Multi-line back pressure control system
AssigneeWelldynamics, Inc.
InventorsTimothy R. Tips, Brett W. Bouldin, Richard P. Rubbo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-line back pressure control system for providing two way hydraulic line movement while maintaining back pressure control. Check valves are integrated in hydraulic fluid control lines extending downhole into a wellbore. Each check valve is pilot operated with pressure from another hydraulic line to selectively open the lines for two way fluid communication. Removal of the pilot pressure closes the check valves to provide passive back pressure control against catastrophic wellbore events. Pilot pressure operation between multiple pressurized lines can be provided with valves such as three-way, three-position piloted valves.
Claims44
An apparatus for providing back pressure control in at least two hydraulic lines extending downhole in a wellbore, comprising:
- a check valve engaged with each of the hydraulic lines in a closed initial position, wherein each of said check valves prevents pressurized fluid downhole of said check valves from moving upstream of said check valves;
- and
- hydraulic means operable with the fluid pressure in a hydraulic line to selectively open a check valve engaged with another of the hydraulic lines to permit two-way fluid communication through said check valve, wherein said hydraulic means is further operable when said hydraulic line fluid pressure is reduced to return said check valve to said initial position.
An apparatus for selectively opening fluid flow through hydraulic lines extending between a wellbore surface and a downhole tool, comprising:
- a check valve engaged with each hydraulic line in a closed initial position, wherein each of said check valves prevents pressurized fluid downhole of said check valve from moving upstream of said check valve;
- hydraulic means operable with the fluid pressure in a hydraulic line to selectively open a check valve engaged with another hydraulic line to permit two-way fluid communication through said check valve;
- and
- a controller engaged with the hydraulic lines for selectively pressurizing at least one of the hydraulic lines to operate said hydraulic means to open a check valve engaged with another of the hydraulic lines.
Apparatus for supplying hydraulic power to a downhole well tool, comprising:
- two hydraulic lines;
- and
- first and second valves each installed in one of the lines and connected to the other line to receive fluid pressure therefrom, each valve being operative to (1) permit fluid flow in only one direction through the line in which it is installed absent receipt of fluid pressure from the other line, and (2) permit fluid flow in opposite directions through the line in which it is installed in response to receipt of fluid pressure from the other line.
A method of supplying hydraulic power to a downhole well tool, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing two hydraulic lines;
- installing a valve in each hydraulic line, each valve being normally operative to permit fluid flow in only one direction through the hydraulic line in which it is installed;
- and
- causing one of the valves to permit fluid flow in opposite directions through the hydraulic line in which it is installed in response to pressure within the other hydraulic line.
Apparatus for supplying hydraulic power downhole in a subterranean well, comprising:
- at least three hydraulic lines each having a valve installed therein, the valve having a normal position in which it permits fluid flow in only one direction through the hydraulic line and being pressure shiftable from its normal position to an open position in which the valve permits fluid flow in opposite directions through the hydraulic line;
- and
- control apparatus interconnecting each valve with the hydraulic lines of at least two other valves and being operative to transmit pressure from a selected one of the other valve hydraulic lines to the first-mentioned valve to shift it from its normal position to its open position.
A method of supplying hydraulic power downhole in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing at least three hydraulic lines each having a valve installed therein that has a normal position in which it permits fluid flow in only one direction through the hydraulic line and is pressure shiftable from its normal position to an open position in which the valve permits fluid flow in opposite directions through the hydraulic line;
- interconnecting control apparatus between each valve and the hydraulic lines of at least two other valves;
- and
- utilizing the control apparatus to transmit pressure to a selected valve from a selected one of the other valve lines to shift the selected valve from its normal position to its open position.
Apparatus for supplying hydraulic power downhole in a subterranean well, comprising:
- a plurality of hydraulic lines extendable downhole through the well, each line having uphole and downhole portions;
- a plurality of valves each respectively installed in a different one of the hydraulic lines between its uphole and downhole portions, each valve having a normal position in which it permits fluid flow only in a downhole direction through the hydraulic line in which it installed, and an open position in which it permits fluid flow in both uphole and downhole directions through the hydraulic line in which it is installed;
- and
- control apparatus operative in response to pressurization of the uphole portion of a selected hydraulic line to shift at least one valve in another hydraulic line from its normal position to its open position.
A method of supplying hydraulic power downhole in a subterranean-well, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of hydraulic lines extendable downhole through the well, each hydraulic line having an uphole portion and a downhole portion;
- respectively installing each of a plurality of valves in a different one of the plurality of hydraulic lines between its uphole and downhole portions, each valve having a normal position in which it permits fluid flow only in a downhole direction through the hydraulic line in which it installed, and an open position in which it permits fluid flow in both uphole and downhole directions through the hydraulic line in which it is installed;
- and
- operatively associating control apparatus with the valves and the hydraulic lines, the control apparatus being operative in response to pressurization of the uphole portion of a selected hydraulic line-to shift at least one valve in another hydraulic line from its normal position to its open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.