DOWNHOLE TOOL INCLUDING A SWITCH SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO SWITCH POWER BETWEEN A FIRST DOWNHOLE DEVICE AND A SECOND DOWNHOLE DEVICE
Provided is a downhole tool, a well system, and a method. The downhole tool, in one aspect, includes a first downhole device, the first downhole device including a first outer housing including a first central bore extending axially through the first outer housing. The downhole tool, according to one aspect, further includes a switch system, the switch system including an input coupled to a primary electric control line, a first output coupled to a first electrical component of the first downhole device, and a second output coupleable to a second electrical component of a second downhole device, the switch system configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the second downhole device.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/609,723, filed on Dec. 13, 2023, entitled “SWITCHING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING POWER BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND DOWNHOLE DEVICES,” commonly assigned with this application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDDownhole devices, such as subsurface safety valves (SSSVs) are well known in the oil and gas industry and provide one of many failsafe mechanisms to prevent the uncontrolled release of subsurface production fluids, should a wellbore system experience a loss in containment. In certain instances, SSSVs comprise a portion of a tubing string, the entirety of the SSSVs being set in place during completion of a wellbore. In other instances, the SSSVs are wireline deployed/retrieved. Although a number of design variations are possible for SSSVs, the vast majority are flapper-type valves that open and close in response to longitudinal movement of a flow tube.
Since SSSVs typically provide a failsafe mechanism, the default positioning of the flapper valve is usually closed in order to minimize the potential for inadvertent release of subsurface production fluids. The flapper valve can be opened through various means of control from the earth's surface in order to provide a flow pathway for production to occur. What is needed in the art is an improved SSSV that does not encounter the problems of existing SSSVs.
Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the drawings and descriptions that follow, like parts are typically marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawn figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the disclosure may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of certain elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The present disclosure may be implemented in embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments are described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure to that illustrated and described herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.
Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms “connect,” “engage,” “couple,” “attach,” or any other like term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect interaction between the elements described. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, use of the terms “up,” “upper,” “upward,” “uphole,” “upstream,” or other like terms shall be construed as generally toward the surface of the subterranean formation; likewise, use of the terms “down,” “lower,” “downward,” “downhole,” “downstream,” or other like terms shall be construed as generally toward the bottom, terminal end of a well, regardless of the wellbore orientation. Use of any one or more of the foregoing terms shall not be construed as denoting positions along a perfectly vertical axis. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, use of the term “subterranean formation” shall be construed as encompassing both areas below exposed earth and areas below earth covered by water such as ocean or fresh water.
Various values and/or ranges are explicitly disclosed in certain embodiments herein. However, values/ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited. Similarly, values/ranges from any lower limit may be combined with any other lower limit to recite a range not explicitly recited. In the same way, values/ranges from any upper limit may be combined with any other upper limit to recite a range not explicitly recited. Additionally, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values even if not explicitly recited. Thus, every point or individual value may serve as its own lower or upper limit combined with any other point or individual value or any other lower or upper limit, to recite a range not explicitly recited. Similarly, an individual value disclosed herein may be combined with another individual value or range disclosed herein to form another range.
The term “substantially XYZ,” as used herein, means that it is within 10 percent of perfectly XYZ. The term “significantly XYZ,” as used herein, means that it is within 5 percent of perfectly XYZ. The term “ideally XYZ,” as used herein, means that it is within 1 percent of perfectly XYZ. The monicker “XYZ” could refer to parallel, perpendicular, alignment, or other relative features disclosed herein.
The present disclosure has acknowledged that offshore wells are being drilled at ever increasing water depths and in environmentally sensitive waters, and thus safety valves (e.g., including subsurface safety valves (SSSVs)) are necessary. The present disclosure has further acknowledged that SSSVs have inherent problems, and thus from time to time need servicing and/or replacing. In fact, occasionally the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) (e.g., electrically actuated TRSV) will fail, and then a wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) will be run in hole. Unfortunately, each of the TRSV and the WLRSV require their own power source, such as individual tubing encapsulated conductors (TECs).
