Reclosable Sleeve Assembly for Wellbore Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuated sleeve assemblies in subterranean well operations cannot retract to close flow ports without reducing the inner diameter of the production tubing, affecting flow rates and tool sizes, necessitating a reclosable solution that maintains tubing diameter while controlling hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable sleeve assembly with a housing, an outer sleeve, and an inner sleeve that can move between open and closed positions, using a piston and spring mechanism to maintain flow port alignment and allow for selective opening and closing of flow ports without reducing the tubing diameter, facilitated by a shifting tool for axial movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a side door choke is used to occlude flow ports and cease hydrocarbon production, then hydrocarbon production can be stopped at that location, but the inner diameter of the production tubing is reduced which reduces flow rate and affects tool sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sealing function into two separate components: an outer sleeve that provides the sealing function to occlude flow ports, and an inner sleeve that maintains the production tubing's inner diameter. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and flow rate maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner sleeve is nested within the outer sleeve, creating a concentric arrangement where the inner sleeve preserves the internal flow path diameter while the outer sleeve provides the occlusion function. This nesting structure enables both sealing and flow rate maintenance simultaneously, directly addressing the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If a side door choke is installed to provide permanent installation, then hydrocarbon production can be ceased, but the size of downhole tools that can be extended past the sleeve assembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the occlusion function (outer sleeve) from the flow path maintenance function (inner sleeve), the invention ensures that the production tubing's inner diameter is preserved. This allows downhole tools of original size to pass through without restriction, resolving the contradiction between permanent installation capability and tool size compatibility.
3Ease of operation
If the sleeve is designed to retract into closed position to close flow ports, then hydrocarbon production can be ceased, but the inner diameter of production tubing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the sleeve system into an outer sleeve for occlusion and an inner sleeve for diameter maintenance. This allows the outer sleeve to retract and close flow ports while the inner sleeve continuously maintains the production tubing's inner diameter, enabling reclosable operation without flow rate reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable inner sleeve within the outer sleeve creates a dynamic system where the inner sleeve can adjust to maintain optimal flow path diameter regardless of the outer sleeve's position. This dynamic arrangement enables the reclosable capability while preserving flow rate potential.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is reclosable sleeve assembly including a housing defining one or more flow ports that provide fluid communication between a wellbore annulus and an interior of the housing, an outer sleeve arranged within the housing and movable between a closed position, where the outer sleeve occludes the one or more flow ports, and an open position, where the one or more flow ports are exposed, and an inner sleeve concentrically arranged within the outer sleeve and defining a plurality of flow slots, the inner sleeve being movable between an open position and a closed position where, when in the open position, the plurality of flow slots are axially aligned with the one or more flow ports.