Annular barrier with valve unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to an annular barrier for providing regional isolation downhole in an annulus between a metal well tubular structure and another metal well tubular structure or with a wall of a wellbore, the annular barrier comprising: a tubular metal part, the well body is configured to be installed as a part of a metal well pipe structure and is provided with an inner portion and an axial extending direction along the metal well pipe structure. An expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal member, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected to the tubular metal member such that an expandable space is defined between the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal member; and an expansion opening on the tubular metal member through which fluid enters in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve, where the annular barrier further includes a valve unit having a first position and a second position; in a second position, pressurized fluid is directed from the expansion opening to the expandable space to expand the expandable metal sleeve, the valve unit including a first aperture in fluid communication with the expansion opening, a second aperture in fluid communication with the annulus, and a third aperture in fluid communication with the expandable space. The invention also relates to a downhole system comprising an annular barrier and a metal well tubular structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an annular barrier for providing zone isolation downhole in an annulus between a metal well tubular structure and another metal well tubular structure or a wall of a wellbore. The present invention also relates to a downhole system comprising the annular barrier and the metal well tubular structure. Background Art

[0002] Wells are usually completed by moving cement down the casing with the aid of a dart that moves down the casing under the action of a pressurized fluid. Once the dart reaches the cement shoe at the front end of the casing, the dart sits in the cement shoe. The pressurized fluid can then be used for other purposes. When setting a barrier or similar component, the pressure is increased and decreased in a predetermined pattern in order to activate certain components during the completion. However, if the pressure is reduced before the cement sets, there is a risk that the cement will be sucked back into the casing, which is undesirable.

[0003] Prior art examples of annular barriers are described in EP3663510, EP3792450, EP3690183 and EP3199747. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to wholly or partly overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art. More particularly, an object is to provide an improved annular barrier which eliminates the risk of cement being sucked into the casing.

[0005] The above objects and numerous other objects, advantages and features which will become apparent from the following description are achieved by the solution according to the present invention, namely by an annular barrier for providing zone isolation downhole in an annulus between a metal well tubular structure and another metal well tubular structure or a wall of a wellbore, the annular barrier comprising:

[0006] - a tubular metal component configured to be installed as a part of the metal well structure and having an inner portion and an axial extension along the metal well structure;

[0007] - an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected to the tubular metal part so as to define an expandable space between the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal part; and

[0008] - an expansion opening on the tubular metal part, through which a fluid enters in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve,

[0009] wherein the annular barrier further comprises a valve unit having a first position and a second position; and in the second position, pressurized fluid is directed from the expansion opening to the expandable space to expand the expandable metal sleeve, the valve unit comprising a first perforation in fluid communication with the expansion opening, a second perforation in fluid communication with the annulus, and a third perforation in fluid communication with the expandable space, the valve unit further comprising:

[0010] - a unit inner hole, the unit inner hole having an inner hole extension direction and comprising a first inner hole portion and a second inner hole portion, the first through-hole being arranged in the first inner hole portion, the second through-hole and the third through-hole being arranged in the second inner hole portion and staggered along the inner hole extension direction;

[0011] a unit piston arranged in the unit inner bore, the unit piston comprising a first piston portion, which is arranged in the second inner bore portion in the first position and has an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the second inner bore portion, the unit piston further comprising a second piston portion, which is arranged in the first inner bore portion in the first position and has an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the first inner bore portion; and

[0012] a shearing element which prevents the unit piston from moving from the first position to the second position until a predetermined force is reached and the unit piston is allowed to move,

[0013] wherein, in the first position, the second perforation is fluidly connected to the third perforation, thereby achieving pressure balance between the annular space and the annulus when the annular barrier is lowered into the well, wherein the valve unit also includes a piston sleeve arranged in the unit inner hole, the unit inner hole having an edge extending radially inward relative to the extension direction of the inner hole, the piston sleeve at least partially circumferentially / along at least partially the circumference surrounding / encircling the second piston portion, and the shear element engages both the unit piston and the piston sleeve so that the unit piston and the piston sleeve are fastened together until the piston sleeve is prevented from moving by the edge and the shear element is sheared.

[0014] By arranging the piston sleeve to at least partially surround the second piston portion, and once shearing has occurred, a small amount of pressure release will move the unit piston to the second position, as pressure is no longer acting on the piston sleeve, and cement cannot be drawn into the metal wellbore structure, as pressure has not been fully released to move the valve from the "running" position to the "expanded" position. Thus, the annular barrier can be set without full pressure release, but only a small reduction in pressure will move the valve unit from the first position to the second position, i.e. the expanded position.

