Wellbore Valve With Replaceable Choke And Flow Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wellbore operations face challenges in allowing fluid entry and circulation within tubular strings during installation, pressure testing, and preventing fluid flow at desired times, as existing solutions struggle to efficiently manage fluid flow and pressure testing while maintaining operational convenience and safety.
Innovation Solution
A valve system with a tubular housing, replaceable choke device, and flow sleeve that can shift between open, closed, and locked positions in response to fluid pressure, enabling automatic filling, circulation, pressure testing, and fluid flow control through the tubular string sidewall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a valve system is designed to allow fluid entry and circulation during tubular string installation, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple flow control positions and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed to perform multiple functions including allowing fluid entry during installation, enabling circulation across sidewalls, facilitating pressure testing, and preventing fluid flow after installation. A single valve assembly with a flow sleeve that can assume multiple positions (open, closed, locked) replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate devices, thereby improving operational flexibility while managing device complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The flow sleeve is designed to be movable relative to the tubular housing, transitioning between different positions (open, closed, locked) based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability allows the same valve structure to adapt to different operational phases, providing versatility without requiring multiple static devices
2Ease of operation
If pressure testing capabilities are integrated into the valve system, then operational convenience is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure testing functionality is merged into the existing valve system by utilizing the flow sleeve's ability to transition between positions. The same flow sleeve that controls circulation also enables pressure testing by isolating sections of the tubular string, eliminating the need for separate pressure testing equipment and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational convenience
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flow sleeve with multiple positions is used to control fluid flow, then fluid management capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sleeve's positioning is achieved through fluid pressure itself rather than external mechanical actuators. Fluid pressure naturally pushes the flow sleeve to different positions based on the operational state, and the lock ring provides automatic locking in the closed position. This self-actuating mechanism provides versatile fluid management capability while minimizing device complexity by eliminating complex external control systems
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 valve system effectively manages fluid flow and pressure testing, allowing for convenient and safe wellbore operations by automatically shifting between open, closed, and locked positions, ensuring efficient fluid management and preventing unwanted fluid flow when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
initiating fluid flow though the tubular string and to the valve adequate to shift a flow responsive sleeve of the valve from a first open position to a second closed position
Implementation Method 2
a replaceable choke device that is threaded into the at least one opening formed through the sidewall of the tubular housing, wherein the replaceable choke device controls at least one of fluid pressure within the tubular string, and a pressure drop across the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for use in a wellbore includes a replaceable choke device that is threaded into at least one opening formed through a sidewall of a tubular housing of the valve. The choke device is sealable on the sidewall of the tubular housing with an elastomeric sealing component, and the choke device controls at least one of fluid pressure within the tubular string and a pressure drop across the valve. The valve also includes a flow sleeve carried by the tubular housing for movement relative thereto between a first position in which fluid flow s permitted across the valve, a second position in which the flow sleeve prevents fluid flow across the valve, and a third position in which the flow sleeve is locked in place relative to the tubular housing by a lock ring.