Reversible Lockout Well Safety Valve With Reduced Corrosion Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of well safety valves made from corrosive-resistant materials limits their installation in completed wellbores due to economic concerns, and existing lockout processes require additional downhole runs, which is not beneficial for permanent setting in an open position.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a sleeved receptacle, constrained piston rod, trapped flapper valve, and consolidated lockout/reversible lockout features, reducing the need for expensive materials and allowing for a singular assembly of internal components, eliminating the requirement for a spring bearing and alignment rod, and enabling a more efficient lockout process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TRSVs are manufactured from corrosive-resistant material to ensure proper operation in chemical and fluid exposure, then reliability is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into two distinct parts: a corrosive-resistant inner sleeve that contacts chemicals and fluids, and a standard material outer housing that provides structural support. This segmentation allows only the necessary component (inner sleeve) to be made from expensive corrosive-resistant material, while the outer housing uses cost-effective standard materials, thereby reducing overall cost while maintaining reliability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Corrosive-resistant material is applied locally only to the inner sleeve where chemical and fluid exposure occurs, rather than manufacturing the entire valve from corrosive-resistant material. This local quality approach ensures protection is provided precisely where required, eliminating unnecessary material costs for components not exposed to corrosive environments.
2Reliability
If a traditional lockout process is used to permanently ensure fluid communication, then reliability is improved, but additional downhole runs are required increasing time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The lockout function is merged with the valve body structure itself. A lockout feature (such as a locked piston or sealed mechanism) is integrated into the valve assembly, allowing the valve to be locked in the open position for permanent fluid communication without requiring separate lockout tools or additional downhole runs. This combines multiple functions into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with pre-integrated lockout capabilities built into its structure before installation. The lockout feature is already present in the valve body, eliminating the need for subsequent lockout operations. This preliminary action ensures that when permanent fluid communication is needed, the valve can be locked in place without requiring additional intervention or equipment runs.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for decreasing the cost and improving a suitable well safety valve. A well safety valve, comprising: an outer housing having a central bore extending axially through the outer housing, wherein the outer housing comprises an outer wall having a receptacle formed in the outer wall; an inner sleeve disposed in the central bore of the outer housing, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a lockout feature in an exterior surface of the inner sleeve; a sleeve disposed in the receptacle; a piston disposed in the sleeve, wherein the piston is actuated to travel longitudinally in the sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is operable to move in response to movement of the piston; and a valve member disposed in the outer housing, wherein the valve member is operable to selectively restrict flow through the well safety valve in response to movement of the inner sleeve.