FLAPPER RETENTION DEVICES AND METHODS
A flow control device comprising a flapper retention device electrically activated to a hold position to retain the flapper in an open position in response to the operator being in a first position and the retention device electrically deactivated to a released position permitting movement of the flapper in response to the operator being in a second position. When the operator is in the first position, an end of the operator is located in the closure path of the flapper and in the second position the end of the operator is located out of the closure path.
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This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Equipment is utilized in wells (e.g., wellbore, bore hole) to facilitate the flow of fluids in the well relative to the subterranean formation surrounding the well. Valves are utilized in the well (e.g., subsurface) to inhibit or otherwise control the fluid flow through the well equipment. For example, flapper valves are often utilized to enable flow of fluid in a first direction while blocking uncontrolled fluid flow in a second direction. Flapper valves can also be used to restrict or limit the rate of fluid flow.
For example, many valves utilize a flapper as a closure mechanism fitted within a body or housing to enable control over fluid flow through a primary longitudinal bore upon an appropriate applied signal (e.g., pressure, flow, electrical or other means) from a control system. The applied signal is commonly a rapid reduction of the hydraulic operating pressure that holds the valve open, thereby facilitating shut-in of the production or injection fluid flow by closure of the valve. The closure mechanism may be moved between the open and closed position by movement of a tubular device, often called a flow tube. The flow tube can be moved to the open position or operated by the valve actuator which is motivated by hydraulics, pressure, electronic, or other applied signals and power sources. The shifting of the flow tube to a closed position can be performed for example by a mechanical power spring and/or a pressurized accumulator that applies a required load to move the flow tube to the closed position upon interruption of the opening signal.
SUMMARYAn example of a flow control device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes a housing comprising a valve seat having a bore therethrough and a flapper moveable through a closure path between a closed position contacting the valve seat and an open position. An operator is axially moveable within the housing between a first position and a second position. In the first position an end of the operator is located in the closure path of the flapper and in the second position the end of the operator is located out of the closure path. The flow control device includes a flapper retention device that is electrically activated to a hold position to retain the flapper in the open position in response to the operator being in the first position and the flapper retention device is electrically deactivated to a released position permitting movement of the flapper in response to the operator being in the second position. An example of a well system in accordance to an embodiment includes a tubular string disposed in a wellbore and carrying a housing comprising a valve seat having a bore and a flapper moveable through a closure path between a closed position contacting the valve seat and an open position. A flapper retention device is electrically activated to a hold position to retain the flapper in the open position in response to an end of an operator being in the closure path of the flapper.
An example of a wellbore method in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure comprises utilizing a flow control device disposed in a wellbore on a tubular string. The flow control device including a valve seat having a bore therethrough and a flapper moveable through a closure path between a closed position contacting the valve seat and an open position. The method includes moving the flapper to the open position in response to axially moving an operator to a first position with an end of the operator in the closure path and electrically activating a flapper retention device to a hold position retaining the flapper in the open position in response to detecting the operator in the first position.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of claimed subject matter.
Embodiments of flapper retention devices and methods are described with reference to the following figures. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. It is emphasized that, in accordance with standard practice in the industry, various features are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.
It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed. Moreover, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed interposing the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact.
As used herein, the terms “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”; “top” and “bottom”; and other like terms indicating relative positions to a given point or element are utilized to more clearly describe some elements. Commonly, these terms relate to a reference point as the surface from which drilling operations are initiated as being the top point and the total depth of the well being the lowest point, wherein the well (e.g., wellbore, borehole) is vertical, horizontal or slanted relative to the surface.
According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, flow control device 12 includes an operator 26 (e.g., flow tube, sleeve) axially moveable within bore 24 to operate flapper 22 to the open position and a flapper retention device 28 to hold flapper 22 in the open position (
Flow control device 12 is operated to the open position by an actuating system, generally denoted by the numeral 30, operationally connected to operator 26. Actuating system 30 may comprise one or more power sources 32, for example an electrical source and/or a hydraulic pressure source, located at surface 16 and/or in wellbore 14. In the embodiment of
According to one or more embodiments, actuating system 30 may be a hydraulic system. Hydraulic pressure is provided for example by power source 32 (e.g., pumps, hydraulic fluid reservoir) through control line 34 and applied to operator 26 to move flapper 22 to the open position allowing full fluid flow across flow control device 12 within tubular string 20. Hydraulic pressure may be maintained above a certain level to hold flapper 22 in the open position. Upon release of the hydraulic pressure, operator 26 retracts permitting flapper 22 to move to the closed position wherein fluid flow is blocked or restricted relative to the open position. In the depicted embodiments, flapper retention device 28 may be actuated to selectively hold flapper 22 in the open position. Flapper retention device 28 may operated to release flapper 22 in response to a release control signal and or upon the occurrence of a well event indicating closure of flow control device 12. As will be further described below, flapper retention device 28 may be electrically powered without regard to whether flapper 22 is operated to the open position by a hydraulic or electrical actuating system 30. In some embodiments, flapper retention device 28 will hold flapper 22 in the open position until a hold signal is interrupted and/or a release signal is received. Flapper retention device 28 may be adapted to delay the release of flapper 22 until operator 26 has retracted to a desired position.
