Resealable Sleeve Flow Control Apparatus for Reservoir Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closeable sleeves for hydrocarbon-containing reservoirs are overly complex, prone to mechanical stresses, and face issues with immediate closure due to solid materials near treatment ports, limiting operational flexibility during fluid treatment.
Innovation Solution
A flow control apparatus with a housing, port, and resilient retainer member that allows for controlled opening and closing of the port, using a shifting tool to displace the flow control member and a washing sub to fluidize solid materials, ensuring reliable sealing and minimizing mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing closeable sleeves are used to provide operational flexibility during fluid treatment, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases and mechanical stress resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a flow control member with sealing elements, a retainer member with engagement features, and a shifting tool. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining operational flexibility during fluid treatment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from existing closeable sleeve designs. By removing redundant parts and simplifying the structural configuration, the patent achieves reduced device complexity while preserving the essential flow control functionality needed for operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing closeable sleeves are used during fluid treatment, then operational flexibility is improved, but resistance to mechanical stress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer member is pre-configured with engagement features that prepare the flow control member for secure positioning before fluid treatment begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when operational flexibility is needed, the components are already positioned to withstand mechanical stresses without requiring complex reinforcement structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are pre-positioned on the flow control member to create protective barriers against mechanical stress before treatment operations commence. This beforehand cushioning allows the device to maintain operational flexibility while being pre-prepared to resist mechanical stresses during fluid injection and control operations.
3Productivity
If flow control member is closed immediately after fluid treatment, then port closure is achieved, but solid material ingress causes problems
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements on the flow control member are pre-positioned to create a barrier against solid material ingress before the port is closed. This preliminary sealing action allows the port to be closed efficiently after fluid treatment while preventing solid materials from entering the internal passages during the closure process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements act as intermediary components between the flow control member and the port opening. These intermediaries prevent direct contact between solid materials and the internal port structure, enabling efficient port closure while filtering out harmful solid material ingress during and after the fluid treatment process.
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 provides operational flexibility, reduces mechanical stress, and effectively manages solid material ingress, enabling efficient fluid treatment and port closure, thereby enhancing the treatment process in hydrocarbon-containing reservoirs.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient retainer member, extending from the housing and into the retainer housing space, and configured to releasably engage the flow control member for resisting displacement of the flow control member
Implementation Method 2
a washing sub including a nozzle configured to inject fluid into the wellbore, and positioned relative to the shifting tool, such that, while the apparatus is positioned within a wellbore such that, upon the actuation of the shifting tool, the engagement between the shifting tool and the flow control member is being effected, and while the flow control member is disposed in the open position, the nozzle is disposed for directing injected fluid towards the path along which the flow control member is disposed for travelling
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a flow control apparatus comprising: a housing; a port extending through the housing; a housing passage defined within the housing and configured for fluidly communicating via the port; a flow control member displaceable relative to the port for effecting opening and closing of the port; a retainer housing space, disposed between the housing and the flow control member, and co-operating with the flow control member such that, at least while the flow control member is disposed in the closed position, a sealing interface is disposed between the retainer housing space and the housing passage; and a resilient retainer member, extending from the housing and into the retainer housing space, and configured to releasably engage the flow control member for resisting displacement of the flow control member.