Full-Bore Iris Isolation Valve for High-Inclination Packer Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for setting packers in oil and gas wells, especially at high inclination, require the use of coiled tubing equipment, resulting in high costs and long operation times due to the need for isolation plugs and retrieval procedures.
Innovation Solution
A full-bore iris isolation valve mechanically activated within the completion string allows for internal isolation of production tubing, enabling packer setting without coiled tubing equipment by using a sliding sleeve and activation mechanism to control valve blades, facilitating pressure application for packer setting and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional procedures use coiled tubing equipment with plugs for isolation, then packer setting is achieved, but operational costs and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the isolation function from the complex coiled tubing system and integrates it directly into the completion string via the iris isolation valve. This eliminates the need for separate coiled tubing equipment and plug deployment, achieving packer setting isolation while reducing operational time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The iris isolation valve is merged with the completion string assembly, combining the isolation function with the production tubing structure. This integration allows the valve to be positioned and operated in conjunction with the packer setting process, eliminating sequential operations with coiled tubing.
2Reliability
If coiled tubing equipment is used for plug deployment, then isolation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation capability is extracted from the external coiled tubing system and built into the completion string itself through the iris isolation valve. This eliminates the need for separate coiled tubing equipment while maintaining reliable isolation for packer setting.
Solution Approach 2:
The completion string is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating the iris isolation valve that serves both as part of the production tubing structure and as the isolation mechanism. This universal design eliminates the need for specialized coiled tubing equipment.
3Reliability
If plugs are used for isolation, then packer setting is enabled, but retrieval procedures are required adding time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The iris isolation valve is integrated into the completion string and can be operated remotely without requiring retrieval operations. The valve serves itself by being part of the permanent completion assembly, eliminating the need for plug retrieval procedures and improving operational efficiency.
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
This solution reduces operational costs and time by allowing packer setting at high inclination without coiled tubing, enabling continuous well operations and minimizing the need for plug retrieval, thus enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the full-bore iris isolation valve comprises an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of blades, the closed position isolating the annulus from an inner orifice of the production tubing
Implementation Method 2
a setting tool having an external circumferential surface that mates with the inner profile of the sliding sleeve to apply a push force and a pull force to the sliding sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a packer in a well includes a completion string, having production tubing, disposed within the well. The packer is connected to the production tubing and the production tubing defines an annulus in the well. A full-bore iris isolation valve is installed on the production tubing and located downhole from the packer. The full-bore iris isolation valve has an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of blades. The closed position isolates the annulus from an inner orifice of the production tubing to set the packer in the well. An activation mechanism, disposed adjacent to and up hole from the full-bore iris isolation valve, is configured to interact with the plurality of blades to place the full-bore iris isolation valve in the open position and the closed position. A sliding sleeve, having an inner profile, is connected to and located up hole from the activation mechanism. A setting tool has an external circumferential surface that mates with the inner profile of the sliding sleeve to apply a push force and a pull force to the sliding sleeve. The push force is applied to the full-bore iris isolation, using the activation mechanism, to place the full-bore iris isolation valve in the closed position and the pull force is applied to the full-bore iris isolation, using the activation mechanism, to place the full-bore iris isolation valve in the open position.