Gas Lift Valve Segmented Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole valve systems for oil and gas wells face challenges in pressure testing without risking valve opening, particularly in wells with multiple shear valves, and require improved reliability and compactness for unconventional resource exploration.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement featuring a second valve member that controls outlet openings, locked by a releasable locking device, allowing injection fluid into the process fluid tubing only when the locking device is released due to a predetermined pressure difference, preventing fluid entry until activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shear valve is used to allow pressurizing from annulus, then the valve can be opened for injection, but the valve may shear open during pressure testing causing inability to distinguish multiple sheared valves
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two independent valve members: a first valve member that responds to annulus pressure and a second valve member that responds to tubing pressure. This segmentation allows each valve member to independently control fluid flow from different sides, enabling reliable pressure testing from annulus while preventing unintended opening to the tubing side.
Solution Approach 2:
The second valve member acts as an intermediary barrier between the annulus and the tubing. It specifically controls the outlet opening to the tubing, ensuring that even if the first valve member opens during annulus pressurization, fluid cannot inadvertently enter the tubing unless the second valve member is also opened by tubing pressure.
2Productivity
If multiple shear valves are activated with pressuring from annulus, then injection can be performed, but it becomes impossible to know if more than one valve has been sheared
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback about valve status through the behavior of the second valve member. Since the second valve member is controlled by tubing pressure, its position (open or closed) indicates whether the tubing side is pressurized. This feedback mechanism allows operators to determine which valves are active and track the status of multiple valves in the system.
3Reliability
If the valve is kept closed during pressure testing, then safe testing is achieved, but the valve cannot be activated for injection
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system transitions dynamically between different states based on applied pressure. During annulus pressurization, the first valve member opens while the second remains closed, enabling safe testing. When tubing pressure is applied later, the second valve member opens to activate injection. This dynamic behavior allows the valve to adapt its state based on operational requirements.
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 safe pressure testing from the annulus side without opening the valve to the process fluid tubing and ensures reliable operation by maintaining the valve in a deactivated state until activated, enhancing the operational reliability of downhole valve systems.
Implementation Method 1
the locking device is releasable in order to allow the second valve member to be released to move to the open position... when a predetermined pressure difference between a fluid pressure inside the outer housing and a fluid pressure in the process fluid tubing is reached
Data Source
AI summary
A valve arrangement for injection of an injection fluid in a process fluid tubing, comprising an inlet part connectable to an injection fluid source, an outer housing that is connectable to a process fluid tubing and comprising at least one outlet opening that enables a fluid communication between an interior of the outer housing and a process fluid tubing, and a first valve device comprising a first valve member that is arranged in the outer housing and movable within the outer housing in a longitudinal direction, and said first valve member is arranged to control an inflow of injection fluid into the valve arrangement by being movable between a closed position and an open position.