Modular Barrier Valve with Pre-installed Control Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing barrier valves for subterranean use require upfront purchase and installation, even if not initially needed, which can be economically wasteful and inefficient, as they need to be run into a location and latched into position using specific landing nipples with pre-installed control lines.
Innovation Solution
A modular system where a hydraulic or mechanical barrier valve can be run into a predetermined landing nipple with pre-installed control lines, allowing for delayed deployment and easy operation via wireline, coiled tubing, or other conveyance methods, featuring unique latching mechanisms and seals for secure positioning and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If barrier valves are initially installed in the string with landing nipples, then wellbore isolation capability is ensured, but upfront costs increase and economic efficiency decreases when the valve is not immediately needed
Solution Approach 1:
Landing nipples with control line connections are pre-installed in the tubular string during initial assembly, but the barrier valve itself is not installed until needed. This preliminary preparation of the landing location enables rapid valve deployment while avoiding unnecessary upfront costs of installing the valve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into two independent components: the landing nipple (pre-installed in the string) and the barrier valve (installed on wireline when needed). This segmentation allows the string to be assembled without the valve, reducing initial costs, while maintaining the capability to install the valve later when wellbore isolation is required.
2Ease of manufacture
If barrier valves are run into the wellbore on wireline with latching mechanisms, then deployment flexibility and cost-effectiveness improve, but device complexity increases due to latching mechanisms and unique patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The landing nipple and valve incorporate asymmetric unique patterns (such as offset grooves or protrusions) that enable directional latching. This asymmetry ensures the valve can only latch in the correct orientation, providing reliable positioning and sealing while maintaining relatively simple overall device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the valve is lowered into the landing nipple on wireline. The dogs on the valve engage with the groove in the landing nipple, and the unique pattern ensures proper orientation, allowing the system to self-latch without requiring complex external actuation mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If control lines are pre-installed in landing nipples, then hydraulic operation readiness is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control line connections
Solution Approach 1:
The landing nipple is designed with multiple functions: it provides structural support in the string, serves as a landing location for the valve, and contains pre-installed control line connections for hydraulic operation. This multi-functionality enables the landing nipple to handle both mechanical latching and hydraulic control integration in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The control lines are installed in the landing nipple as an intermediary connection system. These control lines serve as the medium that will later transmit hydraulic pressure from the surface to the barrier valve, enabling remote operation without requiring direct mechanical connections between the valve and surface control systems.
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 flexible and cost-effective deployment of barrier valves only when needed, allowing for rapid insertion, removal, and reconfiguration without the need for a full string replacement, reducing upfront costs and enabling efficient well operation.
Implementation Method 1
In the case of a hydraulically operated barrier valve, the landing nipple or nipples in the string will already have control lines initially installed with the string in a landing nipple or nipples. The barrier valve hydraulic connections are lined up and in a sealing relation to the control line connections in the landing nipple so that the barrier valve can latch in and immediately be operated hydraulically with the control lines.
Data Source
AI summary
A unique landing nipple has spaced control line connections and external control lines running from the surface to those connections. A hydraulic barrier valve, such as a ball valve, is run in to a predetermined landing nipple and latched in position where the control line connections are in the right locations to operate the valve. A landing nipple with a latching groove alone can be used with a wireline run barrier valve to latch it into position at the desired location. A shifting tool is used to operate the mechanically actuated valve. More than one valve can be positioned or used in the string at a time or the same valve can also be positioned at different landing nipples at different times to meet the production needs of the well operator.