U.S. patent application number 14/569014 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for downhole tool actuating arrangement and method of resetting at least one downhole tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED. The applicant listed for this patent is Walter S. Going, III, Joel D. Shaw. Invention is credited to Walter S. Going, III, Joel D. Shaw.
Application Number | 20160168948 14/569014 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56107958 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160168948 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shaw; Joel D. ; et
al. |
June 16, 2016 |
DOWNHOLE TOOL ACTUATING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD OF RESETTING AT
LEAST ONE DOWNHOLE TOOL
Abstract
A downhole tool actuating arrangement includes, a control system
configured to communicate pressurized fluid to at least one
downhole tool actuatable by pressure changes in the control system,
a check valve in operable communication with the control system
configured to prevent fluid flow through the check valve in a
direction opposite to flow that causes increases in pressure in the
control system, and a bleed device. The bleed device is in operable
communication with the control system downstream of the check
valve, wherein downstream is defined by a direction of flow that
causes the check valve to open. The bleed device is configured to
allow fluid flow therethrough when pressure on the control system
side of the bleed device is greater than on a side opposite the
control system.
Inventors: |
Shaw; Joel D.; (Houston,
TX) ; Going, III; Walter S.; (Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shaw; Joel D.
Going, III; Walter S. |
Houston
Houston |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
56107958 |
Appl. No.: |
14/569014 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/375 ;
166/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 23/04 20130101;
E21B 41/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 34/10 20060101
E21B034/10 |
Claims
1. A downhole tool actuating arrangement, comprising: a control
system configured to communicate pressurized fluid to at least one
downhole tool actuatable by pressure changes in the control system;
a check valve in operable communication with the control system
configured to prevent fluid flow through the check valve in a
direction opposite to flow that causes increases in pressure in the
control system; and a bleed device in operable communication with
the control system downstream of the check valve, downstream being
defined by a direction of flow that causes the check valve to open,
the bleed device being configured to allow fluid flow therethrough
in response to pressure on the control system side of the bleed
device being greater than on a side opposite the control
system.
2. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 1, wherein the
bleed device is configured to be fluidically connected to a control
system that was previously positioned downhole.
3. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 2, wherein the
control system has been functionally operated prior to connection
of the bleed device.
4. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 2, wherein the
bleed device is configured to be fluidically connected to the
control system downstream of the check valve and the check valve
was positioned downhole prior to installation of the bleed
device.
5. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 1, wherein the
bleed device ports fluid exhausted therethrough to an annular space
between a tool string and a structure.
6. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 5, wherein the
structure is selected from the group consisting of an open hole, a
liner and a casing.
7. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 1, wherein the
bleed device ports fluid exhausted therethrough to an exhaust line
from a multi-cycle device.
8. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 7, wherein the
multi-cycle device is a single line switch.
9. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 8, wherein the
bleed device provides fluidic communication between an inlet to the
bleed device and an exhaust of the single line switch.
10. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 1, wherein the
bleed device allows substantially constant flow therethrough
regardless of a pressure differential applied thereacross.
11. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 10, wherein
the substantially constant flow is in a range of about 35 to 40 ml
per minute.
12. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 10, wherein
the substantially constant flow continues to flow through the bleed
device while tools are actuated by the pressure increases.
13. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 1, wherein the
at least one downhole tool is resettable in response to pressure
decreases in the control system due to fluid flowing through the
bleed device.
14. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 13, wherein
flow through the bleed device allows the at least one downhole tool
to reset automatically.
15. The downhole tool actuating arrangement of claim 1, further
comprising a filter between the control system and the bleed
device.
16. A method of resetting at least one downhole tool, comprising:
opening a check valve in operable communication with a control
system the control system being in operable communication with the
at least one downhole tool; increasing pressure in the control
system; actuating the at least one downhole tool; decreasing
pressure upstream of the check valve; closing the check valve;
bleeding fluid from the control system through a bleed device
downstream of the check valve; decreasing pressure in the control
system downstream of the check valve; and resetting the at least
one downhole tool.
17. The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of claim 16,
further comprising continuously bleeding fluid through the bleed
device.
18. The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of claim 16,
further comprising flowing a substantially constant flow through
the bleed device.
19. The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of claim 16,
further comprising porting fluid bled through the bleed device to
an annulus between a tool string and a structure surrounding the
tool string.
