Decoupling of a piston for linear actuation

Abstract

An isolation valve comprising a ball valve element, an actuation section for rotating the ball valve element, and a trigger section that actuates the actuation section in response to a pressure differential. The actuation section comprises an actuation spindle, a piston housing at least partially enclosing the actuation spindle, a collet piston, and a retaining collet. The piston housing and the actuation spindle define a hydraulic chamber, and the collet piston divides the hydraulic chamber into an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber. The retaining collet supports the collet piston during a stroke of the actuation spindle triggered by the trigger section. The collet piston is configured to assume a rest position on the actuation spindle before and during the stroke of the actuation spindle, and the collet piston is configured to disengage from the actuation spindle after the stroke of the actuation spindle.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This document is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 049,793, filed on July 9, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] Hydrocarbon fluids, such as oil and natural gas, are obtained from underground geological formations known as reservoirs by drilling a wellbore through a hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Once the wellbore is drilled, various types of completion components can be installed to control and improve the efficiency of producing various fluids from the reservoir.

[0004] Isolation valves protect reservoirs by providing a reliable barrier within the completion string. Isolation valves may utilize a ball valve as the primary barrier mechanism and can be actuated to open and close in various ways, such as hydraulically or mechanically. In isolation valves implementing a one-time remote open trigger event for actuating the ball valve, hydraulic locking of the actuator in the actuation section of the isolation valve prevents the ball valve from being able to reclose. Therefore, there is a need for an improved actuation / mechanical section of the isolation valve that, if desired, allows the ball valve to reclose after initial actuation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An isolation valve according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a ball section having a ball valve element rotatable between an open position and a closed position; an actuation section coupled to the ball section to rotate the ball valve element; and a trigger section actuating the actuation section and thus the ball section in response to a pressure differential. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the actuation section includes: an actuation spindle including an upper actuation spindle coupled to a lower actuation spindle; a piston housing at least partially surrounding the actuation spindle, wherein the piston housing and the actuation spindle define a hydraulic chamber between an inner diameter of the piston housing and an outer diameter of the actuation spindle; a collet piston disposed in the piston housing, the collet piston dividing the hydraulic chamber into an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber; and a retaining collet disposed in the piston housing, the retaining collet supporting the collet piston during the stroke of the actuation spindle triggered by the trigger section. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the collet piston is configured to present a stationary position on the actuation spindle before and during the stroke of the actuation spindle triggered by the trigger segment, and the piston is configured to disengage from the actuation spindle after the stroke of the actuation spindle triggered by the trigger segment.

[0006] One method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes: actuating a hydraulic piston once to displace an actuation spindle thereby opening an associated valve; disengaging the hydraulic piston from the actuation spindle at the end of the stroke of the actuation spindle; and operating the actuation spindle after the disengagement step to reclose the associated valve.

[0007] However, many modifications may be made without substantially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. However, it should be understood that the drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the various described techniques. The drawings are as follows:

[0009] Figure 1 It is the architectural layout of an isolation valve according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 An actuation / mechanical section of an isolation valve in a down-drill position is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein a ball valve element is open;

[0011] Figure 3 An actuation / mechanical section of an isolation valve in an operating position prior to actuation of the trigger section, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown, wherein the ball valve element is closed;

[0012] Figure 4 An actuation / mechanical section of an isolation valve in an operating position following actuation of a trigger section, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown, wherein the ball valve element is open;

[0013] Figure 5 The actuation / mechanical section of an isolation valve is shown in an operating position after the collet piston in the actuation / mechanical section has disengaged, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the ball valve element is open;

[0014] Figure 6 The actuation / mechanical section of the isolation valve is shown in the operating position after the collet piston has disengaged, wherein the ball valve element has re-closed; and

[0015] Figure 7 An isometric view of an isolation valve with a transparent piston housing in the operating position, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0016] In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced without these details, and that many variations or modifications to the described embodiments are possible.

[0017] In the specification and appended claims: the terms “connection,” “connector,” “linked,” “connected with,” “in connection,” “linked,” “linked,” “connected with,” and “in connection” are used to indicate “direct connection with” or “connected with” via another element. As used herein, the terms “upper” and “lower,” “upper part” and “lower part,” “upward” and “downward,” “upstream” and “downstream,” “above” and “below,” and other similar terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element are used to more clearly describe some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0018] One or more embodiments of this disclosure relate to an isolation valve. More specifically, one or more embodiments of this disclosure relate to an improved actuation / mechanical section of an isolation valve that allows the ball valve to be reclosed after a one-time remote event that initially facilitates opening by a trigger section of the isolation valve. Due to the design and configuration described herein, the isolation valve according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure can have an API 19V “CC type” designation, meaning that the isolation valve can operate both before and after production. More specifically, the isolation valve can continue to operate to reclose and reopen the ball valve, even after the isolation valve has been remotely opened from the surface. Therefore, in cases where reservoir re-isolation is required, the well operator will be able to make mechanical intervention to close the ball valve.