The present disclosure has, for the first time, developed a switch system (e.g., mechanical, electrical, etc.) that will allow a single primary electric control line (e.g., single TEC) to operate two different downhole tools, such as the TRSV (e.g., electrically actuated TRSV) and/or WLRSV (e.g., a WLRSV that may be electrically maintained in an open position), or to operate redundant downhole tools, such as a wet connection or an actuator. For example, the switch system could shift power between two different electrical devices (e.g., electromagnetic coils, electric motor or pump, piezoelectric actuator, solenoid valve, etc.) of the two different downhole tools. As another example, the switch system could shift power between an electrical device that has failed to a redundant device that has not been powered. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the single primary electric control line (e.g., single TEC) could be run downhole from the surface to the switch system, and then the switch system would toggle the power between the TRSV and the WLRSV, as necessary. In at least one embodiment, the switch system would toggle the power from the TRSV to the WLRSV as the WLRSV is ready to be run-in-hole, as the WLRSV is being run-in-hole, or after the WLRSV has been run-in-hole.
Accordingly, a switch system designed, manufactured and/or operated according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure reduces the need to run additional control lines, for example in contingency operations, such as when the TRSV fails and a WLRSV is necessary. This reduces the complexity in running completions, control line protection, tubing hanger penetration, and the overall cost to the customer.
The primary control line 120 may extend into the wellbore 130 and may be connected to the first downhole device 170 and the second downhole device 180. The primary control line 120 may provide actuation power to the first downhole device 170 and the second downhole device 180. As will be described in further detail below, power may be provided to first downhole device 170 or the second downhole device 180 to actuate or de-actuate the first downhole device 170 or the second downhole device 180. Actuation may comprise opening the first downhole device 170 or the second downhole device 180 to provide a flow path for subsurface production fluids to enter conduit 140, and de-actuation may comprise closing the first downhole device 170 or the second downhole device 180 to close a flow path for subsurface production fluids to enter conduit 140. While the embodiment of
In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure, the well system 100 may further include a switch system 190a positioned between the primary control line 120 and each of the first downhole device 170 and the second downhole device 180. The switch system 190a, as discussed above, is configured to switch the incoming power from the primary control line 120 between the first downhole device 170 and the second downhole device 180, depending on which of the first downhole device 170 or the second downhole device 180 that the operator intends to operate (e.g., actuate). In at least one embodiment, the first downhole device 170 includes a first electrical device (e.g., electromagnetic coils, electric motor or pump, piezoelectric actuator, solenoid valve, etc.) and the second downhole device 180 includes a second electrical device (e.g., electromagnetic coils, electric motor or pump, piezoelectric actuator, solenoid valve, etc.), and the switch system 190a is configured to switch the incoming power from the primary control line 120 between the first electrical device of the first downhole device 170 and the second electrical device of the second downhole device 180. Although the well system 100 is depicted in
Turning to
While a number of different embodiments for mechanical switch systems may be used, in the illustrated embodiment, a sliding sleeve 172 of the first downhole device 170 includes a permanent magnet 174 thereon. Similarly, the switch system 190b includes a related permanent magnet 192 therein, for example coupled to the mechanically activated switch 191 (e.g., two or more magnetic features). Furthermore, the switch system 190b may include an insulator 193 separating the first output and the second output. Accordingly, the related permanent magnet 192 will couple with (e.g., decouple from) the permanent magnet 174 to switch the power between the first downhole device 170 and the second downhole device 180, in this instance as the sliding sleeve 172 moves, as shown in
While not illustrated in
Turning to
Turning to
Turning to
Referring to
A sleeve 226 may be attached to the upper valve assembly 234 and a lower valve assembly 216. A bore flow management actuator 240 may be disposed within the sleeve 226. The bore flow management actuator 240 may include a translating sleeve 222 and a flow tube main body 208. A flow path 214 may be defined by an interior of the flow tube main body 208. As illustrated in
The safety valve 200 may further include a power spring 210 disposed between the lower valve assembly 216 and a translating sleeve shoulder 218. As illustrated in
The safety valve 200 may further include a nose spring 212 disposed between a translating sleeve assembly 230 and the flow tube shoulder 232. The translating sleeve assembly 230 may be disposed between and attached to a piston 220 and the translating sleeve 222. The power spring 210 and the nose spring 212 are depicted as coil springs in
In the illustrated embodiment, the translating sleeve assembly 230 may allow a force applied to a distal end of the piston 220 to be transferred into the translating sleeve 222. A force may be applied to the distal end of the piston 220 by way of fluid communication from a channel 228 through an orifice 242. A force applied to the piston 220 may move the translating sleeve 222 from a first position to a second position. The nose spring 212 may provide a positive spring force against the translating sleeve assembly 230 and the flow tube shoulder 232, which may return the translating sleeve 222 from the second position to the first position, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
In the first closed position, the translating sleeve 222 and the flow tube main body 208 are positioned such that the translating sleeve shoulder 218 and the flow tube shoulder 232 are in contact and the power spring 210 and the nose spring 212 are in an extended position. In the first closed position, the translating sleeve 222 may be referred to as being in a first position and the flow tube main body 208 may be referred to as being in a first position.
