Flow Regulating Valve Piston Actuation for Sand Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep-set subsurface safety valves in oil and gas wells pose operational risks due to trapped hydrocarbons and complicate deployment and retrieval, while shallow-set valves face challenges with sand accumulation and electrical cable sealing, leading to system jamming and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An electric submersible pump system with a flow regulating valve comprising a piston, stinger, spring, and seals that blocks fluid flow when inactive and allows flow when activated, preventing sand accumulation and ensuring proper functionality by using a stinger with a conduit for fluid flow and a spring to position the piston within the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deep-set SSSV is used, then the valve is set downhole from the downhole production equipment, but a significant volume of hydrocarbons is trapped between the valve and the surface creating operational risk
Solution Approach 1:
The flow tube is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically transition between blocking and non-blocking positions. The flow tube can be moved axially to either block the pump intake when the pump is inactive or allow fluid flow when the pump is active, resolving the contradiction by making the valve configuration adaptable to operational needs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a shallow-set SSSV is used, then the valve is set closer to the surface, but the valve must be designed to shut off flow when a conduit is run through the production tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the flow tube for flow control, the piston for actuation, the spring for positioning, and the seals for isolation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall valve design while maintaining the capability to shut off flow when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The spring automatically positions the piston and flow tube based on system pressure conditions without requiring external control. When pump discharge pressure is present, it actuates the piston to move the flow tube to the open position automatically, eliminating the need for complex control mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If the flow tube is made movable to resolve flow control issues, then flow regulation is improved, but sand accumulation may cause the flow tube to jam
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical flow control mechanisms with a pressure-driven piston system. The piston is actuated automatically by pump discharge pressure rather than requiring complex mechanical linkages, reducing the number of moving parts that could accumulate sand and jam
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic pressure from the pump discharge to actuate the piston and control the flow tube position. This pneumatic/hydraulic actuation method is more resistant to sand accumulation than mechanical linkages, as the pressure differential directly moves the piston without requiring complex mechanical transmission components
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 system reduces sand accumulation and simplifies deployment and retrieval of Cable Deployed Electric Submersible Pump systems, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing rig time and costs by ensuring proper valve functionality without control lines from the surface.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that positions the piston within the flow regulating valve when the pump is inactive
Implementation Method 2
a pressure force that is to be applied upon the piston... moving the flow tube within the flow regulating valve
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of seals that pressure-seal a pressure chamber which houses a pressure force
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an electric submersible pump and a flow regulating valve. The electrical submersible pump includes a pump that, when activated, receives a fluid disposed within a production tubing of a well through a pump intake and vents the fluid through a pump discharge to a surface location. The flow regulating valve includes a flow tube that blocks the fluid from entering the pump intake when the pump is inactive, a piston, connected to the flow tube, that moves the flow tube within the flow regulating valve, and a stinger that includes a conduit for the fluid to flow from the production tubing to the pump. The flow regulating valve further includes a spring that positions the piston within the flow regulating valve when the pump is inactive and a plurality of seals that pressure-seal a pressure chamber which houses a pressure force that is to be applied upon the piston.