[0019] General Reference Figure 1 This illustration shows the architectural layout of an isolation valve 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the isolation valve 10 may be disposed along the well string to selectively block or allow fluid flow along the interior of the well string. Figure 1As shown, an isolation valve 10 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a ball section 12 having a ball valve element 13, for example, rotatable between an open position and a closed position. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the isolation valve 10 may further include an actuation / mechanical section 14 coupled to the ball section 12 to rotate the ball valve element 13, thereby opening and closing the ball valve element 13, as further described below. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, the actuation / mechanical section 14 may be coupled to the ball section 12 via an extension section 15. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the extension section 15 maintains the displacement profile of the actuation / mechanical section 14 away from the ball section 12 such that debris does not affect the mechanical displacement of the ball valve element 13. Figure 1 As further shown, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the isolation valve 10 may include a triggering section 16 that actuates or triggers the actuating section 14. For example... Figure 1 As further shown, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the isolation valve 10 may include a compensator section 18 that provides a reservoir for the trigger section 16 and the actuation section 14 and provides pipe pressure.

[0020] Now for reference Figure 2 According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the actuation / mechanical section 14 of the isolation valve 10 is shown in the down-drill position, wherein the ball valve element 13 is open. As shown, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the actuation / mechanical section 14 includes an actuation spindle 20, a piston housing 22, a collet piston 24, and a retaining collet 26. Figure 2 As shown, for example, the actuating spindle 20 may include an upper actuating spindle 20a and a lower actuating spindle 20b. Also as... Figure 2 As shown, in one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the piston housing 22 at least partially surrounds the actuation spindle 20. For example, the piston housing 22 may include an upper piston housing 22a and a lower piston housing 22b.

[0021] Still referencing Figure 2 In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, a piston housing 22 and an actuating spindle 20 are defined in a hydraulic chamber 28 between the inner diameter of the piston housing 22 and the outer diameter of the actuating spindle 20. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the actuating spindle 20 may include at least one seal at either end of the hydraulic chamber 28. Figure 2 As further shown, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, a collet piston 24 is disposed within a piston housing 22. Thus, the collet piston 24 divides the hydraulic chamber 28 into an upper hydraulic chamber 28a and a lower hydraulic chamber 28b. Figure 2In the drill bit position shown, the upper hydraulic chamber 28a and the lower hydraulic chamber 28b may have equal pressure. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, for example, equal pressure may be equal pipe pressure supplied from the compensator section 18 via the first drill port 29a and the second drill port 29b disposed in the piston housing 22. Because... Figure 2 From the drill position shown and thereafter until the trigger section 16 is actuated (which will be described further below), there is equal tube pressure on the collet piston 24, so the collet piston 24 remains stationary.

[0022] Still referencing Figure 2 According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, a retaining collet 26 is also disposed in the piston housing 22, and the retaining collet 26 supports the collet piston 24 in the down-drill position. As further described below, the retaining collet 26 also supports the collet piston 24 in other operating positions of the actuation / mechanical section 14 of the isolation valve 10. In addition to being disposed in the piston housing 22, the retaining collet 26 according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure may, for example, be fixed to at least a portion of the outer diameter of the upper actuation spindle 20a, such as... Figure 2 As shown.

[0023] Now for reference Figure 3 According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the actuation / mechanical section 14 of the isolation valve 10 is shown in an operating position prior to actuation of the trigger section 16, wherein the ball valve element 13 is closed. Specifically, prior to actuation of the trigger section 16, Figure 3 The actuator spindle 20 is shown to have been pulled up or moved upward until the upper actuator spindle 20a rests near the trigger section 10. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, for example, a mechanical displacement tool may be used to pull up or move the actuator spindle 20 upward. Linear upward displacement of the actuator spindle 20 allows the ball valve element 13 of the ball section 12 to rotate until the ball valve element 13 is in the closed position. Also as Figure 3 As shown, linearly shifting the actuator spindle 20 upward also causes the collet piston 24 to rest on the angled ramp 30 of the actuator spindle 20, while the collet 26 continues to support the collet piston 24 on the outer diameter of the collet piston 24. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the angled ramp 30 may be provided on the lower actuator spindle 20b of the actuator spindle 20.

