A Valve System of a Well Pipe Through an Hydrocarbon Containing Formation and a Method to Operate the Same

Abstract

A method is described for the operation of a valve system for a production pipe (104) in a well (101) through a hydrocarbon containing formation with one or more valves (1a, 1b, 1c) that comprise one or more seats that are activated selectively by the use of a ball (5) of the same size, where the ball is set up to land on one or more ball seats (4a, b, c, . . . ) internally in the valve, where the seat (4a,b,c.) can be activated for landing of a ball (5a) either before driving into a well or by the passing of a previously released ball or other suitable object (5) of an adjusted diameter or shape. The method is characterised in that each applied valve (1a, 1b, 1c) comprises two separated casings 2 and 3, respectively, in the form of an inner casing (3) arranged inside an outer casing (2), where the inner casing (3) can be freely moved axially with regard to the outer casing (2) as the inner casing (3) comprises one or more ball seats (4), the one axially above the other, and which are activated to hold back a ball (5), successively in that the inner casing (3) is moved axially through the outer casing (2). A valve system for the same is also described.

1 . Method for the operation of a valve system for a production pipe ( 104 ) in a well ( 101 ) through a hydrocarbon containing formation with one or more valves ( 1   a,    1   b,    1   c ) that comprise one or more seats that are activated selectively by the use of a ball ( 5 ) of the same size, where the ball is set up to land on one or more ball seats ( 4   a,b,c,  . . . ) internally in the valve, where the seats ( 4   a,b,c. ) can be activated for the landing of a ball ( 5   a ) either before driving into a well or in the passing of a previously released ball or other suitable object ( 5 ) of an adjusted diameter or shape, characterised in that each applied valve ( 1   a,    1   b,    1   c ) comprises two separated casings ( 2  and  3 , respectively) in the form of an inner casing ( 3 ) arranged inside an outer casing ( 2 ), where the inner casing ( 3 ) can be freely moved axially with regard to the outer casing ( 2 ) as the inner casing ( 3 ) comprises one or more ball seats ( 4 ), the one axially above the other, and which are activated to retain a ball ( 5 ), successively in that the inner casing ( 3 ) is moved axially through the outer casing ( 2 ). 
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the inner casing ( 3 ) drags with it the outer casing ( 2 ) to an open position when the ball ( 5 ) lands on the last seat ( 4   a ) in the row in the inner casing ( 3 ) so that it opens for fluid connection between the inside of the pipe ( 104 ) and the formation ( 100 ) through aligned openings ( 50 ,  29 ,  14 ) in the inner casing ( 3 ), the outer casing ( 2 ) and the valve ( 1   a ), respectively. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the last seat ( 4   c,    FIG. 13 ) in the inner casing ( 3 ) forms a restriction so that the ball ( 5 ) is not set free when it lands on this last seat ( 4   a ). 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the last seat ( 4   c ) in an inner casing ( 3 ) sets the ball ( 5 ) free after an opening of the outer casing ( 2 ) that makes up the valve, for example, so that several valves ( 1 ) are installed in the same using zone where the bottom valve ( 1 ) will then hold back the ball ( 5 ) and through this sets up several openings for fluid flow out to and in from the same zone in the formation ( 100 ). 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the well ( 100 ) is divided into zones in that the pipe ( 104 ), between each set of valves ( 1   a,    1   b,    1   c ), comprises gaskets ( 110 ) that form a seal between the formation and the pipe ( 104 ). 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the bottom valve set ( 1   a ) in the production pipe ( 104 ) comprises one single casing with a ball seat ( 4   a ) and also openings ( 50 ) uppermost around the pipe circumference to set up said flow of fluid to a first zone, a second valve set ( 1   b ) comprising two casings with respective ball seats ( 4   a,    4   b ) where the uppermost casing comprises openings ( 50 ) uppermost around the pipe circumference to set up said fluid flow to a second hydrocarbon-carrying zone, as each further valve set ( 1 ) in the row upwards comprises one casing more than an underlying casing, as each uppermost casing comprises said openings ( 50 ) uppermost around the pipe circumference to set up said fluid flow between the pipe and the respective hydrocarbon-carrying zones. 
     
     
         7 . Valve system for application in a production pipe ( 104 ) in a well ( 101 ) through a hydrocarbon-carrying formation and which can be activated selectively by the use of pellets or balls of a single size, where the ball is set up to land on one or more ball seats inside the valve, where the seats ( 4 ) can be activated for landing of a ball ( 5 ) either before driving into a well or in the passing of a previously dropped ball or other adapted object ( 5 ) with an adjusted diameter or form, characterised in that the valve housing ( 1 ) comprises two separated casings ( 2  and  3 , respectively) in the form of an inner casing ( 3 ) arranged inside an outer casing ( 2 ), where the inner casing ( 3 ) can be moved freely with regard to the outer casing ( 2 ), as the inner casing ( 3 ) comprises one or more ball seats ( 4 ), the one axially above the other, and that are activated by retaining a ball ( 5 ), successively in that the inner casing ( 3 ) can be moved axially through the outer casing ( 2 ). 
     
