Expandable valve seat

Abstract

A valve seat for use in a gate valve is provided, and the valve seat includes a first seat body, a sealing element, and an expandable member. The first seat body is movable relative to a valve body. The sealing element is disposed between the first seat body and the valve body. The sealing element restricts fluid flow from a bore of the valve body to an area between the first seat body and the valve body to apply a pressure to the first seat body and the valve body to engage the first seat body with a valve member. The expandable member is disposed between the first seat body and the valve body. The expandable member is configured to provide a preload between the first seat body and the valve body to maintain engagement between the first seat body and the valve member.

Description

SLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOEXPANDABLE VALVE SEATCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 749,074, filed January 24, 2025, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Gate valves are used during fracturing operations to manage and transmit flows of materials, such as fracturing fluid containing fluid and proppant. Gate valves may typically be placed in an open configuration or a closed configuration. However, occasionally, leak paths exist through gate valves such that fluid and proppant may leak from the bore of the gate valves into other areas causing undesirable wear and leakage.SUMMARY

[0003] A valve seat for use in a gate valve is provided. The valve seat is a valve member and a valve body and is disposed about a bore defined by the valve body, the valve seat includes a first seat body, a sealing element, and an expandable member. The first seat body is movable relative to the valve body. The sealing element is disposed between the first seat body and the valve body. The sealing element restricts fluid flow from the bore to an area between the first seat body and the valve body to apply a pressure the first seat body and the valve body to engage the first seat body with the valve member. The expandable member is disposed between the first seat body and the valve body. The expandable member is configured to provide a preload between the first seat body and the valve body to maintain engagement between the first seat body and the valve member.

[0004] A gate valve is provided. The gate valve includes a valve body, a valve member, and a valve seat. The valve body includes a bore having a first axis, the bore configured to receive fluid flow and proppant flow. The valve member is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the valve member blocks fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore and in the open position, the valve member permits fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore. The valve seat is disposed between the valve member and the valve body and is disposed about the bore. The valve seat includes a first seat body, a second seat body, a sealing element, and an expandable member. The second seat body is disposed between the first seat body and the valveSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WObody. The second seat body is engaged with the valve body and the first seat body is movable relative to the second seat body and the valve body. The sealing element is disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body. The sealing element restricts fluid flow from the bore to an area between the first seat body and the second seat body to apply a pressure between the first seat body and the second seat body to engage the first seat body with the valve member. The expandable member is disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body. The expandable member is configured to provide a preload between the first seat body and the second seat body to maintain engagement between the first seat body and the valve member.

[0005] A method for managing a fracturing operation is provided. The method includes receiving a fracturing fluid in a bore of a valve and moving a first seat body of a valve seat of the valve from a first position to a second position. The fracturing fluid includes a fluid and a proppant. The valve includes a valve body, a valve member, and the valve seat. The valve body includes a bore. The valve member is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the valve member blocks fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore and in the open position, the valve member permits fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore. The valve seat is disposed between the valve member and the valve body and is disposed about the bore. The valve seat includes the first seat body, a second seat body, a sealing element, and an expandable member. The second seat body is disposed between the first seat body and the valve body. The second seat body is engaged with the valve body and the first seat body is movable relative to the second seat body and the valve body. The sealing element is disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body. The sealing element restricts fluid flow from the bore to an area between the first seat body and the second seat body to apply a pressure between the first seat body and the second seat body to engage the first seat body with the valve member. The expandable member is disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body. The expandable member is configured to provide a preload between the first seat body and the second seat body to maintain engagement between the first seat body and the valve member. Moving the first seat body from the first position to the second position includes moving the first seat body via one or more of the pressure between the first seat body and the second seat body and the preload applied by the expandable member.SLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] The appended figures illustrate only exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the disclosure, as the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary fracturing operation, according to one or more embodiments.

[0008] Figure 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a gate valve in an open configuration, according to one or more embodiments.

[0009] Figure 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the gate valve of Figure 2A in a closed configuration, according to one or more embodiments.

[0010] Figure 3 A illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the gate valve of Figure 2A with a valve seat in a disengaged configuration, according to one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 3B illustrates a detailed cross sectional view of the gate valve of Figure 2A with the valve seat of Figure 3 A in an engaged configuration, according to one or more embodiments.

