Dual ball switch slide

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of oilfield operation equipment technology. Addressing the problem that existing mechanical switch sleeves require matching wire tools, leading to cumbersome switching procedures and low operational efficiency, it provides a double-ball-throw switch sleeve, comprising an upper connector, a middle connector, and a lower connector connected in sequence. The middle connector has an opening in its center. The double-ball-throw switch sleeve also includes a closing sleeve, an opening sleeve, a closing ball seat, an opening ball seat, a closing ball, and an opening ball. The closing sleeve and the opening sleeve are both housed within the cavity of the middle connector and are detachably connected to it. The closing ball seat is located within the closing sleeve near the upper connector and is used to house the closing ball. The opening ball seat is located within the opening sleeve near the upper connector and is used to house the opening ball. This double-ball-throw switch sleeve design only requires a hydraulic device at the wellhead and does not require matching wire tools, simplifying the switching procedure, facilitating operation, and improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of oilfield operation equipment technology, and more specifically, to a double-ball switch sliding sleeve. Background Technology

[0002] Switching sleeves are widely used in oilfield well completion operations, enabling the controlled opening or closing of one or more reservoirs and adjusting pressure and fluid flow rates between them. Currently, mechanical switching sleeves are commonly used both domestically and internationally due to their significant advantages in avoiding inter-layer interference, implementing layer separation, and controlling production operations. When a problem occurs in a particular isolated layer, the corresponding sleeve can be closed without affecting the production of other layers. Its working principle involves moving the inner sleeve to close or open the channel between the tubing and the annular space. When the channel of the inner sleeve aligns with the channel of the sleeve body, the sleeve is open; when they are misaligned, it is closed. However, these switching sleeves require matching wire tools. Wire tool operation is cumbersome, the tools are easily damaged, and frequent tool replacements are time-consuming, significantly reducing operational efficiency.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a double-ball switch sliding sleeve that is simple in its switching procedure and has high operating efficiency, based on the switching principle. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that existing mechanical switch sleeves require matching wire tools, resulting in cumbersome switching procedures and low work efficiency. This invention provides a double-ball switch sleeve, which achieves a simple switching procedure and high work efficiency.

[0005] This utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: a double-ball-throwing switch slide sleeve, comprising an upper connector, a middle connector, and a lower connector connected in sequence; the middle connector has an opening in the middle part; the double-ball-throwing switch slide sleeve further includes a closing slide sleeve, an opening slide sleeve, a closing ball seat, an opening ball seat, a closing ball, and an opening ball; the closing slide sleeve and the opening slide sleeve are both housed in the inner cavity of the middle connector and are detachably connected to the middle connector; the closing slide sleeve is located below the upper connector; the opening slide sleeve is located below the closing slide sleeve; the closing ball seat is located inside the closing slide sleeve near the upper connector; the closing ball seat is used to house the closing ball; the opening ball seat is located inside the opening slide sleeve near the upper connector; the opening ball seat is used to house the opening ball.

[0006] Preferably, the closing sleeve is connected to the intermediate joint via a shear pin.

[0007] Preferably, the opening sliding sleeve is connected to the intermediate joint via a shear pin.

[0008] Preferably, a V-shaped sealing ring is provided at the end of the closing sleeve near the opening sleeve.

[0009] Preferably, the lower end of the closing slide, both ends of the opening slide, and the upper end of the lower connector are all provided with uneven steps.

[0010] Preferably, both the closing ball and the opening ball are soluble balls.

[0011] Preferably, both the closing ball seat and the opening ball seat are made of cast iron.

[0012] Preferably, the dual-ball-throwing switch sleeve further includes a plurality of O-rings, which are respectively disposed between the middle connector and the upper connector, between the middle connector and the closing sleeve, between the middle connector and the opening sleeve, and between the middle connector and the lower connector.

[0013] The technical solution of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0014] (1) The dual ball-throwing switch design only requires a hydraulic device at the wellhead and does not require a wire rope tool. The switching procedure is simple, the operation is convenient, and the production efficiency is improved.

[0015] (2) The soluble ball dissolves at a set time and can drill out the ball seat, achieving a large-diameter discharge and improving production efficiency.

[0016] (3) The structure is simple and easy to process and assemble; and the sealing performance is good through V-group sealing and multiple O-rings; by closing the lower end of the sliding sleeve, opening both ends of the sliding sleeve, and the concave and convex steps set at the upper end of the lower connector, the steps contact each other, which can prevent the sliding sleeve from rotating when drilling the ball seat. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the double ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the sliding sleeve of the double ball-throwing switch in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified structural diagram of part A in the middle;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the sliding sleeve of the double ball-throwing switch in Embodiment 1 of this utility model (when in the well).

