Float Valve Hold Open Mechanism for Drill String Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling operations face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need to frequently remove and re-install float valves in drill strings for tasks like surveying and conveying tools, which hinders the progression of drilling and can lead to well bore collapse risks.
Innovation Solution
A float valve system with a sliding sleeve mechanism that can be remotely actuated to hold multiple float valves open within the drill string, allowing fluid and object passage without requiring the drill string to be removed from the borehole, enabling sequential opening and closing of float valves for efficient operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If float valves are present in the drill string to prevent fluid migration, then fluid control is improved, but they present an obstruction to equipment being moved down and up the drill string
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve is designed with a movable closure member that can transition between closed and open positions. The valve opens in response to downward movement of the drill string or conveyed equipment, allowing passage, then closes automatically when movement stops, maintaining fluid control. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between preventing fluid migration and allowing equipment conveyance.
2Ease of operation
If float valves are removed from the drill string to allow survey operations, then equipment conveyance is improved, but it involves removing the drill string from the borehole, adding time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve is pre-configured to automatically open when downward force is applied during survey operations, eliminating the need for manual removal. The valve remains in place throughout the operation, and the automatic opening mechanism is already prepared to activate when needed, thus avoiding the time-consuming process of removing and re-installing the drill string.
3Reliability
If multiple float valves are installed at intervals in the drill string, then fluid control is improved, but the complexity of the drill string increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drill string is divided into multiple sections with float valves installed at specific intervals. Each float valve is an independent, modular unit that can be individually opened or closed. This segmentation allows fluid control at multiple locations while maintaining a manageable overall structure, as each valve operates independently and can be controlled separately.
4Measurement precision
If the drill string is tripped multiple times for surveys, then survey accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to repeated removal and re-installation
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve system enables continuous drilling operations by automatically opening during necessary survey operations and closing during drilling. This eliminates the need to stop drilling and manually remove float valves between surveys, maintaining continuous productive action while still allowing surveys to be conducted at required intervals for accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A float valve for positioning downhole within a wellbore as part of a drill string. The float valve has an outer hollow housing for connection to and location between an upper and lower sections of the drill string. A flap valve is located at least in part within the outer hollow housing to allow or disallow flow of fluid and/or objects through the outer hollow housing via the float valve. A sliding sleeve is located at least in part within the outer hollow housing, to translate at least in part within the outer hollow housing, such that in a first position the sliding sleeve is clear of the flap valve, and in a second position the sliding sleeve retains the flap valve open to allow the flow therethrough. The sliding sleeve can be remotely actuated between the first and second positions to allow the flap valve to close or to retain the flap valve open, such that when the flap valve is retained open objects and or fluid can pass from the upper section to the lower section and vice versa, through the outer hollow housing.