[0012] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The disclosure contemplates that terms such as “couples,” “coupling,” “couple,” and “coupled” may include but are not limited to welding, interference fitting, and / or fastening such as by using bolts, threaded connections, pins, clips, and / or screws. The disclosure contemplates that terms such as “couples,” “coupling,” “couple,” and “coupled” may include but are not limited to integrally forming. The disclosure contemplates that terms such as “couples,” “coupling,” “couple,” and “coupled” may include but are not limited to direct coupling and / or indirect coupling, such as indirect coupling through components such as links.

[0014] Aspects of the present disclosure provide systems, apparatus, and methods for an expandable gate valve seat and sealing system for managing fluid flow (e.g. fluid andSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOproppant flow). The present disclosure generally relates to a gate valve including an expandable valve seat. The valve seat is movable (e.g. expandable) to seal against a valve member of the gate valve. The valve seat is movable by one or more of fluid separated from the fracturing fluid flowing through the bore of the gate valve and an expandable member.

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary fracturing operation 100. Fracturing operations 100 include a fracturing fluid supply system 101 that supplies a fracturing fluid 102 containing fluid 103 and proppant 104 (e.g. particulate such as sand, ceramic, etc.) to a well 105 for a fracturing. The fracturing fluid supply system 101 supplies the fracturing fluid 102 to a wellhead assembly 106. The wellhead assembly 106 includes a tree 107 and a wellhead 108. The tree fracturing fluid supply system 101 is fluidly coupled to the tree 107, the tree 107 is fluidly coupled to the wellhead 108, and the wellhead 108 is fluidly coupled to the well 105. Thus, fracturing fluid 102 is supplied from the fracturing fluid supply system 101 to the tree 107, from the tree 107 to the wellhead 108, and from the wellhead 108 to the well 105 during a fracturing operation 100.

[0016] The tree 107 includes a one or more valves 110, some of which may be gate valves to control ingress of fracturing fluid 102 into the wellhead 108 and, in turn, into the well 105 during a fracturing operation 100.

[0017] Figures 2A-2B illustrates cross-sectional views of a gate valve 200 that may be used in place of the one or more valves 110 of Figure 1. Figure 2A illustrates the gate valve 200 in the open configuration. Figure 2B illustrates the gate valve 200 in the closed configuration.

[0018] The gate valve 200 includes a valve body 210, an actuator assembly 220, a valve member 230, and one or more valve seats 250.

[0019] The valve body 210 includes a bore 211 disposed through the valve body 210 with a central axis 212 defined by an inner surface 213 of the valve body 210. The bore 211 is portioned into an inlet passage 215 and an outlet passage 216 separated by the valve member 230. Fracturing fluid 102 including fluid 103 and proppant 104 flows into the inlet passage 215 e.g., received by the inlet passage 215) and, depending on the configuration of the gate valve 200, is either prevented from flowing to the outlet passage 216 and out of the gate valve 200 by the valve member 230, or is permitted to flow through the outlet passage 216 and out of the gate valve 200 by the valve member 230. The valveSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WObody 210 further includes an interior volume 214 disposed within the valve body 210 with a center axis 217 transverse to (e.g. perpendicular to) the central axis 212.

[0020] The valve member 230 includes a valve member body 231 with a valve member bore 232 disposed through the valve member body 231 from an upstream side 233 of the valve member body 231 to the downstream side 234 of the valve member body 231.

[0021] The valve member 230 is movable within the valve body 210 between a first position, as shown in Figure 2A, placing the gate valve 200 in the open configuration, and a second position, as shown in Figure 2B, placing the gate valve 200 in the closed configuration.

[0022] When the gate valve 200 is in the open configuration, as shown in Figure 2A, the inlet passage 215 and the outlet passage 216 are fluidly coupled to one another by the valve member bore 232. When the gate valve 200 is in the closed configuration, as shown in Figure 2B, the inlet passage 215 and outlet passage 216 are blocked from fluid communication by a portion of the valve member body 231 other than the bore 232. In some embodiments, the valve member may be positioned in intermediate positions between the open configuration of Figure 2A and the closed configuration of Figure 2B to choke the flow of fracturing fluid 102 through the bore 211.

