Actuatable Seat Valve with Segmented Ball for High Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball and seat systems in well fracturing operations face limitations due to material deformation and failure under high hydraulic pressures, restricting the size of balls and seats that can be used, and requiring costly disassembly and fishing operations to restore fluid communication.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool design featuring a seat that engages the equatorial portion of a ball, providing increased contact area and compressive forces to withstand higher pressures, and optionally using degradable materials to facilitate flow-back operations without the need for expensive removal procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If traditional ball and seat systems are used with high hydraulic pressure, then fracturing operation can be performed, but material deformation and failure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is segmented into multiple sections with varying diameters, allowing different portions to engage with corresponding seats at different stages. This segmentation distributes the stress and prevents single-point failure under high hydraulic pressure, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high pressure and preventing material failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball diameter is changed through its length, with smaller diameter sections for initial engagement and larger diameter sections for subsequent engagement. This parameter change allows the system to progressively handle increasing pressures while maintaining reliability, as each section is optimized for its specific pressure range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If smaller diameter balls are used to access specific reservoir regions, then localized stimulation is achieved, but flow restriction and excessive pressure drop occur
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-sectioned ball allows progressive engagement with seats of increasing diameter. Smaller sections enable localized stimulation by engaging smaller seats, while larger sections can later engage larger seats to restore flow, thus resolving the contradiction between localized adaptation and maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions from smaller diameter engagement to larger diameter engagement as the ball progresses through the wellbore. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide localized stimulation when needed while maintaining high flow rates when the larger diameter sections engage larger seats.
3Adaptability or versatility
If smaller diameter balls are used for localized stimulation, then precise reservoir access is achieved, but component erosion and premature failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented ball design allows the system to use smaller diameter sections for precise reservoir access while larger diameter sections provide structural strength and resistance to erosion. This resolves the contradiction between precision access and component durability.
4Stress or pressure
If ball and seat overlap is increased to support high pressure, then pressure containment is improved, but ball size flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented ball with multiple engagement points allows pressure containment through distributed seating rather than relying on a single large overlap. This maintains pressure containment capability while allowing greater flexibility in ball size variations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances the ability to withstand greater wellbore pressures without material failure, allowing for effective hydraulic fracturing and reducing the need for costly removal operations by using degradable materials for the ball and seat.
Implementation Method 1
when a pressure force is applied to the ball and seat, the ball and the seat are slidable along the ramp
Implementation Method 2
The ramp has a larger inner diameter towards the uphole end
Implementation Method 3
optionally using degradable materials to facilitate flow-back operations without the need for expensive removal procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool that comprises an outer housing with an uphole end, a downhole end and an inner surface therebetween. The inner surface defines an interior space with a first inner-diameter and a recess with a larger second inner-diameter. The downhole tool also comprises a sleeve that is positionable within the recess of the outer housing. The sleeve comprises a ramp with a larger inner diameter towards an uphole end. The tool also comprises a seat that is positionable within the sleeve. The seat defines at least one plateau section that is configured to receive and support an equatorial portion of a ball, wherein when a pressure force is applied to the ball and seat, the ball and the seat slide along the ramp and a compressive force is applied to the equatorial portion of the ball.