Safety valve, method and system

Abstract

An insertion safety valve comprising a housing, a flow tube in the housing, a flapper responsive to a position of the flow tube, a normal pressure cavity in the housing, a member on the housing, a selectively openable device that can prevent or allow pressure communication between the cavity and an environment outside the housing, the device comprising an opener responsive to movement of the member to selectively open the openable device. A drilling system comprising a pre-existing downhole structure having a control line, an insertion safety valve in the pre-existing downhole structure operable with the control line. A method for controlling a wellbore, the method comprising operating an insertion safety valve while preventing fluid communication with a normal pressure cavity of the safety valve, moving an opener, and enabling fluid communication with the normal pressure cavity.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 654734, filed May 3, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is a further partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 508802, filed November 14, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] In the resource recovery and fluid isolation industries, safety valves are frequently used in well control. Long service life is crucial, but sometimes the lifespan of a safety valve is insufficient to meet its operational requirements. In such cases, insert-type safety valves are used to replace the original safety valve. In principle, placing the replacement valve inside the original valve reduces the usable inner diameter, which is generally undesirable. Because insert-type valves are less expensive than full well workover operations, they are unlikely to disappear, and new technologies with enhanced capabilities will always be needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An embodiment of an insert-type safety valve includes: a housing; an element disposed on the housing; a flow tube movably disposed within the housing; a baffle hinged to the housing and responsive to the position of the flow tube relative to the housing; an atmospheric pressure chamber disposed within the housing; a selectively openable means; and an opener configured to selectively open the openable arrangement to allow pressure communication between the atmospheric pressure chamber and an environment outside the housing, the opener including an opener responsive to movement of the element on the housing.

[0005] An embodiment of a drilling system includes a pre-existing downhole structure with a control line and an insert safety valve disposed in the pre-existing downhole structure, the insert safety valve being configured to operate based on input from the control line.

[0006] An embodiment of a method for controlling a wellbore includes: operating an insert safety valve to a position within the wellbore; preventing fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure chamber of the safety valve during operation; dislodging the insert safety valve; moving an opener; and establishing fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure chamber.

[0007] One embodiment of a wellbore system includes: a borehole located in an underground formation; a drill pipe located in the borehole; and an insertable safety valve disposed within or as part of the drill pipe. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The following description should not be considered as limiting in any way. Referring to the accompanying drawings, similar element numbers are similar:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the insertion valve as disclosed in this article;

[0010] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the control system for an insertion valve;

[0011] Figure 3 Is with Figure 1 A perspective view of a selectively openable device that fluidly associates the atmospheric pressure chamber of a valve with the valve in the closed position;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of a selectively openable device in the open position;

[0013] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the openable device 46 and related components;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of an alternative openable device in the closed position;

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the implementation scheme in the open position;

[0016] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of another alternative openable device in the closed position;

[0017] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the implementation scheme in the open position;

[0018] Figure 10 It is shown that it is used for Figures 6 to 9 A perspective view of the mobile device in the implementation scheme; and

[0019] Figure 11 This is a view of a drilling system including insert valves as disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Specific embodiments of one or more implementations of the devices and methods disclosed herein are presented by way of example rather than limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an insert safety valve 10 is shown. The insert valve 10 includes a baffle 12, a flow tube 14, and a control section 16 configured to utilize a pre-existing control line 34 (see Figure 10). Figure 2The insertion valve 10 is operated by controlling the pressure of the control line. The insertion valve 10 also includes an atmospheric pressure chamber 22 (see...). Figure 2 This is done in order to reduce the required actuation pressure in a manner known in the art. For proper operation, chamber 22 must remain free of wellbore fluid during operation. To this end, a selectively opening device 38, which can be configured as valve 46 / 56, is disposed in the housing 26 of insert valve 10, in fluid communication with atmospheric chamber 22 and located between chamber 22 and the piping pressure outside housing 26. The objective of atmospheric chamber 22 is also to facilitate a fail-safe state for insert valve 10 by preventing it from opening when closed or closing when open, rather than simply by compressing the volume of chamber 22 due to the movement of flow tube actuating piston 28, when pressure enters atmospheric chamber 22. This pressure path is a result of fluid entering chamber 22 from a piping pressure source or control pressure source.

