Steam splitter

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to injecting steam into a wellbore using a device. The device includes a body having a bore configured to communicate steam through the body. The device also includes a sleeve movable in the bore of the body between a first position and a second position, wherein the sleeve in the first position blocks steam from exiting an opening of the body and the sleeve in the second position allows steam to exit the opening of the body. The device further includes a shroud disposed on a portion of the body such that an annulus is formed between the shroud and the body, wherein the annulus is configured to direct steam from the opening in the body toward steam outlets. In another aspect, a method of injecting steam into a wellbore using a steam tubular is provided.

1 . A device for injecting steam into a surrounding wellbore, the device comprising:
 a body having an opening formed in a wall of the body, and having a bore configured to communicate steam through the body;   a sleeve movable in the bore of the body between a first position and a second position, wherein the sleeve in the first position blocks steam from exiting the opening of the body and the sleeve in the second position allows steam to exit the opening of the body; and   a shroud disposed on a portion of the body such that an annulus is formed between the shroud and the body, wherein the annulus is configured to direct steam from the opening in the body toward steam outlets.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of slots that are configured to substantially align with the opening formed in the wall of the body when the sleeve is in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the slots are disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes a first shoulder profile and a second shoulder profile at each end of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the shoulder profiles on the ends of the sleeve mate with a mating profile on a shifting tool that is configured to move the sleeve between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of seals are disposed between the sleeve and the opening of the body when the sleeve is in the first position. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an end the sleeve is positioned proximate a first shoulder in the body when the sleeve is in the first position and an opposite end of the sleeve is positioned proximate a second shoulder in the body when the sleeve is in the second position. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a restraining device that is configured to maintain the sleeve in the first position or the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spacer members disposed between the shroud and the body that are configured to support a first end and a second end of the shroud. 
     
     
         10 . A method of injecting steam into a wellbore using a steam tubular, the steam tubular having a first steam splitter device and a second steam splitter device, the method comprising:
 opening the first steam splitter device and the second steam splitter device;   pumping steam down the steam tubular and into the wellbore through the first steam splitter device and the second steam splitter device;   closing the second steam splitter device; and   pumping steam down the steam tubular and into the wellbore through the first steam splitter device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a shifting tool is run into the wellbore to operate the first steam splitter device and the second steam splitter device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first steam splitter device and the second steam splitter device are opened by the shifting tool in a single trip into the wellbore. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second steam splitter device is closed by the shifting tool while the first steam splitter device is open. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising opening the second steam splitter device and closing the first steam splitter device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second steam splitter device is opened and the first steam splitter device is closed by the shifting tool in a single trip into the wellbore. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second steam splitter device is disposed closer to the end of the steam tubular than the first steam splitter device. 
     
     
         17 . A method of injecting steam into a wellbore and transporting wellbore fluid out of the wellbore using a tubular, the tubular having a plurality of steam splitter devices, the method comprising:
 opening one or more steam splitter devices;   pumping steam down the tubular and into the wellbore through the one or more steam splitter devices;   closing the one or more steam splitter devices;   opening at least one steam splitter device; and   transporting wellbore fluid up through the tubular which enters through the at least one steam splitter.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more steam splitter devices are opened by a shifting tool in a single trip into the wellbore. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more steam splitter devices are closed by a shifting tool in a single trip into the wellbore. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each steam splitter device includes a sleeve member that is movable between a first closed position and a second opened position. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the sleeve member includes a plurality of spiral slots that align with an opening of the steam splitter device when the sleeve is in the second opened position.