[0023] The actuator assembly 220 includes an actuator 221 and a valve stem 222. The actuator 221 is coupled to the valve stem 222 and the valve stem 222 is coupled to the valve member 230. The actuator 221 is configured to configure the gate valve 200 in the open configuration, as shown in Figure 2A, and the closed configuration, as shown in Figure 2B. The actuator 221 is configured to move the valve member 230 from a valve open position, as shown in Figure 2A, to the valve closed position, as shown in Figure 2B. In the valve open position, the valve member 230 is extended from the interior volume 214 to align the valve member bore 232 with the bore 211 of the valve body 210 thus allowing fluid flow through the bore 211 from the inlet passage 215 to the outlet passage 216. In the valve closed position, the valve member 230 is retracted into the interior volume 214 to align a portion of the valve member body 231 other than the portion with the bore 232 with the bore 211 to prevent fluid flow through the bore 211 by blocking fluid communication between the inlet passage 215 and the outlet passage 216. TheSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOactuator 221 moves the valve stem 222 which, in turn, moves the valve member 230 between the valve open position and the valve closed position.

[0024] In some embodiments, the actuator 221 is a manual actuator (e.g. manually operated, such as by a hand wheel), a hydraulic actuator, and / or an electrical actuator. In some embodiments, the actuator 221 is a linear actuator and in some embodiments the actuator 221 is a rotational to linear actuator.

[0025] The one or more valve seats 250 are disposed between the valve member 230 and the valve body 210 and are disposed in one or more recesses 218 in the inner surface 213 of the valve body 210. The one or more valve seats 250 are annular and are disposed about the bore 211 such that the one or more valve seats 250 are disposed between the valve member 230 and the valve body 210 completely around the bore 211.

[0026] The valve seat 250 on the upstream side 233 of the valve member 230 is configured to seal against the upstream side 233 of the valve member 230. That is, the valve seat 250 on the upstream side 233 of the valve member 230 is configured to prevent fracturing fluid 102 within the bore 211 from flowing between the valve body 210 and the upstream side 233 of the valve member 230 and into the interior volume 214 of the valve body 210. The valve seat 250 on the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 is configured to seal against the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230. That is, the valve seat 250 on the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 is configured to prevent fracturing fluid 102 within the bore 211 form flowing between the valve body 210 and the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 and into the interior volume 214 of the valve body 210.

[0027] Figures 3A-3B illustrate a detailed cross-sectional view of one valve seat 350. Valve seat 350 may be used in place of valve seat 250 in the gate valve 200 of Figures 2A-2B. Only the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 and the downstream side valve seat 350 are shown. The upstream side 233 of the valve member 230 and the upstream side valve seat is a mirror of the downstream side. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, only the downstream side valve seat 350 will be described, however, the description is applicable to the upstream side as well, with the directions flipped.

[0028] The valve seat 350 includes a first seat body 351, a second seat body 352 a radial seal 353, an expandable member 354, and a flow ring 355.SLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WO

[0029] The first seat body 351 and second seat body 352 are disposed in the respective recess 218 in the inner surface 213 of the valve body 210. The first seat body 351 is disposed adjacent to the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230. The second seat body 352 is disposed between the first seat body 351 and a sidewall 356 of the respective recess 218. The first seat body 351 is laterally movable (e.g., towards and away from the valve member 230 and the sidewall 356 of the recess 218 of the valve body 210) with respect to the second seat body 352 and with respect to the sidewall 356 of the respective recess 218. A gap 357 is formed between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352.