In the first closed position, a valve closure mechanism 204 may be in a closed position, thereby isolating the lower section 202 from the flow tube main body 208. When the valve closure mechanism 204 is in a closed position, as in
When the safety valve 200 is in the first closed position, no amount of differential pressure across the valve closure mechanism 204 will allow formation fluids to flow from the lower section 202 into the flow path 214. In the first closed position, the safety valve 200 will only allow fluid flow from conduit 206 into the lower section 202, but not from the lower section 202 into the conduit 206. In the instance that pressure in the conduit 206 is increased, the valve closure mechanism 204 will remain in the closed position until the pressure in the conduit 206 is increased above the pressure in the lower section 202 plus the closing pressure provided by the valve closure mechanism spring 205, sometimes referred to herein as valve opening pressure. When the valve opening pressure is reached, the valve closure mechanism 204 may open and allow fluid communication from the conduit 206 into the lower section 202. In this manner, treatment fluids such as surfactants, scale inhibitors, hydrate treatments, and other suitable treatment fluids may be introduced into the subterranean formation. The configuration of the safety valve 200 may allow treatment fluids to be pumped from a surface, such as a wellhead, into the subterranean formation without actuating a control line or balance line to open the valve. Once pressure in the conduit 206 is decreased below the valve opening pressure, the valve closure mechanism spring 205 will return the valve closure mechanism 204 to the closed position, and thus flow from the conduit 206 into the lower section 202 will cease. When the valve closure mechanism 204 has returned to the closed position, flow from the lower section 202 into the flow path 214 will be prevented. Should a pressure differential across the valve closure mechanism 204 be reversed, such that pressure in the lower section 202 is greater than a pressure in the conduit 206, the valve closure mechanism 204 will remain in a closed position, such that fluids in the lower section 202 are prevented from flowing into the conduit 206.
The safety valve 200, in the illustrated embodiment, additionally includes an electromagnetic assembly 238. In the illustrated embodiment, the electromagnetic assembly 238 is electrically coupled to a power source via an electrical connection, such as a tubing encapsulated conductor (TEC). In the illustrated embodiment, the power source is a DC power source configured to deliver a constant voltage, as well as a DC current.
Turning now to
With continued reference to
To move the translating sleeve 222 to the second position, differential pressure across the valve closure mechanism 204 may be increased by lowering pressure in the conduit 206 or increasing pressure in the lower section 202. Lowering pressure in the conduit 206 or increasing pressure in the lower section 202 will cause fluid from the lower section 202 to flow through the channel 228 defined between the sleeve 226 and the outer housing 224 into the orifice 242. The orifice 242 may allow fluid communication into a piston tube 244, whereby the fluid pressure may act on the proximal end of the piston 220. The force exerted by the fluid pressure on the proximal end of the piston 220 may displace the piston 220 towards the valve closure mechanism 204, by transferring the force through the piston 220, the translating sleeve assembly 230, and the translating sleeve shoulder 218.
The nose spring 212 may provide a spring force against the flow tube shoulder 232 and the translating sleeve assembly 230, and the power spring 210 may provide a spring force against the translating sleeve shoulder 218 and the lower valve assembly 216. Although not illustrated in
In the second closed position, the safety valve 200 remains safe as no fluids from the lower section 202 can flow into the flow path 214. In the second closed position, no amount of differential pressure across the valve closure mechanism 204, the differential pressure being relatively higher pressure in the lower section 202 and relatively lower pressure in the conduit 206, should cause the valve closure mechanism 204 to open to allow fluids from the lower section 202 to flow into the flow path 214, as the pressure from the lower section 202 is acting on the valve closure mechanism 204. Unlike conventional safety valves, which generally require a control line to supply pressure to actuate a piston to move a translating sleeve, the safety valve 200 only requires pressure supplied by the wellbore fluids in the lower section 202 to move the translating sleeve.