20. The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of claim 16,
further comprising supplying fluid to a multi-cycle device.
21. The method of resetting at least one downhole tool of claim 20,
further comprising bleeding fluid through the bleed device upstream
of the multi-cycle device to an exhaust line from the multi-cycle
device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application contains subject matter related to the
subject matter of a co-pending application that is assigned to the
same assignee as this application, Baker Hughes Incorporated of
Houston, Tex. The below listed application is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety:
[0002] U.S. Patent Application Attorney Docket No.
ICN4-57960-US-NP/BA01264US, entitled: CONTROL SYSTEM INCLUDING
SINGLE LINE SWITCHES AND METHOD, filed Oct. 27, 2014.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Employing pressure variations via fluid in control lines is
a common way to actuate tools in tubular systems such as in earth
formation boreholes in the carbon dioxide sequestration and the
hydrocarbon recover industries, for example. Systems and methods
employing such variations serve the purpose for which they are
intended. Those who practice in the art, however, are always
receptive to new systems and methods that improve the current state
of the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0004] Disclosed herein is a downhole tool actuating arrangement.
The arrangement includes, a control system configured to
communicate pressurized fluid to at least one downhole tool
actuatable by pressure changes in the control system, a check valve
in operable communication with the control system configured to
prevent fluid flow through the check valve in a direction opposite
to flow that causes increases in pressure in the control system,
and a bleed device. The bleed device is in operable communication
with the control system downstream of the check valve, wherein
downstream is defined by a direction of flow that causes the check
valve to open. The bleed device is configured to allow fluid flow
therethrough when pressure on the control system side of the bleed
device is greater than on a side opposite the control system.
[0005] Further disclosed herein is a method of resetting at least
one downhole tool. The method includes, opening a check valve in
operable communication with a control system that is in operable
communication with the at least one downhole tool, increasing
pressure in the control system, actuating the at least one downhole
tool, decreasing pressure upstream of the check valve, closing the
check valve, bleeding fluid from the control system through a bleed
device downstream of the check valve, decreasing pressure in the
control system downstream of the check valve, and resetting the at
least one downhole tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting
in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like
elements are numbered alike:
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view a downhole tool actuating
arrangement disclosed herein; and
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a
bleed device employable in the downhole tool actuating arrangement
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] 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.
[0010] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a downhole tool
actuating arrangement disclosed herein is illustrated at 10. The
downhole tool actuating arrangement 10 includes a control system 12
in operable communication with at least one downhole tool 18, with
one of the tools 18 being shown while any number of the tools 18
could be employed, such that increases in pressure of fluid within
the control system 12 can actuate the tool 18. A check valve 22 is
positioned in a control line 14 upstream of the control system 12.
The check valve 22 is configured to prevent fluid flow through the
check valve 22 in a direction opposite to flow that causes
increases in pressure in the control system 12. The check valve 22
can be in the control line 14 directly, as in the illustrated
embodiment, or in an alternate line of the control system 12 that
is in fluidic communication with the control line 14. A bleed
device 26 is in operable communication with the control system 12
and is positioned downstream of the check valve 22; downstream
being defined by a direction of flow that causes the check valve 22
to open. The bleed device 26 is configured to allow fluid flow
therethrough from the control line 14 as long as pressure is
greater on the control system 22 side of the bleed device 26 as
best shown in FIG. 2.
[0011] The bleed device 26 may be as simple as a fixed sized
orifice through which the fluid is able to flow. In such case the
flow through the bleed device 26 will vary with changes in pressure
across the bleed device 26. In alternate embodiments the bleed
device 26 can be configured to allow a substantially constant flow
therethrough independent of pressure across the bleed device 26.
Using a Lee Flowsert.TM. flow regulating valve, shown in FIG. 2,
made by the Lee Company as the bleed device 26, for example, would
fit this embodiment. A Lee Flowsert.TM. having a flow in a range of
about 35 to 40 ml per minute over a wide range of pressure drops
would serve the function well. Using a filter 28 within the bleed
device 26 or in the line upstream thereof can help prevent plugging
of the bleed device 26.
