# US 8,794,330 B2 · Apparatus for single-trip time progressive wellbore treatment

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- Number: US 8,794,330 B2
- Document ID: US8794330B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/285,109
- Filed: 2011-10-31
- Published: 2012-05-03
- Granted: 2014-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2010-11-01
- Assignees: Completion Tool Developments, Inc.
- Applicants: Gregg W. Stout
- Inventors: Gregg W. Stout
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8794330B2

## CPC

- E21B 34/108: {with time delay systems, e.g. hydraulic impedance mechanisms}
- E21B 34/10: operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
- E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

A single trip multizone time progressive well treating method and apparatus that provides a means to progressively stimulate individual zones through a cased or open hole well bore. This system allows the operator to use pre-set timing devices to progressively treat each zone up the hole. At each zone the system automatically opens a sliding sleeve and closes a frangible flapper, at a pre-selected point in time. An adjustable preset timing device is installed in each zone to allow preplanned continual frac operations for all zones. The apparatus is present as a “Frac Module” that can consist of three major components, a packer, a timing pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/isolation device. A hydraulic packer may be removed or replaced with a swellable type packer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A single trip well stimulation tool comprising:
a plurality of valve mechanisms;
a plurality of tubulars connected between the valve mechanisms;
a plurality of time variable valve actuators;
whereby a plurality of repeating modules of a valve mechanism, a time variable valve actuator are formed in series; and
wherein the time variable valve actuators include a first piston having a surface exposed to pressure within the tubulars, an orifice piston having a flow control device therein, a chamber filled with fluid, a pressure release rod, a second chamber charged with a pressurized gas, a second piston movable within a third chamber movable by the pressurized gas in the second chamber and a sleeve connected to the second piston.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A tool as claimed in claim 1 where each valve mechanism comprising a first port for allowing stimulation fluid to exit the valve mechanism and a valve member to block flow through the valve mechanism when the port is in an open position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein each valve mechanism includes a slidable sleeve which in one position covers the port and maintains the valve member in an open position and is moveable to a second position opening the port and causing the valve member to close.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tool as claimed in claim 3 wherein the slidable sleeve is moved by fluid pressure acting on a piston connected to the slidable sleeve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the time variable valve actuators consist of a pressure transducer, a switch actuated by the pressure transducer, an adjustable timer activated by the switch, a second switch, a battery pack connected to the second switch, an igniter connected to the battery pack, a high pressure gas generator activated by the igniter and a piston having a surface exposed to high pressure gas when the gas generator is ignited.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1 further including a timer actuator for each of the time variable valve actuators.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The tool of claim 6 wherein the timer actuator is activated by fluid pressure.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A tool as claimed in claim 1 further including a plurality of packers connected between the tubulars and the valve mechanisms.

### Claim 9

A time variable valve actuator comprising:
a housing;
a first chamber having a fluid inlet, a first piston located in the first chamber;
a spring located in the first chamber and abutting the piston;
an orifice piston;
a shoulder in the first chamber limiting movement of the first piston;
a second chamber filed with a fluid, the orifice piston positioned between the first and second chambers;
a pressure release rod having recesses on its outer surface;
a third chamber charged with a pressurized gas; and
the pressure release rod being movable within the third chamber to provide an outlet passageway from the third chamber through the recesses on the pressure release rod.

### Claim 10

A time delayed actuating device for a downhole component positioned within an oil or gas well comprising:
a first tubular outer member;
a second tubular inner member positioned within the first tubular outer member and forming an annular chamber between the first tubular outer member and the second tubular inner member;
a timer assembly including a spring loaded piston, an orifice piston and a pressure release rod, located within the annular chamber;
a chamber charged with a high pressure gas; and
a movable sleeve positioned within the outer housing, said movable sleeve being axially moved by fluid pressure from the chamber charged with a high pressure gas in response to axially movement of the pressure release rod.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A time delayed actuating device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a spring biased flapper valve is pivotably mounted on the movable sleeve at an upstream portion of the sleeve.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A time delayed actuating device as claimed in claim 11 further including a sleeve housing having at least one outlet port therein, said movable sleeve closing said at least one outlet port in a first position and opening said at least one outlet port in a second position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

A time delayed actuating device as claimed in claim 11 further including a finger engaging the flapper valve when the sleeve is in a first position, thereby preventing rotation of the spring biased flapper valve into a closed position.