Flow control apparatus for use in a subterranean well and associated methods
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorMark A. Schnatzmeyer
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Abstract
A flow control apparatus and associated methods of using provide enhanced longevity and reliability without requiring complex mechanisms. In a described embodiment, a choke for use within a subterranean well has multiple trim sets which may be selected by manipulation of an inner tubular cage. Additional features include provision of releasable latches to maintain the cage in a desired position, and utilization of biasing members to bias the cage toward a neutral position in which all of the trim sets are closed.
Claims61
Apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising:
- a generally tubular member having a flow passage extending generally axially therethrough, and the member further having first and second ports formed through a sidewall portion thereof;
- a first sleeve slidingly disposed relative to the member, the first sleeve being positionable relative to the member to variably regulate fluid flow through the first port;
- a second sleeve slidingly disposed relative to the member, the second sleeve being positionable relative to the member to variably regulate fluid flow through the second port;
- and
- an outer housing, the member and first and second sleeves being disposed at least partially within the housing.
The apparatus according to 8, further comprising first and second biasing devices, the first biasing device biasing the first sleeve toward the engagement portion, and the second biasing device biasing the second sleeve toward the engagement portion.
A choke operatively positionable within a subterranean well and operatively connectable to an actuator disposed within the well, the actuator having an actuator member which is displaceable relative to the remainder of the actuator in a selected one of first and second opposite directions relative to a neutral position, the choke comprising:
- a first member interconnectable to the actuator member and displaceable therewith, the first member having a sidewall portion;
- and
- second and third members slidingly disposed relative to the first member, the second member variably regulating fluid flow through the sidewall portion when the actuator member is displaced from the neutral position in the first direction, and the third member variably regulating fluid flow through the sidewall portion when the actuator member is displaced from the neutral position in the second direction.
The choke according to 16, further comprising first and second ports formed through the sidewall portion.
The choke according to 18, wherein the first port has a restriction to fluid flow therethrough which is not equal to a restriction to fluid flow through the second port.
Apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising:
- a generally tubular member having a flow passage extending generally axially therethrough, and the member further having first and second ports formed through a sidewall portion thereof;
- a first sleeve slidingly disposed relative to the member, the first sleeve being positionable relative to the member in a selected one of a first position in which the first sleeve prevents fluid flow through the first port, a second position in which unobstructed fluid flow is permitted through the first port, and a third position in which fluid flow through the first port is partially obstructed by the first sleeve;
- and
- a second sleeve slidingly disposed relative to the member, the second sleeve being positionable relative to the member in a selected one of a fourth position in which the second sleeve prevents fluid flow through the second port, a fifth position in which unobstructed fluid flow is permitted through the second port, and a sixth position in which fluid flow through the second port is partially obstructed by the second sleeve.
A choke operatively positionable within a subterranean well and operatively connectable to an actuator disposed within the well, the actuator having an actuator member which is displaceable relative to the remainder of the actuator in a selected one of first and second opposite directions relative to a neutral position, the choke comprising:
- a first member interconnectable to the actuator member and displaceable therewith;
- first and second seal surfaces carried on the first member;
- and
- second and third members slidingly disposed relative to the first member, the second and third members sealingly engaging the first and second seal surfaces to thereby prevent fluid flow through a sidewall portion of the first member when the actuator member is in the neutral position, the second member permitting fluid flow through the sidewall portion when the actuator member is displaced from the neutral position in the first direction, and the third member permitting fluid flow through the sidewall portion when the actuator member is displaced from the neutral position in the second direction.
A choke operatively positionable within a subterranean well, the choke comprising:
- a generally tubular inner cage having axially spaced apart first and second ports formed through a sidewall portion thereof;
- first and second seats carried on the cage axially between the first and second ports;
- and
- first and second sleeves externally slidingly disposed on the cage.
A method of controlling fluid flow into a tubing string disposed within a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- attaching an actuator to the tubing string;
- operatively attaching a choke to the actuator, the choke being capable of regulating fluid flow through a sidewall portion thereof, and the choke including multiple sets of trim;
- actuating the actuator to open a first trim set;
- and
- actuating the actuator to open a second trim set.
A method of controlling fluid flow within a subterranean well, comprising the steps of:
- providing an actuator having an actuator member which is displaceable relative to the remainder of the actuator in a selected one of first and second opposite directions relative to a neutral position;
- providing a choke including a first member interconnectable to the actuator member and displaceable therewith, first and second seal surfaces carried on the first member, and second and third members slidingly disposed relative to the first member, the second and third members sealingly engaging the first and second seal surfaces to thereby prevent fluid flow through a sidewall portion of the first member when the actuator member is in the neutral position, the second member permitting fluid flow through the sidewall portion when the actuator member is displaced from the neutral position in the first direction, and the third member permitting fluid flow through the sidewall portion when the actuator member is displaced from the neutral position in the second direction;
- operatively interconnecting the actuator to the choke;
- and
- positioning the actuator and choke within the well.
A method of controlling fluid flow within a subterranean well, comprising the steps of:
- providing a tubular member having a plurality of spaced apart ports formed therethrough;
- providing a plurality of blocking members for blocking fluid flow through respective ones of the plurality of ports;
- and
- displacing the tubular member relative to a selected one of the blocking members to thereby permit fluid flow through a respective one of the plurality of ports.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.