Check Valve Assembly for High Flowrate Well Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflow control devices experience unacceptably high pressure drops during acidizing operations due to the high flowrate required for treatment fluids, which exceeds production flowrates, necessitating a solution that allows high flowrate injection of treatment fluids into subterranean formations without damaging the formation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of check valve assemblies with a valve body, valve cap, and a movable spherical piston or magnetically biased piston that switches between closed and open configurations to control fluid communication, enabling high flowrate injection of treatment fluids while preventing production fluid inflow, thereby managing pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inflow control devices are used for treatment fluid injection, then production fluid inflow can be controlled, but unacceptably high pressure drop occurs during acidizing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve assembly employs a movable piston that dynamically transitions between closed and open positions based on pressure differential. During production, the piston remains closed to control inflow; during acidizing, high injection pressure opens the piston to allow high flowrate treatment fluid injection with minimal pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes its flow control parameters based on operating conditions. The piston position changes from closed (blocking flow) to open (allowing flow) in response to pressure changes, enabling the system to adapt between production mode and stimulation mode without manual intervention.
2Productivity
If high flowrate is used for treatment fluid injection, then acidizing effectiveness is improved, but pressure drop becomes unacceptably high
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve assembly employs a movable piston that dynamically transitions between closed and open positions based on pressure differential. During production, the piston remains closed to control inflow; during acidizing, high injection pressure opens the piston to allow high flowrate treatment fluid injection with minimal pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the check valve functionality from the conventional inflow control device, creating a separate valve assembly that can be independently optimized for high flowrate injection without the flow restriction features that cause pressure drop in traditional devices.
3Productivity
If a check valve assembly is implemented to enable high flowrate injection, then treatment fluid injection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve assembly is self-actuating, using the pressure differential between injection and formation pressures to automatically open or close the piston. No external control system, power source, or complex actuation mechanism is required—the device serves itself based on the natural pressure conditions during different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the high-pressure injection system and the formation. It provides a simple mechanical interface that allows or blocks flow based on pressure forces, avoiding the need for complex control systems while still achieving the desired flow control function.
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 check valve assemblies allow for efficient injection of treatment fluids at high flowrates without unacceptably high pressure drops, enhancing well stimulation operations by maintaining autonomous operation and simplifying the process of stimulating subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formations.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet arranged within the valve body and configured to bias the piston toward the closed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Check valve assemblies operable to inject treatment fluids during stimulation operations are described. One check valve assembly includes a valve body defining an inlet, one or more discharge ports, and a cylindrical passageway fluidly communicating the inlet with the one or more discharge ports, the valve body further defining a valve body seat within the passageway. A valve cap is configured to be coupled to the valve body and defines an opening therein that fluidly communicates with the cylindrical passageway, the valve cap further providing a valve cap seat. A spherical piston is disposed within the passageway and movable between a closed configuration where the spherical piston engages the valve body seat and an open configuration where the spherical piston engages the valve cap seat and allows fluid communication between the inlet and the one or more discharge ports.