ZONE ISOLATION SYSTEM WITH INTEGRAL ANNULAR FLOW CONTROL VALVE
A zone isolation system comprising an isolation flow path arranged radially outwardly with respect to an internal bore of a production tubing. An isolation valve assembly is arranged in the isolation flow path. The isolation flow path is fluidly connected to a screen flow path defined by the annular space between a filtering assembly and a basepipe. The isolation flow path may traverse one or more zones and can extend to the wellhead, connecting to an isolation pump. The basepipe may further comprise an inflow control device such as a sliding sleeve.
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A typical multizone well, requiring selective production of at least one zone is generally configured where one or more upper zones have a control valve assembly, such as a mechanical sliding sleeve located internal to the basepipe, whereby the mechanical sliding sleeve controls circulating flow during the gravel packing operation. Due to the necessity to locate the mechanical sliding sleeve on a concentric tubular internal to the basepipe, the resulting internal diameter becomes small, inhibiting production flow. Accordingly, the industry is receptive to advancements in zone isolation technology, particularly systems that preserve the internal diameter of the production tubing while maintaining control of production flow in independent zones.
SUMMARYDisclosed herein is an isolation system for a subsurface borehole having multiple production zones comprising a tubular string including a basepipe, the tubular string comprising an internal bore. An isolation flow path arranged radially outwardly of the internal bore is connected to a screen flow path arranged radially outwardly of the basepipe. The fluid connection between the screen flow path and the isolation flow path is controlled by an isolation valve assembly.
Also disclosed herein is an isolation system for a well having multiple production zones, comprising a filtering assembly arranged on a basepipe, an annular space between the filtering assembly and the basepipe defining a screen flow path. The system further comprises a tubular coupled to the basepipe. The tubular has an isolation flow path arranged radially outwardly of an internal bore of the tubular. The tubular is arranged relative to the basepipe such that the isolation flow path is in fluid communication with the screen flow path. An isolation valve assembly is arranged in the isolation flow path.
Also disclosed herein is an isolation system for a well having one or more production zones, comprising a basepipe arranged in a tubing string adjacent to a production zone. A filtering assembly is arranged on the basepipe, defining at least one screen flow path between the filtering assembly and the base pipe. A flow control device is arranged on the basepipe to permit fluid communication between the production zone and an internal bore of the base pipe. A production tubing is also arranged in the tubing string having at least one isolation flow path. The isolation flow path is fluidly connected to the at least one screen flow path and is isolated from an internal bore of the production tubing. An isolation valve assembly is arranged in the isolation flow path.
Also disclosed herein is an isolation valve assembly having a first opening connected to a first flow path and a second opening connected to a second flow path, the second flow path located radially inwardly relative to the first flow path. The isolation valve assembly comprises a first piston with a first flanged section configured to obstruct fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening when the first piston is in a first position and to permit fluid communication when the first piston is in a second position. The first piston also comprises a second flanged section. A second piston is arranged between the first flanged section and the second flanged section of the first piston, with a biasing member located between the second piston and the second flanged section. The isolation valve assembly further includes one or more locking dogs, configured to have a first position in which the one or more locking dogs restrict the movement of the first piston while not restricting the movement of the second piston, and a second position in which the one or more locking dogs restrict the movement of the second piston while not restricting the movement of the first piston.
Also disclosed herein is an isolation system for a subsurface borehole comprising a tubular string including a basepipe. A screen flow path is located radially outwardly of the basepipe. The screen flow path, located radially outwardly of an internal bore of the tubular string, is fluidly connected to an isolation flow path by an isolation valve assembly. The isolation valve assembly is configured having two or more positions, including a first position in which the isolation valve assembly is arranged to fluidly connect the screen flow path to the internal bore, and a second position in which the isolation valve assembly is arranged to fluidly connect the screen flow path to the isolation flow path.
Also disclosed herein is an isolation system for a subsurface borehole having multiple production zones, comprising an outer tubing string and an inner tubing string. The outer tubing string spans two or more zones while the inner tubing string spans one or more zones. The outer tubing string includes at least one circular flow valve associated with each of the production zones. The inner tubing also includes one or more flow ports in at least one of the production zones. One or more sealing subs are arranged in the annular space between the inner tubing string and the outer tubing string. One or more shifting tools are arranged on the inner tubing for arming the one or more circular flow valves, the armed circular flow valves being operable by hydraulic pressure when so armed.
The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In particular, the disclosure provides various examples related to a zone isolation system for use in well operations, whereas the advantages of the present disclosure as applied in a related field would be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
A basepipe 5 and filtering assembly 6 are arranged adjacent to the production zone 4 between one or more packing elements 7, 8. An inflow control device such as a sliding sleeve 9 is arranged on the basepipe 5, the sliding sleeve 9 having one or more openings 10. The basepipe 5 further comprises one or more inflow ports 11 which allow fluid communication between the production zone 4 and the internal bore 12 of the tubing string 2. The sliding sleeve 9 is configured to traverse in an axial direction such that the one or more openings 10 in the sliding sleeve can be aligned with the one or more inflow ports 11 of the basepipe 5. The sliding sleeve 9 may be pressure-activated and/or tool-shiftable, as desired, to support gravel-packing, fracking, fluid production, and other operations.