[0024] Now for reference Figure 4According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the actuation / mechanical section 14 of the isolation valve 10 is shown in an operating position after actuation of the trigger section 16, wherein the ball valve element 14 is open. To initiate actuation of the trigger section 16, a separate triggering mechanism of the trigger section 16 causes the upper hydraulic chamber 28a and the lower hydraulic chamber 28b to disconnect, thereby creating a pressure difference in the hydraulic chambers 28. Specifically, in one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the trigger section 16 or the "stroke protection" section may be controlled based on pressure characteristics applied from a surface or from another suitable location. The trigger section 16 may include a housing having at least one piston, and the trigger section 16 housing may be coupled to the actuation / mechanical section 14. Furthermore, the trigger section 16 may be able to communicate with drill ports 29a, 29b provided in the piston housing 22.

[0025] When the time comes to actuate the trigger section 16, a pressure feature can be applied to the trigger section 16, actuating at least one piston of the trigger section 16 and causing the lower hydraulic chamber 28b to depressurize via the lower drill port 29b. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, a pressure signal is applied remotely, and the trigger section 16 can be actuated only once via the pressure feature. That is, the trigger section 16 is configured to actuate the actuation section 14 only once to displace the actuation spindle 20 via the downward movement of the collet piston 24, as further described below. As fluid flows out of the lower hydraulic chamber 28b, the tube pressure in the lower drill port 29b is replaced by atmospheric pressure, and a pressure differential is generated on the collet piston 24.

[0026] Still referencing Figure 4 The pressure difference generated on the collet piston 24 causes the collet piston 24 to begin a downward stroke. As the collet arm of the collet piston 24 begins to move axially, the collet arm engages with the angled bevel 30 of the actuating spindle 20, and the collet arm of the collet piston 24 remains engaged with the bevel surface 30 of the actuating spindle 20 throughout the actuation stroke. Furthermore, according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the collet 26 continues to support the collet piston 24 during the stroke of the actuating spindle 20. Advantageously, the collet arm that consistently supports the collet piston 24 throughout the stroke of the actuating spindle 20 allows for the generation of, for example, a high actuation force of 80,000 lbf or greater. During the actuation stroke, the collet piston 24 continues to translate in the downward direction, thereby pulling the actuating spindle 20, which pushes the entire spindle column downward to open the ball valve element 13, e.g., as... Figure 4 As shown. At the end of the stroke of the actuating spindle 20, the collet arm of the collet piston 24 is no longer supported by the retaining collet 26 on its outer diameter, which allows the collet fingers to be released from the inclined surface 30 of the actuating spindle 20 (i.e., disengaged from the actuating spindle 20), as... Figure 5As shown, this is further described below. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the stroke of the actuating spindle 20 ends when the actuating spindle 20 rests against the end of the retaining collet 26, for example, as Figure 4 As shown.

[0027] Now for reference Figure 5 According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the actuation / mechanical section 14 of the isolation valve 10 is shown in an operating position after the collet piston 24 of the actuation / mechanical section 14 has disengaged from the actuation spindle 20, wherein the ball valve element 13 is open. Figure 5 As shown, after the collet piston 24 disengages from the actuation spindle 20, the collet piston 24 freely continues its downward stroke along the outer diameter of the actuation spindle 20 until it rests against the end of the lower piston housing 22b. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, hydraulic locking (i.e., the actuation of the aforementioned trigger section 16) can be used to facilitate the disengagement of the collet piston 24 from the actuation spindle 20 and lock the collet piston 24 in place after it rests against the lower piston housing 22b. By allowing the collet piston 24 to make downward strokes and simply disengage mechanically from the actuation spindle 20, the hydraulic locking of the collet piston 24 (i.e., pressure in the upper hydraulic chamber 28a > pressure in the lower hydraulic chamber 28b) does not prevent mechanical displacement of the actuation spindle 20 after actuation of the trigger section 16.

[0028] Now for reference Figure 6 According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the actuation / mechanical section 14 of the isolation valve 10 is shown in an operating position after the disengagement of the collet piston 24, wherein the ball valve element 13 is reclosed. Once the collet piston 24 has disengaged from the actuation spindle 20 and is hydraulically locked in place as previously described, the actuation spindle 20 is disengaged from the collet piston 24 and can be mechanically pulled up or otherwise displaced in an upward direction to close the ball valve element 13. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, for example, a mechanical displacement tool can be used to pull up or displace the actuator spindle 20 upward. Linearly displacing the actuation spindle 20 upward allows the ball valve element 13 of the ball section 12 to rotate until the ball valve element 13 presents a reclosed position. In one or more embodiments of this disclosure, the actuation spindle 20 can be mechanically displaced to reopen the ball valve element 13 after it has been reclosed. Advantageously, one or more embodiments of this disclosure allow the actuation spindle 20 of the actuation / mechanical section 14 to continue mechanically operating to open and close the ball valve element 13 after the trigger section 16 is actuated.