According to one or more embodiments, actuating system 30 may be an electrical system, as depicted for example in
Referring now to
Operator 26 is axially moveable (e.g., slidable) through housing 38 and valve seat 42 between a first, or open, position (see
Operator 26 is axially moved by operation of actuating system 30, which is depicted in
Flapper retention device 28 is provided for preventing movement of flapper 22 from its open position (see
Flapper retention device 28 may include one or more position sensors 46, 48 to provide an activation, or hold, signal to activate flapper retention device 28 to selective hold flapper 22 for example in the first position. Flapper retention device 28 may be deactivated to release flapper 22 to allow it to move to the full closed position P2 by transmission of a release signal or by interruption of the hold signal. As will be understood by those skilled in the art with benefit of this disclosure, position sensors 46, 48 may be located with various elements of flow control device 12 without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The position sensor(s) can be located to sense the position of operator 26 either directly or indirectly (i.e., through a position associated with a mechanical element). Thus, the position of operator 26 may be detected by utilizing one or more position sensors. Position sensor 46, 48 can be an inductive, potentiometer, or other types of sensors. For example, a position sensor 46 can be an encoder built into or operatively connected for example with electrical motor 52 as illustrated in
In the embodiment depicted in
In the embodiment depicted in
Referring to
When an undesired, or abnormal, condition such as a blowout or pressure kick occurs, hydraulic control pressure is reduced in a hydraulic actuation system 30 and stored energy device 17 (see
In a conventional operation, flapper 22 would begin to close as soon as operator 26 was moved clear of the leading surface 23 of flapper 22. According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, flapper retention device 28 delays the release of flapper 22 until operator 26 has been urged clear of the closure path CP of flapper 22.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employees a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas they screw employees a helical surface, in the environment unfastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words “means for” together with an associated function. The term “comprising” within the claims is intended to mean “including at least” such that the recited listing of elements in a claim are an open group. The terms “a,” “an” and other singular terms are intended to include the plural forms thereof unless specifically excluded.
Claims
1. A flow control device, comprising:
- a housing comprising a valve seat having a bore therethrough;
- a flapper carried by the housing and moveable through a closure path between a closed position contacting the valve seat and an open position;
- an operator having an end, the operator axially moveable within the housing between a first position wherein the end is located in the closure path and a second position wherein the end is located out of the closure path; and
- a flapper retention device electrically activated to a hold position to retain the flapper in the open position in response to the operator being in the first position and the flapper retention device electrically deactivated to a released position permitting movement of the flapper in response to the operator being in the second position.
2. The flow control device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical motor operationally connected to the operator to move the operator to the first position.
3. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the flapper retention device comprises a magnet.
4. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the flapper retention device comprises an electromagnetic coil.
5. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the flapper retention device comprises a sleeve disposing a portion of the flapper when the flapper retention device is in the hold position.
6. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the flapper retention device comprises a piston engaging the flapper when the flapper retention device is in the hold position.
7. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the flapper retention device comprises:
- a position sensor to detect the position of the operator and to generate a hold control signal in response to detecting the operator in the first position and to generate a release control signal in response to detecting the operator in the second position; and
- a latch activated to the hold position in response to the generated hold control signal and the latch deactivated to the released position in response to the generated release control signal.
8. The flow control device of claim 7, further comprising an electrical motor operationally connected to the operator to move the operator to the first position.
9. The flow control device of claim 7, further comprising an electric actuator to move the latch between the hold position and the released position.
10. The flow control device of claim 7, wherein the latch comprises an electromagnetic coil electrically energized to magnetically hold the flapper when in the hold position.
11. The flow control device of claim 7, wherein the latch comprises a permanent magnet movable between the hold position in magnetic connection with the flapper and the released position.
12. The flow control device of claim 11, wherein the flapper retention device comprises an electric actuator to move the latch between the hold position and the release position.
13. A wellbore method, comprising:
- utilizing a flow control device disposed in a wellbore on a tubular string, the flow control device comprising a housing carrying a valve seat having a bore therethrough, and a flapper carried by the housing and moveable through a closure path between a closed position contacting the valve seat and an open position;
- moving the flapper to the open position in response to axially moving the operator in the housing to a first position wherein an end of the operator is in the closure path; and
- electrically activating a flapper retention device to a hold position retaining the flapper in the open position in response to detecting the operator in the first position.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the axially moving operator to the first position comprises operating an electric motor located in the housing.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising deactivating the flapper retention device to a released position permitting the flapper to move to the closed position in response to detecting the operator in a second position wherein the end of the operator is located out of the closure path.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the flapper retention device comprises an electromagnetic coil.
17. A well system, comprising:
- a tubular string disposed in a wellbore, the tubular string carrying a housing comprising a valve seat having a bore therethrough;
- a flapper carried by the housing and moveable through a closure path between a closed position contacting the valve seat and an open position;
- an operator having an end, the operator axially moveable within the housing between a first position wherein the end is located in the closure path and a second position wherein the end is located out of the closure path; and
- a flapper retention device electrically activated to a hold position to retain the flapper in the open position in response to the operator being in the first position and the flapper retention device electrically deactivated to a released position permitting movement of the flapper in response to the operator being in the second position.
18. The well system of claim 17, wherein the flapper retention device comprises:
- a position sensor to detect the position of the operator and to generate a hold control signal in response to detecting the operator in the first position and to generate a release control signal in response to detecting the operator in the second position; and
- a latch activated to the hold position in response to the generated hold control signal and the latch deactivated to the released position in response to the generated release control signal.
19. The well system of claim 18, wherein the flapper retention device further comprises an electric actuator to move the latch between the hold position and the release position.
20. The well system of claim 17, further comprising an electrical motor operationally connected to the operator to move the operator to the first position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 25, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 26, 2013
Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION (Sugar Land, TX)
Inventors: David James Biddick (Missouri City, TX), Russell A. Johnston (Alvin, TX), Paul G. Goughnour (Singapore)
Application Number: 13/531,730
International Classification: E21B 34/06 (20060101);