One end of the end ring 15, opposite the filtering assembly 6, forms a flow-through seal bore 17. The flow-through seal bore 17 is an annular space connecting the basepipe 5 and the screen flow paths 16 with another tubular, such as a coupling 18, having an isolation flow path 19 therein. The flow-through seal bore 17 is associated with one or more sealing elements 20 that maintain the isolation of the isolation flow path 19 from the internal bore 12 of the tubing string 2.
The coupling 18 is further connected to a production tubing 21, which continues the isolation flow path 19. As shown in
The isolation flow path 19 of the zone isolation system 1 discussed herein enables flow control over one or more production zones in isolation without requiring an isolation pipe. Fluid flow through the isolation flow path 19 is further controlled by an isolation flow control device, such as isolation valve assembly 23 shown in
Referring again to
As shown in
In some embodiments, the operation of the isolation valve assembly 23 is coordinated with the operation of the sliding sleeve 9 arranged with the basepipe 5. For example, the tool interface 27 may be connected to both the isolation valve assembly 23 and the sliding sleeve 9. In a further embodiment, the isolation valve assembly 23 and the sliding sleeve 9 are operatively constrained such that only one valve may be open at any given time.
The isolation valve assembly 23 of the embodiments illustrated in
Referring to
As shown in
When the difference in pressure is great enough to displace the spring piston 35 such that the collet fingers 36 are no longer radially adjacent to the locking dogs 41, the locking dogs are free to move in a radial direction, thereby releasing the seal piston 30 and allowing it to move in an axial direction. This arrangement is illustrated in
The circular flow valve 28 depicted in
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in
As shown in
The first valve component 44 and the second valve component 45 may be operated as part of a control scheme to isolate any number of production zones without limit into two or more production flows. In a further embodiment, shown in
In operation the isolation control valve 51 is configured to have two or more positions, including, for example, a position in which the screen flow path 16 is not fluidly connected to the isolation flow path 19 or to the internal bore, a position in which the isolation valve assembly 23 is configured to fluidly connect the screen flow path 16 to the internal bore only, a position in which the isolation valve assembly 23 is configured to fluidly connect the screen flow path 16 with the isolation flow path 19, and a position in which the isolation valve assembly 23 is configured to fluidly connect the screen flow path 16 with both the isolation flow path 19 and the internal bore. In the isolation control valve 51 of
Another embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in
One or more shifting tools 59 are run provided with the production string 55. The one or more shifting tools 59 are used to arm the individual isolation valve assemblies 23, for example by shifting the associated support ring 37 (See
Within one or more of the production zones 4, the production string 55 further comprises one or more production openings 61, such as perforated pups, ported subs, sliding sleeve devices, or the like. Flow between the annular space 58 and the production string bore 57 may be controlled by selectively opening or closing the production openings 61. In some embodiments, the production openings 61 are opened or closed by using hydraulically operated sleeves (not shown). In these embodiments, the fluid connection between the production zones 4 and the annular space 58, such as through a sliding sleeve on the basepipe, would be operable by shifting tool, but not by hydraulic pressure. In this configuration, the isolation of various flows is distinct from the control of access to individual zones.
The production string 55 of this embodiment allows the circular flow valves 28 in individual production zones 4 to be selectively opened and/or closed to customize the grouping of the isolated production flows. Alternatively, the production string 55 may be used in connection with the isolation control valve 51 of
The terms “inflow,” “uphole,” and other words and phrases suggesting orientation are provided herein as exemplary and do not constrain the present disclosure to embodiments in which the orientation matches those of the examples given. For example, while the sliding sleeve 9 is described above as an “inflow control device,” the feature is equally suited to permitting circulating flow in gravel packing and other operations in which the direction of the fluid flow is radially outwardly.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc., do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
Claims
1. An isolation system for a subsurface borehole having multiple production zones, comprising:
- a tubular string having an internal bore, the tubular string comprising a basepipe;
- an isolation flow path arranged radially outwardly of the internal bore; and
- an isolation valve assembly arranged in the isolation flow path, the isolation valve assembly arranged to fluidly connect the isolation flow path to a screen flow path, the screen flow path comprising a volume arranged radially outwardly of the basepipe.
2. The isolation system of claim 1, further comprising an inflow control device for fluidly connecting the isolation flow path to the internal bore.
3. The isolation system of claim 2, the isolation valve assembly being operably coupled to the inflow control device.
4. The isolation system of claim 1, the isolation flow path traversing at least one packing element.
5. An isolation system for a well having multiple production zones, comprising:
- a filtering assembly arranged on a basepipe, an annular space between the filtering assembly and the basepipe defining a screen flow path;
- a tubular having an isolation flow path formed therein, the tubular being coupled to the basepipe such that the isolation flow path is in fluid communication with the screen flow path; and
- an isolation valve assembly arranged in the isolation flow path.