[0029] Now for reference Figure 7 According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, an isometric view of an isolation valve 10 having a transparent piston housing 22 in the operating position is shown. More specifically, Figure 7 An additional view is provided showing the isolation valve at the end of actuation of the trigger section 16, where the ball valve element 13 will be in the open position. Figure 7 As further shown, the collet arm of the collet piston 24 disengages from the actuating spindle 20.

[0030] Additional advantages can be achieved through one or more embodiments of this disclosure. For example, the isolation valve according to one or more embodiments of this disclosure can be used at higher reservoir pressures, as understood by those skilled in the art. Since only the actuating mandrel 20 and piston housing 22 experience full hydrostatic burst / collapse pressure, these components can be designed to be thicker, thus enabling them to withstand higher downhole pressures.

[0031] Furthermore, one or more embodiments of this disclosure can reduce the cost of isolation valve products. In fact, by implementing one or more of the concepts described herein, the mechanical components 14 of the isolation valve 10 can be simplified, as long as the actuating spindle 20 can be held by a simple retaining collet 26.

[0032] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described with respect to isolation valves, embodiments of this disclosure can also be used in any product utilizing a ball valve, where the freedom to continuously reclose and reopen the ball valve is required after a remotely triggered actuation event. Furthermore, one or more embodiments of this disclosure can also be used in any design requiring linear stroke of the internal spindle column, which must be separated from the piston after use.

[0033] Although several embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications may be made without substantially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. An isolation valve, comprising: a ball section having a ball valve element rotatable between an open position and a closed position; an actuation section coupled with the ball section to rotate the ball valve element; and a trigger section to actuate the actuation section and the ball section in response to a pressure differential, wherein the actuation section comprises: an actuation spindle comprising an upper actuation spindle coupled to a lower actuation spindle; a piston housing at least partially surrounding the actuation spindle, wherein the piston housing and the actuation spindle define a hydraulic chamber between an inner diameter of the piston housing and an outer diameter of the actuation spindle; a collet piston disposed in the piston housing, the collet piston dividing the hydraulic chamber into an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber; and a retaining collet disposed in the piston housing, the retaining collet supporting the collet piston during a stroke of the actuation spindle triggered by the trigger section, wherein the collet piston is configured to assume a rest position on the actuation spindle prior to and during the stroke of the actuation spindle triggered by the trigger section, and wherein the collet piston is configured to disengage from the actuation spindle after the stroke of the actuation spindle triggered by the trigger section. a first gun port connected to the upper hydraulic chamber; and a second gun port connected to the lower hydraulic chamber.

2. The isolation valve of claim 1, wherein the piston housing comprises:

3. The isolation valve of claim 1, wherein the upper hydraulic chamber and the lower hydraulic chamber are in communication under tubing pressure prior to actuation by the trigger section.

4. The isolation valve of claim 2, wherein the upper hydraulic chamber and the lower hydraulic chamber are in communication under tubing pressure prior to actuation by the trigger section.

5. The isolation valve of claim 1, wherein the actuation spindle actuates linearly to rotate the ball valve element between the open position and the closed position.

6. The isolation valve of claim 1, wherein the trigger section is configured to actuate the actuation section only once to displace the actuation spindle via downward movement of the collet piston.

7. The isolation valve of claim 1, wherein in the rest position, the collet piston rests on an angled ramp of the actuation spindle while being supported by the retaining collet on an outer diameter of the collet piston.

8. The isolation valve of claim 1, wherein the actuation spindle comprises at least one seal on either end of the hydraulic chamber.

9. A system for use in a well, the system comprising: a well string having a isolation valve as claimed in claim 1 disposed along the well string to selectively stop or allow fluid flow along an interior of the well string.

10. A method, comprising: downhole deploying a well string having an isolation valve as claimed in claim 1 in a wellbore, wherein the ball valve element is in the open position during the deploying step, and wherein the upper hydraulic chamber and the lower hydraulic chamber have equal pressure during the deploying step; ​ ​ displacing the actuating spindle to close the ball valve element, which causes the collet piston to rest on an angled ramp of the actuating spindle; creating the pressure differential between the upper hydraulic chamber and the lower hydraulic chamber using the trigger section; stroking the actuating spindle via the collet piston in response to the pressure differential to open the ball valve element; disengaging the collet piston from the actuating spindle so that the collet piston no longer rests on the angled ramp of the actuating spindle; and resting the collet piston on a lower portion of the piston housing.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: displacing the actuating spindle to reclose the ball valve element after the resting step.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: displacing the actuating spindle to reopen the ball valve element after reclosing the ball valve element.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the using the trigger section step occurs only once to facilitate stroking of the actuating spindle via the collet piston.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the using the trigger section step comprises initiating a remote open trigger event.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein after the stroking step and before the disengaging step, the retaining collet no longer supports the collet piston, and the collet piston continues to rest on the angled ramp of the actuating spindle. ​

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