Flow bypass device and method

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for re-directing fluid flow from the interior of tubing placed in a well to the exterior of the tubing by use of selectively actuatable valves operable by engagement of a plug on a plug seat. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed may provide a flowback bypass for the flow of fluids around obstructions in the tubing when those obstructions occur at a predicted location within the tubing. The systems, devices and methods may also include a locking system operable by, among other things, plug and plug seat valves, and such locking system may be used to prevent opening of the flowback bypass until after a predetermined event has occurred.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in a well for oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising:
 A housing with an exterior and an interior, the housing having a passageway therethrough, a first port, and a second port, the first port and second port capable of the connecting the passageway with the exterior of the housing;   A plug seat within the housing, the plug seat having an inlet and an outlet;   A bypass sleeve within the housing, the bypass sleeve positioned to prevent fluid communication between the passageway and the exterior of the housing through the second port;   Wherein, the bypass sleeve is moveable within the housing in response to a pressure differential across the plug seat, the pressure differential comprising a higher pressure at the outlet than at the inlet.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a treatment sleeve slidably mounted within the housing, the treatment sleeve positioned to prevent fluid communication between the passageway and the exterior of housing through the first port. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a treatment sleeve slidably mounted within the housing in communication with the plug seat, the treatment sleeve positioned to prevent fluid communication between the passageway and the exterior of housing through the first port. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising the treatment sleeve having a first position and a second position, wherein the treatment sleeve is movable from the first position to the second position in response to a pressure differential across the plug seat, the pressure differential comprising a higher pressure at the inlet than at the outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a treatment sleeve slidably mounted within the housing the treatment sleeve having a first position between the passageway and the first port and a second position, and
 a sequencing element responsive to a predetermined event. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the predetermined event comprises movement of the treatment sleeve from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a sequencing element for holding the bypass sleeve in place until a predetermined event has occurred. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the sequencing element comprises a locking assembly. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for use in a well for oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising:
 A housing with an exterior and an interior, the housing having a first passageway therethrough, and at least partially defining a bypass flowpath;   A first port and a second port, the first port and the second port each capable of connecting the passageway and a passageway bypass;   An obstruction in the interior of the housing, the obstruction positioned between the first port and the second port;   A barrier positioned to prevent fluid communication between the passageway and the passageway bypass through the second port;   Wherein, the barrier is removable in response to a pressure differential across the obstruction, the pressure differential comprising a higher pressure on the side of the obstruction adjacent to the second port in comparison with the pressure on the side of the obstruction adjacent to the first port.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , the passageway bypass further defined, in part, by the well. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , the passageway bypass further defined by tubing in the well. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , the housing further comprising a passageway bypass member in fluid communication between the first port and the second port. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , the obstruction comprising a plug seat. 
     
     
         14 . A method for treating a well for oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons, the well including a tubing string with a passageway therethrough, at least one plug seat within said passageway, at least one plug downwell of said at least one plug seat and having a diameter larger than the diameter of an opening through the at least one plug seat; a first at least one port creating fluid communication between the passageway and the exterior of the tubing string; a second at least one port with a sleeve to isolate said second at least one port from the passageway; said sleeve moveable to cause fluid communication between said passageway and said second at least one port in response to a flowback pressure differential across the least one plug seat, said flowback pressure differential comprising a higher pressure at an outlet of the at least one plug seat than at the inlet of said plug seat; the method comprising:
 pumping fluids through the tubing string and out of the first at least one port.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising creating the flowback pressure differential across the first plug seat, thereby shifting the bypass sleeve to allow fluid communication through the second port. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising creating a first pressure differential, across the plug seat before creating the flowback pressure differential, the first pressure differential comprising a higher pressure at the inlet than at the outlet. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising creating a first pressure differential across the plug seat to initiate fluid communication between the passageway and the exterior of the housing before creating the flowback pressure differential, the first pressure differential comprising a higher pressure at the inlet than at the outlet. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the treatment is a fracturing treatment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , the well further comprising at least one shear pin in mechanical communication with the at least one plug seat, the at least one shear pin configured to break at a second pressure differential, the second pressure differential being higher than the pressure differential required for the at least one plug to pass the at least one plug seat. 
     
     
         20 . A locking mechanism for use in a tubular device such as tools for oil, gas, and other hydrocarbons, said locking mechanism comprising:
 a stationary bar;   a moveable bar;   a restrictor element; and   a support element mounted to said tubular device the support element being in contact with the restrictor element and having a first diameter and a second diameter;   wherein, the locking mechanism is locked when the restrictor element contacts the first diameter.   
     
     
         21 . The locking mechanism of  claim 20  wherein the locking mechanism is unlocked when the restrictor element contacts the second diameter. 
     
     
         22 . The locking mechanism of  claim 20  wherein the restrictor element comprises at least one of the group consisting of balls, dogs, collets, pins, bars, bolts or cams. 
     
     
         23 . The locking mechanism of  claim 20  wherein the second diameter comprises a passage through the support element. 
     
     
         24 . The locking mechanism of  claim 20  wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are spaced longitudinally relative to the tubular device. 
     
     
         25 . The locking mechanism of  claim 25  wherein the first diameter and the second diameter are spaced radially around a circumference of the tubular device.