Multi-position Sliding Sleeve Valves for Fracturing and Gravel Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well completion techniques are inefficient due to high rig time, erosive gravel slurry issues, and limited flexibility in fracturing and gravel packing sequences, often requiring multiple trips and equipment runs, especially when dealing with multiple zones.
Innovation Solution
A completion assembly featuring sliding sleeve valves that allow for fracturing and gravel packing in any desired order without the need for a crossover tool or screens, using an annular path with offset screens to facilitate production and minimize equipment runs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional crossover tool and screens are used for fracturing and gravel packing, then discrete zone operations can be performed, but rig time increases and equipment wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fracturing valve and gravel packing valve into a single multi-position valve assembly. The valve can operate in multiple positions (closed, fully open for fracturing, partially open for gravel packing) without requiring separate tools or equipment runs. This merging eliminates the need for multiple trips in and out of the hole, directly reducing rig time while maintaining the ability to perform discrete zone operations in any desired sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-position valve serves multiple functions: it acts as a fracture valve when fully open, a gravel packing valve when partially open, and can be closed to isolate zones. This universal component performs what previously required separate specialized tools (crossover tool, screens, isolation packers), providing versatility in operation sequences without increasing rig time or equipment complexity.
2Reliability
If gravel packing is performed after fracturing using traditional methods, then sand control is achieved, but erosive gravel slurry causes wear on crossover tool
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the screens from the external equipment and integrates them directly into the valve body as screened ports. The valve assembly includes ports that are inherently screened, eliminating the separate screens and crossover tool that were susceptible to erosion. The gravel slurry passes through the valve's internal screened paths rather than eroding external crossover tool components.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body acts as an intermediary structure that guides the gravel slurry through protected, screened pathways. Instead of the erosive slurry directly contacting the external crossover tool, the valve's internal geometry and screened ports mediate the flow, protecting the equipment from wear while still achieving effective gravel packing and sand control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple zones are fractured and gravel packed using traditional techniques, then each zone can be produced separately, but multiple trips in the hole are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete valve assemblies into a single integrated multi-position valve system that can service multiple zones. Each zone has its own可控 port within the same valve body, allowing independent control of fracturing and gravel packing for each zone without requiring separate tool strings or multiple trips. This combining maintains multi-zone operational capability while dramatically improving productivity by reducing rig moves.
4Loss of time
If one trip multi-zone systems are used to fracture multiple zones, then rig time is reduced, but large volume of proppant slurry increases erosion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the proppant slurry flow into controlled portions through the multi-position valve system. Instead of forcing a large volume of slurry through a single crossover tool, the valve distributes and controls the slurry flow to individual zone ports sequentially or simultaneously at controlled rates. This segmentation maintains the efficiency of one-trip multi-zone operation while reducing erosion by controlling slurry velocity and distribution through the valve's internal geometry.
Data Source
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AI summary
A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves one series of which can be put in the wide open position after run in for gravel packing and fracturing zones one at a time or in any desired order. These valves are then closed and another series of valves can be opened wide but with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage to selectively produce from one or more fractured zones. An annular path behind the gravel is provided by an offset screen to promote flow to me screened production port. The path can be a closed annulus that comes short of the production port or goes over it. For short runs an exterior screen or shroud is eliminated for a sliding sleeve with multiple screened ports that can be opened in tandem.