[0015] Furthermore, the annular barrier may further include a locking mechanism configured to lock the unit piston in the second position.

[0016] Furthermore, the first piston part and the second piston part may comprise sealing means which are arranged in circumferential grooves on the outer surfaces of the two piston parts.

[0017] Additionally, a fourth perforation may be in fluid communication with the annulus or the reversing / shuttle valve.

[0018] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the second piston portion may be greater than the outer diameter of the first piston portion.

[0019] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the first piston portion may be a first outer diameter and the outer diameter of the second piston portion may be a second outer diameter, the first outer diameter being equal to, greater than, or less than the second outer diameter.

[0020] In addition, the piston sleeve may have a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion, the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion are two independent portions, and the shear element only engages the second sleeve portion, the first sleeve portion is adjacent to the second sleeve portion, and the first sleeve portion is arranged closer to the first piston portion along the extension direction of the inner hole than the second sleeve portion.

[0021] Furthermore, the second sleeve part may be formed by a plurality of collets which are held together around the second piston part by a fastening element.

[0022] Furthermore, the plurality of collets may form the locking mechanism.

[0023] Furthermore, the piston sleeve may comprise a sealing means, the sealing means of the piston sleeve being arranged in a circumferential groove on the outer surface of the piston sleeve.

[0024] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the piston sleeve may correspond to the outer diameter of the second piston part.

[0025] Furthermore, at least a first portion of the first inner bore portion may have a larger inner diameter than the second inner bore portion.

[0026] Furthermore, a first portion of the first inner bore portion may be arranged further away from the first piston portion than the first through-hole.

[0027] Furthermore, the first portion of the first inner bore portion may have an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of the piston sleeve.

[0028] Furthermore, the piston sleeve may have a first inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of a first portion of the second piston part and a second inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of a second portion of the second piston part, the outer diameter of the second portion of the second piston part being smaller than the outer diameter of the first portion of the second piston part.

[0029] Furthermore, the unit bore may include a spring element arranged between the second piston portion and a first end of the unit bore, the unit bore including a second end arranged at the second bore portion.

[0030] Furthermore, the unit piston may have a middle portion disposed between the first piston portion and the second piston portion, the middle portion having an outer diameter smaller than outer diameters of the first piston portion and the second piston portion.

[0031] Furthermore, the unit piston may include a third piston portion arranged in the third inner bore portion, and the spring element may be arranged to abut the third piston portion and the first end of the unit inner bore.

[0032] In addition, the unit inner hole may have an edge and a third inner hole portion, the first inner hole portion may be arranged between the second inner hole portion and the third inner hole portion, the first inner hole portion may have a first inner diameter, the third inner hole portion may have a third inner diameter, and the third inner diameter may be smaller than the first inner diameter, thereby forming the edge.

[0033] Furthermore, the unit bore may have an edge extending radially inwardly relative to the bore extension direction between the outer inner diameters of the first portion of the first bore portion.

[0034] Furthermore, the edge of the cell inner bore may be formed by an end portion of a sleeve element in the first inner bore portion.

[0035] In addition, the annular barrier may also include a shear pin assembly, which is configured to permanently isolate the annular barrier from the metal well pipe structure after the annular barrier is expanded, the shear pin assembly having a first opening connected to the second perforation fluid of the valve unit, a second opening connected to the annular space fluid of the annular barrier, and a third opening connected to the annular space fluid, the shear pin assembly having a first position and a second position, in the first position of the shear pin assembly, the expansion fluid is allowed to flow from the second perforation of the valve unit into the annular space, and in the second position of the shear pin assembly, the fluid connection to the second perforation is blocked, thereby preventing the expansion fluid from entering the space.

[0036] Furthermore, the edge may be provided by an end of a bore sleeve element in the first bore portion.

[0037] Furthermore, the sleeve element may have an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of a first portion of the first bore portion, and may have an inner diameter corresponding to an outer diameter of a second portion of the first piston portion.

[0038] Furthermore, the first portion of the second piston part may include a sealing mechanism and may be surrounded by a piston sleeve.

[0039] Furthermore, the first portion of the second piston portion may be arranged closer to the first piston portion than the second portion of the first piston portion.

[0040] Furthermore, an outer diameter of the first portion of the second piston portion may be greater than an outer diameter of the second portion of the second piston portion.

[0041] Furthermore, the unit piston may include a fluid channel which is a through hole providing fluid communication between the first inner bore portion and a second portion of the second inner bore portion.

[0042] Furthermore, the piston sleeve can have a first end face.

[0043] Furthermore, the first piston part may have a first piston end surface facing the first through-hole.

[0044] Furthermore, the second piston part may have a second piston end surface facing the first through-hole.