[0022] Insert valve 10 is driven into the borehole until the pre-existing downhole structure 30 is reached (see...) Figure 2 In most cases, the pre-existing downhole structure 30 is configured as a tubing retrievable safety valve or a landing nipple, and the structure includes a sealing orifice 32 therein to receive and seal the insert valve 10. The downhole structure 30 will also have means for allowing the acquisition of pre-existing control line pressure. The pre-existing control line 34 is held in place to provide control pressure to the pre-existing downhole structure 30. Various constructions and methods exist for acquiring initial control line pressure, and these constructions and methods are known in the art.

[0023] For details, please refer to Figure 2 , Figures 3 to 5 See location Figure 1The insert valve 10 includes a first packing assembly 40 having a tubing pressure-side element 42 and a control pressure-side element 44. In one embodiment, a selectively openable device (38) for valve 46 may be configured between elements 42 and 44. The insert valve 10 may also include a second packing assembly 50 having a tubing pressure-side element 52 and a control pressure-side element 54. A second selectively openable valve 56 may also be present between elements 52 and 54. The openable valves 46 and / or 56 are configured with a valve member 58, a valve seat 60, a biasing device 62, and an opener 48, which in some embodiments may be configured as an off-seat member 64. The valve member 58 is initially housed in the valve seat 60 and prevents fluid contact between the atmospheric chamber 22 and the external environment of the insert valve 10. However, once the insert valve 10 is positioned within the pre-existing downhole structure 30, the openable valves 46 / 56 need to be opened to support the function of the insert valve 10. Reference Figure 2 The control line 34, obtained by known methods, can be used to pressurize the volume 68 between the insertion valve 10 and the pre-existing downhole structure 30, and is defined by the first packing device 40 and the second packing device 50, respectively. The pressure applied to the volume 68 is a control pressure controlled from a remote source by surface personnel or a programmable controller. This pressure is used to open the openable valves 46 / 56 and also to actuate the valve 10. Therefore, the valves 46 / 56 remain closed and protect the cavity 22 until it is decided to open them by applying pressure in the control line 34. Pressurizing the volume 68 causes one or both of the control-side elements 44 and 54 to move along the housing 26 toward the off-seat member 64. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Only valve 46 and its surrounding structure are shown in the image. Valve 56 is a mirror image and therefore does not require detailed description. Focus on... Figure 3 and Figure 4 Valve member 58 is mounted on seat 60, thereby preventing fluid communication between the atmospheric pressure chamber 22 (in a fluid manner, chamber 22 being the entire volume behind valve member 58) and the external environment outside housing 26. When volume 68 is pressurized, element 44 is pushed to the left of the drawing towards valve 46. (Comparison) Figure 3 and Figure 4 It should be understood that valve member 58 and release member 64 have changed position. Element 44 has pushed release member 64 toward valve member 58. Figure 4 In its position, the off-seat member 64 physically lifts the valve member 58 away from the valve seat 60. This can... Figure 4 Seen in [the text]. Reference Figure 5As can be seen, the release member 64 has a wedge-shaped portion 66 that engages with the recess 67 of the valve member 58. Propelling the release member 64 closer to the valve member 58 causes the valve member 58 to climb the wedge-shaped portion 67 and move away from the valve seat 60. Once away from the valve seat, the cavity 22 is in fluid communication with the space between elements 42 and 44 defined by the sealing orifice 32. In this case, the insert valve 10 can be operated via pressure from the control line. However, if the packing 40 or 50 leaks in either direction (from the control pressure side or from the tubing pressure side), fluid will seep into the cavity 22, either closing the valve 10 or preventing it from opening. In either case, leakage through the packing 40 or packing 50 in either direction (i.e., from the tubing pressure side or from the control pressure side) will allow fluid to move into the cavity 22, thus creating a fail-safe condition. The path involved can be... Figure 2 The accompanying drawing, presented schematically, includes the components discussed above and also shows a flow pipe piston 28, which is actuated by control line pressure in volume 68 to force flow pipe 14 to contact baffle 12 (both are schematically shown in this drawing). Piston 28 is fitted with upper, middle, and lower dynamic seals 74, 76, and 78, respectively. Upper dynamic seal 74 is configured to seal control line pressure on one side and atmospheric pressure on the opposite side. Middle dynamic seal 76 and lower dynamic seal 78 are approximately the same size and can be configured as rod seals, with wellbore pressure acting on one side of each seal and atmospheric pressure acting on the opposite side of each seal. With middle dynamic seal 76 and lower dynamic seal 78 being of equal size and located on opposite sides of piston 28, a pressure balance is achieved, where wellbore pressure acts around the piston in equal and opposite directions. This equilibrium state makes the insert valve 10 insensitive to wellbore pressure, thus enabling actuation at significantly lower hydraulic pressures compared to conventional underground safety valves. As with packings 40 and 50, leakage on the dynamic seals 74, 76, and 78 will allow fluid to move into cavity 22, thus creating a fail-safe condition. Figure 2 The entire cavity 22 is further shown to establish the boundary where atmospheric pressure should exist to enable the function of the insertion valve 10.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, the control portion 16 of the valve 10 requires a larger radial space within the housing 26 than the concentric orifice that the flow tube 14 will support. Therefore, the insert valve 10 also includes an offset relative to the orifice of the flow tube 14. In one embodiment, the radial offset is approximately 0.250 inches. This is in Figure 1 As shown, the deviation of the inner diameter of valve 10 can be seen at deviation 70 and is restored at deviation 72. This provides the additional space required in the annular space of the currently eccentric housing 26 on one side of the housing.