[0021] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the double ball-throwing switch slide sleeve in Embodiment 1 of this utility model (when the slide sleeve is opened during ball throwing);

[0022] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the double ball-throwing switch slide sleeve in Embodiment 1 of this utility model (when the slide sleeve is closed during ball throwing);

[0023] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the sliding sleeve of the double-ball switch in Embodiment 1 of this utility model (when drilling away the ball seat).

[0024] Attached reference numerals: 1-Upper connector, 2-Middle connector, 2a-Opening hole, 3-Lower connector, 4-Closed sliding sleeve, 5-Opening sliding sleeve, 6-Closed ball seat, 7-Opening ball seat, 8-Closed ball, 9-Opening ball, 10-Shear pin one, 11-Shear pin two, 12-V group sealing ring, 13-Step, 14-O-ring, 15-Internal hexagonal flat end set bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown herein can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0026] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, this embodiment provides a double-ball switch slide sleeve, including an upper connector 1, a middle connector 2, and a lower connector 3 connected in sequence by threads; the middle connector 2 has an opening 2a in the middle part. The double-ball switch slide sleeve also includes a closing slide sleeve 4, an opening slide sleeve 5, a closing ball seat 6, an opening ball seat 7, a closing ball 8, and an opening ball 9; the closing slide sleeve 4 and the opening slide sleeve 5 are both accommodated in the inner cavity of the middle connector 2 and are temporarily fixedly connected to the middle connector 2. The closing slide sleeve 4 is located below the upper connector 1, and the opening slide sleeve 5 is located below the closing slide sleeve 4. The closing ball seat 6 is threadedly connected to the end of the closing slide sleeve 4 near the upper connector 1 and is used to accommodate the closing ball 8. The opening ball seat 7 is threadedly connected to the end of the opening slide sleeve 5 near the upper connector 1 and is used to accommodate the opening ball 9. The inner diameter of the opening ball seat 7 is smaller than the inner diameter of the closing ball seat 6. The diameter of the opening ball 9 is smaller than the diameter of the closing ball 8, and the diameter of the opening ball 9 is larger than the inner diameter of the opening ball seat 7, so it will not fall down. The opening ball 9 can pass through the closing ball seat 6, but cannot pass through the opening ball seat 7. The diameter of the closing ball 8 is larger than the inner diameter of the closing ball seat 6, so the closing ball 8 cannot pass through the closing ball seat 6. Furthermore, the end of the middle connector 2 and the upper connector 1 are reinforced and fixed by a hexagon socket head cap set bolt 15.

[0030] This dual-ball-throw switch sliding sleeve design only requires a hydraulic device at the wellhead and does not require a wireline tool. The switching procedure is simple, the operation is convenient, and production efficiency is improved.

[0031] In this embodiment, the closing sleeve 4 is connected to the middle connector 2 via shear pin 10.

[0032] In this embodiment, the opening sleeve 5 is connected to the middle connector 2 via shear pin 2 11.

[0033] In this embodiment, a V-group sealing ring 12 is provided at the end of the closing slide sleeve 4 near the opening slide sleeve 5. The V-group sealing ring 12 is fitted into a sealing groove in the closing slide sleeve 4. This dual-ball switch slide sleeve uses a proprietary airtight sealing system, namely the V-group seal, which has been successfully tested at 15,000 psi at 230℉ (110℃).

[0034] In this embodiment, the lower end of the closed sliding sleeve 4, both ends of the open sliding sleeve 5, and the upper end of the lower connector 3 are all provided with uneven steps 13. When drilling out the ball seat, the steps contact each other to prevent the sliding sleeve from rotating.

[0035] In this embodiment, both the closing ball 8 and the opening ball 9 are soluble balls. The soluble balls dissolve at regular intervals, improving production efficiency.

[0036] In this embodiment, both the closing ball seat 6 and the opening ball seat 7 are made of cast iron. After the sliding sleeve is opened and closed, the drill bit connected to the drill rod can be used to drill away the closing ball seat 6 and the opening ball seat 7.

[0037] In this embodiment, the double ball-throwing switch sleeve also includes multiple O-rings 14 for enhanced sealing. The multiple O-rings 14 are respectively disposed between the middle connector 2 and the upper connector 1, between the middle connector 2 and the closing sleeve 4, between the middle connector 2 and the opening sleeve 5, and between the middle connector 2 and the lower connector 3.