[0045] Furthermore, the first end surface and the second piston end surface may have a common end surface area that is larger than the first piston end surface.

[0046] In addition, the annular barrier may also include a shear pin assembly, which is configured to permanently isolate the annular barrier from the metal well pipe structure after the annular barrier is expanded, the shear pin assembly having a first opening connected to the second perforation fluid of the valve unit, a second opening connected to the annular space fluid of the annular barrier, and a third opening connected to the annular space fluid, the shear pin assembly having a first position and a second position, in the first position of the shear pin assembly, the expansion fluid from the second perforation of the valve unit is allowed to flow into the annular space, and in the second position of the shear pin assembly, the fluid connection to the second perforation is blocked, thereby preventing the expansion fluid from entering the space.

[0047] Furthermore, the shear pin assembly may have an inner bore having an inner bore extension direction and comprising a first inner bore portion having a first inner diameter and a second inner bore portion having an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the first inner bore portion, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged in the first inner bore portion and are shifted / staggered along the inner bore extension direction, and the shear pin assembly may further comprise:

[0048] - an assembly piston arranged in the inner bore, the assembly piston comprising a first piston portion having an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the first inner bore portion and comprising a second piston portion having an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the second inner bore portion; and

[0049] - A rupture element which prevents the assembly piston from moving until a predetermined pressure is reached in the inner bore.

[0050] Additionally, the shear pin assembly may further include a locking element adapted to mechanically lock the assembly piston when the assembly piston is in a closed position thereby blocking the first opening.

[0051] Furthermore, the assembly piston may have an initial position in which the first opening is in fluid communication with the second opening and a closed position in which the second opening is in fluid communication with the third opening to balance pressure between the annular space and the annulus.

[0052] In addition, the downhole annular barrier may also include an anti-collapse unit, which includes an element that can move between a first unit position and a second unit position, the anti-collapse unit has a first inlet connected to the fluid of the first area and a second inlet connected to the fluid of the second area, and the anti-collapse unit has an outlet, which is connected to the annular space fluid via the shear pin assembly when the assembly piston is in a closed position thereby blocking the first opening.

[0053] In addition, in the first unit position, the first inlet can be connected to the outlet fluid so as to balance the first pressure of the first area with the pressure of the annular space, and in the second unit position, the second inlet can be connected to the outlet fluid so as to balance the second pressure of the second area with the space pressure.

[0054] Furthermore, the valve system may comprise both valve units, and the valve system may further comprise an anti-collapse unit.

[0055] Finally, the present invention includes a downhole system including an annular barrier and a metallic wellbore structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic diagrams which show only some non-limiting embodiments for illustrative purposes, in which:

[0057] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an annular barrier installed as part of a metal well tubular structure and having a valve unit;

[0058] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the valve unit in its first position;

[0059] Figure 3 showing a cross-sectional view of another valve unit in its first position;

[0060] Figure 4 showing a perspective view of a portion of an annular barrier having a valve unit, a shear pin assembly and an anti-collapse unit;

[0061] Figure 5 showing a cross-sectional view of another valve unit and shear pin assembly in its first position;

[0062] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an anti-collapse unit;

[0063] Figure 7 showing a cross-sectional view of a downhole system having multiple annular barriers; and

[0064] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of another valve unit is shown in its first position.

[0065] All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, and they show only those components which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, other components being omitted or merely suggested. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Figure 1 An annular barrier 1 is shown for providing zone isolation downhole in an annulus 2 between a metal well tubular structure 3 and another metal well tubular structure or a wall 5 of a wellbore 4. The annular barrier 1 comprises a tubular metal component 7 mounted as part of the metal well tubular structure 3, the tubular metal component having an interior 6 and an axial extension direction L along the metal well tubular structure. The annular barrier 1 also comprises an expandable metal sleeve 8 surrounding the tubular metal component 7, and each end 9 of the expandable metal sleeve 8 is connected to the tubular metal component 7, thereby defining an expandable space 10 between the expandable metal sleeve 8 and the tubular metal component 7. The tubular metal component 7 has an expansion opening 11, through which a fluid from inside the tubular metal component 7 enters in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve 8. The tubular metal component 7 comprises a fluid channel 39B for this fluid communication. The annular barrier 1 also comprises a valve unit 20 having a first position and a second position. In the second position, pressurized fluid is guided from the expansion opening 11 to the expandable space 10 for expanding the expandable metal sleeve 8 .