[0030] The first seat body 351 includes a bottom surface 358 partially defining the bore 211 of the valve body 210, a first side surface 359 adjacent to the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230, a top surface 360 adjacent to (e.g., abutting) the inner surface 361 of the respective recess 218, a second side surface 362 adjacent to the second seat body 352, a third side surface 363 disposed radially below and laterally offset from the second side surface 362 such that the third side surface 363 is also adjacent to the second seat body 352, and a radial surface 364 extending between the second side surface 362 and a third side surface 363 also adjacent to the second seat body 352.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the radial surface 364 includes a recess 365 disposed therein which is configured to hold the radial seal 353 radially between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 In one or more embodiments, the first side surface 359 includes a recess 366 configured to hold one or more seals 367 which seals between the first seat body 351 and the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230. In one or more embodiments, one or more of such seals 367 may be made of a polymer, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE) (e.g., Teflon), a thermoplastic, and / or an elastomer. In one or more embodiments, the first side surface 359 does not include such a recess 366 and does not retain (or include) the seal 367, but instead, the first seat body 351 is made of a material configured to seal against the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230. In one or more of such embodiments, the first seat body 351 may be made of metal, such as a metal alloy, such as a low alloy steel, stainless steel, and / or corrosion resistant alloy. .

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the bottom surface 358 and / or the intersection between the bottom surface 358 and the third side surface 363 includes a recess 368 configured to hold a flow ring 355 between the first seat body 351 and the second seatSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WObody 352 such that the flow ring 355 bridges the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352. In one or more embodiments, the first seat body 351 is made of one or more of a polymer (e.g., PTFE) and a metal alloy (e.g. a low alloy steel, stainless steel, and / or corrosion resistant alloy).

[0033] The second seat body 352 includes a bottom surface 369 partially defining the bore 211 of the valve body 210, a first side surface 370 adjacent to (e.g., abutting) the sidewall 356 of the respective recess 218, a top surface 371 adjacent to (e.g., abutting) the inner surface 361 of the respective recess 218, a second side surface 372 adjacent to the second side surface 362 of the first seat body 351, a third side surface 373 adjacent to the third side surface 363 of the first seat body 351, and a radial surface 374 extending between the second side surface 372 and a third side surface 373 also adjacent to the radial surface 364 of the first seat body 351.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the first side surface 370 of the second seat body 352 includes one or more recesses or grooves 375 configured to retain one or more seals 376 between the second seat body 352 and the sidewall 356 of the respective recess 218 thus maintaining a seal between the second seat body 352 and the sidewall 356 of the respective recess 218 to prevent fluid ingress. In one or more of such embodiments, one or more of said seals 376 may be made of a polymer, such as one or more of poly ether ketone (“PEEK”), PTFE (e.g., Teflon), a thermoplastic, and / or an elastomer. In one or more embodiments, the bottom surface 369 and / or the intersection between the bottom surface 369 and the third side surface 373 of the second seat body 352 includes a recess 377 configured to hold the flow ring 355 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 such that the flow ring 355 bridges the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352. In one or more embodiments, the second side surface 372 of the second seat body 352 may include a recess 378 configured to retain the expandable member 354 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352. In one or more embodiments, the second seat body 352 is made of a low alloy steel, stainless steel, and / or corrosion resistant alloy.

[0035] The expandable member 354 is disposed between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 (e.g., in the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352), such as between the second side surface 362 of the first seat body 351 and the second side surface 372 of the second seat body 352, such as between the second side surface 362 of the first seat body 351 and the recess 378 in the second sideSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOsurface 372 of the second seat body 352. The expandable member 354 is configured to provide a preload (e.g., a force) between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352. The preload applied by the expandable member 354 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 forces the first seat body 351 to engage with (e.g. , abut) the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230. In one or more embodiments, the expandable member 354 may be one or more of a wave ring, a spring, Belleville washer spring, and / or other expandable component having high strength and ductility to maintain a lifecycle of use during operation as it is exposed to proppant while also being able to provide a force or a preload between bodies.

[0036] The radial seal 353 is disposed between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 (e.g., in the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352), such as between the radial surface 364 of the first seat body 351 and the radial surface 374 of the second seat body 352, such as between the recess 365 in the radial surface 364 of the first seat body 351 and the radial surface 374 of the second seat body 352. The radial seal 353 is configured to seal e.g., restrict, prevent, and / or prohibit) flow past the radial seal 353 (e.g. , in the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 past the radial seal 353). In one or more embodiments, the radial seal 353 may be an O-ring. In one or more embodiments, the radial seal 353 may be an elastomer seal or a thermoplastic seal.

