Subsurface Safety Valve Powered by ESP
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for deploying closure mechanisms in wells, especially with electric submersible pumps, are limited in their ability to effectively control fluid flow and require mechanical or hydraulic operations, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A subsurface safety valve system that can be deployed via an electric submersible pump, featuring a closure mechanism and electrical connection, allowing for remote operation and power supply, enabling controlled fluid flow management through a wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanically operated closure mechanism is coupled to production tubing and inserted into the wellbore, then the closure mechanism can control fluid flow, but the deployment process becomes complex and requires additional hydraulic control lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/hydraulic closure mechanism with an electrically actuated subsurface safety valve. The valve is powered by an electric submersible pump motor that can be controlled remotely via electrical signals transmitted through the pump power cable. This substitution eliminates the need for separate hydraulic control lines and simplifies the deployment process while maintaining reliable fluid flow control capability.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic control lines are inserted into the wellbore to operate the closure mechanism, then the closure mechanism can be opened and closed, but the system requires additional components and operational steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electric submersible pump motor multi-functional by using it both for pumping operations and for actuating the subsurface safety valve. The same power cable that supplies electricity to the pump motor is also used to transmit control signals to the valve. This eliminates the need for separate hydraulic control lines and reduces the overall number of system components while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If traditional closure mechanisms are used in wells with electric submersible pumps, then fluid production can be controlled, but remote operation and power supply become cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or hydraulic actuation systems with an electrical actuation system that can be controlled remotely. The subsurface safety valve is equipped with an electrical motor or actuator that receives power and control signals through the existing pump power cable, enabling remote operation from the surface without requiring additional control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the existing pump power cable for dual purposes: supplying power to the electric submersible pump motor and transmitting control signals to actuate the subsurface safety valve. This multi-functional use of the power cable simplifies remote operation by eliminating the need for separate control wiring while improving productivity through efficient fluid production management.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to a subsurface safety valve disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The subsurface safety valve can include a closure mechanism. In some embodiments, the subsurface safety valve can be coupled with an electric submersible pump. The subsurface safety valve coupled to the electric submersible pump can be positioned in a passageway defined by a tubing string via a power cable coupled to the electric submersible pump. In some embodiments, the subsurface safety valve can include at least one terminal. The at least one terminal can form an electrical connection between the subsurface safety valve and the electric submersible pump. The subsurface safety valve can receive power from the electric submersible pump via the electrical connection.