Ball Valve and Releasable Connector for Drill String
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole oil and gas well drilling technologies require complex procedures to deploy and operate downhole valves, which are time-consuming and inefficient, especially when shutting off a well bore for safety or maintenance purposes.
Innovation Solution
A deployable apparatus comprising a ball valve assembly and a releasable connector that allows for the temporary storage of drill strings, featuring a latch assembly responsive to hydraulic pressure for unlocking the connector and a ball valve actuator for fluid flow control, enabling efficient deployment and retrieval of drill strings while maintaining well bore isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a downhole valve is deployed using traditional methods, then the well bore can be shut off for safety or maintenance, but the procedure is time-consuming and requires extensive drill pipe removal
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the drill string into two segments: an upper string that can be retrieved and a lower string that remains in the well bore with the valve. The connector assembly acts as a separable interface between these segments, allowing the upper string to be disconnected and removed while leaving the lower string and valve in place, thus achieving well bore isolation without requiring removal of the entire drill string
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is pre-installed on the lower string before deployment. When the upper string needs to be retrieved, the valve is already in position and can be activated immediately upon disconnecting the connector, eliminating the time required to deploy the valve during the retrieval operation
2Strength
If the connector is designed to be securely locked for running drill strings, then tension can be transferred effectively, but the connector requires complex manipulation to unlock and disconnect
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly replaces complex manual mechanical disconnection operations with a hydraulic actuation system. Hydraulic fluid applied through the axial passage actuates the latch piston, which automatically releases the latches and allows the outer and inner members to separate. This substitution of hydraulic actuation for manual manipulation significantly simplifies the disconnection operation while maintaining strong locked engagement during running operations
Solution Approach 2:
The connector incorporates a hydraulic actuation system where hydraulic fluid is pumped through the axial passage to actuate the latch piston. This hydraulic mechanism provides reliable and simple disconnection by using fluid pressure to automatically release the locked engagement between the outer and inner members, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation
3Reliability
If the ball valve is designed to block fluid flow effectively, then well bore isolation is achieved, but the valve requires rotation and complex manipulation to close and disconnect
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve actuator replaces complex manual rotation operations with a simpler mechanical actuation system. The actuator includes a cam mechanism that converts axial movement of the upper portion of the ball valve assembly into rotational movement of the ball valve element. This allows the valve to be closed by simply moving the upper portion downward axially, eliminating the need for manual rotation and complex manipulation while maintaining effective fluid flow blocking
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
Facilitates rapid deployment and retrieval of drill strings, ensuring well bore isolation and reducing the time required for evacuation or maintenance operations by simplifying the process of closing the valve and disconnecting the connector without the need for extensive drill pipe removal.
Implementation Method 1
A latch assembly in the connector positions the inner member and the outer member in the unlocked position in response to hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the connector
Implementation Method 2
A ball valve element actuator in the ball valve assembly rotates the ball valve to the closed position in response to the upper portion of the ball valve assembly moving downward relative to the lower portion of the ball valve assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A connector has an upper end for connection into the upper part of a drill string. The connector has an outer member that slides over an inner member, the outer member and the inner member having a locked position and an unlocked position. A latch assembly in the connector places the inner member and the outer member in the unlocked position in response to hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the connector. A ball valve assembly has an upper portion for connection with a lower end of the connector and a lower portion for connection into a lower part of the drill string. A ball valve element actuator in the ball valve assembly rotates a ball valve element to the closed position in response to the upper portion of the ball valve assembly moving downward relative to the lower portion of the ball valve assembly.