[0037] The flow ring 355 is disposed between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 (e.g., within the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352), such as between the recess 368 of the first seat body 351 and the recess 377 of the second seat body 352. The bottom surface 379 of the flow ring 355 at least partially defines the bore 211 of the valve body 210. The flow ring 355 includes a radial opening 380 disposed radially therethrough providing fluid communication between the bore 211 of the valve body 210 and the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352. The radial opening 380 allows fluid flow into the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352. In one or more embodiments, the flow ring 355 prevents particulate from entering the gap 357 which could damage the various gap-forming surfaces of the first seat body 351, the various gap-forming surfaces of the second seat body 352, and / or the radial seal 353. Without being bound by theory, upon sufficient fluid flow through the bore 211 of the valve body 210, fluid flow enters the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 urging the firstSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOseat body 351 into sealing engagement with the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230.

[0038] Figure 3A illustrates the valve seat 350 (e.g., the first seat body 351) in a first position (e.g, a relaxed position). The first position may be an install or pre-install position. That is, as explained below, the valve seat 350 may not be in the first position in operation, and Figure 3 A is merely for illustrative purposes. In such a position, there may be a gap 381 between the first seat body 351 and the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230. In such a position, there exists a leak path (e.g, the gap 381) between the valve seat 350 (e.g., the first seat body 351) and the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230.

[0039] Figure 3B illustrates the valve seat 350 (e.g., the first seat body 351) in a second position (e.g., an engaged position). The illustration shown in Figure 3B may not be to scale, that is, in practice, the enlarged gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352 may be smaller or larger than that shown in Figure 3B and it is just illustrated in this way for illustrative purposes only.

[0040] In the second position, the first seat body 351 is moved laterally (e.g., towards the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230) to engage with the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 and close the gap (gap 381 of Figure 3A) between the first seat body 351 and the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 is closed thereby closing the leak path. Beneficially, the dimensions of the radial surface 364 of the first seat body 351, the radial surface 374 of the second seat body 352, and the radial seal 353 are such that the radial seal 353 maintains a seal between them both in the first position (as shown in Figure 3A) and in the second position (as shown in Figure 3B). Similarly, the dimensions of the bottom surface 358 of the first seat body 351, the bottom surface 369 of the second seat body 352, the flow ring 355, and the recesses 368, 377 are such that fluid flow is forced to flow into the gap 357 through the radial opening 380 in the flow ring 355 in both the first position (as shown in Figure 3A) and in the second position (as shown in Figure 3B) and not around the flow ring 355.

[0041] According to one mode of operation, the first seat body 351 is held in the second position by one or more of the preload of the expandable member 354 and or the fluid pressure in the gap 357 between the first seat body 351 and the second seat body 352. That is, if fluid entering the gap 357 from the bore 211 of the valve body 210 (e.g.,SLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOvia the flow ring 355) supplies enough pressure within the gap 357 (e.g., pressure maintained by the radial seal 353), the force exerted on the third side surface 363 of the first seat body 351 causing the first side surface 359 of the first seat body 351 to engage with the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 to seal the leak path (e.g., gap 381 of Figure 3 A) because the second seat body 352 is prevented from moving laterally away from the valve member 230 because of the sidewall 356 of the respective recess 218. Similarly, the expandable member 354 provides a constant preload to the second side surface 362 of the first seat body 351 forcing the first side surface 359 of the first seat body 351 to engage with the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 to seal the leak path (e.g., gap 381 of Figure 3 A) because the second seat body 352 is prevented from moving laterally away from the valve member 230 because of the sidewall 356 of the respective recess 218. Thus, the first side surface 359 of the first seat body 351 is maintained in sealing engagement with the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 by one or more of the expandable member 354 and fluid pressure. Beneficially, the expandable member 354 is configured to provide enough preload to force the first seat body 351 into sealing engagement with the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 without the need for help from fluid pressure, thus allowing the potential leak path between the valve seat 350 and the downstream side 234 of the valve member 230 even when fluid pressure in the bore 211 is insufficient to close said gap. In one or more embodiments, the preload applied by the expandable member 354 may be sufficient to overcome friction loading between the seat bodies 351, 352, and the valve body 210 and may be dependent upon pressures within the valve body 210.

