Well Valve Manager Authorization and Safety Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing well systems lack efficient and secure methods for managing valve operations, particularly in emergency situations, where unauthorized personnel may inadvertently cause catastrophic equipment failures or safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A well valve manager system that uses user credentials to authorize valve operations, integrates image data from cameras to ensure no personnel are present in the valve area, and utilizes well operation data to prevent operations that could damage equipment or pose safety risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual valve operation is allowed without authorization checks, then ease of operation is improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to unauthorized personnel causing equipment failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation accessibilityVSAvoidequipment safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a well valve manager system as an intermediary between users and valve control systems. This manager verifies user credentials and authorization before allowing valve operations, thus maintaining ease of operation for authorized personnel while preventing unauthorized access that could compromise safety and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring user credentials, valve status, and well operation data. The well valve manager provides real-time feedback on authorization status and operational safety, enabling dynamic control that maintains both ease of operation and reliability through informed decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If valve operations are permitted during ongoing well operations, then productivity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential accidents and equipment damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation efficiencyVSAvoidsafety hazards during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by checking well operation data and safety conditions before allowing valve operations. The well valve manager proactively assesses whether it is safe to proceed with valve operations based on current well status, preventing harmful actions before they occur while still enabling productive operations when safe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors well operation data and provides feedback on safety status. This real-time feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust valve operation permissions based on current conditions, maintaining productivity when safe while preventing accidents when hazards are present

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If comprehensive safety checks are performed before valve operations, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple verification systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve operation safetyVSAvoidauthorization and monitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The well valve manager is designed as a universal system that performs multiple functions: credential verification, authorization checking, safety assessment, and operation control. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional manager, the system achieves comprehensive safety checks without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges credential verification, authorization validation, and safety checking functions into a unified well valve manager. This consolidation reduces the number of separate verification systems needed, achieving high reliability through comprehensive checks while managing device complexity through integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If real-time monitoring of valve areas is implemented, then safety is improved by detecting personnel presence, but use of energy increases due to continuous camera operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonnel safety monitoringVSAvoidcamera system energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by activating camera monitoring only when valve operations are requested or during critical operation phases. Instead of continuous monitoring, the camera system operates periodically or on-demand, reducing energy consumption while still providing necessary safety monitoring when it matters most

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12221858B2Method and system for managing valves in an oil and gas well

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method may include determining, using a user credential, that a user associated with a user device is authorized to operate a predetermined valve at a well. The method may further include obtaining, from the user device, a request to operate the predetermined valve. The method may further include determining that no users are located within a predetermined valve area proximate the predetermined valve using image data. The image data may be obtained from a camera device in the predetermined valve area. The method may further include determining that no obstacles are present inside the predetermined valve area based on well operation data. The method may further include transmitting a command to a control system coupled to the predetermined valve, where the command causes the control system to operate the predetermined valve.