Multiple system ports using a time delay valve
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsRyan Michael Novelen, Edmund Christopher Williamson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-functional well completion apparatus and method of operation thereof that offers the ability, in a single trip and with limited running tool manipulation, to perform downhole completion operations, such as gravel pack operations or sand control frac or other fluid stimulation operations is described. The well completion tool has multiple functions or operational positions by using a self-closing time delay valve without the need of service tools, thereby saving rig time, reducing operating costs and operational risks associated with tripping service tools into and out of a wellbore.
Claims20
A well completion tool, comprising:
- a tubular housing having a valve chamber located within a side wall thereof and an interior port that opens into a valve chamber and forms a fluid path between an interior fluid pathway of the tubular housing and the valve chamber;
- a time delay valve located within the valve chamber and configured to control a fluid flow through the valve chamber and, comprising:
- a body defining a chamber for receiving or storing a reactant fluid therein;
- a reactive material disposed in the body adjacent the chamber that reacts with the reactant fluid in response to contact with the reactant fluid from the valve chamber;
- and
- a piston disposed in the body, the piston movable from an open state to a closed state in response to the reactive material interacting with the reactant fluid to close a flow path into the valve chamber after a predetermined time;
- and
- a valve gate located within the tubular housing and actuatable to open the interior port between the valve chamber and the interior fluid pathway of the tubular housing to actuate the time delay valve.
A well system comprising:
- a tubing string located within a wellbore each having a well fluid located therein, the tubing string supported by a working platform;
- and
- a well completion tool coupled to the tubing string and comprising;
- a tubular housing having a valve chamber located within a side wall thereof and an interior port that opens into a valve chamber and forms a fluid path between an interior fluid pathway of the tubular housing and the valve chamber;
- a time delay valve located within the valve chamber and configured to control a fluid flow through the valve chamber and, comprising:
- a body defining a chamber for receiving or storing a reactant fluid therein;
- a reactive material disposed in the body adjacent the chamber that reacts with the reactant fluid in response to contact with the reactant fluid from the chamber;
- and
- a piston disposed in the body, the piston movable from an open state to a closed state in response to the reactive material interacting with the reactant fluid to close a flow path through the valve chamber after a predetermined time;
- and
- a valve gate located within the tubular housing and actuatable to open the interior port between the valve chamber and the interior fluid pathway of the tubular housing.
A method of operating a well completion tool, comprising:
- placing a force against a valve gate located within a tubular housing of a well completion tool in an annulus of a wellbore to open an interior port of the tubular housing;
- moving the valve gate in response to the force to open the interior port between a time delay valve located in a valve chamber of the tubular housing and an interior fluid pathway of the tubular housing;
- flowing a well fluid from an interior fluid pathway through the interior port and into the valve chamber and into the annulus of the wellbore by way of the time delay valve;
- contacting a reactive material with a reactant fluid within the time delay valve due to the flowing;
- actuating the time delay valve due to the contacting to close a flow path of through the valve chamber to cease the well fluid to flow from the interior fluid pathway into the annulus of the wellbore, the time delay valve moving to a closed position after a predetermined time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.