[0067] like Figure 2As shown, the valve unit 20 includes a first through hole 21 in fluid communication with the expansion opening 11, a second through hole 22 in fluid communication with the annulus 2, and a third through hole 23 in fluid communication with the expandable space 10. The valve unit 20 also includes a unit inner hole 24, which has an inner hole extension direction and includes a first inner hole portion 25 and a second inner hole portion 26, the first through hole 21 is arranged in the first inner hole portion 25, the second through hole 22 and the third through hole 23 are arranged in the second inner hole portion 26 and staggered / displaced along the inner hole extension direction. The unit piston 27 is arranged in the unit inner hole 24. The unit piston 27 includes a first piston portion 28, which is arranged in the second inner hole portion 26 at a first position and has an outer diameter OD1 substantially corresponding to the inner diameter ID1 of the second inner hole portion 26, and the unit piston 27 also includes a second piston portion 29, which is arranged in the first inner hole portion 25 at a first position and has an outer diameter OD2. The first inner hole portion 25 has an inner diameter ID2. The shear element 31 prevents the unit piston 27 from moving until a predetermined force is reached. In the first position of the valve unit 20, the second perforation 22 is in fluid communication with the third perforation 23, so that a pressure balance occurs between the annular space and the annulus when the annular barrier 1 is lowered into the well. The valve unit 20 also includes a piston sleeve 32 arranged in the unit inner bore 24, the piston sleeve 32 having an edge 35 extending radially inward relative to the inner bore extension direction, the piston sleeve 32 at least partially circumferentially surrounding / encircling the second piston portion 29, and the shear element 31 engages both the unit piston 27 and the piston sleeve 32, so that the unit piston 27 and the piston sleeve 32 are fastened together until the piston sleeve 32 is prevented from moving by the edge and the shear element 31 is sheared.

[0068] The pressurized fluid introduced into the first perforation 21 presses on the piston sleeve 32, and when the predetermined force is reached, the second piston part 29 breaks the shear element 31 because the piston sleeve 32 is prevented from moving with the second piston part 29, and the shear element 31 is sheared. By arranging the piston sleeve 32 to at least partially surround the second piston part 29, and once shearing has occurred, a small amount of pressure release will move the unit piston 27 to the second position because the pressure is no longer acting on the piston sleeve 32, and cement cannot be sucked into the metal well pipe structure 3 because the pressure has not been fully released to move the valve from the "running" position to the "expanded" position. Therefore, the annular barrier 1 can be set without the pressure being fully released, but only a small reduction in pressure will move the valve unit 20 from the first position to the second position, i.e. the expanded position.

[0069] By having the shear pins engage the piston sleeve 32 and the second piston portion 29, it is ensured that the unit piston 27 does not move during the running in of the cementing operation at lower pressures, but only moves when the completion is ready for expansion mode.

[0070] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, the annular barrier 1 further comprises a locking mechanism 33, which is configured to lock the unit piston 27 in the second position. Figure 2 The locking mechanism 33 in the embodiment comprises a spring biased pin located in the notch and configured to protrude into the inner bore once the unit piston 27 moves from the first position to the second position. By locking the unit piston 27 in the second position, the unit piston 27 will not inadvertently change position away from the expansion mode during a pressure interruption during expansion of the expandable metal sleeve 8 and therefore during the setting of the annular barrier 1.

[0071] The first and second piston parts 28, 29 include a sealing mechanism 34, which is arranged in a circumferential groove on the outer surface of the piston part. The outer diameter of the second piston part 29 is at least slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first piston part 28, thereby ensuring that the unit piston 27 moves toward the edge 35. The piston sleeve 32 also includes a sealing mechanism 34, which is arranged in a circumferential groove in the outer surface of the piston sleeve 32. The inner diameter ID3 of the piston sleeve 32 corresponds to the outer diameter OD2 of the second piston part 29. At least the first part 25a of the first inner bore part 25 has an inner diameter ID4 larger than the second inner bore part 26, and the piston sleeve 32 is arranged in the first part 25a, and the first part 25a of the first inner bore part 25 is arranged to be farther away from the first piston part 28 than the first perforation 21. The inner diameter ID4 of the first part 25a corresponds to the outer diameter OD2 of the piston sleeve 32.

[0072] The unit bore 24 includes a spring element 51 arranged between the second piston portion 29 and a first end of the unit bore 24, and the unit bore 24 includes a second end arranged at the second bore portion 26. When the unit piston 27 moves to shear the shear element 31 between the piston sleeve 32 and the second piston portion 29, the spring element 51 is compressed, and once the pressure is partially released, the spring element 51 helps the unit piston 27 to move to the second position. The unit piston 27 has an intermediate portion 36 arranged between the first and second piston portions 28, 29, and the outer diameter of the intermediate portion is smaller than the outer diameters of the first and second piston portions 28, 29. The valve unit 20 has a venting passage 54B so that the unit piston 27 can move when the pressure is released.

