Multi-Stage Well Stimulation Valve With Same-Direction Sleeve Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well stimulation methods, such as ball-drop activated sleeve completion and flow activation, face challenges like difficulty in entering wells, ball recovery issues, reliance on proppant-free fluids, and challenges in applying sufficient downwards force to open valves, especially in long/deep wellbores.
Innovation Solution
A valve design with a first and second sleeve movable in the same direction for opening and closing, featuring a third profile for engaging with a tool to prevent opposite movement, and a triple-seal arrangement for high-pressure operation, along with a tool that activates and deactivates using destructible or dissolvable mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If ball-drop activated sleeve completion method is used, then communication with formation can be established without perforation, but ball recovery becomes problematic and obstructions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the ball activation mechanism from the system. Instead of using balls to activate sleeves, the patent employs a tool with profiles that directly engage with valve profiles to open and close valves through mechanical movement, completely removing the ball recovery problem and obstruction risk associated with ball-drop methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a tool with specifically shaped profiles as an intermediary mechanism. This tool engages with valve profiles to transmit mechanical motion for opening and closing valves, replacing the ball intermediary and providing reliable, recoverable tool-based actuation without leaving foreign objects in the wellbore
2Ease of operation
If flow activation method is used, then valves can be opened using fluid pressure, but proppant-free fluid is required instead of proppant-laden fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the fluid pressure-based mechanical activation system with a direct mechanical engagement system. A tool with profiles directly engages valve profiles to mechanically open and close valves through controlled movement, eliminating the need for proppant-free fluid requirements and allowing compatibility with proppant-laden fracturing fluids
Solution Approach 2:
The valve design achieves multi-functionality by enabling both mechanical opening (through profile engagement) and mechanical closing (through profile engagement in the same direction), while being compatible with standard proppant-laden fracturing fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations
3Ease of operation
If downward force is applied to open valves in long/deep wellbores, then valves can be activated, but sufficient force application becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional valve activation approach. Instead of applying downward force to open valves, the tool engages with valve profiles and pulls upward to open valves by moving the first sleeve in a first direction. Closing is achieved by further movement in the same direction, eliminating the challenge of applying sufficient downward force in long/deep wellbores
4Reliability
If triple-seal arrangement is used, then high-pressure operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the triple-seal arrangement into an integrated valve structure where three seals work together in a coordinated manner within the valve body. This integrated design achieves high-pressure operation capability while managing complexity through unified structural implementation rather than separate, independent seal systems
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for use in a wellbore for facilitating a multi-stage stimulation method includes a first sleeve configured to move to open the valve. In addition, the valve includes a second sleeve configured to move to close the valve. The first sleeve and the second sleeve are both movable in a first direction. Movement of the first sleeve a first distance in the first direction opens the valve and subsequent movement of the second sleeve a second distance in the first direction closes the valve. Further, the valve includes a third profile configured to engage a third key of a tool for operating the valve. The third profile is shaped to prevent movement of the tool in a second direction opposite to the first direction when engaged with the third key of the tool.