Delayed Opening Casing Valve Dissolvable Piston Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Downhole equipment is unable to utilize dissolving components due to the harsh environment, which prevents effective high-pressure casing tests as previous generation toe initiation valves open immediately upon pressure, preventing extended high-pressure application to the casing.
Innovation Solution
A casing valve with a dissolvable component that restrains a piston, allowing it to move only after the dissolvable material loses mechanical integrity when exposed to fluid, delaying communication between the casing and annulus until a predetermined time, enabling controlled high-pressure application during casing tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a toe initiation valve is used for casing tests, then communication between casing and annulus can be established, but the valve opens immediately upon pressure achievement preventing extended high-pressure application
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable component is installed in advance to restrain the piston, preventing immediate opening when pressure is applied. This preliminary restraint mechanism allows the system to maintain closed state during the test period, enabling extended high-pressure application while preserving the ability to open when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable component changes its mechanical properties over time when exposed to downhole fluids, transitioning from a restraining state to a dissolved state. This parameter change (from intact to dissolved) controls the timing of piston movement and valve opening, allowing delayed communication establishment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dissolving components are used in downhole equipment, then delayed valve opening can be achieved, but the harsh downhole environment generally prevents use of dissolving components
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable component is designed to remain stable and functional during installation and initial deployment in the harsh downhole environment. It performs its restraining function reliably until the predetermined time elapses, at which point it dissolves to allow valve opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolvable component is designed as a temporary, disposable element that serves its purpose for a specific duration and then dissolves. This allows the use of materials that would not normally survive the harsh environment indefinitely, since they only need to function temporarily before dissolving.
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
Enables controlled high-pressure application to the casing for an extended period by preventing immediate communication between the casing and annulus, allowing for a mechanical integrity test as required by regulations, thus ensuring the valve opens only when predetermined conditions are met.
Implementation Method 1
a dissolvable component configured to restrain the piston in the first position and to dissolve when exposed to a fluid to release the piston
Data Source
AI summary
A casing valve is disclosed that includes a first component configured to connect to a casing string, a second component configured to connect to the casing string, a mandrel disposed between the first component and the second component, the mandrel having a plurality of ports, a housing disposed outside of the mandrel, the housing having a plurality of ports, a piston disposed between the mandrel and the housing and configured to move in a first direction from a first position that forms a barrier between the ports of the mandrel and the ports of the housing to a second position that is adjacent to the ports of the mandrel and the ports of the housing and a dissolvable component configured to restrain the piston in the first position and to dissolve when exposed to a fluid to release the piston.