Segmented Ball Seat Valve for Multi-Zone Well Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding sleeve valves in oil and gas wells face challenges in simultaneously fracturing or stimulating multiple zones efficiently, particularly due to issues with fluid distribution and control, leading to incomplete opening of valves and reduced production rates from nonporous formations.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel sliding sleeve valves with a split ring ball seat that transitions from a ball-catch to a ball-pass state, allowing for precise control of fluid flow and simultaneous stimulation of multiple zones, using a cylindrical housing with ports and a valve body that can be actuated by hydraulic pressure, and fabricated from drillable materials for easier post-fracturing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sliding sleeve valves are used for multi-zone stimulation, then valve structure is simple, but fluid distribution and control are poor leading to incomplete valve opening
Solution Approach 1:
The ball seat is segmented into multiple independent segments that can move relative to each other. When a ball is introduced, it applies force to specific segments, causing them to move and create flow paths through the valve body, ensuring complete and reliable valve opening across multiple zones
Solution Approach 2:
The ball seat segments are designed to be dynamically movable rather than fixed. The segments can shift position in response to ball insertion, transforming the valve from a static structure to a dynamic one that adapts its flow paths based on operational needs, ensuring complete opening
2Productivity
If multiple zones are stimulated simultaneously, then production rate increases, but fluid distribution control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed to be actuated by simply introducing a ball through the tubular, without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The ball automatically triggers the segmented ball seat to open multiple zones simultaneously, making the system self-actuating and easy to operate while maintaining balanced fluid distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from complex hydraulic control to simple ball insertion. By transforming the actuation mechanism, multiple zones can be stimulated simultaneously with equal fluid distribution controlled passively through the segmented ball seat design, improving ease of operation while maintaining productivity
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional non-drillable materials are used for valve fabrication, then valve strength is high, but post-fracturing operations are complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is fabricated using composite materials that combine the strength of metal components with the drillability of softer materials. This allows the valve to maintain structural integrity during operation while enabling easy removal or modification through drilling after the fracturing operation is complete
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the valve are changed to include drillable characteristics. By selecting materials with appropriate mechanical properties that balance strength and drillability, the valve can withstand operational pressures while allowing simplified post-fracturing operations
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 efficient and controlled fracturing or stimulation of multiple zones in a single stage, improving fluid distribution and ensuring complete valve opening, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon production rates and simplifying post-fracturing operations by using drillable materials.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body, which is adapted for movement from a closed position restricting fluid communication through the ports to an open position allowing fluid communication through the ports, and a ball seat mounted in the valve conduit above the ports. The ball seat has an initial ball-catch state and is operatively connected to the valve body such that a ball may be received in the ball seat to move the valve body from its closed position to its open position
Implementation Method 2
The valve body is adapted for movement from a closed position restricting fluid communication through the ports to an open position allowing fluid communication through the ports
Data Source
AI summary
Stimulation valves for a well tubular having a cylindrical housing adapted for assembly into a tubular for a well. The valves have ports allowing fluid communication between a central conduit and the exterior of the housing and a valve body adapted for movement from a closed position to an open position allowing fluid communication through the ports. A ball seat is mounted in the valve conduit above the ports. The ball seat has an initial ball-catch state in which a ball may be received in the ball seat to move the valve body from its closed position to its open position. The ball seat is adapted to transition to a ball-pass state and release the ball as the valve body is moved to the open position. The ball seat remains in the ball-pass state after the transition from the ball-catch state.