[0042] In one or more exemplary modes of operation, when the valve member 230 moves into the closed position (Figure 2B), a differential area and load is created that forces the valve member 230 to the downstream side 234 to isolate pressures between upstream side 233 and downstream side 234. In this scenario, the seat assembly 350 in the downstream side 234 is forced to create seals from any pressure that could attempt to bypass the valve bore 211. The engagement of the seat bodies 351, 352 with various components (creating metal to metal seals) and the various seals 353 and 376 provide a seal so that flow cannot bypass the valve member 230 by going through the interior volume 214 in which the valve member 230 is disposed.

[0043] Benefits of the present disclosure include providing expandable gate valve seats that are configured to seat against a valve member of a gate valve independentlySLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOfrom whether operating pressure within the gate valve is sufficient to expand the expandable gate valve seat. For example, benefits of the present disclosure include multiple modes of expanding the expandable gate valve seat so that, no matter the conditions of the gate valve, a potential leak path between the valve member and the gate valve seat is sealed.

[0044] Any one or more components of gate valve 200 and valve seats 250 and 350 may be integrally formed together, directly coupled together, and / or indirectly coupled together and are not limited to the specific arrangement of components illustrated in Figures 1-3B. Any one or more of the embodiments of the gate valve 200 and valve seats 250 and 350 may be combined in whole or part with any one or more of the embodiments of the gate valve 200 and valve seats 250 and 350. Furthermore, while non-limiting, any one or more components of the gate valve 200 and valve seats 250 and 350 and descriptions thereof may be utilized with, and are similarly applicable to, operations for managing fluid flow in a fracturing operation with gate valve 200.

[0045] While the present disclosure has been described with respect to a number of embodiments and examples, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0046] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preceding embodiments are exemplary and not limiting. It is intended that all modifications, permutations, enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto that are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the scope of the disclosure. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims may include all such modifications, permutations, enhancements, equivalents, and improvements. The disclosure also contemplates that one or more aspects of the embodiments described herein may be substituted in for one or more of the other aspects described. The scope of the disclosure is determined by the claims that follow.

[0047] The preceding description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The examples discussed herein are not limiting of the scope, applicability, or aspects set forth in the claims. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and theSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOgeneral principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. For example, changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Various examples may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various actions may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to some examples may be combined in some other examples. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method that is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to, or other than, the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

[0048] As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of’ and “one or more of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of a, b, or c” and / or “one or more of’ is intended to cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., a-a, a-a-a, a-a-b, a-a-c, a-b-b, a-c-c, b-b, b-b-b, b-b-c, c-c, and c-c-c or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

[0049] The following claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. Within a claim, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.

Claims

SLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A valve, comprising:a valve body including a bore having a first axis, the bore configured to receive fluid flow and proppant flow;a valve member movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the valve member blocks fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore and in the open position, the valve member permits fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore;a valve seat disposed between the valve member and the valve body and disposed about the bore, the valve seat comprising:a first seat body, wherein the first seat body is movable relative to the valve body;a sealing element disposed between the first seat body and the valve body, wherein the sealing element restricts fluid flow from the bore to an area between the first seat body and the valve body to apply a pressure the first seat body and the valve body to engage the first seat body with the valve member; andan expandable member disposed between the first seat body and the valve body, the expandable member being configured to provide a preload between the first seat body and the valve body to maintain engagement between the first seat body and the valve member.

2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the valve seat includes a second seat body disposed between the first seat body and the valve body.

3. The valve of claim 2, wherein the sealing element is disposed in a gap between the first seat body and the second seat body and the expandable member is disposed in a gap between the first seat body and the second seat body.

4. The valve of claim 3, wherein a flow ring is disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body and configured to permit fluid flow into the gap between the first seat body and the second seat body.

5. The valve of claim 1, wherein the expandable member is a wave ring.SLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WO6. The valve of claim 1, wherein the first seat body includes a first surface adjacent to the valve member, and wherein the first surface includes a first recess including a seal configured to provide sealing engagement with the valve member.

7. The valve of claim 6, wherein the first seat body comprises a polymer.

8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the first seat body comprises a metal alloy.