[0012] The downhole tool actuating arrangement 10 is positionable
within a borehole structure 30 such as a liner, casing or open
hole, for example. In one embodiment the check valve 22 is above a
tubing hanger 34 while the bleed device 26 is below the tubing
hanger 34 but above a production packer 38. Alternately, the check
valve 22 can be positioned below the production packer 34. The
bleed device 26 exhausts through exhaust line 40 into an annulus 42
defined between a tool string 46 supporting the arrangement 10 and
the structure 30. An optional exhaust check valve 50 may be
included in the exhaust line 40 of the bleed device 26. One purpose
for the exhaust check valve 50 is to prevent reverse flow through
the bleed device 26. If employed the exhaust check valve 50 may be
set to open at pressures low enough to avoid interfering with the
functioning of the bleed device 26. The packers 38 separate
individual production zones 58 of an earth formation 60 from one
another with the downhole tools 18 being positioned within each of
the production zones 58. Perforations 64 in the structure 30 allow
fluid communication between the zones 58 and the annulus 42.
[0013] The foregoing structure allows an operator to actuate the
plurality of downhole tools 18 with just the single control line
14. This is made possible in part by use of a plurality of
multi-cycle devices described herein a single line switches (SLS)
62. The single line switches 62 require pressure pulses supplied in
one embodiment via the control line 14, to be able to actuate one
or more of the downhole tools 18 in operable communication with the
single line switches 62. Copending application with attorney docket
No. ICN4-57960-US-NP/BAO1264US, listed above, discloses a single
line switch that is employable herein as the single line switches
62. Unlike the arrangement 10 disclosed herein, in conventional
systems that include one of the check valves 22 there is not a
designed-in and controllable way for the pressure within the
control system 12 to decrease. Inclusion of the bleed device 26 in
the arrangement 10 provides this designed-in and controllable
device for bleeding fluid from the control system 12 to allow
pressure within the control system 12 to decrease in a relatively
short time period. In fact, this pressure reduction time can be cut
to minutes as opposed to hours and days for conventional systems
that do not include the bleed device 26. Optionally, the exhaust
line 40 can be fluidically connected to an exhaust line 66 from one
of the single line switches 62 as shown in FIG. 2, or the two
exhaust lines 40 and 66 can be routed independently of one
another.
[0014] The drops in pressure within the control line 14 can also
allow the single line switches 62 or the downhole tools 18 to
reset. Based on the design of the single line switches 62 and the
downhole tools 18 this resetting can be performed automatically in
response to pressure reductions in the control system 12 dropping
below a threshold value. One example of a downhole tool 18, is the
valves disclosed in copending application with attorney docket No.
ICN4-57960-US-NP/BAO1264US, listed above (as valves 14 and 16). It
should be noted however, that the downhole tool 18 could be any
tool that is actuated by increases in pressure.
[0015] Additionally, parts of the downhole actuating arrangement 10
can be incorporated at different points in time. For example, the
control system 12 and the bleed device 26 can be retrofitted to a
system having one of the check valves 22 that has already been in
operation for a period of time. Stated another way, a pre-existing
wellbore, that includes one of the check valves 22 can be
retrofitted with the control system 12 and the bleed device 26
thereby creating the arrangement 10 disclosed herein. One or more
of the downhole tools 18 and one or more of the single line
switches 62 can also be retrofitted with the control system 12 and
bleed device 26. In such a retrofitting arrangement the control
system 12 is fluidically connected to a portion 70 of an existing
wellhead or control system. Such a retrofit allows addition of one
or more of the downhole tools 18 to be added that are actuatable
and resettable through the existing single control line 14, for
example.
[0016] In addition to adding this new functionality to an existing
well that already includes one of the check valves 22 the downhole
tool actuating arrangement 10 could just as well be incorporated
into a new well. Regardless of whether the actuating arrangement is
incorporated into a new or retrofitted well it overcomes a
potential difficulty in actuating or resetting the downhole tools
18 when one of the check valves 26 is employed in the control line
18. This difficulty stemming from the length of time required for
pressure in the control line 14 to reduce after having been
increased since fluid is not permitted to flow in a reverse
direction through the control line 14. The inclusion of the check
valve 26, above a wellhead for example, is becoming more common and
could even become mandatory at some point to prevent potential
leakage from a well through the control line 14 should the control
line 14 become severed, for example.
[0017] 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.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. 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.
* * * * *