Dual sleeve valve system

Abstract

A system and method for producing hydrocarbons from a well using a dual sleeve valve assembly is provided. A dual sleeve valve assembly has a toe valve assembly and a production assembly. The toe valve assembly has a valve sleeve positioned within a valve housing that includes at least one fracturing bore. The valve sleeve is displaceable to allow fluid to pass through the at least one fracturing bore. The production assembly includes a production sleeve positioned within a production housing that includes at least one sieve aperture and at least one production aperture. And the sand control screen assembly is arranged around the production shell. The production sleeve is displaceable by the ball to allow fluid to pass through the at least one sieve aperture and the at least one production aperture.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This document is based upon and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 365,384, filed on May 26, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] In various well applications, the toe valve can be positioned along the casing string to enable selective communication between the wellbore and the surrounding reservoir via the circumferential flow holes. For example, in a multi-stage excitation, the toe valve can be lowered at the toe of the casing in a closed position. The toe valve is then actuated to open the circumferential flow holes to enable communication between the interior of the casing and the surrounding reservoir. This allows the operator to lower perforating guns, plugs and other tools via cables in the horizontal section of the wellbore by pumping fluid down through the casing string. The pumped fluid effectively pushes the tool or tools along the wellbore and then leaves the casing through the flow holes of the toe valve. In some subsequent operations such as sand control, it is necessary to sequentially close a set of holes and open a second set of holes covered by the sand control screen assembly. Summary of the invention

[0004] Generally speaking, the present invention provides a system and method for providing improved control of fluid flow between the interior and exterior of a tubing string. The improvement in fluid control is achieved using a dual sleeve valve system. For purposes of explanation, the dual sleeve valve system is described in the form of a dual sleeve valve system positioned along a tubing string.

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

[0006] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals represent the same elements. However, it should be understood that the accompanying drawings illustrate various implementations described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the various described technologies. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0007] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dual sleeve valve system in a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a portion of a dual sleeve valve in a second position; and

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the hydraulic section of a double sleeve valve in a second position, with the ball located in the ball seat.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the hydraulic section of the double sleeve valve in the third position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In the following description, many details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these details, and that various changes or modifications to the described embodiments are possible.

[0012] In the specification and the appended claims: the terms "connection", "connector", "connected", "connected with", "in connection", "coupled", "coupled", "coupled with", and "in connection" are used to mean "directly connected with" or "connected with via another element". As used herein, the terms "up" and "down", "upper" and "lower", "upwardly" and "downwardly", "upstream" and "downstream", "uphole" and "downhole", "above" and "below", and other similar terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element are used in this specification to more clearly describe the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] The disclosure herein generally relates to a system and method for providing improved control of fluid flow between the interior and exterior of a tubing string (e.g., improved communication between a wellbore and a surrounding reservoir). According to an embodiment, a dual sleeve valve system can be positioned along a casing string or other type of tubing string. For purposes of explanation, the dual sleeve valve system is described in the form of a dual sleeve valve system positioned along a tubing string. However, the dual sleeve valve system can have other configurations and can be used in other types of operations or at other locations along a tubing string.

[0014] As described in more detail below, the pressure increase along the interior of the tubing string can be used to initially open one or more frac holes of the dual sleeve valve system, thereby allowing radial flow between the interior and exterior of the tubing string. After the initial activation, a drop ball, plug, or similar device can be used to close the frac holes and open one or more production holes covered by the sand control screen assembly.

[0015] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a dual sleeve valve system 100 in a first position or run-in position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the dual sleeve valve system 100 is described as having a toe valve assembly 102 and a production assembly 104 disposed along a tubing string. However, the dual valve system 100 can have other dual sleeve valve system configurations for use in other types of operations, tubing strings, and / or locations along a tubing string. For example, the tubing string can be in the form of a casing string that can be positioned within a wellbore (e.g., a wellbore).

[0016] A wellbore is drilled into a surrounding reservoir, and the dual sleeve valve system 100 controls fluid communication between the tubing string and the surrounding reservoir. In other words, when the tubing string is positioned within the wellbore, the dual sleeve valve system 100 can be operated to control fluid flow between the borehole and the exterior of the tubing string. Depending on the parameters of a particular operation, the dimensions, components, and materials used in the construction of the tubing string and the dual sleeve valve system 100 can be changed or adjusted.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the toe valve assembly (102) includes a housing 106 having at least one fracturing hole 108 to enable fluid to flow between a borehole 110 and the exterior of the dual sleeve valve system 100. In some embodiments, the housing 106 may include multiple housings, such as an upper housing 112 coupled to an intermediate housing 114 and a lower housing 116. The lower housing 116 may be used to connect the dual sleeve valve system 100 to the entire tubing string. In addition, the at least one hole 108 may include multiple fracturing holes 108 that allow fluid to flow between the borehole 110 and the exterior of the dual sleeve valve system 100, and thus allow fluid to flow between the borehole and the exterior of the entire tubing string. In some embodiments, the multiple holes 108 may be oriented in a generally radial direction through the housing 106 and may be arranged along the circumference of the housing 106.

