Hydraulically Actuated Sliding Sleeve Flow Control Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow control assemblies for downhole operations lack operational flexibility and are costly to install and remove, limiting their effectiveness in controlling fluid flows between a casing conduit and a subterranean formation.
Innovation Solution
A flow control assembly featuring a housing with an injection conduit and a hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve that transitions between closed and open configurations in response to pressure differentials, allowing for controlled fluid flow and including a ball sealer seat to restrict flow when necessary, enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flow control assemblies are used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but operational flexibility is limited and installation/removal costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control assembly is divided into separable components including a housing, sliding sleeve, ball sealer seat, and injection conduit that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for modular installation and removal, reducing overall system cost and improving operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding sleeve is designed to dynamically transition between open and closed configurations in response to pressure differentials, enabling real-time flow control adjustments. This dynamic capability provides operational flexibility without requiring complex control systems or expensive manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sliding sleeve is added for flow control, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding sleeve automatically responds to pressure differentials between the casing conduit and subterranean formation, opening or closing without external control. The ball sealer similarly self-actuates by being injected through the injection conduit and sealing against the seat. This self-service mechanism reduces control system complexity while maintaining sophisticated flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure differentials between the casing conduit and subterranean formation drive the sliding sleeve movement, eliminating the need for mechanical actuators, electrical controls, or complex hydraulic systems. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach simplifies the overall device structure while providing reliable flow control.
3Reliability
If ball sealer seat is included, then flow restriction capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball sealer seat is manufactured from the same material as the housing body, eliminating the need for separate material sourcing, joining operations, and quality control processes for dissimilar materials. This homogeneous construction maintains reliable sealing capability while simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
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 improved operational flexibility and cost-effectiveness by enabling precise control of fluid flow, facilitating stimulation of the subterranean formation and efficient production of reservoir fluids, while maintaining a threshold pressure drop across the injection conduit.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve that is configured to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration responsive to a pressure differential to control an injection conduit fluid flow through the injection conduit
Implementation Method 2
the ball sealer seat defines a ball sealer sealing surface that is configured to form a fluid seal with a ball sealer
Data Source
AI summary
Flow control assemblies for downhole operations and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The systems include a flow control assembly that is configured to control a fluid flow between a casing conduit and a subterranean formation. The flow control assembly includes a housing that includes a housing body that defines at least a portion of the casing conduit. The housing also includes an injection conduit, which extends between the casing conduit and the subterranean formation, and a ball sealer seat, which defines a portion of the injection conduit. The flow control assembly further includes a hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve that controls a fluid flow through the injection conduit. The methods include pressurizing a portion of the casing conduit, transitioning the hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve from a closed configuration to an open configuration, stimulating the subterranean formation, and receiving a ball sealer on the ball sealer seat.