Annulus Pressure Release Valve Assembly for Automated Gas Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of venting gas from an annulus in surface well assemblies is time-consuming and labor-intensive due to the need to manually open multiple valves when gas pressure exceeds a threshold, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An automated gas metering valve assembly with a pressure sensor and electronically actuated control valves that can precisely control gas flow and pressure within the annulus, allowing for automatic venting or injection of gas based on set thresholds, reducing the need for manual intervention and enhancing operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual valve opening process is used to vent gas from the annulus, then gas pressure can be released, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical valve operation system with an automated electronic control system. The controller receives pressure signals from the annulus and automatically actuates the valves through electronic signals, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing the time required for gas venting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the annulus pressure control system automatically monitors its own pressure conditions and triggers valve actuation without external human intervention. The controller continuously monitors pressure signals and autonomously decides when to open or close valves based on predetermined pressure thresholds.
2Reliability
If multiple valves are manually opened to vent gas, then gas pressure is released, but the process becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical valve operation with an automated electronic control system that can simultaneously or sequentially actuate multiple valves through electronic signals. This ensures reliable pressure control while eliminating the labor-intensive nature of manually opening multiple valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple valve control functions into a single integrated controller that manages all valves through a unified electronic control system. This merging of control functions simplifies the operational process while maintaining the ability to control multiple valves reliably.
3Productivity
If automated control system is implemented, then operational efficiency is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional device that can monitor pressure, determine when venting is needed, control multiple valves, and reset the system automatically. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single universal controller, the system achieves high operational efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the controller continuously monitors annulus pressure signals and automatically adjusts valve positions accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables efficient automated operation while keeping the control logic relatively simple, as the controller only needs to respond to pressure threshold crossings.
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 solution significantly reduces the time and cost associated with controlling gas pressure in the annulus, providing precise control of fluid flow and pressure to support production tubing while minimizing gas release rates below industry standards, thus enhancing operational efficiency and longevity of components.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the fluid pathway and configured to output a sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within the annulus
Data Source
AI summary
An annulus pressure release system includes a gas metering valve assembly having a fluid pathway. The gas metering valve assembly includes a pressure sensor configured to be fluidly coupled to an annulus and to output a sensor signal indicative of a fluid pressure within the annulus. The gas metering valve assembly also includes an electronically actuated adjustable control valve disposed along the fluid pathway and a electronically actuated two-position valve disposed along the fluid pathway. Furthermore, the gas metering valve assembly includes a flow controller. The flow controller, in response to determining the fluid pressure exceeds a threshold pressure, is configured to output a first control signal to the electronically actuated two-position valve indicative of instructions to open the electronically actuated two-position valve, and to output a second control signal to the electronically actuated adjustable control valve indicative of instructions to adjust a flow of fluid through the fluid pathway.