With continued reference to
In
Hydraulic systems used in previous wellbore safety valves generally require control and balance lines to actuate and hold a valve open, which may have pressure limitations. The limitations experienced by the hydraulic systems may be overcome by using the electromagnetic assembly 238 described herein, as only well pressure is required to open the safety valve 200. Again, when the translating sleeve 222 is in the second position, either when the electromagnetic assembly 238 is switched on or switched off, no amount of differential pressure across the valve closure mechanism 204 will open the valve closure mechanism 204, the differential pressure being a pressure difference between a relatively higher pressure in the lower section 202 and a relatively lower pressure in the conduit 206.
With reference to
The flow tube main body 208 may be moved from the first position to the second position when the translating sleeve 222 is fixed in place in the second position by the electromagnetic assembly 238, as described above. When the translating sleeve 222 is fixed in the second position through the force provided by the electromagnetic assembly 238, the nose spring 212 may provide a positive spring force against the flow tube shoulder 232 and the translating sleeve assembly 230. The positive spring force from the nose spring 212 may be transferred through the flow tube main body 208 into the valve closure mechanism 204. The flow tube main body 208 will not move to the second position until differential pressure across the valve closure mechanism 204 is decreased and the translating sleeve 222 is fixed in position. Differential pressure may be decreased by pumping into the conduit 206, thereby increasing the pressure in the conduit 206. Pressure may be increased in the conduit 206 until the differential pressure across the valve closure mechanism 204 is decreased to a point where the positive spring force from the nose spring 212 is greater than the differential pressure across the valve closure mechanism 204. Thereafter, the nose spring 212 may extend and move the flow tube main body 208 into the second position by acting on the translating sleeve assembly 230 and the flow tube shoulder 232. When the flow tube main body 208 is in the second position, fluids such as oil and gas in the lower section 202 may be able to flow into the flow path 214 and to a surface of the wellbore, such as to a wellhead. The safety valve 200 may remain in the open position, defined by the translating sleeve 222 being in the second position and the flow tube main body 208 being in the second position, as long as the electromagnetic assembly 238 remains powered on.
With reference to
Turning to
The safety valve 300, in the illustrated embodiment, further includes a spring housing 320. The spring housing 320, in one or more embodiments, includes a bore 325. Positioned in the bore 325, in the illustrated embodiment, is a spring 330. In at least one embodiment, not shown, the outer housing 310 and the spring housing 320 are a single unitary housing. However, in other embodiments, such as shown, the outer housing 310 and the spring housing 320 are separate but connected housings.
The safety valve 300, in the illustrated embodiment, further includes a valve closure mechanism 340 coupled to the outer housing 310 within the central bore 315. The valve closure mechanism 340 may take various different types and/or shapes. Nevertheless, in the embodiment of
The safety valve 300, in the illustrated embodiment, additionally includes a bore flow management actuator 350 disposed in the central bore 315. In one or more embodiments, the bore flow management actuator 350 is configured to slide from a first initial state (e.g., as shown in
While not shown in the view of
In the embodiment of
The safety valve 300, in one or more embodiments, may include a primary control system 380. The primary control system 380, in the illustrated embodiment, is configured to slide the bore flow management actuator 350 from the first state (e.g., as shown in
It should be noted that the safety valves 200, 300 of
Aspects disclosed herein include:
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- A. A downhole tool, the downhole device including: 1) a first downhole device, the first downhole device including a first outer housing including a first central bore extending axially through the first outer housing, the first central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through; and 2) a switch system, the switch system including: a) an input coupled to a primary electric control line; b) a first output coupled to a first electrical component of the first downhole device; and c) a second output coupleable to a second electrical component of a second downhole device, the switch system configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
- B. A well system, the well system including: 1) a wellbore extending through one or more subterranean formations; 2) production tubing disposed in the wellbore; 3) a first downhole device disposed in line with the production tubing, the first downhole device including a first outer housing including a first central bore extending axially through the first outer housing, the first central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through; 4) a second downhole device disposed within the wellbore, the second downhole device including a second outer housing including a second central bore extending axially through the second outer housing, the second central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through; and 5) a switch system, the switch system including: a) an input coupled to a primary electric control line; b) a first output coupled to a first electrical component of the first downhole device; and c) a second output coupled to a second electrical component of the second downhole device, the switch system configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
- C. A method, the method including: 1) positioning a first downhole device disposed in line with production tubing located in a wellbore, the first downhole device including a first outer housing including a first central bore extending axially through the first outer housing, the first central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through; 2) positioning a second downhole device in the wellbore, the second downhole device including a second outer housing including a second central bore extending axially through the second outer housing, the second central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through, wherein a switch system is coupled with the first and second downhole devices, the switch system including: a) an input coupled to a primary electric control line; b) a first output coupled to a first electrical component of the first downhole device; and c) a second output coupled to a second electrical component of the second downhole device, the switch system configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device; and 3) switching a signal from the primary electric control line between the first and second downhole devices.