[0073] exist Figure 3 and 5In the embodiment, the piston sleeve 32 has a first sleeve portion 32b, 52 and a second sleeve portion 32a, 53. The first sleeve portion 32b, 52 and the second sleeve portion 32a, 53 are two separate parts, and the shear element 31 engages only the second sleeve portion 32a, 53. The first sleeve portion 32b, 52 is adjacent to the second sleeve portion 32a, 53, and the first sleeve portion 32b, 52 is arranged closer to the first piston portion 28 than the second sleeve portion 32a, 53 along the inner bore extension direction. The second sleeve portion 32a, 53 is in the form of a plurality of collets / chucks 58, which are held together around the second piston portion 29 by a fastening element 54. The plurality of chucks 58 form a locking mechanism 33, rather than Figure 2 The piston sleeve 32 has a first inner diameter ID3,1 corresponding to the outer diameter of the first part of the second piston part 29 (eg Figure 5 ) and a second inner diameter ID3,2 corresponding to the outer diameter of the second portion of the second piston portion 29 (as shown Figure 5 As shown), the outer diameter of the second part of the second piston part is smaller than the outer diameter of the first part of the second piston part 29. The first part of the second piston part 29 includes a sealing mechanism and is circumferentially surrounded by a piston sleeve 32. The first part of the second piston part 29 is arranged closer to the first piston part 28 than the second part of the first piston part 28. The piston sleeve 32 has a uniform / consistent outer diameter, but has two inner diameters, so that the piston sleeve 32 has a thicker part and a thinner part, the sealing mechanism is arranged in the thicker part, and the piston sleeve 32 leaves space in the thinner part for the second piston part 29 with a larger outer diameter, and pressure can act on the larger outer diameter. The unit piston 27 includes a third piston part 61 arranged in the third inner bore part 53B, and the spring element 51 is arranged adjacent to the third piston part 61 and the first end. The unit inner bore 24 has an edge 35, which extends between the inner diameter ID4 of the first part 25a of the first inner bore part 28 and extends radially inward relative to the inner bore extension direction. In Figure 3 In the embodiment, the edge 35 is provided by the end of the sleeve element 39 in the first inner hole part 25, and Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the edge is provided by the reduced inner diameter of the inner bore portion, i.e. by the wall or body forming the inner bore 24. The sleeve element 39 has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the first portion of the first inner bore portion 25, and has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the second portion of the first piston portion 28. The outer diameter of the first portion of the second piston portion 29 is greater than the outer diameter of the second portion of the second piston portion 29.

[0074] exist Figure 3 and 5In the embodiment, the unit piston 27 includes a fluid passage 45, which is a through hole that provides fluid communication between the first inner bore portion 25 and the second portion of the second inner bore portion 26. The piston sleeve 32 has a first end face 49, and the first piston portion 28 has a first piston end face 47 facing the first through hole 21. The second piston portion 29 has a second piston end face 48 facing the first through hole 21, and the first end face and the second piston end face 48 have a common end face area larger than the first piston end face 47. The pressurized fluid entering the first through hole 21 is pressed on the common end face and the first piston end face 47, and because the common end face area is larger than the first piston end face 47, the unit piston 27 moves toward Figure 3 and Figure 5 The piston sleeve 32 moves to the right in the well structure 3, compressing the spring element 51. When the piston sleeve 32 contacts the edge, the piston sleeve 32 is prevented from moving further to the right, thereby shearing the shear element 31, and then the unit piston 27 is released to move further to the right until the pressure in the metal well structure 3 is released, for example at 69-103 bar (1000-1500 PSI), and the reduction in pressure enables the spring element 51 to move the unit piston 27 to the second position.