[0038] Specific usage instructions:

[0039] This dual-ball-throwing switch sleeve is an airtight ball-throwing activated sleeve, which has four states during use: well entry, ball-throwing to open the sleeve, ball-throwing to close the sleeve, and drilling to remove the switch ball seat.

[0040] (1) Well entry: The sliding sleeve is connected to the tubing and installed in the upper well completion section. A hydraulic device located on the ground is installed at the wellhead and connected to the tubing at the wellhead.

[0041] (2) Ball drop to open the sliding sleeve: Different fluids circulate in the annulus. The opening ball 9 is dropped and falls into the upper joint 1, the closing ball seat 6, the closing sliding sleeve 4 in sequence, and then into the opening ball seat 7. Pressure is applied to the tubing. The opening ball 9 is metal-sealed with the opening ball seat 7 by the driving force of the fluid, and pressure is applied to the opening sliding sleeve 5. As long as the hydraulic pressure at the wellhead is sufficient, after the hydraulic pressure exceeds the pressure of the opening sliding sleeve 5, the shear pin between the opening sliding sleeve 5 and the middle joint 2 is cut off. The opening sliding sleeve 5 moves downward to abut against the lower joint 3, opens the sliding sleeve, exposes the opening 2a opened by the middle joint 2, and the casing tubing forms a new channel.

[0042] (3) Throwing the ball to close the sliding sleeve: Throw the closing ball 8 again. The closing ball 8 falls into the upper joint 1 and the closing ball seat 6 in sequence. The closing ball 8 is metal-sealed with the closing ball seat 6 by the driving force of the fluid. After the hydraulic pressure exceeds the pressure of the closing sliding sleeve 4, the shearing pin between the closing sliding sleeve 4 and the middle joint 2 is cut off. The closing sliding sleeve 4 moves downward to abut against the opening sliding sleeve 5, and the sliding sleeve is closed, sealing the opening 2a of the middle joint 2, and the casing oil pipe annular channel is closed.

[0043] (4) Drilling out the switch ball seat: After the switch is completed, the opening ball 9 and the closing ball 8 are both located in their respective ball seats. Both the opening ball 9 and the closing ball 8 are soluble balls that can dissolve over time and can be drilled out of the ball seats to increase the internal flow rate and allow well workover or completion tools to pass through the sliding sleeve. At this time, the steps at both ends of the opening sliding sleeve 5 contact the step at the lower end of the closing sliding sleeve 4 and the step at the upper end of the lower connector 3, respectively, which can prevent the sliding sleeve from rotating when drilling out the ball seats.

[0044] This dual-ball pressure switch sliding sleeve switch has a simple procedure and high operating efficiency. It can also be deployed in the upper and lower completion tubing strings that require injection or production, and the sliding sleeve can be closed without intervention.

[0045] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A double-ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve, characterized in that, It includes an upper connector (1), a middle connector (2), and a lower connector (3) connected in sequence; The middle connector (2) has an opening (2a) in the middle. The double ball switch sleeve also includes a closing sleeve (4), an opening sleeve (5), a closing ball seat (6), an opening ball seat (7), a closing ball (8), and an opening ball (9). The closing sleeve (4) and the opening sleeve (5) are both housed in the inner cavity of the middle connector (2) and are detachably connected to the middle connector (2). The closing sleeve (4) is located below the upper connector (1), and the opening sleeve (5) is located below the closing sleeve (4). The closing ball seat (6) is located inside the closing sleeve (4) near the upper connector (1) and is used to house the closing ball (8). The opening ball seat (7) is located inside the opening sleeve (5) near the upper connector (1) and is used to house the opening ball (9).

2. The dual-ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The closing sleeve (4) is connected to the middle connector (2) via a shear pin (10).

3. The dual-ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening sleeve (5) is connected to the middle connector (2) via shear pin two (11).

4. The dual-ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, A V-shaped sealing ring (12) is provided at one end of the closing slide sleeve (4) near the opening slide sleeve (5).

5. The dual-ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the closing slide (4), both ends of the opening slide (5), and the upper end of the lower connector (3) are all provided with uneven steps (13).

6. The double-ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Both the closing ball (8) and the opening ball (9) are soluble balls.

7. The dual-ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the closing ball seat (6) and the opening ball seat (7) are made of cast iron.

8. The dual-ball-throwing switch sliding sleeve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dual ball-throwing switch sleeve also includes multiple O-rings (14), which are respectively disposed between the middle connector (2) and the upper connector (1), between the middle connector (2) and the closing sleeve (4), between the middle connector (2) and the opening sleeve (5), and between the middle connector (2) and the lower connector (3).

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