Aspects A, B, and C may have one or more of the following additional elements in combination: Element 1: wherein the first downhole device further includes a first valve closure mechanism coupled to the first outer housing within the first central bore, and a first bore flow management actuator disposed in the first central bore, the first bore flow management actuator configured to slide from a first initial state to a first subsequent state to move the first valve closure mechanism between a first closed state and a first open state. Element 2: wherein the switch system is a mechanical switch system that includes a mechanically activated switch configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device. Element 3: wherein the mechanically activated switch includes two or more magnetic features, the two or more magnetic features configured to move to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device. Element 4: wherein at least one of the two or more magnetic features is coupled to a sliding sleeve of the first downhole device, and further wherein as the one of the two or more magnetic features slides with the sliding sleeve, an other of the two or more magnetic features magnetically coupled with the one of the two or more magnetic features moves to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device. Element 5: wherein the other of the two or more magnetic features is configured to move between a first position forming a first closed circuit with the first downhole device and forming a first open circuit with the second downhole device and a second position forming a second open circuit with the first downhole device and forming a second closed circuit with the second downhole device. Element 6: further including an insulator separating the first output and the second output. Element 7: wherein the mechanically activated switch includes a reed switch. Element 8: wherein the reed switch is a double throw reed switch. Element 9: wherein the reed switch is a first reed switch, and further including a second reed switch configured to work in conjunction with the first reed switch to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device. Element 10: wherein the mechanically activated switch includes a tunnel magneto-resistance (TMR) switch. Element 11: wherein the switch system is an electrical switch system that includes an electrically activated switch configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device. Element 12: wherein the electrically activated switch includes two or more oppositely oriented diodes, the two or more oppositely oriented diodes configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device. Element 13: wherein a first of the two or more oppositely oriented diodes is configured to form a first closed circuit with the first downhole device and a first open circuit with the second downhole device when receiving a positive voltage, and a second of the two or more oppositely oriented diodes is configured to form a second open circuit with the first downhole device and a second closed circuit with the second downhole device when receiving a negative voltage. Element 14: wherein the first downhole device is a tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the second downhole device is a wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV). Element 15: wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) before the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is insert within a wellbore. Element 16: wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) as the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is being insert within a wellbore. Element 17: wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) after the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is insert within a wellbore. Element 18: wherein the first electrical component of the first downhole device is a first electromagnetic assembly. Element 19: wherein the second electrical component of the second downhole device is a second electromagnetic assembly. Element 20: wherein the first electrical component is an electric motor or pump, a piezoelectric actuator, or a solenoid valve.
Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.
Claims
1. A downhole tool, comprising:
- a first downhole device, the first downhole device including a first outer housing including a first central bore extending axially through the first outer housing, the first central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through; and
- a switch system, the switch system including: an input coupled to a primary electric control line; a first output coupled to a first electrical component of the first downhole device; and a second output coupleable to a second electrical component of a second downhole device, the switch system configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
2. The downhole tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the first downhole device further includes a first valve closure mechanism coupled to the first outer housing within the first central bore, and a first bore flow management actuator disposed in the first central bore, the first bore flow management actuator configured to slide from a first initial state to a first subsequent state to move the first valve closure mechanism between a first closed state and a first open state.