[0018] The toe valve assembly 102 also includes a toe valve sleeve 118 that is slidably mounted within the housing 106 for use in Figure 1 The closed position shown is Figure 2 The toe valve sleeve 118 can be moved between the open position shown and described in more detail below. The toe valve sleeve 118 can include a plurality of seals located around its circumference and oriented to form a sealing engagement with the inner surface of the housing 106. In the closed position, the toe valve sleeve 118 is positioned so as to cover the frac hole 108 with the seals located on both sides of the hole 108, thereby preventing fluid from flowing through the frac hole 108 into the borehole 110.

[0019] The toe valve sleeve 118 may be initially held in a closed position via a chamber system, such as having an atmospheric chamber 120 connected to a sleeve chamber 122 via at least one passage 124 initially blocked by a release member 126 (e.g., a rupture disk). Figure 1 As shown, the sleeve chamber 122 can be located between the toe valve sleeve 118 and the housing 106. For example, the sleeve chamber 122 can be an annular chamber disposed around the toe valve sleeve 118. Initially, the sleeve chamber 122 is filled with a liquid, such as a suitable oil or other suitable liquid, which is retained in the sleeve chamber 122 via a release member 126. An increase or decrease in pressure within the bore 110 of the dual sleeve valve system 100 acts on the toe valve sleeve 118 and causes a corresponding increase or decrease in the pressure of the liquid within the sleeve chamber 122. As a result, a continuous pressure balance is maintained between the interior and exterior of the toe valve sleeve 118 while the liquid is retained in the sleeve chamber 122.

[0020] Once sufficient pressure is applied within the bore 110 of the dual sleeve valve system and on the toe valve sleeve 118, the resulting increase in liquid pressure opens the release member 126. For example, if the release member 126 is a rupture disk, the internal pressure can increase to a level sufficient to rupture the rupture disk. After rupture or other type of release, the liquid can flow out of the sleeve chamber 122, through the channel 124 and into the atmosphere chamber 120. The restrictor 76 is positioned along the channel 124 to limit the flow rate, i.e., the flow rate, of the liquid as the liquid 68 moves along the channel 124 after the rupture disk ruptures. Once the channel 124 is open for flow, the liquid can flow through the restrictor 76, through the open release member 126, and ultimately into the atmosphere chamber 120 at a controlled rate. In some embodiments, other components can be positioned along the channel 124.

[0021] The toe valve sleeve 118 continues to move under pressure until it is displaced to an open position in which the frac hole 108 is open to flow, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown. The displacement of the toe valve sleeve 118 may ultimately be limited via a seat or other suitable stop. It should be noted that the atmosphere chamber 120 may initially be an empty chamber containing air or other suitable gas, which may be compressed or expelled when the liquid is forced into the atmosphere chamber 120. Depending on the parameters of a given application, the atmosphere chamber 120 may be configured as an annular chamber and may be located between the intermediate housing 114 and the lower housing 116, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0022] The production assembly 104 includes a housing 128 having one or more production holes 130 and one or more screen holes 132 to enable fluid to flow between the borehole 110 and the exterior of the dual sleeve valve system 100. A sand control screen assembly 134 surrounds the housing 128 and covers the production holes 130 and the screen holes 132. The sand control screen assembly 134 may be a wrap-around assembly or similar component that is capable of reducing the amount of particulates that enter the borehole 110 with the reservoir fluid.

[0023] The production assembly 104 also includes a production sleeve 136 that is coupled to a retention assembly 138 via a shear assembly 140 (e.g., a shear screw, shear ring, or similar shearable retainer). In other embodiments, the retention assembly 138 may be omitted, and the production sleeve 136 may be coupled to the housing 128 via the shear assembly 140. The production sleeve 136 includes a ball seat 142 for a ball or plug (as described in more detail below), and one or more compensation holes 144 that are sized and positioned to allow the production sleeve 136 to be removed from the housing 128. Figure 1 The closed position shown is shifted to Figure 3 The open position shown prevents hydraulic locking.

[0024] Now turn to Figure 2 , Figure 2 yes Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the dual sleeve valve system 100 in a second position or fracturing position. As discussed above, pressure is applied to the borehole 110 of the dual sleeve valve system 100 to displace the toe valve sleeve 118 to an open position. The fracturing hole 108 can then be used for a fracturing operation or other operation requiring an opening at the toe of the production string. Once these operations are completed, the dual sleeve valve system 100 can be displaced again to close the fracturing hole and open the screen hole 132 and the production hole 130 to allow reservoir fluids to be produced near the dual sleeve valve system 100.

[0025] like Figure 3 As shown, the ball 200 is dropped down the production tubing string and into the borehole 110 of the dual sleeve valve system 100 where it contacts and seals against the ball seat 142 of the production sleeve 136. In other embodiments, a plug or similar sealing mechanism may be used in place of the ball 200. Once the ball 200 is seated, pressure on the ball 200 may be increased to displace the production sleeve 136.

