NO-INTERVENTION INJECTION SAFETY VALVE.

Abstract

A safety valve includes a housing with an orifice, a flow tube, and a valve closing element. The flow tube resides in the orifice, is configured to move telescopically within the orifice, and is adapted to switch the valve closing element between a closed and an open position. The safety valve also includes an annular section between an inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the flow tube, and means for preventing fluid flowing through the orifice from entering the annular section.

Description

This memorandum claims and is based on the priority of the U.S. provisional application serial number: 63 / 044,750, filed on June 26, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND Underground safety valves are commonly used in wells to prevent the uncontrolled flow of fluids through the well in case of an emergency, such as a well blowout. Conventional safety valves use a flapper, which is deflected by a spring to a normally closed position but held open by applying hydraulic fluid from the surface. Stimulation treatments with proppants or other aggressive injection applications can have a corrosive effect on the material from which underground safety valves are made. Therefore, there is a need to protect underground safety valves during such stimulation treatments and injection applications without well intervention. COMPENDIUM According to one or more embodiments of the present description, a safety valve includes a housing having an orifice; a flow tube residing in the orifice and configured to move telescopically within the orifice; an annular section between an inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the flow tube; a valve closing element, wherein the flow tube is adapted to change the valve closing element between a closed position and an open position; and means for preventing fluid flowing through the orifice from entering the annular section. According to one or more embodiments of the present description, a device includes a housing having an orifice, such orifice having an internal profile; and a temporary barrier that adheres to and protects the internal profile by creating a continuous, seamless diameter within the orifice. However, many modifications can be made without materially departing from the indications of this description. Therefore, it is intended that such modifications be included within the scope of this description as defined in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Certain aspects of the description will be outlined below with reference to the accompanying figures, where identical reference numbers denote similar elements. However, it should be understood that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the various technologies described herein; FIG. 1 shows a safety valve that includes a sacrificial material according to one or more embodiments of the present description; FIG. 2 shows a safety valve including a telescopic / maze design according to one or more embodiments of the present description; FIGS. 3A-30 show a safety valve that includes at least one seal according to one or more embodiments of the present description; and FIG. 4 shows a safety valve that includes a continuous, seamless diameter within a safety valve bore according to one or more embodiments of the present description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description provides numerous details to facilitate understanding of some of the modalities described herein. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the system and / or method can be implemented without these details and that numerous variations or modifications of the described modalities are possible. In the descriptive memorandum and accompanying claims: the terms "above" and "below", "superior" and "inferior", "upward" and "downward", "front" and "backward", "well surface" and "well bottom", "above" and "below", "top" and "bottom", "left" and "right" and other similar terms and expressions indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element are used in this description to more clearly describe some modalities of the description. This description generally refers to underground safety valves. More specifically, one or more of the descriptions relate to underground safety valves designed to withstand sustaining stimulation treatments or other severe injection applications, and to methods for manufacturing them. One or more embodiments of the herein description eliminate the need for a well intervention to install a protective barrier within a safety valve prior to proppant stimulation treatment or other severe injection application. In fact, an apparatus and method according to one or more embodiments of the herein description incorporates robust and durable designs capable of withstanding erosion and debris generated by proppant stimulation treatment or other severe injection application. With reference to FIG. 1, a safety valve including a sacrificial material is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present description. As shown in FIG. 1, the safety valve 10 may include a housing 12 having an orifice 14 and a flow tube 16 residing in the orifice 14. In one or more embodiments of the present description, the flow tube 16 is configured to move telescopically within the orifice 14 of the housing 12. As the flow tube 16 moves telescopically within the orifice 14 of the housing 12, the flow tube 16 is adapted to change a valve closing element 18 of the safety valve 10 between a closed position and an open position, for example. In one or more embodiments of the present ML / IZ / ZUZO / UQ »41y description, the valve closing element 18 may be a flap, as shown in FIG. 1 for example. However, the valve closing element 18 may include a ball valve, a circulation valve or another type of barrier valve without departing from the scope of the present description. As described above, the flow tube 16 can be moved telescopically within the bore 14 of the housing 12 to change the closing element of the safety valve 10 between the closed and open positions. In one or more embodiments of this description, a valve actuator 22 can facilitate the telescopic movement of the flow tube 16. In one or more embodiments of this description, the valve actuator 22 can be activated by, among other things, mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, magnetic, pressure, thermal, optical, wireless, or chemical means to activate the flow tube 16. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the valve actuator 22 can be a hydraulic piston coupled to a hydraulic control line. As further shown in FIG. 1, for example, the valve actuator 22 can be operatively connected to the flow tube 16 and a spring 24.For example, the valve actuator 22 can be positioned to act against a shoulder 17 of the flow tube 16 in one or more of the embodiments described herein. Operationally, when the appropriate trigger (e.g., hydraulic input, control pressure, etc.) is provided to the valve actuator 22 so that the valve actuator 22 moves downward, the valve actuator 22 drives the flow tube 16 downward into the orifice 14, compressing the spring 24. The continued downward movement of the flow tube 16 forces the flow tube 16 through the valve closing element 18, which forces the valve closing element 18 into the open position shown in Figure 1. According to one or more of the embodiments described herein, sustaining stimulation treatments and other injection applications can continue while the valve closing element 18 is in the open position.Alternatively, when the valve actuator 22 is forced upwards, the valve actuator 22 drives the flow tube 16 upwards, allowing the valve closing element 18 to move to the closed position. As further shown in FIG. 1, the safety valve 10 may include an annular section 20 provided in the space between an inner surface of the housing 12 and an outer surface of the flow tube 16, according to one or more embodiments of the present description. In one or more embodiments of the present description, at least a portion of the valve actuator 22, the spring 24, and the valve closing element 18, when the valve closing element 18 is in the open position, may be located in the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. In one or more embodiments of the present description, the safety valve 10 includes means for preventing fluid flowing through orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 of the valve. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the means for preventing fluid flowing through orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 may be a sacrificial material 26 placed in orifice 14. Specifically, in one or more embodiments of the present description, the sacrificial material 26 ML / IZ / ZUZO / UY »41y can be placed at one end of the flow tube 16. By preventing fluid flowing through orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10, the internal components of the safety valve 10 (i.e., spring 24, valve closing element 18, valve actuator 22, etc.) can be protected from erosion and debris generated by proppant stimulation treatments or other injection operations. Furthermore, the sacrificial material 26 provides a zero-intervention design insofar as no separate intervention is required to install the sacrificial material 26 once the safety valve 10 is installed downhole. In fact, the safety valve 10 can be assembled with the sacrificial material 26 already installed before the safety valve 10 is placed downhole.Eliminating an additional trip to install the sacrificial material 26 saves significant time and money compared to solutions requiring on-site intervention, for example. In one or more embodiments of this description, the sacrificial material 26 comprises a metallic material, such as an aluminum alloy, or any other material capable of dissolving or degrading over time, for example. With reference to FIG. 2, in one or more embodiments of the present description, the means for preventing fluid flowing through orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 may include a telescopic assembly 28 attached to the flow tube 16 that blocks the annular section 20. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the telescopic assembly 28 is fixed to the top of the safety valve 10, attached to the flow tube 16, and configured to cooperate with an internal profile of orifice 14 while blocking the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10. Due to the configuration of the telescopic assembly 28, fluid flowing through orifice 14 during proppant stimulation treatments or other injection operations is prevented from entering the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10.Allowing debris to flow into critical areas, such as the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10, can prevent the safety valve 10 from functioning properly. Therefore, the internal components of the safety valve 10 (i.e., the spring 24, the valve closing element 18, the valve actuator 22, etc.) can be protected from erosion and debris generated by such treatments and operations by implementing means to prevent fluid flowing through the orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10, such as the telescopic assembly 28 shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the telescopic assembly 28, according to one or more embodiments of this description, provides a zero-intervention design insofar as no separate intervention is required to install the telescopic assembly 28 once the safety valve 10 is installed at the bottom of the well. In fact, the safety valve 10 can be assembled with the telescopic assembly 28 already installed before the safety valve 10 is placed at the bottom of the well. Eliminating an additional trip to install the sacrificial material 28 advantageously saves time and money compared to solutions that require intervention, for example. In one or more embodiments of this description, the telescopic assembly 28 is made of an erosion-resistant material that can prevent leakage in the annular section 20 during the service life of the safety valve 10. ML / IZ / ZUZO / UZ »41y With reference now to FIGS. 3A-3C, in one or more embodiments of the present description, the means for preventing fluid flowing through orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 may include at least one seal 30 positioned near at least one of the bottom-well sides of the flow tube 16, and one surface side of the flow tube 16. For example, FIG. 3A shows at least one seal 30 positioned near a bottom-well side of the flow tube 16, FIG. 3B shows at least one seal 30 positioned near a surface side of the flow tube 16, and FIG. 3C shows at least one seal 30 positioned near both the surface side