[0075] exist Figure 5 , the valve unit 20 is in the same valve system 80 as the shear pin assembly 77. The shear pin assembly 77 has a first opening 16 that is in fluid communication with the second perforation 22 of the valve unit 20, so that when the position of the unit piston 27 has changed from the initial first position to the final second position, the first opening 16 is in fluid communication with the interior of the tubular metal component 7. The shear pin assembly 77 also includes a third opening 37 and a second opening 17 in fluid communication with the annular space of the annular barrier 1, the third opening being in fluid communication with the annulus 2, i.e., one of the first region 101 and the second region 102 (in Figure 7 shown in) or Figure 6The anti-collapse unit 111 shown in is fluidly connected. The assembly piston 41 has a first position and a second position, in which the first opening 16 is fluidly connected to the second opening 17, and in which the second opening 17 is fluidly connected to the third opening 37, so as to balance the pressure between the annular space and the annulus 2. In the first position, the expansion fluid from the second perforation 22 of the valve unit 20 is allowed to enter the annular space via the first opening 16, and in the second position, the fluid connection to the second perforation 22 is blocked, thereby preventing the expansion fluid from entering the space after expansion. The annular barrier 1 is thereby permanently isolated from the metal well pipe structure 3 after expansion, so that subsequent failure of the annular barrier 1 will not hinder / interfere with the interior of the metal well pipe structure 3 and the production fluid flowing into the interior. The shear pin assembly 77 has an inner bore 18, which has an inner bore extension direction and includes a first inner bore portion 19 and a second inner bore portion 40. The first inner bore portion 19 has a first inner diameter, and the second inner bore portion 40 has an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the second inner bore portion 40 being greater than the inner diameter of the first inner bore portion 19. The first opening 16 and the second opening 17 are arranged in the first inner bore portion 19 and are offset / displaced along the inner bore extension direction. The shear pin assembly 77 also includes an assembly piston 41 arranged in the inner bore 18. The assembly piston 41 includes a first piston portion 42 and also includes a second piston portion 43, the first piston portion having an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the first inner bore portion 19, and the second piston portion having an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inner diameter of the second inner bore portion 26. The shear pin assembly 77 also includes a breaking element 44, which prevents the assembly piston 41 from moving until a predetermined pressure is reached in the inner bore, because then the breaking element breaks and can no longer prevent the assembly piston 41 from moving. The shear pin assembly 77 also includes a locking element 38, which is suitable for mechanically locking the assembly piston 41 when the assembly piston 41 is in a closed position to block the first opening 16, thereby blocking the first opening 16.

[0076] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment, the downhole annular barrier 1 further comprises an anti-collapse unit 111, which comprises an element 201 (in Figure 6 ), the element 201 can be in the first unit position (moved to Figure 6 end 36A in the middle) and the second unit position (moved to Figure 6 36B) between the ends of the compliant material 29 (in Figure 6 The anti-collapse unit 111 has a first inlet 25B and a second inlet 26B, wherein the first inlet is connected to the first region 101 (in Figure 7 ) is fluidly connected to the second inlet and the second region 102 (shown in Figure 7The anti-collapse unit 111 also has an outlet 27B, which is in fluid communication with the annular space via the shear pin assembly 77 when the assembly piston 41 is in the closed second position thereby blocking the first opening 16. In the first unit position, the first inlet 25B is in fluid communication with the outlet 27B, thereby causing the first pressure P1 (at Figure 1 In the second unit position, the second inlet 26B is connected to the outlet fluid for making the second pressure P2 (at the second region 102) Figure 1 ) is balanced with the space pressure.

[0077] As in Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the shear pin assembly 77 has a port A that receives fluid from the interior of the metal well tubular structure 3 via the valve unit 20 after the position of the unit piston 27 has changed from the initial position to the final position. The valve unit 20 can be fluidly connected to the interior via the screen 44B. During expansion, the port A is fluidly connected to the port D (in the first position of the shear pin assembly 77), so that the expansion fluid in the metal well tubular structure 3 expands the expandable metal sleeve 8. When the expandable metal sleeve 8 expands to fit against the wall of the metal well tubular structure 3, pressure is built up and the shear pin or disc in the shear pin assembly 77 shears, thereby closing the port A and the opening 17 (in the first position of the shear pin assembly 77). Figure 5 B) and opens the fluid connection between port B (in fluid communication with outlet 27B) and port C (in fluid communication with space 10), so that the fluid from the second inlet 26B can enter the expandable space 10 via the shear pin assembly 77 and port D. When the first pressure in the first region 101 increases, the fluid from port E connected to port I (which is the first inlet 25B) squeezes element 201 (in Figure 6 102) to move it, thereby providing fluid communication between port I and port H (which is outlet 27B), and thus further entering the expandable space 10 via ports B and C and via port D. When the second pressure in the second region 102 increases, the element 201 is pressed in the opposite direction, and fluid communication between port G (which is fluidly connected to the second region 102 via port F) and port H is provided, that is, fluid communication between the second inlet 26B and outlet 27B of the anti-collapse unit 111, and thus, the fluid is allowed to enter the annular space via ports B, C and D.

