Remote-Open Barrier Valve Actuation via Pressure Profile Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing downhole wellbore tools require direct mechanical actuation or complex control systems for transitioning between operational configurations, which can be cumbersome and interfere with each other's operations, especially when trying to manage fluid flow and sampling in subterranean wellbores.

Innovation Solution

A wireless actuation system that uses a sensor to detect pressure profiles in a tubing string, with an electronic decoder comparing these profiles to a target pressure profile to trigger actuators, allowing downhole tools to transition between configurations without direct pressure application, enabling independent operation of multiple tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct mechanical actuation is used for downhole wellbore tools, then the tools can be actuated reliably, but the system becomes mechanically complex and operations of multiple tools interfere with each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical actuation systems with a wireless actuation system that uses electromagnetic signals transmitted through the wellbore fluid. The surface transmitter sends signals that are received by downhole receivers, which then trigger actuators to open or close valves. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages and direct mechanical coupling between tools, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining actuation reliability through the wireless signal transmission mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If complex control systems are used for transitioning between operational configurations, then precise control is achieved, but the system becomes cumbersome and operations interfere with each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperational ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into independent functional modules: a surface transmitter that sends wireless signals, downhole receivers that detect these signals, and individual actuators at each valve location that respond to specific signals. This segmentation allows each tool to be controlled independently through its own receiver-actuator pair, eliminating interference between multiple tools. The precision is maintained through the specific signal frequencies or codes assigned to each actuator, enabling precise control without cumbersome interconnected systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If direct pressure application is used to actuate valves, then the valves can be opened reliably, but multiple tools cannot operate independently and interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve opening reliabilityVSAvoidindependent operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary wireless signal transmission system between the surface control and downhole valves. Instead of applying pressure directly from the surface or through shared pressure lines, electromagnetic signals are transmitted through the wellbore fluid to specific receivers at each valve location. Each receiver-actuator pair operates independently in response to its specific signal, eliminating interference between multiple tools while maintaining reliable valve actuation through the dedicated signal path to each actuator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 remote and efficient operation of downhole wellbore tools, such as valves and samplers, by using pressure profiles to control actuation, reducing mechanical complexity and interference, and allowing for precise control of fluid flow and sampling in various wellbore configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor disposed at a downhole location to detect the pressure profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

an actuator operably coupled to the barrier member to transition the barrier member between a blocked configuration and an open configuration in response to the target pressure profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven actuation:

Data Source

PatentUS11371317B2Remote-open barrier valve

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An actuation system for remotely transitioning a downhole wellbore tool between distinct operational configurations includes a sensor that can detect a downhole pressure in a tubular string extending into a wellbore and an electronic decoder that monitors the pressure the tubular string until a target pressure profile is detected. When the target pressure profile is detected, the decoder issues a command to an actuation mechanism, causing the downhole wellbore tool to transition between the distinct operational configurations. The target pressure profile may be transmitted from the surface location by operating a pump to produce specific downhole pressure levels for specific time intervals. The specific downhole pressures do not need to be applied directly to the downhole wellbore tool, and thus the each of a plurality of various downhole wellbore tools may be operated independently without interfering with one another.