Removable injection or production flow equalization valve
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsBennett M. Richard, Michael H. Johnson, Sean L. Gaudette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
One or more valves can be run into a string to land near associated ports in the string for injection or/and production service. When multiple valves are installed they can be initially configured to balance flow into or from a zone. The position of each valve can be altered without removal from the string preferably by a wireline shifting tool. One or more valves can also be removed and replaced when worn preferably using a wireline run tool. The valves can come with an integral sand control feature to facilitate production. Sensors to monitor well conditions and to transmit data to the surface can also be incorporated into the valve module.
Claims21
An assembly for performing a subterranean operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly having an outermost housing in contact with the tubular string and movably supportable in the tubular and releasable from within the tubular for removal through the tubular from the mounted subterranean position of said valve assembly;
- and
- said valve assembly housing movable between at least two different open positions and a closed position with respect to a port in the string, wherein each open position corresponds to a different length of filter in the assembly through which the operation is performed.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly having an outermost housing in contact with the tubular string and movably supportable in the tubular and releasable for removal through the tubular;
- and
- said valve assembly housing movable between an open and closed position with respect to a port in the string;
- said valve assembly comprises multiple openings which when aligned with the port present different resistance to flow through said valve assembly.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly movably supportable in the tubular and releasable for removal through the tubular;
- and
- said valve assembly movable between an open and closed position with respect to a port in the string;
- said valve assembly comprises multiple openings which when aligned with the port present different resistance to flow through said valve assembly;
- said openings are in flow communication with at least one common passage in said valve assembly that further comprises at least one filter therein.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly supportable in the tubular and releasable for removal through the tubular;
- and
- said valve assembly movable between an open and closed position with respect to a port in the string;
- said valve assembly comprises multiple openings which when aligned with the port present different resistance to flow through said valve assembly;
- said openings are in flow communication with at least one common passage in said valve assembly that further comprises at least one filter therein;
- said at least one filter comprises a plurality of filters and the different resistance to flow is accomplished by alignment of different said openings in the valve assembly with the port so as to force flow through differing numbers of filters in series through said at least one common passage.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly supportable in the tubular and releasable for removal through the tubular;
- and
- said valve assembly movable between an open and closed position with respect to a port in the string;
- said valve assembly comprises multiple openings which when aligned with the port present different resistance to flow through said valve assembly;
- said valve assembly is shiftable while in the tubular for support in the tubular in a plurality of positions to align or misalign at least one opening with the port.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly supportable in the tubular and releasable for removal through the tubular;
- and
- said valve assembly movable between an open and closed position with respect to a port in the string;
- said at least one valve assembly comprises a plurality of valve assemblies each having a passage therethrough and each having a plurality of openings selectively aligned with a respective port in the tubular and wherein different resistance to flow can exist at different ports.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly supportable in the tubular and releasable for removal through the tubular;
- said valve assembly movable between an open and closed position with respect to a port in the string;
- said at least one valve assembly comprises a plurality of valve assemblies each having a passage therethrough and each having a plurality of openings selectively aligned with a respective port in the tubular and wherein different resistance to flow can exist at different ports;
- each valve assembly comprises multiple openings leading to at least one second passage wherein alignment of different openings with the port results in different flow resistance through said second passage;
- said second passage comprises a plurality of filter elements and a change of alignment of openings to the port allows flow to bypass at least one of said filter elements.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one movable valve assembly supportable in the tubular;
- said valve assembly comprises a plurality of filtered passages having associated lateral openings each of which openings present a different pressure drop in a path selectively aligned to a port in the tubular;
- said valve assembly further comprising a through passage.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly supportable in the tubular;
- said valve assembly comprises at least one filtered lateral opening movable with said valve assembly between an open and closed position with respect to a port in the string;
- said valve assembly further comprising a through passage;
- said at least one filtered opening comprises multiple filtered openings which when aligned with the port present different resistance to flow through said valve assembly;
- said openings are in flow communication with at least one common passage;
- said filtered lateral openings further comprise a plurality of filters in said common passage wherein alignment of different openings with the port allows bypassing of at least one filter in said common passage.
An assembly for performing a downhole operation through one or more ports in a tubular string, comprising:
- at least one valve assembly supportable in the tubular;
- said valve assembly comprises at least one filtered lateral opening movable with said valve assembly between an open and closed position with respect to a port in the string;
- said valve assembly further comprising a through passage;
- said at least one valve assembly comprises a plurality of valve assemblies each having a passage therethrough and each having a plurality of filtered openings selectively aligned with a respective port in the tubular and wherein different resistance to flow can exist at different ports;
- said multiple filtered openings are in fluid communication with at least one second passage on said valve assembly wherein alignment of different filtered openings on said valve assembly with the port results in different flow resistance through said second passage;
- said second passage on said valve assembly comprises a plurality of filter elements associated with said filtered openings and a change of alignment of filtered openings to the port in the tubular string allows flow to bypass at least one of said filter elements in said second passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.