[0025] refer to Figures 6 to 10 Two alternative embodiments of the openable device 38 are shown. Either of these alternative embodiments, configured as penetrator configurations 80 or 82, can be replaced by openable valves 46 and / or 56. The housing 84 is similar to housing 26, wherein the cavity 22 is retained (having the same function), but housing 84 does not have a valve seat 60 (as shown in the diagram). Figure 3 (As shown), but at this location it is closed by a rupture disc 86 or by a portion 88 of the housing, which remains intact inside a recess 90 in the housing 84, the recess 90 being configured to receive the penetrator assembly 92. The portion 88 separates the recess 90 from the cavity 22 until actuation of the penetrator assembly 92 is achieved. Elements 94 and 96 in relation to... Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The embodiment is positioned similarly on the housing 84. Element 96 is similar to control-side element 44 and functions in the same manner, wherein control line pressure causes element 96 to move along the housing 84. Movement of element 96 causes movement of variant opener 48. In the penetrator embodiment, opener 48 is referred to as mover 98. Mover 98 is analogous to off-seat member 64, functioning similarly to off-seat member 64 (i.e., moving in response to element movement), but by causing movement in the opposite direction (radially inward of housing 84) in a penetrator configuration. Specifically, the mover causes the penetrator 100 of penetrator assembly 92 to move radially inward. Thus, movement of mover 98 will cause penetrator 100 to load and then pierce disc 86 or portion 88. Piercing disc 86 or portion 88 will fluidly connect cavity 22 to a fluid source located radially outward of housing 84.

[0026] For details, please refer to the following: Figure 6 and Figure 7 ( Figure 6 It is in a pre-open state, and Figure 7 (In the open state), the penetrator configuration 80 includes a penetrator assembly 92. Assembly 92 includes a casket 102 that supports the rupture disc 86 and also supports a bushing 104 for the penetrator 100. The casket 102 is sealed to the housing 84 during installation. The bushing 104 helps ensure that the penetrator 100 remains in the aligned position. It should be understood that the bushing 104 is shown as having a channel 106, and the penetrator (100) is shown as having a central passage 108. Once the disc 86 is penetrated, these features are all designed to allow fluid communication between the cavity 22 and fluid disposed radially outside the housing 84. In various embodiments, one or more of these features may be used individually, while in other embodiments, both may be used together.

[0027] In comparison Figure 6and Figure 7 At that time, it should be understood that component 96 was already... Figure 7 The center moves to the left of the attached drawing. The reason for this movement is the same as in the embodiment described above. Because it comes into contact with element 96, the mover 98 also moves to the left. (See reference) Figure 10 This can be understood as what happens when the mover 98 moves to the left of the drawing. Specifically, the mover 98 includes an angled surface 110 that interacts with a shoulder 112 on the penetrator 100. As the mover 98 moves closer to the penetrator 100, the shoulder 112 climbs the surface 110, thereby causing the penetrator to come into contact with and rupture the rupture disc 86 or portion 88.

