Emergency Disconnect Isolation Valve Mechanical Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore isolation systems in extreme environments, such as marine settings, are prone to failure due to reliance on hydraulic power, which can be interrupted, leading to potential catastrophic uncontrolled releases of natural resources and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical isolation system utilizing a shear sub and actuator mechanism that rotates a valve from an open to a closed position without the need for a blowout preventer, employing shear screws and a reentry sub for reoperation, ensuring reliable isolation and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hydraulic power systems are used for wellbore isolation, then the system can operate with complex control mechanisms, but the system becomes vulnerable to power interruption and failure in extreme environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic power systems with a purely mechanical operation system. The valve is operated through direct mechanical connection via a drive shaft and actuator that can be manually or mechanically actuated from the surface, eliminating dependence on hydraulic power that can be interrupted in extreme environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system is designed to be self-contained and self-operating once activated. The valve mechanism includes inherent mechanical advantages through leverage and gear systems that allow the operation to complete its function without requiring continuous external power supply.
2Reliability
If a blowout preventer is used for wellbore isolation, then the system can provide robust isolation capability, but the system complexity and potential failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wellbore isolation system into separate functional segments: the valve body remains in the wellbore while the actuator and drive mechanisms are positioned externally or in separate compartments. This segmentation allows the isolation function to be maintained while reducing the complexity of any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power transmission and control mechanisms from the wellbore environment and positions them externally or in protected compartments. Only the essential valve sealing components remain in the wellbore, reducing the complexity of the downhole system while maintaining isolation capability.
3Reliability
If mechanical power transmission is used from surface to downhole, then the system achieves higher reliability without power interruption, but the force transmission mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical intermediary system consisting of drive shafts, gears, and levers that transmit force from the surface to the valve actuator. These intermediary mechanisms provide reliable mechanical power transmission through direct physical connection while allowing for flexibility in the transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transmits force through multiple spatial dimensions using a combination of longitudinal drive shafts and radial gear mechanisms. This multi-dimensional approach allows force to be transmitted effectively through the wellbore environment while accommodating structural constraints.
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 mechanical system provides a reliable and fail-safe means to isolate wellbores, reducing the risk of uncontrolled resource releases and enhancing safety by using mechanical power and a reentry mechanism for efficient reopening, thus addressing the limitations of hydraulic power-dependent systems.
Implementation Method 1
a shearing mechanism selectively interconnects the shear sub to the body and selectively disconnects the shear sub from the body when the shear sub is subjected to a predetermined shear force
Data Source
AI summary
An isolation valve system, method, and apparatus are provided that can isolate a wellbore and prevent fluids from exiting the well and prevent seawater from entering the well. The system can be a two-part design in some embodiments where a shear sub is selectively interconnected to a body via shearing screws. A sufficient force on the shear sub destroys the shearing screws and the shear sub is removed from the body. This movement rotates an actuator on the body, which in turn rotates a valve in the body to provide the isolating function during routine operation of a wellbore or during an emergency.