permitted through the valve (100), a second position in which the flow sleeve (10) prevents fluid flow through the valve (100), and a third position in which the flow sleeve (10) is locked in place relative to the tubular housing (9) by a locking ring (6); and a shear sleeve (18) positioned longitudinally to the flow sleeve (10) and held in an initial position by one or more shear devices (19, 20), wherein the flow sleeve (10) is configured to move to the third position based on contact with the shear sleeve (18) and displacement of the shear sleeve (18) beyond one or more shear devices (19, 20).

17. Valve according to claim 16, characterized in that the production seal assembly engages against the shear sleeve when the flow sleeve (10) is in the first and second positions, and in that the production seal assembly (23) engages against the flow sleeve (10) when the flow sleeve (10) is in the third position.

18. Valve according to claim 16, characterized in that the shear sleeve (18) is positioned below the flow sleeve (10).

19. Valve according to claim 16, characterized in that the production sealing assembly is protected by the shear sleeve (18) and by one or more debris barrier rings when the shear sleeve (18) is held in the initial position.

20. Valve according to claim 16, characterized in that, when the flow sleeve (10) is in the third position, the flow sleeve (10) occupies at least part of the space that the shear sleeve (18) occupies in the initial position of the shear sleeve (18). Petition 870260034410, dated 13 / 04 / 2026, p. 22 / 38

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