Pressure-Actuated Downhole Valve for Pump Integration Without Control Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole tools, such as sub-sea safety valves, face challenges in activation and control due to the need for control lines that can be problematic when passing through pumps, leading to inoperability and non-compliance with regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
A pressure actuated downhole device, like a safety valve, operates using a piston mechanism actuatable by pressure differentials between the annulus and valve outlet, independent of inlet pressure, allowing seamless integration with pumps without control lines, ensuring reliable operation and compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a control line (hydraulic or electrical) is used to control a downhole valve, then the valve can be controlled from the surface, but the control line becomes problematic when passing through pumps and may require additional sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the control line from the system by implementing a control-lineless valve. The valve uses the existing production tubing pressure differential to actuate the valve mechanism directly, eliminating the need for separate hydraulic or electrical control lines that would require complex sealing and routing through pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve becomes self-actuating by utilizing the pressure differential that already exists in the production system during normal operation. The valve automatically opens when the pressure differential exceeds a threshold and closes when it drops below the threshold, without requiring external control signals or additional control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a control line is run for a valve past the pump, then the valve can be controlled, but it may be problematic and require sealing mechanisms above the ESP
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the control line entirely from the system architecture. By using the naturally occurring pressure differential in the production tubing to actuate the valve, there are no control lines to seal, route, or protect, thereby eliminating all sealing integrity concerns associated with control line installation and operation.
3Ease of operation
If conventional valves are used with control lines, then valve operation is possible, but the arrangement may not be desirable and could render the safety valve inoperable
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to be universally compatible with pump-based production systems by using the same pressure differential that drives production. The valve responds to the natural pressure variations during pump operation, making it adaptable to various pump types and configurations without requiring special control line routing or additional sealing arrangements.
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
The solution enables reliable activation and control of downhole tools without control lines, ensuring operational integrity and compliance with regulatory standards, enhancing the functionality and safety of downhole operations.
Implementation Method 1
The piston member or members may be configured so as to be actuatable by a pressure differential, such as a pressure differential between a pressure external to the device and a pressure internal to the device
Data Source
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AI summary
A downhole valve, such as a safety valve or sub-sea safety valve (SSSV). The downhole valve comprising: a housing; a flow path between a valve inlet and a valve outlet; a valve mechanism; and a piston member; wherein the valve mechanism is operable by actuation of the piston member to selectively open and close the flow path between the valve inlet and valve outlet; and the piston member is actuatable by a pressure differential between an annulus pressure at the valve and a pressure at the valve outlet and/or in a portion of the flow path closest to the valve outlet. The valve can comprise an opening for receiving the annular pressure that is isolated from the valve inlet and valve outlet. The downhole valve can be configured such that it prevents operation of the valve mechanism to open and/or close the flow path by a pressure differential between the valve inlet and valve outlet.