Control line pressure controlled safety valve equalization
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorJames Dean Vick, JR.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for controlling fluid flow in a subterranean well includes a first valve, a control line fluidly coupled to the first valve, an equalizing line disposed externally to and separate from the first valve, and at least a second valve disposed in the equalizing line and in fluid communication with the control line. The first valve includes a body defining a lumen, and an upper portion, and a lower portion. The equalizing line is in fluid communication with the lumen between the upper portion and the lower portion of the body. The second valve equalizes a pressure between the upper and lower portions of the body.
Claims20
A system for controlling fluid flow in a subterranean well, the system comprising:
- a first valve comprising a body defining a lumen extending therethrough, the body comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, and a valve closure mechanism disposed therebetween;
- and
- a control line fluidly coupled to the first valve to control actuation of the first valve;
- an equalizing line disposed externally to and separate from the first valve, the equalizing line in fluid communication with the lumen between the upper portion and the lower portion of the body;
- and
- at least a second valve in fluid communication with the equalizing line and the control line to equalize a pressure of fluid between the upper and lower portions of the body.
A method for controlling fluid flow through a safety valve in a subterranean well, the method comprising:
- equalizing a fluid pressure above and below a closure mechanism of the safety valve, the equalizing comprising:
- providing a control line of a safety valve system comprising the safety valve with a pressurized hydraulic fluid at a predetermined pressure;
- fluidly coupling an equalizing line with the control line and with the safety valve at positions above and below the closure mechanism of the safety valve, the equalizing line having at least one equalization valve in fluid communication therewith;
- and
- applying the pressurized fluid to actuate an actuator of the equalization valve, the actuator pushing a valve closure mechanism of the equalization valve off seat and allowing the pressurized fluid to flow from a high pressure region to a low pressure region of the safety valve until the fluid pressure above and below the closure mechanism of the safety valve is equal;
- and
- actuating a flow tube of the safety valve, after the equalizing, to contact the closure mechanism of the safety valve and displace the closure mechanism of the safety valve from a closed position to an open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.