Insert Safety Valve Pressure Switching for Through-Tubing Fluid Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fluid injection in wellbore operations require running additional conduits, which is costly and reduces the wellbore volume available for production, and can interfere with the operation of subsurface safety valves.
Innovation Solution
An insert safety valve system with a valve body and control fluid conduit that responds to different pressures to open and add control fluid to the fluid flow, allowing for fluid injection without the need for additional conduits, by using a control fluid to shift the valve member and open the valve body at a first pressure and adding control fluid to the flow at a second pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional conduits are run into the wellbore for fluid injection, then fluid injection capability is achieved, but wellbore volume for production is reduced and TRSSSV flapper operation is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The control fluid conduit is designed to serve dual purposes: it controls the insert safety valve by delivering control fluid at lower pressures, and enables fluid injection by delivering treatment fluid at higher pressures. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate injection conduits, preserving wellbore volume while achieving both valve control and fluid injection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes by varying control fluid pressure. At lower pressures (e.g., 500-2000 psi), the conduit delivers control fluid to operate the insert safety valve. At higher pressures (e.g., 3000-5000 psi), the same conduit delivers treatment fluid for injection. This dynamic pressure-based mode switching allows one conduit to perform multiple functions without interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional conduits are run into the wellbore for fluid injection, then fluid injection capability is achieved, but operation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control fluid conduit performs dual functions as both a valve control line and a fluid injection conduit. By eliminating the need for separate injection conduits, the system reduces material costs, installation expenses, and operational complexity. The same physical infrastructure supports both safety valve operation and treatment fluid injection, significantly lowering overall system cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control fluid pressure is increased to inject fluid, then fluid injection is achieved, but valve member control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic pressure switching to distinguish between valve control and fluid injection modes. The insert safety valve is designed to respond to control fluid within a specific pressure range (e.g., 500-2000 psi). When pressure exceeds this range (e.g., 3000-5000 psi), the system transitions to injection mode where the high-pressure treatment fluid flows through the open valve. This dynamic pressure-based mode differentiation ensures precise valve control during normal operation while enabling effective fluid injection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system inherently provides pressure-based feedback control. The insert safety valve's actuator responds to control fluid pressure, and the check valve monitors pressure conditions to determine whether to allow treatment fluid passage. This feedback mechanism ensures that valve member positioning remains precise during control operations, while automatically enabling fluid injection when high pressure is applied, thus maintaining control precision across different operational modes.
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 efficient fluid injection below the insert safety valve without the need for additional conduits, maintaining the operation of subsurface safety valves and optimizing wellbore volume for production.
Implementation Method 1
The insert safety valve is controlled by hydraulic pressure. That is a fluid is delivered to the insert safety valve at a selected pressure to open a flow path. The fluid acts on an actuator that opens the valve.
Implementation Method 2
at a second pressure to add the control fluid to the fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
An insert safety valve includes a valve body having a valve member, and a control fluid conduit fluidically connected to the valve body. The insert safety valve being responsive to a control fluid at a first pressure to shift the valve member and open the valve body to a fluid flow and at a second pressure to add the control fluid to the fluid flow.