[0078] Figure 7is a cross-sectional view of a downhole system 100, which includes a metal well tubular structure 3 and a plurality of annular barriers 1 that have been expanded in an annulus 2 located between the metal well tubular structure 3 and the inner surface of a wellbore 4. Each annular barrier 1 provides a zone isolation between a first region 101 and a second region 102 of the wellbore 4. The annular barrier 1 has a longitudinal extension direction that is consistent with / coincides with the longitudinal extension direction of the casing / metal well tubular structure 3. The annular barrier 1 includes a tubular metal component 7, which may be a separate tubular metal component or may be a casing portion for installation as a part of the metal well tubular structure 3. In addition, the annular barrier 1 includes an expandable metal sleeve 8 that surrounds the tubular metal component 7 and each end 9 of the expandable metal sleeve 8 may be connected to the tubular metal component 7 by means of a connecting component. The expandable metal sleeve 8 and the tubular metal component 7 enclose an expandable space 10, and as shown Figure 1 As shown, an expansion opening 11 is provided on the tubular metal component 7 , through which a fluid can enter the expandable space 10 at least via the valve unit 20 , in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve 8 .

[0079] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment, the inner hole 24 includes a first inner hole portion 25, a second inner hole portion 26 and a third inner hole portion 53B, and the first inner hole portion 25 is arranged between the second inner hole portion 26 and the third inner hole portion 53B. The first inner hole portion has a first inner diameter ID1,3, the second inner hole portion 26 has a second inner diameter ID2,3, and the third inner hole portion 53B has a third inner diameter ID3,3, and the third inner diameter is smaller than the first inner diameter, thereby forming an edge 35. Therefore, the edge is formed by the body in which the unit inner hole 24 is arranged, that is, by the wall surrounding the unit inner hole. Therefore, the unit inner hole 24 may have an edge forming the edge 35, which extends radially inward relative to the inner hole extension direction between the outer inner diameter of the first part of the first inner hole portion 25.

[0080] like Figure 1 As shown, the expandable metal sleeve 8 includes a protrusion 133 that fits closely against the inner surface of the wellbore 4 and a sealing element 116 located on the outer surface 14, thereby preventing the fluid from freely flowing from the first area 101 to the second area 102, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 The sealing element 116 may include an open annular retaining element 117 having a plurality of coils 118 to provide support / stop / support / back-up for the sealing element 116 as it unwinds during expansion.

[0081] like Figure 7As shown, two annular barriers 1 are often used to isolate the production area 400. A fracturing valve or inflow valve section 120, also called a fracturing port or inflow valve / production valve, is arranged between the two annular barriers 1, so that when the annular barriers 1 have expanded, the fracturing port or valve 120 opens and allows fluid to enter the formation so as to form fractures in the formation, thereby allowing hydrocarbon-containing fluids such as oil to easily enter the metal well pipe structure 3. The fracturing valve or inflow valve section 120 may also include an inlet section, which may be the same as the fracturing port. A screen may be arranged to filter the fluid before it enters the casing.

[0082] "Fluid" or "wellbore fluid" refers to any type of fluid present downhole in an oil or gas well, such as natural gas, petroleum, oil-based mud, crude oil, water, etc. "Gas" refers to any type of gas component present in a well, a completed well, or an open hole, and "oil" refers to any type of oil component, such as crude oil, oil-containing fluids, etc. Gas, oil, and water fluids may therefore each include other elements or substances in addition to gas, oil, and / or water, respectively.

[0083] "Annular barrier" refers to an annular barrier comprising a tubular metal component installed as a part of a metal well tubular structure and an expandable metal sleeve surrounding and connected to the tubular component to define an annular barrier space.

[0084] "Casing" or "metal well casing" means any type of pipe, tubing, tubular structure, liner, tubular string, etc. used downhole in connection with oil or natural gas production.

[0085] In the event that the tool is not fully submerged in the casing, a downhole tractor may be used to push the tool fully into position in the well. The downhole tractor may have an extendable arm with wheels, wherein the wheels contact the inner surface of the casing for advancing the tractor and the tool within the casing. A downhole tractor is any type of driving tool capable of pushing or pulling a tool downhole, such as a Well