     
         8 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the last seat ( 4   c,    FIG. 13 ) of the inner casing ( 3 ) forms a restriction so that the ball ( 5 ) is not released when it lands in this last seat ( 4   a ). 
     
     
         9 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the last seat ( 4   c ) in the inner casing ( 3 ) can release the ball ( 5 ) after the opening of the outer casing ( 2 ) that makes up the valve, for example, such that several valves ( 1 ) are installed in the same using zone where the bottom valve ( 1 ) will then hold back the ball ( 5 ) and through this make possible several openings for the flow of fluid out to and in from the same zone. 
     
     
         10 . Valve system according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the first ball seats ( 4 ) in the inner casing ( 3 ) lets the ball ( 5 ) pass the valve ( 1 ) and axially downwards to a next valve ( 1 ) in a row when the inner casing ( 3 ) in its activated (constricted) seat ( 4 ) comes out of engagement with the outer casing ( 2 ) and into the now increased internal diameter (ID) of the valve ( 1 ). 
     
     
         11 . Valve system according to  claim 10 , characterised in that the first ball seats ( 4 ) displace/move, with the help of the pressure behind an activation object, the inner casing ( 3 ) axially down a position for each activation object/ball ( 5 ) which, by fluid pressure from above, is pumped down into the well, thereby to activate a last seat ( 4   c — FIG. 13 ) to finally open the valve ( 1 ) by an axial displacement of the outer casing ( 2 ) in parallel with the inner casing ( 3 ). 
     
     
         12 . Valve system according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the inner casing ( 3 ) comprises one or more end pieces/end profiles ( 20 ) for connection of a resetting tool. 
     
     
         13 . Valve system according to  claim 12 , characterised in that the outer casing ( 2 ) in the valve ( 1 ) is physically locked to the valve via at least one split ring ( 8 ) up to the inner casing ( 3 ) being moved to a position where a last seat ( 4   c — FIG. 13 ) is activated and is then released for opening in that the friction in the, at least, one split ring ( 8 ) is overcome by the pressure that builds up behind the ball ( 5 ), and through this overcomes the friction that is made up by the locking. 
     
     
         14 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the outer casing ( 2 ) can be prevented from moving by the use of locking bodies, for example, a shear ring, shear pin and split fingers, said locking body immobilises the outer casing in a position for fluid flow by said movement of the inner casing ( 3 ). 
     
     
         15 . Valve system according to  claim 14 , characterised in that the locking body of the outer casing ( 2 ) is held locked via a pressure supplied by the inner casing ( 3 ), in that the pressure from the adapted inner casing ( 3 ) influences one or more pegs that are forced through the outer casing ( 2 ) by the inner casing ( 3 ) and out into a cut groove in the wall of the valve, when the inner casing ( 3 ) reaches its activation position, this has a smaller diameter in an area that makes it possible for the pegs to collapse inwards and release the outer casing ( 2 ) for movement so that the openings ( 14 ,  29 ) are aligned for fluid flow. 
     
     
         16 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the inner casing ( 3 ) comprises ball seats ( 4 ) for the placing balls of different diameters to further increase the flexibility of the system. 
     
     
         17 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the outer casing ( 2 ) is held in place by, for example, a split casing that exerts a friction out against the outer wall of the valve. 
     
     
         18 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that all inner hollow spaces and all exposed surfaces are filled with a lubricant that contains a chemical that prevents hardening of cement, such as, for example, sugar. 
     
     
         19 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the outer casing is fitted with internal cut that will make expansion of the ball seats ( 4 ) possible to release the ball before the ball seat is out of the outer casing ( 2 ). 
     
     
         20 .- 21  (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the inner casing ( 3 ) or the outer casing ( 2 ) is with, for example, one or more split rings for increased friction inner casing ( 3 ) or outer casing ( 2 ), or by other known constructions for increased friction, such as a coarser surface on the material, another material than on the other parts, a covering of another material, grooves in the material, C-clip rings, shear rings or shear pins for the purpose of preventing unintended movement of the outer casing ( 2 ). 
     
     
         23 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the valve ( 1 ) comprises ball seats that are set up to first open the valve and then to close it if further balls ( 5 ) are let down into the pipe/well ( 1 / 3 ). 
     
     
         24 . Valve system according to  claim 7 , characterised in that a bottom valve set ( 1   a ) in the production pipe ( 104 ) comprises a single casing with one ball seat ( 4   a ) and also openings ( 50 ) uppermost around the pipe circumference to set up said fluid flow to a first zone, a second valve set ( 1   b ) comprises two casings with respective ball seats ( 4   a,    4   b ) where the top casing comprises openings ( 50 ) uppermost around the pipe circumference to set up said fluid flow to a second hydrocarbon-carrying zone, as each further valve set ( 1 ) in the row upwards comprises one casing more than in an underlying valve set, as each uppermost casing comprises said openings ( 50 ) uppermost around the pipe circumference to set up said fluid flow between the pipe and respective hydrocarbon-carrying zones.