9. A gate valve, comprising:a valve body including a bore having a first axis, the bore configured to receive fluid flow and proppant flow;a valve member movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the valve member blocks fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore and in the open position, the valve member permits fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore;a valve seat disposed between the valve member and the valve body and disposed about the bore, the valve seat comprising:a first seat body;a second seat body disposed between the first seat body and the valve body, the second seat body engaged with the valve body, wherein the first seat body is movable relative to the second seat body and the valve body;a sealing element disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body, wherein the sealing element restricts fluid flow from the bore to an area between the first seat body and the second seat body to apply a pressure between the first seat body and the second seat body to engage the first seat body with the valve member; andan expandable member disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body, the expandable member being configured to provide a preload between the first seat body and the second seat body to maintain engagement between the first seat body and the valve member.

10. The gate valve of claim 9, wherein:the first seat body includes:SLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOa first side surface adjacent to the valve member;a second side surface adjacent to the second seat body;a third side surface adjacent to the second seat body; and a radial surface disposed between the second side surface and the third side surface and adjacent to the second seat body; andthe second seat body includes:a first side surface adjacent to the valve body;a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface of the first seat body; a third side surface adjacent to the third side surface of the second seat body; anda radial surface disposed between the second side surface of the second seat body and the third side surface of the second seat body and adjacent to the radial surface of the first seat body.

11. The gate valve of claim 10, wherein the first side surface of the first seat body includes a first a first recess including a seal configured to provide sealing engagement with the valve member.

12. The gate valve of claim 10, wherein the expandable member is disposed between the second side surface of the first seat body and the second side surface of the second seat body.

13. The gate valve of claim 12, wherein the expandable member is disposed between a recess formed in the second side surface of the second seat body and the second side surface of the first seat body.

14. The gate valve of claim 10, wherein the sealing element is disposed between the radial surface of the first seat body and the radial surface of the second seat body.

15. The gate valve of claim 14, wherein the sealing element is disposed between a recess formed in the radial surface of the first seat body and the radial surface of the second seat body.SLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WO16. The gate valve of claim 9, further comprising a flow ring disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body, the flow ring including a radial opening configured to permit fluid flow into a gap between the first seat body and the second seat body.

17. The gate valve of claim 9, wherein the expandable member is a wave ring.

18. A method for managing a fracturing operation, comprising:receiving a fracturing fluid in a bore of a valve, wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a fluid and a proppant, and wherein the valve comprises:a valve body including a bore;a valve member movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the valve member blocks fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore and in the open position, the valve member permits fluid flow and proppant flow through the bore; anda valve seat disposed between the valve member and the valve body and disposed about the bore, the valve seat comprising:a first seat body movable between a first position and a second position;a second seat body disposed between the first seat body and the valve body, the second seat body engaged with the valve body, wherein the first seat body is movable relative to the second seat body and the valve body;a sealing element disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body, wherein the sealing element restricts fluid flow from the bore to an area between the first seat body and the second seat body to apply a pressure between the first seat body and the second seat body to engage the first seat body with the valve member; andan expandable member disposed between the first seat body and the second seat body, the expandable member being configured to provide a preload between the first seat body and the second seat body to maintain engagement between the first seat body and the valve member; andSLB Ref. No.: IS24.1320-WOmoving the first seat body from the first position to the second position via one or more of the pressure between the first seat body and the second seat body and the preload applied by the expandable member.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:the first seat body includes:a first side surface adjacent to the valve member;a second side surface adjacent to the second seat body;a third side surface adjacent to the second seat body; and a radial surface disposed between the second side surface and the third side surface and adjacent to the second seat body; andthe second seat body includes:a first side surface adjacent to the valve body;a second side surface adjacent to the first side surface of the first seat body; a third side surface adjacent to the third side surface of the second seat body; anda radial surface disposed between the second side surface of the second seat body and the third side surface of the second seat body and adjacent to the radial surface of the first seat body.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:the expandable member is disposed between the second side surface of the first seat body and the second side surface of the second seat body; andthe sealing element is disposed between the radial surface of the first seat body and the radial surface of the second seat body.

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