3. The downhole tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch system is a mechanical switch system that includes a mechanically activated switch configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
4. The downhole tool as recited in claim 3, wherein the mechanically activated switch includes two or more magnetic features, the two or more magnetic features configured to move to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
5. The downhole tool as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one of the two or more magnetic features is coupled to a sliding sleeve of the first downhole device, and further wherein as the one of the two or more magnetic features slides with the sliding sleeve, an other of the two or more magnetic features magnetically coupled with the one of the two or more magnetic features moves to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
6. The downhole tool as recited in claim 5, wherein the other of the two or more magnetic features is configured to move between a first position forming a first closed circuit with the first downhole device and forming a first open circuit with the second downhole device and a second position forming a second open circuit with the first downhole device and forming a second closed circuit with the second downhole device.
7. The downhole tool as recited in claim 6, further including an insulator separating the first output and the second output.
8. The downhole tool as recited in claim 3, wherein the mechanically activated switch includes a reed switch.
9. The downhole tool as recited in claim 8, wherein the reed switch is a double throw reed switch.
10. The downhole tool as recited in claim 8, wherein the reed switch is a first reed switch, and further including a second reed switch configured to work in conjunction with the first reed switch to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
11. The downhole tool as recited in claim 3, wherein the mechanically activated switch includes a tunnel magneto-resistance (TMR) switch.
12. The downhole tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch system is an electrical switch system that includes an electrically activated switch configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
13. The downhole tool as recited in claim 12, wherein the electrically activated switch includes two or more oppositely oriented diodes, the two or more oppositely oriented diodes configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
14. The downhole tool as recited in claim 13, wherein a first of the two or more oppositely oriented diodes is configured to form a first closed circuit with the first downhole device and a first open circuit with the second downhole device when receiving a positive voltage, and a second of the two or more oppositely oriented diodes is configured to form a second open circuit with the first downhole device and a second closed circuit with the second downhole device when receiving a negative voltage.
15. The downhole tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the first downhole device is a tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the second downhole device is a wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV).
16. The downhole tool as recited in claim 15, wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) before the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is insert within a wellbore.
17. The downhole tool as recited in claim 15, wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) as the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is being insert within a wellbore.
18. The downhole tool as recited in claim 15, wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) after the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is insert within a wellbore.
19. The downhole tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the first electrical component of the first downhole device is a first electromagnetic assembly.
20. The downhole tool as recited in claim 19, wherein the second electrical component of the second downhole device is a second electromagnetic assembly.
21. The downhole tool as recited in claim 1, wherein the first electrical component is an electric motor or pump, a piezoelectric actuator, or a solenoid valve.
22. A well system, comprising:
- a wellbore extending through one or more subterranean formations;
- production tubing disposed in the wellbore;
- a first downhole device disposed in line with the production tubing, the first downhole device including a first outer housing including a first central bore extending axially through the first outer housing, the first central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through;
- a second downhole device disposed within the wellbore, the second downhole device including a second outer housing including a second central bore extending axially through the second outer housing, the second central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through; and
- a switch system, the switch system including: an input coupled to a primary electric control line; a first output coupled to a first electrical component of the first downhole device; and a second output coupled to a second electrical component of the second downhole device, the switch system configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
23. The well system as recited in claim 22, wherein the first downhole device further includes a first valve closure mechanism coupled to the first outer housing within the first central bore, and a first bore flow management actuator disposed in the first central bore, the first bore flow management actuator configured to slide from a first initial state to a first subsequent state to move the first valve closure mechanism between a first closed state and a first open state, and the second downhole device further includes a second valve closure mechanism coupled to the second outer housing within the second central bore, and a second bore flow management actuator disposed in the second central bore, the second bore flow management actuator configured to slide from a second initial state to a second subsequent state to move the second valve closure mechanism between a second closed state and a second open state.