and the bottom-well side of the flow tube 16, according to one or more embodiments of the present description. The placement of the at least one seal 30 with respect to the flow tube 16, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, effectively seals the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10 of orifice 14.Due to the placement of at least one seal 30, fluid flowing through orifice 14 during proppant stimulation treatments or other injection operations is prevented from entering the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10. As previously mentioned, allowing debris to flow into critical areas, such as the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10, can impede the proper functioning of the safety valve 10. Therefore, the internal components of the safety valve 10 (i.e., spring 24, valve closing element 18, valve actuator 22, etc.) may be affected.) can be protected from erosion and debris generated by such treatments and operations by implementing means to prevent fluid flowing through orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10, such as at least one seal 30 placed near at least one of the bottom-well side of the flow tube 16, and the surface side of the flow tube 16, as shown in FIG. 3A-3C. Furthermore, the at least one seal 30, according to one or more embodiments of this description, provides a zero-intervention design insofar as no separate intervention is required to install the at least one seal 30 once the safety valve 10 is installed downhole. In fact, the safety valve 10 can be assembled with at least one seal 30 already installed before the safety valve 10 is placed downhole. Eliminating an additional trip to install the sacrificial material 30 advantageously saves time and money compared to solutions requiring intervention, for example. In one or more embodiments of this description, the at least one seal 30 is made of an elastomer or any other material that can prevent leakage in the annular section 20 during the service life of the safety valve 10 (i.e., a fluid-tight seal). With reference now to FIG. 4, in one or more embodiments of the present description, the means for preventing fluid flowing through orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 may include a temporary barrier 32 that adheres to and protects an internal profile of orifice 14, creating a continuous, seamless diameter within orifice 14. That is, a temporary barrier 32, such as an adhesive coating or finish, may be applied to any equipment having an internal profile to provide a continuous, flush, and seamless internal profile. Advantageously, the temporary barrier 32 according to one or more embodiments of the present description may function with multiple profiles. ML / IZ / ZUZO / UY »41y steps and various parts that provide many transitions across the internal profile. By using the temporary barrier 32 to create a continuous, jointless diameter within the orifice 14, the internal profile of the orifice 14 can be protected from debris and erosion during proppant stimulation treatments or other injection operations, for example. In one or more embodiments of the present description, the temporary barrier 32 can also reduce the occurrence of unwanted pressure losses during such treatments or operations. As shown in FIG. 4, the temporary barrier 32 can also protect critical components of the safety valve 10 by preventing fluid flowing through the orifice 14 during proppant stimulation treatments or other injection operations from entering the annular section 20 of the safety valve 10.Allowing debris to flow into critical areas, such as the annular section 20 of safety valve 10, can prevent the safety valve 10 from functioning properly. Therefore, the internal components of safety valve 10 (i.e., spring 24, valve closing element 18, valve actuator 22, etc.) can be protected from erosion and debris generated by such treatments and operations by implementing means to prevent fluid flowing through orifice 14 from entering the annular section 20 of safety valve 10, such as the temporary barrier 32 as shown in Figure 4. Advantageously, after the propping treatment or other injection operation is completed, the temporary barrier 32 can be removed to expose the internal profile of the orifice 14 of the safety valve 10 or other equipment. In this way, the temporary barrier 32 can be made of a soluble, thermodegradable, or other material that will disappear over time. For example, the temporary barrier 32 could include a degradable or soluble metal. Furthermore, the temporary barrier 32, according to one or more of the embodiments described herein, provides a zero-intervention design insofar as no separate intervention is required to apply the temporary barrier 32 once the safety valve 10 or other equipment is installed downhole. In fact, in one method according to one or more of the embodiments described herein, the temporary barrier 32 is already applied to the safety valve 10 or other equipment or device before the safety valve 10 or other equipment or device is placed in the well. Eliminating an additional trip to apply or install the temporary barrier 32 advantageously saves time and money compared to solutions that require a separate intervention or trip, for example. Although the above-mentioned modalities of this description are directed to an underground safety valve, one or more modalities of this description may also be applied to other types of devices, valves, or flow control devices without departing from the scope of this description. Although some variations of the description have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without technically departing from the indications of this description. Therefore, it is intended that such modifications ML / IZ / ZUZ / UZ »41 and modifications are included within the scope of this description as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A safety valve, comprising: a housing having an orifice; a flow tube residing in the orifice and configured to move telescopically within the orifice; an annular section between an inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the flow tube; a valve closing element, wherein the flow tube is adapted to change the valve closing element between a closed position and an open position; and means for preventing fluid flowing through the orifice from entering the annular section.

