Electric Safety Valve With Inductive Coupler for Deepwell Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulically operated downhole safety valves face limitations such as depth-limited operation due to high hydrostatic pressure and long operating times, and lack of surface monitoring capabilities for valve state and pressure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electric safety valves with inductive couplers for power and telemetry transfer, allowing for remote actuation and intervention without the need for additional trips or line severance, using electro-hydraulic, electro-mechanical, or electro-hydraulic actuators and flapper valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulically operated downhole safety valves are used, then the valve can be actuated between open and closed states, but the operation is depth-limited due to high hydrostatic pressure and has long operating times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with an electric actuation system. The electric safety valve uses an electric motor or electro-hydraulic actuator driven by electrical power transmitted through the tubing, eliminating dependence on hydraulic pressure transmission through long tubing strings. This substitution enables reliable operation at greater depths and reduces actuation time since electrical signals transmit instantly compared to hydraulic fluid flow.
2Reliability
If conventional hydraulic safety valves are used, then the valve provides safety functions, but there is no surface monitoring capability for valve state and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The electric safety valve incorporates sensors that detect valve position, actuator status, and downstream pressure. These sensors continuously transmit feedback signals through the electrical power lines to the surface control system. This enables real-time monitoring of valve state and pressure conditions at the surface, allowing operators to detect anomalies, verify proper operation, and respond to emergencies without losing critical information.
3Ease of operation
If electric safety valves with inductive couplers are used, then remote actuation and intervention are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inductive coupler serves multiple functions: it provides electrical power transmission to the downhole valve, enables two-way communication for telemetry and control signals, and facilitates intervention operations without requiring physical connection or tubing severance. By consolidating power, control, and communication functions into a single non-contact coupling interface, the system achieves remote actuation capability while limiting complexity growth through functional integration rather than addition of separate systems.
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 reduced capital and operating expenditures, improved safety, and real-time monitoring and control of well operations, with enhanced failsafe mechanisms and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a service male inductive coupler configured to be disposed within the tubing during deployment of the well completion such that the service male inductive coupler is aligned with the female inductive coupler, the service male inductive coupler configured to facilitate transfer of power and/or telemetry data to and/or from the electric safety valve
Data Source
AI summary
A well completion including an electric safety valve and a female inductive coupler is provided. A corresponding male inductive coupler is aligned with the female inductive coupler to provide for the transfer of power and/or telemetry during deployment. The male inductive coupler can be removed for normal operation. In the event of safety valve failure during operation, a service male inductive coupler and contingency safety valve can be deployed such that the service male inductive coupler is aligned with the female inductive coupler.