24. The well system as recited in claim 22, wherein the switch system is a mechanical switch system that includes a mechanically activated switch configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
25. The well system as recited in claim 24, wherein the mechanically activated switch includes two or more magnetic features, the two or more magnetic features configured to move to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
26. The well system as recited in claim 25, wherein at least one of the two or more magnetic features is coupled to a sliding sleeve of the first downhole device, and further wherein as the one of the two or more magnetic features slides with the sliding sleeve, an other of the two or more magnetic features magnetically coupled with the one of the two or more magnetic features moves to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
27. The well system as recited in claim 26, wherein the other of the two or more magnetic features is configured to move between a first position forming a first closed circuit with the first downhole device and forming a first open circuit with the second downhole device and a second position forming a second open circuit with the first downhole device and forming a second closed circuit with the second downhole device.
28. The well system as recited in claim 27, further including an insulator separating the first output and the second output.
29. The well system as recited in claim 24, wherein the mechanically activated switch includes a reed switch.
30. The well system as recited in claim 29, wherein the reed switch is a double throw reed switch.
31. The well system as recited in claim 29, wherein the reed switch is a first reed switch, and further including a second reed switch configured to work in conjunction with the first reed switch to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
32. The well system as recited in claim 24, wherein the mechanically activated switch includes a tunnel magneto-resistance (TMR) switch.
33. The well system as recited in claim 22, wherein the switch system is an electrical switch system that includes an electrically activated switch configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
34. The well system as recited in claim 33, wherein the electrically activated switch includes two or more oppositely oriented diodes, the two or more oppositely oriented diodes configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device.
35. The well system as recited in claim 34, wherein a first of the two or more oppositely oriented diodes is configured to form a first closed circuit with the first downhole device and a first open circuit with the second downhole device when receiving a positive voltage, and a second of the two or more oppositely oriented diodes is configured to form a second open circuit with the first downhole device and a second closed circuit with the second downhole device when receiving a negative voltage.
36. The well system as recited in claim 22, wherein the first downhole device is a tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the second downhole device is a wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV).
37. The well system as recited in claim 36, wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) before the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is insert within a wellbore.
38. The well system as recited in claim 36, wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) as the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is being insert within a wellbore.
39. The well system as recited in claim 36, wherein the switch system is configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the tubing retrievable safety valve (TRSV) and the primary electric control line and the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) after the wireline retrievable safety valve (WLRSV) is insert within a wellbore.
40. The well system as recited in claim 22, wherein the first electrical component of the first downhole device is a first electromagnetic assembly.
41. The well system as recited in claim 40, wherein the second electrical component of the second downhole device is a second electromagnetic assembly.
42. The well system as recited in claim 22, wherein the first electrical component is an electric motor or pump, a piezoelectric actuator, or a solenoid valve.
43. A method, comprising:
- positioning a first downhole device disposed in line with production tubing located in a wellbore, the first downhole device including a first outer housing including a first central bore extending axially through the first outer housing, the first central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through;
- positioning a second downhole device in the wellbore, the second downhole device including a second outer housing including a second central bore extending axially through the second outer housing, the second central bore operable to convey subsurface production fluids there through, wherein a switch system is coupled with the first and second downhole devices, the switch system including: an input coupled to a primary electric control line; a first output coupled to a first electrical component of the first downhole device; and a second output coupled to a second electrical component of the second downhole device, the switch system configured to switch power between the primary electric control line and the first downhole device and the primary electric control line and the second downhole device; and
- switching a signal from the primary electric control line between the first and second downhole devices.
44. The method as recited in claim 43, wherein the first downhole device further includes a first valve closure mechanism coupled to the first outer housing within the first central bore, and a first bore flow management actuator disposed in the first central bore, the first bore flow management actuator configured to slide from a first initial state to a first subsequent state to move the first valve closure mechanism between a first closed state and a first open state, and the second downhole device further includes a second valve closure mechanism coupled to the second outer housing within the second central bore, and a second bore flow management actuator disposed in the second central bore, the second bore flow management actuator configured to slide from a second initial state to a second subsequent state to move the second valve closure mechanism between a second closed state and a second open state.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 10, 2024
Publication Date: Jun 19, 2025
Inventors: Mohan Gunasekaran (Al-Khobar), Ibrahim El Mallawany (Al-Khobar), David Allen Dockweiler (Singapore), Michael Linley Fripp (Singapore)
Application Number: 18/975,414