[0028] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The additional penetrator assembly 92 includes only bushing 114, penetrator 100 and mover 98. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The difference in the implementation scheme lies in section 88, which maintains a seal between cavity 22 and the external environment outside housing 84. No other seals are required, therefore disc 86 and disc holder 102 are absent. It should be noted that bushing 114 includes channels 106 for fluid flow when section 88 is open. Furthermore, it should be understood that although in Figure 8 and Figure 9 Not shown in the diagram, but the penetrator 100 in this embodiment may include a passage 108 (which will appear to be connected to...). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The pathway shown is the same. The penetrator 100 can be pointed or blade-shaped as needed to ensure that the penetrator effectively cuts through portion 88. In other aspects, Figure 8 and Figure 9 Implementation plan and Figures 6 to 7 The implementation plan works on the same principle.

[0029] refer to Figure 11 The diagram illustrates a drilling system 120. System 120 includes a borehole 122 located in an underground formation 124. A drill pipe 126 is disposed within the borehole 122. An insert-type safety valve 10, as disclosed herein, is disposed within or as part of the drill pipe 126.

[0030] The following are some of the aforementioned publicly disclosed implementation schemes:

[0031] Implementation Scheme 1: An insert-type safety valve comprising: a housing; an element disposed on the housing; a flow tube movably disposed within the housing; a baffle hinged to the housing and responsive to the position of the flow tube relative to the housing; an atmospheric pressure chamber disposed within the housing; a selectively openable means; and an opener configured to selectively open the openable arrangement to allow pressure communication between the atmospheric pressure chamber and an environment outside the housing, the opener being responsive to movement of the element on the housing.

[0032] Implementation Scheme 2: The safety valve according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein the selectively openable device includes a penetrator assembly.

[0033] Implementation Scheme 3: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein the penetrator assembly defines a passage.

[0034] Implementation Scheme 4: The safety valve according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein the selectively openable device includes a disc housing and a disc.

[0035] Implementation Scheme 5: The safety valve according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the selectively openable device includes a recess and a portion of the housing, the portion of the housing separating the recess from a cavity within the housing.

[0036] Implementation Scheme 6: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein the selectively openable device includes a valve component.

[0037] Implementation Scheme 7: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein the valve component includes a biasing device.

[0038] Implementation Scheme 8: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the opener is a mechanical component that physically moves at least a portion of the selectively openable device radially inward or radially outward relative to the housing.

[0039] Implementation Scheme 9: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein the opener is responsive to a pressure input.

[0040] Implementation Scheme 10: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein the opener is responsive to mechanical input.

[0041] Implementation Scheme 11: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the mechanical input is made by an element that is movable based on the application of pressure.

[0042] Implementation Scheme 12: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein the pressure is applied from a control position.

[0043] Implementation Scheme 13: A safety valve according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the housing further defines an orifice for a flow tube, the orifice being offset from the axial centerline of the housing.

[0044] Implementation Scheme 14: A drilling system comprising a pre-existing downhole structure having a control line and an insert safety valve disposed in the pre-existing downhole structure according to any of the preceding embodiments, the insert safety valve being configured to operate based on input from the control line.

[0045] Implementation Scheme 15: A drilling system according to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the movement of the element relative to the housing is achieved by applying pressure from the control line.

[0046] Implementation Scheme 16: A method for controlling a wellbore, the method comprising: operating an insert safety valve according to any of the preceding embodiments to a position in the wellbore; preventing fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure chamber of the safety valve during operation; causing the insert safety valve to drop; moving an opener; and establishing fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure chamber.

[0047] Implementation Scheme 17: The method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the movement of the opener is achieved by moving an element disposed on the housing adjacent to the opener.

[0048] Implementation Scheme 18: The method according to any of the preceding implementation schemes, wherein moving the opener includes physically moving at least a portion of the selectively openable device using the opener.