6. The isolation system of claim 5, the isolation flow path comprising one or more axially extending channels.
7. The isolation system of claim 5, further comprising a flow control device configured to control fluid communication between the production zone and an internal bore of the base pipe.
8. The isolation system of claim 5, the isolation valve assembly being configured to selectively open and close by using a tool or hydraulic pressure.
9. The isolation system of claim 5, the isolation valve assembly being operably coupled to the flow control device
10. The isolation system of claim 5, the isolation flow path traversing at least one packing element.
11. The isolation system of claim 5, the isolation flow path extending to a wellhead.
12. The isolation system of claim 5, the isolation flow path connected to an isolation pump.
13. An isolation system for a well having one or more production zones, comprising:
- a basepipe arranged in a tubing string adjacent to a production zone;
- a filtering assembly arranged on the basepipe, defining at least one screen flow path between the filtering assembly and the base pipe;
- a flow control device configured to permit fluid communication between the production zone and an internal bore of the base pipe;
- at least one isolation flow path arranged in the tubing string and fluidly connected to the at least one screen flow path, the isolation flow path being isolated from an internal bore of the tubing string; and
- an isolation valve assembly arranged in the isolation flow path.
14. The isolation system of claim 13, the isolation valve assembly being configured to selectively open and close by using a tool or hydraulic pressure.
15. The isolation system of claim 13, the isolation valve assembly being operably coupled to the flow control device
16. The isolation system of claim 13, the isolation flow path traversing at least one packing element.
17. The isolation system of claim 13, the isolation flow path extending to a wellhead.
18. The isolation system of claim 13, the isolation flow path connected to an isolation pump.
19. A isolation valve assembly, comprising:
- a first opening connected to a first flow path;
- a second opening connected to a second flow path, the second flow path located radially inwardly relative to the first flow path;
- a first piston comprising a first flanged section and a second flanged section, the first piston having a first position in which the first flanged section obstructs fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening and a second position in which the first flanged section does not obstruct fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening;
- a second piston located between the first flanged section and the second flanged section of the first piston;
- a biasing member located between the second piston and the second flanged section; and
- one or more locking dogs, the locking dogs having a first position in which the one or more locking dogs restrict the movement of the first piston while not restricting the movement of the second piston, and a second position in which the one or more locking dogs restrict the movement of the second piston while not restricting the movement of the first piston.
20. The isolation valve assembly of claim 19, further comprising a support ring, the second piston further comprising one or more collet fingers configured to engage the support ring.
21. The isolation valve assembly of claim 19, the seal piston further comprising at least one seal;
22. The isolation valve assembly of claim 19, the first opening connected to a screen flow path.
23. An isolation system for a subsurface borehole having multiple production zones, comprising:
- a tubular string having an internal bore, the tubular string comprising a basepipe;
- a screen flow path arranged radially outwardly of the basepipe;
- an isolation flow path arranged radially outwardly of the tubular string; and
- an isolation valve assembly arranged connected to the isolation flow path and the screen flow path, the isolation valve assembly having two or more positions, including a first position in which the isolation valve assembly is arranged to fluidly connect the screen flow path to the internal bore, and a second position in which the isolation valve assembly is arranged to fluidly connect the screen flow path to the isolation flow path.
24. The isolation system of claim 23 the isolation valve assembly having a third position in which the isolation valve assembly is arranged to fluidly connect the screen flow path to both the internal bore and the isolation flow path.
25. The isolation system of claim 23, the isolation flow path traversing at least one packing element.
26. The isolation system of claim 23, the isolation valve assembly comprising a first valve component, configured to selectively control fluid flow in an axial direction, and a second valve component, configured to selectively control fluid flow in a radial direction.
27. An isolation system for a subsurface borehole having multiple production zones, comprising:
- an outer tubing string spanning two or more production zones, the outer tubing string comprising one or more circular flow valves in each of the two or more production zones;
- an inner tubing string spanning one or more production zones, the inner tubing string having one or more flow ports located in at least one of the one or more production zones, the inner tubing and the outer tubing forming an annular space therebetween;
- one or more sealing subs arranged in the annular space;
- at least one shifting tool arranged on the inner tubing for arming the one or more circular flow valves, the armed circular flow valves being operable by hydraulic pressure.
28. The system of claim 27, the one or more sealing subs comprising an second flow valve configured to selectively control fluid flow in an axial direction.
29. The system of claim 27, at least one of the flow ports of the inner tubing comprising a flow control device for connecting an internal bore of the inner tubing with an annular space, the flow control device being hydraulically operated.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 4, 2014
Publication Date: Aug 6, 2015
Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED (Houston, TX)
Inventors: Nicholas J. Clem (Houston, TX), Wilfred Provost (Saint Martinville, LA)
Application Number: 14/172,430