[0086] Although the invention has been described above in conjunction with preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that several modifications are conceivable without departing from the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An annular barrier (1) for providing zone isolation in an annulus (2) between a metal well tubular structure (3) and another metal well tubular structure or a wall (5) of a wellbore (4) downhole, the annular barrier comprising: - a tubular metal component (7) configured to be installed as part of the metal well structure and having an interior (6) and an axial extension direction (L) along the metal well structure; - an expandable metal sleeve (8) surrounding the tubular metal part, each end (9) of the expandable metal sleeve being connected to the tubular metal part so as to define an expandable space (10) between the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal part; as well as - an expansion opening (11) on the tubular metal part (7) through which a fluid enters in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve (8), The annular barrier further comprises a valve unit (20) having a first position and a second position; and in the second position, pressurized fluid is guided from the expansion opening to the expandable space to expand the expandable metal sleeve, the valve unit comprises a first perforation (21) in fluid communication with the expansion opening, a second perforation (22) in fluid communication with the annulus, and a third perforation (23) in fluid communication with the expandable space, the valve unit further comprising: - a unit inner hole (24), the unit inner hole having an inner hole extension direction and comprising a first inner hole portion (25) and a second inner hole portion (26), the first through-hole being arranged in the first inner hole portion, the second through-hole and the third through-hole being arranged in the second inner hole portion and staggered along the inner hole extension direction; a unit piston (27) arranged in the unit inner bore, the unit piston comprising a first piston portion (28) arranged in the second inner bore portion in the first position and having an outer diameter (OD1) substantially corresponding to the inner diameter (ID1) of the second inner bore portion, the unit piston further comprising a second piston portion (29) arranged in the first position in the first inner bore portion and having an outer diameter (OD2); and a shearing element (31) which prevents the unit piston from moving from the first position to the second position until a predetermined force is reached, Wherein, in the first position, the second perforation is fluidly connected to the third perforation, so that pressure balance is achieved between the annular space and the annulus when the annular barrier is lowered into the well, wherein the valve unit also includes a piston sleeve (32) arranged in the unit inner hole, the unit inner hole has an edge (35) extending radially inward relative to the extension direction of the inner hole, the piston sleeve at least partially surrounds the second piston part, and the shear element engages both the unit piston and the piston sleeve, so that the unit piston and the piston sleeve are tightened together until the piston sleeve is prevented from moving by the edge and the shear element is sheared.

2. The annular barrier according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism (33) configured to lock the unit piston in the second position.

3. The annular barrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second piston portion has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first piston portion.

4. An annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The piston sleeve has a first sleeve part (52) and a second sleeve part (53), the first sleeve part and the second sleeve part are two independent parts, and the shear element only engages the second sleeve part, the first sleeve part is adjacent to the second sleeve part, and the first sleeve part is arranged closer to the first piston part than the second sleeve part along the extension direction of the inner hole.

5. An annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The piston sleeve comprises a sealing means (34) which is arranged in a circumferential groove on the outer surface of the piston sleeve.

6. An annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The inner diameter (ID3) of the piston sleeve corresponds to the outer diameter of the second piston part.

7. An annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least a first portion (25a) of the first inner bore portion has an inner diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of the second inner bore portion.

8. An annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A first portion of the first inner bore portion has an inner diameter (ID4) corresponding to an outer diameter of the piston sleeve.

9. An annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The unit bore includes a spring element (51) arranged between the second piston portion and a first end of the unit bore, and the unit bore includes a second end arranged at the second bore portion.

10. An annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The unit piston includes a third piston portion (61) disposed in a third inner bore portion (53B), and the spring element is disposed adjacent to the third piston portion and a first end of the unit inner bore.

11. The annular barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The unit inner hole (24) has the edge (35) and a third inner hole portion (53B), the first inner hole portion is arranged between the second inner hole portion and the third inner hole portion, the first inner hole portion has a first inner diameter, and the third inner hole portion (53B) has a third inner diameter, and the third inner diameter is smaller than the first inner diameter, thereby forming the edge (35).

12. The annular barrier according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The edge of the cell bore is formed by the end of a sleeve element (39) in the first bore portion.

13. The annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a shear pin assembly (77), wherein the shear pin assembly is configured to permanently isolate the annular barrier (1) from the metal well pipe structure (3) after the annular barrier is expanded, the shear pin assembly (77) having a first opening (16) connected to the second perforation fluid of the valve unit, a second opening (17) connected to the annular space fluid of the annular barrier, and a third opening (37) connected to the annular space fluid, the shear pin assembly having a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position of the shear pin assembly, the expansion fluid is allowed to flow from the second perforation of the valve unit into the annular space, and in the second position of the shear pin assembly, the fluid connection to the second perforation is blocked, thereby preventing the expansion fluid from entering the space.

14. The downhole annular barrier according to any one of the preceding claims further includes an anti-collapse unit (111), the anti-collapse unit including an element (201) capable of moving between a first unit position and a second unit position, the anti-collapse unit having a first inlet (25B) connected to the fluid of the first area and a second inlet (26B) connected to the fluid of the second area, and the anti-collapse unit having an outlet (27B), which is connected to the annular space fluid via the shear pin assembly when the assembly piston is in a closed position thereby blocking the first opening.

15. A downhole system (100) comprising a metal well tubular structure and an annular barrier according to any one of claims 1-14.

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