Method and apparatus for relieving pressure
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorDinesh R. Patel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pressure relief system includes a closed space having fluid trapped therein, a chamber defined in the closed space, and a pressure responsive member for controlling fluid flow from the closed space to the chamber. Fluid flows from the closed space to the chamber when the pressure in the closed space exceeds a predetermined pressure.
Claims39
A system, comprising:
- two well casings;
- a closed space having fluid trapped therein, the closed space defined between the two casings;
- a chamber defined in the closed space;
- and
- a pressure responsive member for controlling fluid flow from the closed space to the chamber;
- wherein fluid flows from the closed space to the chamber when pressure in the closed space exceeds a first predetermined pressure.
A pressure relief system, comprising:
- a closed space having fluid trapped therein;
- a chamber defined in the closed space;
- and
- a pressure responsive member for controlling fluid flow from the closed space to the chamber;
- wherein fluid flows from the closed space to the chamber when pressure in the closed space exceeds a first predetermined pressure,
- wherein the pressure responsive member comprises a plurality of interconnected cavities disposed within the chamber and wherein the cavities are connected to receive fluid from the closed space when the pressure in the closed space reaches the first predetermined pressure.
A method for relieving pressure in a closed space having fluid trapped therein, comprising:
- providing a chamber in the closed space for receiving fluid from the closed space defined outside a well casing;
- and
- providing a pressure responsive member for controlling fluid communication between the closed space and the chamber.
A well conduit pressure relief system for use in a well, comprising:
- a casing disposed in the well;
- the well and the casing defining an annulus therebetween;
- at least one variable volume body disposed within the annulus and adapted to collapse in response to a rise in pressure in the annulus.
A system for use in a well, comprising:
- a first casing adapted to be disposed in the well so that a closed space is defined outside the casing;
- a pressure relief apparatus adapted to communicate with the closed space;
- and
- a chamber, the pressure relief apparatus adapted to communicate trapped fluid in the closed space into the chamber in response to pressure within the closed space being at or greater than a predetermined pressure.
A method of controlling pressure in an annulus region defined outside a well casing, comprising:
- providing a chamber;
- actuating a pressure relief mechanism in response to pressure in the annulus region being at or greater than a predetermined pressure;
- and
- communicating fluid from the annulus region outside the well casing to the chamber when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated.
A system for relieving pressure from a closed space in a well, comprising:
- a fluid dump chamber;
- and
- a pressure relief apparatus in communication with the fluid dump chamber, the pressure relief apparatus comprising:
- a first fluid communications element adapted to communicate fluid flow from the closed space to the fluid dump chamber, the first fluid communications element adapted to be responsive to a first predetermined pressure in the closed space;
- and
- a second fluid communications element adapted to communicate fluid flow from the closed space to the fluid dump chamber, the second fluid communications element adapted to be responsive to a second, greater predetermined pressure in the closed space.
A system for relieving pressure from a closed space in a well, comprising:
- a fluid dump chamber;
- and
- a collapsible element disposed in the fluid dump chamber,
- the collapsible element adapted to collapse in response to pressure in the closed space reaching a predetermined level to provide an increased volume to accept fluid from the closed space into the fluid dump chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.