Shifting Tool Sacrificial Seals for High Differential Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sliding sleeve valve devices in subterranean wellbores face operational issues due to significant pressure differentials, which can damage seal rings when opening or closing, especially when designed for lower pressures but used in higher pressure environments, leading to improper function.
Innovation Solution
A shifting tool with a latching device and sacrificial seals is used to protect the fluid seals between the outer housing and sleeve member by diverting differential pressure to sacrificial seals, ensuring the seals are not damaged during operation, featuring collet fingers for secure engagement and hydraulic actuation for sealing and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sleeve valve is operated under high differential pressure, then the valve can function in high pressure wellbore environments, but the seal rings are damaged by high pressure fluids passing through partially aligned ports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sacrificial seals that are intentionally designed to be replaceable and consumable. These sacrificial seals are positioned to intercept high-pressure fluids first, absorbing the damage that would otherwise affect the permanent seal rings. By sacrificing these disposable sealing elements, the main seal rings are protected and can be reused across multiple valve operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shifting tool acts as an intermediary device that carries the sacrificial seals and positioning mechanism. It introduces the sacrificial seals into the valve assembly, positions them between the housing and sleeve member, and facilitates their installation without requiring disassembly of the permanent seal rings. This intermediary tool enables the protective mechanism to be implemented efficiently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seal rings are exposed to high differential pressure during valve operation, then the valve can operate in high pressure environments, but the seal rings are blown out or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial seals serve as replaceable protective elements that absorb the high differential pressure loads. These seals are positioned to be the first line of defense against pressure-induced damage, taking the place of the permanent seal rings in withstanding the initial pressure surge when ports are partially aligned.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial seals are pre-installed in positions where they will intercept high-pressure fluids before the fluids can reach the permanent seal rings. This beforehand protection cushioning allows the valve to be operated in high pressure environments by absorbing the shock and stress that would otherwise compromise the permanent seals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a valve designed for 1,500 psi differential pressure is used in 5,000 psi environments, then the valve can be deployed in deeper wellbores, but operating the valve between open and closed positions will destroy the valve functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial seals enable the valve to exceed its original design pressure rating by providing an additional layer of protection. These replaceable seals allow the permanent components to be protected from pressures beyond their design limits, enabling the valve to function reliably in 5,000 psi environments even when designed for only 1,500 psi.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of sacrificial seals changes the pressure resistance parameters of the valve system. By adding these protective elements, the valve's effective pressure handling capability is enhanced, allowing operation in high pressure environments without compromising the integrity of the permanent components.
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 effectively prevents seal damage by diverting pressure to sacrificial seals, allowing safe operation of sliding sleeve valves across varying pressure differentials, extending their functionality and lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the shifting tool is actuated by hydraulic pressure to cause the shifting tool to latch the shifting tool to the sliding sleeve member with latching keys. In addition, the hydraulic pressure actively creates a fluid seal between the shifting tool and the sleeve member to block off the inner flow port associated with the sleeve member
Implementation Method 2
The fluid seals between the housing and the sleeve member are protected since the rush of fluid associated with the release or capture of differential pressure will be diverted to the sacrificial seals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for opening and/or closing sliding sleeve valves while preventing significant stress upon and damage to the fluid seals that are disposed between the outer housing and the sleeve member elements of the valve. A shifting tool carries a latching device and a fluid closure portion with sacrificial seals. In operations the shifting tool is secured to the sleeve member with the latching device as the closure portion seals off across the fluid flow port of the sleeve member. The shifting tool is then moved to slide the sleeve member between open and closed positions.