[0026] Now turn to Figure 4 , Figure 4 yes Figure 11. A cross-sectional view of the hydraulic section of the dual sleeve valve of FIG. 1 is in a third position or production position. Once sufficient pressure is applied to the ball 200, the shear assembly 140 holding the production sleeve 136 in place shears and the production sleeve 136 is displaced toward the toe valve sleeve 118. The displacement of the production sleeve 136 closes the frac hole 108 and opens the production hole 130.

[0027] When the production sleeve 136 is displaced toward the toe valve sleeve 118 and closes the frac hole 108, the compensating holes 144 in the production sleeve 136 are at least partially aligned with the screen holes 132 formed in the shell 128. This allows fluid within the borehole 110 of the toe valve assembly 100 to flow out of the dual sleeve valve assembly 100, thereby preventing the occurrence of hydraulic locks that would otherwise prevent the production sleeve 136 from being fully displaced to the toe valve sleeve 118. Figure 3 As the production sleeve 136 is displaced, a ratchet mechanism 300 is used to prevent the production sleeve 136 from being displaced back to the closed position. Once the production sleeve 136 is fully displaced to the production position, reservoir fluids pass through the sand control screen assembly 134 and travel up the well through the production string. In addition, due to the reservoir fluid pressure, the balls may be dissolved or retrieved at the surface.

[0028] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made without departing substantially from the teachings of the present disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A double sleeve valve system, comprising: A valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising: a valve housing including at least one fracturing hole; and a valve sleeve positioned within the valve housing to prevent fluid flow through the at least one frac hole, the valve sleeve being operable to shift to an open position and allow fluid flow through the at least one frac hole when pressure is applied to the borehole of the dual sleeve valve system; and A production assembly, the production assembly comprising: a production housing comprising at least one screen aperture and at least one production aperture; a sand control screen assembly disposed around the production housing; and A production sleeve including a ball seat and at least one compensating hole, the production sleeve being positioned within the production housing to prevent flow through the at least one screen hole and the at least one production hole, and being operable to shift to an open position to allow fluid to flow through the at least one screen hole and the at least one production hole and to prevent fluid from flowing through the at least one fracturing hole.

2. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly further comprises a chamber system to maintain the toe valve sleeve in a closed position; and wherein the chamber system comprises an atmospheric chamber connected to the sleeve chamber via at least one passage initially blocked by a release member.

3. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 2, wherein the sleeve chamber is filled with fluid and the fluid is retained in the sleeve chamber by the release member.

4. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 3, wherein the atmospheric chamber is an empty chamber containing air or other suitable gas; wherein when the fluid is forced into the atmospheric chamber, the air or other suitable gas is compressed or exhausted.

5. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 2, wherein the release member is a rupture disk.

6. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 2, further comprising: A flow restrictor is positioned along the at least one passageway to restrict fluid flow in the sleeve chamber as the fluid moves along the at least one passageway.

7. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 1, wherein the production sleeve further comprises a ball seat for a ball.

8. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 1, further comprising a ratchet mechanism to prevent the production sleeve from moving in reverse and shifting back to the closed position.

9. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 1, wherein the sand control screen assembly covers the production hole and the screen hole.

10. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a well, the method comprising: placing a tubing string including a dual sleeve valve system in a wellbore; displacing a valve sleeve of a valve assembly of the dual sleeve valve system to open at least one fracturing hole in a valve housing of the valve assembly to allow fluid to flow through the at least one fracturing hole; as well as The production sleeve of the production assembly of the dual sleeve valve system is displaced to close the at least one fracturing hole to prevent fluid from flowing through the at least one fracturing hole, and to open at least one screen hole and at least one production hole in the production housing to allow fluid to flow through the sand control screen assembly of the production assembly and the at least one screen hole and the at least one production hole.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sleeve valve is initially held in a closed position by a chamber system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the chamber system has an atmospheric chamber connected to the sleeve chamber via at least one passage; wherein the at least one passage is initially blocked by a release member.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a sleeve chamber is filled with a fluid and the fluid is retained in the sleeve chamber by the release member.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the atmospheric chamber is an empty chamber containing air or other suitable gas; wherein when the fluid is forced into the atmospheric chamber from the sleeve chamber via the at least one passage, the air or other suitable gas is compressed or expelled.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the release member is a rupture disk.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: A flow restrictor is disposed along the passageway to restrict the flow of fluid in the sleeve chamber as the fluid moves along the passageway.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure inside the tubing string is increased to initially open the at least one frac hole of the valve assembly by displacing a sliding sleeve through opening the release member.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the production sleeve has a ball seat for a ball that is dropped down into a production tubing string; wherein once the ball is seated in the ball seat, pressure on the ball can be increased to displace the production sleeve.

19. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 10, further comprising a ratchet mechanism to prevent the production sleeve from moving in reverse and shifting back to the closed position.

20. The dual sleeve valve system of claim 10, further comprising a sand control screen assembly surrounding the production housing and covering the production hole and the screen hole.

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