Downhole Valve Selective Actuation Through Shared Hydraulic Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Well systems often employ a large number of flow control valves and hydraulic lines, leading to collective actuation rather than individual control, which is inefficient and lacks flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A system and methodology that utilizes selective hydraulic circuits to enable individual actuation of downhole devices, such as flow control valves, by coupling them with first and second hydraulic control lines, allowing independent operation via a common control line using selective hydraulic circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a large number of dedicated hydraulic lines are used for each flow control valve, then individual actuation control is achieved, but device complexity and system cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual actuation controlVSAvoidnumber of hydraulic lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple flow control valves share a common second hydraulic control line for closing operation, merging what would otherwise be separate dedicated lines into a single shared resource. This reduces the total number of hydraulic lines while maintaining individual control capability through selective activation of each valve's circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common second hydraulic control line serves multiple flow control valves simultaneously, making it a multi-functional line that can actuate any number of valves along its path. Each valve's selective hydraulic circuit acts as a control interface that enables this universal line to perform specific individual functions when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a single common hydraulic line is used for closing multiple flow control valves, then device complexity is reduced, but individual actuation control is lost and collective actuation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of hydraulic linesVSAvoidindividual actuation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The common second hydraulic control line is segmented into multiple selective hydraulic circuits, with each circuit corresponding to a specific flow control valve. This segmentation allows pressure from the common line to be selectively directed to individual valves through their respective circuits, enabling individual actuation while sharing the common line infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Selective hydraulic circuits act as intermediary control mechanisms between the common second hydraulic control line and individual flow control valves. These intermediary circuits receive pressure from the common line and conditionally transmit it to specific valves, mediating between the shared resource and individual control requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If dedicated hydraulic lines are used for each flow control valve, then individual actuation control is achieved, but loss of substance and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual actuation controlVSAvoidhydraulic fluid and system materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple hydraulic lines are merged into a single common second hydraulic control line that serves multiple flow control valves. This consolidation reduces the total volume of hydraulic fluid required and decreases the amount of tubing, fittings, and other materials needed, directly addressing the loss of substance concern while maintaining individual valve control through selective circuits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 independent and flexible actuation of downhole devices, reducing the need for multiple hydraulic lines and enhancing operational control and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The selective hydraulic circuit is configured to enable actuation of the corresponding downhole device to the second operational position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS12454875B2System and methodology for selective actuation of a downhole device

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A technique facilitates actuation of flow control valves or other types of downhole devices. According to an embodiment, the downhole devices are coupled with corresponding first hydraulic control lines for hydraulically actuating each downhole device to a first operational position. The downhole devices also are coupled to a common second hydraulic control line which may be used in cooperation with selective hydraulic circuits to actuate individual downhole devices to a second operational position. For example, an individual selective hydraulic circuit may be coupled between each first hydraulic control line and the common second hydraulic control line at each downhole device. The selective hydraulic circuit is configured to enable actuation of the corresponding downhole device to the second operational position.