Isolation Valve Actuation Using Downhole Pressure Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formation isolation valves require time-consuming and costly interventions for operation, and conventional methods using precharged nitrogen can fail under high well pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operable formation isolation valve system that uses downhole well pressure to cycle an indexer through a sequence of positions, communicating forces to actuate the valve without a high-pressure gas chamber, employing a resilient mechanism and a switch to control fluid communication with the well pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If precharged nitrogen is used to actuate the valve, then the valve can be operated remotely without intervention, but the gas chamber must be charged on the rig floor which consumes time and creates safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is pre-configured with a gas chamber that can be charged from the surface before the well is suspended, eliminating the need for time-consuming rig floor operations. The chamber receives gas through a dedicated charging port that allows advance preparation without requiring personnel to be on the rig floor during well operations.
2Ease of operation
If precharged nitrogen is used to actuate the valve, then the valve can be operated remotely without intervention, but the well pressure may exceed the rating of the ball valve element during pressure fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
A gas chamber acts as an intermediary between the surface control system and the downhole valve mechanism. The chamber buffers pressure fluctuations by storing compressed gas, preventing direct transmission of high well pressure spikes to the ball valve element. This mediation protects the valve from exceeding its pressure rating while maintaining remote operability.
3Ease of operation
If a shifting tool is run downhole to engage and change the state of the valve, then the valve can be actuated, but the well intervention consumes significant time and money
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed to be self-actuating through a gas chamber that can be charged from the surface. Once the chamber is filled with compressed gas, it automatically provides the force needed to operate the valve mechanism without requiring downhole intervention tools or personnel. This self-service capability eliminates costly and time-consuming well interventions.
4Ease of operation
If a shifting tool is run downhole to engage and change the state of the valve, then the valve can be actuated, but the intervention process is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed to be self-actuating through a gas chamber that can be charged from the surface. Once the chamber is filled with compressed gas, it automatically provides the force needed to operate the valve mechanism without requiring downhole intervention tools or personnel. This self-service capability eliminates costly and time-consuming well interventions.
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 interventionless operation of the valve, reducing operational time and costs by leveraging downhole pressure to actuate the valve, ensuring reliable operation even under high pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The spring may be configured to exert a second force, and the indexer may cycle through a sequence of positions in response to the second force
Implementation Method 2
exerting fluid pressure on the object to generate a force to actuate the formation isolation valve
Data Source
AI summary
A tool that is usable in a well and may include an operator, a switch, a resilient device and an indexer. The switch may be configured to selectively communicate a first force to the operator, thereby actuating the tool. The resilient device may exert a second force. The indexer may cycle through a sequence of positions in response to alternating between the second force and a third force. The sequence includes a predetermined position configured to actuate the switch, thereby communicating the first force to the operator to actuate the tool.