[0049] Implementation Scheme 19: The method according to any of the foregoing implementation schemes, wherein physical movement includes wedge insertion.

[0050] Implementation Scheme 20: A wellbore system comprising: a borehole located in an underground formation; a drill pipe located in the borehole; and an insert safety valve according to any of the preceding embodiments, the insert safety valve being disposed within the drill pipe or as part of the drill pipe.

[0051] In the context of describing the invention (particularly in the context of the appended claims), the terms “an” and “the”, and similar designations, should be interpreted to cover both singular and plural forms, unless otherwise specified herein or clearly contradicted by the context. Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” etc., used herein do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “about,” “substantially,” and “generally” are intended to include a degree of error associated with a specific number of measurements based on the equipment available at the time of filing. For example, “about” and / or “substantially” and / or “generally” can include a range of ±8% for a given value.

[0052] The teachings of this disclosure can be applied to a variety of well operations. These operations may involve treating formations, fluids residing in formations, boreholes, and / or equipment within boreholes, such as production tubing, with one or more treatment agents. Treatment agents can be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Exemplary treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, corrosion inhibitors, cementing agents, permeability modifiers, drilling mud, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers, etc. Exemplary well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, production enhancement, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water injection, cementing, etc.

[0053] Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements therein without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of the invention without departing from the basic scope of the invention. Therefore, it is contemplated that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but rather that the invention will encompass all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Additionally, exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the drawings and detailed descriptions, and although specific terminology has been used, it is used in a general and descriptive sense only, and not for limiting purposes, unless otherwise specified; therefore, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto.

Claims

1. An insert-type safety valve (10), characterized in that: Casing (26, 84); Components (44, 54, 96), said components being disposed on the housing (26, 84); A flow tube, which is movably disposed within the housing (26, 84); A baffle (12) is hinged to the housing (26, 84) and responds to the position of the flow tube relative to the housing (26, 84); An atmospheric pressure chamber (22) is disposed within the housing (26, 84); A selectively openable device (38); An opener (48) is configured to selectively open an openable device (38) to allow pressure communication between the atmospheric chamber (22) and the environment outside the housing (26, 84), the opener (48) being responsive to movement of the element (44, 54, 96) on the housing (26, 84).

2. The safety valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein the selectively openable device (38) includes a penetrator assembly (92).

3. The safety valve (10) according to claim 2, wherein the penetrator assembly (92) defines a passage (108).

4. The safety valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein the selectively openable device (38) comprises a disc box (102) and a disc (86).

5. The safety valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein the selectively openable device (38) includes a recess (67, 90) and a portion of the housing (26, 84), the portion of the housing separating the recess (67, 90) from the cavity (22) within the housing (26, 84).

6. The safety valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein the selectively openable device (38) comprises a valve component (58).

7. The safety valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opener (48) is a mechanical component that physically moves at least a portion of the selectively openable device (38) radially inward or radially outward relative to the housing (26, 84).

8. The safety valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opener (48) is responsive to a pressure input.

9. The safety valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opener (48) is responsive to mechanical input.

10. A drilling system (120) characterized by the following features: A pre-existing downhole structure having a control pipeline (34). According to claim 1, the insert safety valve (10) is disposed within the pre-existing downhole structure and is configured to operate based on input from the control line (34).

11. A method for controlling a wellbore, the method being characterized by the following features: The insertion safety valve (10) according to claim 1 is moved to a position in the wellbore; Prevent fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure chamber (22) of the safety valve (10) during operation; This causes the insert safety valve (10) to drop; Move the opener (48); and Achieve fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure chamber (22).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the movement of the opener (48) is achieved by moving the element (44, 54, 96) disposed on the housing (26, 84) adjacent to the opener (48).

13. The method of claim 11, wherein moving the opener (48) comprises physically moving at least a portion of the selectively openable device (38) using the opener (48).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the physical movement includes wedging.

15. A wellbore system (120) characterized by the following features: A borehole (122) is located in an underground stratum (124); Drill rod (126), which is located in the borehole (122); and The insert safety valve (10) according to claim 1 is disposed within the drill rod (126) or as part of the borehole column.

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