Retrievable Check Valve With Dual Sealing for Wellbore Hermeticity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-retrievable check valves in oil, gas, and gas condensate production processes suffer from hermeticity loss, leading to fluid backflow, shortened operational lifespan, and costly well workovers due to the inability to replace them without removing the entire production equipment.
Innovation Solution
The invention enhances the design of retrievable check valves with structural improvements, including a slug catcher and dual-sealing mechanism, allowing for the replacement of check valves within the production process without dismantling the entire equipment, and incorporates a mechanical lock for secure seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-retrievable check valves are used to prevent fluid backflow, then hermeticity is maintained during operation, but the valve cannot be replaced without pulling out the entire production equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is designed as a separable component that can be independently removed from the production equipment. The valve body can be detached from the tubing string without removing the pump or other equipment, enabling selective replacement of only the valve component when hermeticity is lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve incorporates movable sealing elements and adjustable components that maintain hermeticity during operation while allowing for easy retrieval. The valve design enables dynamic operation during production and static retrieval when maintenance is needed, resolving the contradiction between operational reliability and ease of repair.
2Reliability
If non-retrievable check valves are installed in the tubing string, then fluid backflow is prevented, but hermeticity loss requires costly well workovers and multi-day production losses
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a modular, separable component that can be quickly replaced without pulling out the entire production string. This segmentation allows for rapid valve replacement during workovers, significantly reducing the time the well is out of production and minimizing economic losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve is designed to be easily discarded (removed) and replaced when hermeticity is lost, while the rest of the expensive production equipment is recovered and retained. This approach minimizes waste and reduces the frequency and cost of well workovers by allowing selective component replacement.
3Reliability
If mechanical impurities accumulate on the valve, then hermeticity is compromised, but the valve structure lacks protection against such accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates preliminary protective measures such as sealed chambers and protected sealing surfaces that prevent mechanical impurities from compromising hermeticity. The design includes features that actively counteract the harmful effects of impurity accumulation before they can affect valve performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve utilizes flexible sealing elements and protective films that can accommodate minor impurity accumulation while maintaining hermeticity. These flexible components can deform to seal around small particles or irregularities, preventing impurities from compromising the seal.
4Ease of manufacture
If the valve design is simplified for ease of installation, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but retrieval capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed with segmented, modular components that are easy to manufacture individually but can be assembled into a retrievable unit. The segmentation allows for simple production of each component while the overall assembly provides retrieval capability through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates universal connection interfaces and standardized mounting features that serve multiple functions: ease of installation, retrieval capability, and compatibility with different equipment configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between simplified manufacturing and retrieval versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a valve intended for the production process of oil, gas, water or gas condensates, and primarily solves the problem of non-hermeticity of existing valves by introducing structural improvements.The invention discloses two preferred embodiments, wherein the first preferred embodiment comprises a holder, a shear pin, an opened ball cage casing, an opened ball cage, a ball, a ball seat, two O-rings, a valve body, a mech-lock, a mech-lock holder, a rubber seal, a seating nipple. The second preferred embodiment comprises the elements from the first preferred embodiment, further comprising a slug catcher comprising a lower part of the slug catcher joint, an upper part of the slug catcher joint, a rubber seal, a slug catcher joint, a slug catcher pipe, a slug catcher top.