Back Pressure Valve Capsule for Well Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wells without tubing, such as SWD and PWI wells, face challenges in maintaining wellhead valves and securing the well during maintenance and operations, as existing methods are inefficient and pose health and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A capsule assembly is installed at the wellhead, allowing for the installation of back pressure valves or check valves to secure the well and facilitate maintenance, comprising a capsule body, sealing element, and a movable capsule cone that activates a slip to anchor the assembly to the well casing, enabling securement and pressure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional wellhead valve maintenance methods are used in wells without tubing, then routine maintenance can be conducted by closing wellhead valves and attending one valve at a time, but the process becomes inefficient and poses health and safety risks when securing the well for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule assembly is inserted into the wellhead housing, creating a nested structure where the capsule body fits within the existing wellhead components. This nesting approach allows the capsule to be integrated into the existing well architecture without requiring complete disassembly or complex external securing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the capsule body, the slip mechanism, the sealing element, and the valve component. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall maintenance process and enabling easier replacement or repair of individual components
2Reliability
If monobore plugs or hydraulic kill fluids are used to secure the well, then the well can be secured downhole for maintenance, but the process is time-consuming and requires complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule assembly is pre-configured with the sealing element and slip mechanism before insertion into the wellhead. The sealing element is positioned to immediately engage with the wellhead housing upon insertion, and the slip is pre-loaded to expand and lock the capsule in place, eliminating the need for time-consuming sequential operations
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule assembly is designed to self-secure within the wellhead housing through the automatic engagement of the sealing element and the expansion of the slip mechanism. Once inserted, the capsule automatically seals and locks itself without requiring external hydraulic systems, kill fluids, or complex manual securing procedures
3Ease of repair
If wellhead valves are serviced one at a time with manual operations, then maintenance can be performed on each valve, but the process is labor-intensive and increases health and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides sealing against the wellhead housing, mechanical locking through the slip mechanism, and houses the back pressure valve or check valve. This consolidation eliminates the need to service multiple separate valves and components, reducing labor intensity and exposure to hazardous conditions
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 capsule assembly effectively prevents fluid leakage during maintenance and operations, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing health and safety risks, and minimizing costs by allowing secure well operations and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the capsule slip is configured to expand and engage with the interior surface of the well casing
Implementation Method 2
A sealing element may be coupled to the exterior surface of the capsule body and configured for sealing with an interior surface of the well casing
Implementation Method 3
a back pressure valve (BPV), a one-way check valve, or a two-way check valve (TWCV) for well securement and to facilitate well maintenance at surface. Well fluids are prevented from flowing out of the well when performing well maintenance at surface
Data Source
AI summary
A valve capsule assembly for a well includes a body including a first end, a second end, a cavity, and an exterior surface. The body is sized for positioning inside a bore of a casing. A sealing element is coupled to the exterior surface of the body and is configured for sealing with an interior surface of the casing. A cone is movably disposed in the cavity of the body between the sealing element and the second end of the body. A slip coupled to the exterior surface of the body and is movable between a deactivated configuration and an activated configuration, in which the slip is configured to expand and engage with the interior surface of the casing. When the cone is in a first position, the slip is in the deactivated configuration and when the cone is in a second position, the slip is in the activated configuration.