Fracturing Tool Upper Annulus Isolation Without Wash Pipe Valve Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gravel packing systems often experience well swabbing when picking up the inner string, leading to a drop in formation pressure due to fluid loss, as designs with flapper valves or shear pins can inadvertently close, causing pressure reduction during operations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-acting circulation valve system that allows switching between squeeze and circulate positions without engaging the wash pipe valve, with a metering device ensuring the wash pipe valve is only closed after a predetermined force is held for a finite time, and a lockable sleeve to prevent gravel return and ensure production flow through the screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flapper valve is used in the wash pipe to prevent fluid loss, then fluid loss prevention is improved, but the valve can inadvertently close during operations causing well swabbing and formation pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
A metering device is introduced as an intermediary between the wash pipe valve and the control system. This device requires a predetermined force to be held for a finite time before the valve can close, preventing inadvertent closure during normal operations while still allowing fluid loss prevention when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by requiring a specific sequence of movements (picking up the inner string, holding force for a finite time, then setting it back down) before the wash pipe valve closes. This preliminary action sequence ensures the valve only closes when deliberately activated, not during routine operations.
2Ease of operation
If the inner string is picked up to perform operations, then operational flexibility is improved, but fluid loss into the formation occurs causing formation pressure reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the wash pipe valve state based on the operational phase. During gravel packing, the valve remains open to allow fluid communication. During reverse operations after gravel packing, the valve closes to prevent fluid loss. This dynamic state change allows operational flexibility while preventing formation pressure drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by keeping the wash pipe valve open during gravel packing operations to ensure fluid communication, then transitions to closing it during reverse operations to prevent fluid loss. This continuous control ensures pressure maintenance when needed without compromising operational flexibility.
3Reliability
If the wash pipe valve is designed to close automatically, then fluid loss prevention is improved, but it closes during gravel packing causing operational disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the operational state to control valve closure. The metering device monitors whether the inner string has been picked up and held for the required time before allowing valve closure. This feedback mechanism ensures the valve remains open during active gravel packing operations and only closes when the operation is complete and the inner string has been deliberately repositioned.
Data Source
AI summary
A fracturing and gravel packing tool has features that prevent well swabbing when the tool is picked up with respect to a set isolation packer. An upper or jet valve allows switching between the squeeze and circulation positions without risk of closing the wash pipe valve. The wash pipe valve can only be closed with multiple movements in opposed direction that occur after a predetermined force is held for a finite time to allow movement that arms the wash pipe valve. The jet valve can prevent fluid loss to the formation when being set down whether the crossover tool is supported on the packer or on the smart collet.