2. The safety valve of claim 1, further comprising: a spring adapted to move the flow tube, wherein the spring and the valve closing element, when the valve closing element is in the open position, are located in the annular section.

3. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein the means for preventing the fluid flowing through the orifice from entering the annular section are a sacrificial material placed in the orifice.

4. The safety valve of claim 3, wherein the sacrificial material is placed on the flow tube.

5. The safety valve of claim 3, wherein the sacrificial material comprises a metallic material.

6. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein the means for preventing the fluid flowing through the orifice from entering the annular section comprise a telescopic assembly attached to the flow tube that blocks the annular section.

7. The safety valve of claim 2, further comprising: a piston connected to the flow tube, the piston configured to actuate the flow tube, wherein at least a portion of the piston is positioned in the annular section when the valve closing element is in the open position.

8. The safety valve of claim 7, wherein the piston is hydraulically actuated.

9. The safety valve of claim 8, wherein, when the piston is forced downward by a control pressure, the piston actuates the flow tube in the downward direction, allowing the valve closing element to be in an open position, and wherein, when the piston is forced upward, the piston actuates the flow tube in the upward direction, allowing the valve closing element to be in a closed position. ML / IZ / ZUZO / UZ »41y 10. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein the means for preventing fluid flow through the orifice from entering the annular section comprise a seal positioned near at least one side of the bottom of the flow tube well; and a side of the surface of the flow tube well.

11. The safety valve of claim 7, wherein the means for preventing fluid flow through the orifice from entering the annular section comprise a seal positioned near at least one side of the bottom of the flow tube well; and a side of the surface of the flow tube well.

12. The safety valve of claim 1, wherein the orifice comprises an internal profile, and wherein the means for preventing fluid flowing through the orifice from entering the annular section are a temporary barrier that adheres to and protects the internal profile, creating a continuous, seamless diameter within the orifice.

13. A device, comprising: a housing having an orifice, said orifice having an internal profile; and a temporary barrier that adheres to and protects the internal profile by creating a continuous, seamless diameter within the orifice.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the temporary barrier is a lining.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the temporary barrier is degradable or soluble.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the temporary barrier comprises a metal that is degradable or soluble.

17. A method comprising: applying a temporary barrier to an internal profile of a hole in a device housing, wherein the temporary barrier protects the internal profile by creating a continuous, seamless diameter within the hole.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the temporary barrier comprises a degradable or soluble material.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the temporary barrier comprises a metal that is degradable or soluble.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the temporary barrier is an adhesive coating.

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