Dual Valve Well Isolation with Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Re-opening abandoned or closed wells is technically challenging and expensive using conventional techniques, especially in subsea locations, due to the complexity and cost of maintaining well integrity and preventing uncontrolled fluid release.
Innovation Solution
A system with dual valve members, one downhole and one uphole, configured to isolate the wellbore and provide a secondary barrier, along with a monitoring and communication arrangement to detect integrity loss and transmit data to a remote location, utilizing hydrostatic pressure to prevent fluid loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional techniques are used to close and re-open wells, then well integrity can be maintained, but the procedure becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is divided into isolated sections using multiple valve members positioned at different depths. Each valve member can independently control fluid flow in its local section, allowing the well to be segmented into isolated volumes that can be managed separately. This segmentation simplifies the overall closure procedure by breaking down the complex task of well isolation into manageable local operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Valve members are deployed and positioned within the wellbore before the well closure is actually required. The valves remain in place, ready to act, and can be activated quickly when closure is needed. This preliminary deployment eliminates the need for complex real-time intervention procedures during the closure operation itself.
2Reliability
If conventional well closure procedures are used, then hydrocarbon flow can be stopped, but re-opening becomes technically challenging and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The valve members are designed with the capability to change their flow control state dynamically. They can transition between open and closed configurations, and can be repositioned or reactivated as needed. This dynamic capability allows the well to be closed when required and later re-opened when economically viable, without requiring complete abandonment of the well infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of permanently abandoning the well after closure, the system allows for recovery and reuse of the wellbore infrastructure. The valve members remain in place and can be reactivated, allowing hydrocarbons to be produced again when market conditions improve or technology advances make extraction economically viable.
3Measurement precision
If isolation is provided at subterranean location, then early detection of integrity loss is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Monitoring arrangements are installed within the isolated volumes created by the valve members. These monitoring systems continuously measure parameters such as pressure and fluid levels, providing real-time feedback on the integrity of the isolation. When changes indicate potential integrity issues, the system alerts operators early, allowing preventive action before complete failure occurs.
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 early detection of wellbore fluid loss, maintains well integrity, and allows for remote monitoring and communication, reducing the cost and complexity of well re-opening by providing reliable isolation and access configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a first, downhole, valve member configured for location in the wellbore at a first subterranean location and moveable between a first configuration which permits access through the flow passage and a second configuration which isolates the flow passage below the valve member
Implementation Method 2
a second, uphole, valve member configured for location in the wellbore at a second subterranean location spaced from the first valve member and moveable between a first configuration which permits access through the second valve member and a second configuration which provides an isolated volume between the first and second valve members
Implementation Method 3
embodiments of the present invention may utilise the hydrostatic fluid pressure in the wellbore above the uphole valve member to prevent or mitigate loss of wellbore fluid in the event of loss of isolation integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A system for isolating a wellbore having a fluid flow passage extending from surface to a subterranean location has a first, downhole, valve and a second, uphole, valve. The downhole valve is located in the wellbore at a first subterranean location and the uphole valve is located in the wellbore at a second subterranean location spaced from the first valve. Downhole valve is operable between a first configuration permitting access through the flow passage and a second, well isolation, configuration isolating the flow passage below the valve. Uphole valve is operable between a first configuration permitting access therethrough and a second, isolation, configuration providing an isolated or isolatable volume between the first and second valves. A pressure sensor disposed in the isolated volume between the downhole valve and the uphole valve and, in use, permits a pressure in the isolated volume to be measured and/or communicated to a remote location.