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WO1999023352A1 - Soupape anti-refoulement - Google Patents

Soupape anti-refoulement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999023352A1
WO1999023352A1 PCT/US1998/022469 US9822469W WO9923352A1 WO 1999023352 A1 WO1999023352 A1 WO 1999023352A1 US 9822469 W US9822469 W US 9822469W WO 9923352 A1 WO9923352 A1 WO 9923352A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
valve
seal
metal
safety valve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/022469
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Mccalvin
Original Assignee
Camco International, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Camco International, Inc. filed Critical Camco International, Inc.
Priority to AU12751/99A priority Critical patent/AU1275199A/en
Publication of WO1999023352A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999023352A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B34/00—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells
    • E21B34/06—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells
    • E21B34/10—Valve arrangements for boreholes or wells in wells operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B2200/00—Special features related to earth drilling for obtaining oil, gas or water
    • E21B2200/05—Flapper valves

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for preventing backflow of fluids through a length of tubing, and more specifically, to a subsurface safety valve for preventing backflow of fluids in a inactive well during injection of nearby active wells, or for preventing other natural or manmade flow of fluid into the well bore.
  • a number of wells are drilled from the surface into the same subsurface reservoir.
  • reservoir communication may allow backflow of the injection fluid, or unexpected gas kicks, into the inactive wells. Nearby well drilling may also create an active flow path through which backflow of fluid is undesirable.
  • Tubing retrievable safety valves such as the one shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,362,214 issued to Pringle, et al. on December 7, 1982, can be used to prevent such backflow during injection operations.
  • the prior art safety valves require that the connections between adjacent elements of the valve housing be sealed by an o-ring or other non-metallic sealing element.
  • the prior art safety valves also utilize elastomeric materials, such as VITON®, to seal the valve and seat when the valve element is closed. Such elastomeric materials are susceptible to damage by debris and corrosive materials in the fluid.
  • the valve element itself is also susceptible to damage by debris accumulation and corrosive materials in the fluid.
  • the present invention provides a tubing retrievable subsurface safety valve wherein the seals and components of the valve element are protected from damage by material in the fluid flow.
  • the safety valve of the present invention also does not require elastomeric seals between components of the housing thereof.
  • a tubing retrievable differential pressure actuated well safety valve is provided.
  • a housing of the safety valve is adapted to be threadably connected to well tubing, and has a bore therethrough.
  • a valve element is connected and sealed to the housing and is movable between open and closed positions in the bore. The valve element is normally biased to the open position.
  • a valve seat element is connected to the housing for engaging the valve element in the closed position.
  • a non-elastomeric seal is positioned on a surface of the valve seat element to engage a surface of the valve element in the closed position and to seal the bore.
  • the non-elastomeric seal may be plastic.
  • the valve element may include a valve housing connected to the safety valve housing, and a flapper valve pivotally connected to the valve housing. Sealing means may also be provided for sealing the valve housing against the valve seat element and the safety valve housing.
  • the housing may include a top subassembly, a main housing member and a bottom subassembly, each formed from a metal material.
  • the metal top subassembly preferably has a threaded portion at one end thereof.
  • the metal main housing member may include threaded portions at both ends thereof. The threaded portion at the first end of the main housing threadably engages the threaded portion of the top subassembly and forms a metal-to-metal seal.
  • the metal bottom subassembly may exhibit a threaded portion at one end thereof threadably engaging the threaded second end of the main housing and also forming a metal-to-metal seal.
  • the well safety valve may further include a flow tube longitudinally moveable in the housing for causing the opening and closing of the valve element.
  • a spring element may be positioned between the housing and the flow tube for moving the tube in a direction to open the valve element.
  • a choke bean may be connected to an end of the flow tube.
  • the choke bean may be permanent or it may be wireline retrievable.
  • the differential pressure actuated well safety valve includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a valve element connected to the housing and movable between open and closed positions in the bore, a flow tube longitudinally movable in the housing for causing the opening and closing of the valve element, and it may include an annular nose seal connected to the housing and positioned in the bore to create a seal between the housing and a first end of the flow tube when the valve is in the open position.
  • the nose seal preferably is formed from of a non-elastomeric material.
  • the nose seal may also be an elastomeric material and still be within the scope of the invention.
  • Means for retaining the nose seal within the bore may also be provided.
  • the tubing retrievable differential pressure actuated well safety valve includes at least a metal top subassembly, a metal main housing and a metal bottom subassembly.
  • the metal top subassembly has a threaded portion at one end thereof.
  • the other end of the top subassembly is adapted to be threadably connected to well tubing.
  • the metal housing member includes threaded portions at both ends thereof. The threaded portion at the first end of the main housing threadably engages the threaded portion of the top subassembly and forms a metal-to-metal seal.
  • the metal bottom subassembly also has a threaded portion at one end thereof which threadably engages the threaded second end of the main housing and forms a metal-to-metal seal.
  • the other end of the lower subassembly is adapted to be threadably connected to well tubing.
  • a valve element is connected to the housing and is movable between open and closed positions in the bore. The valve element is normally biased to the open position.
  • a valve seat element connected to the housing for engaging the valve element in the closed position is also provided according to this aspect of the invention.
  • FIGS. 1 A, IB, 1C and ID are continuations of each other and form an elevational view, in cross section, of the safety valve, shown in the open position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a tubing retrievable safety valve or backflow prevention valve 10 having a substantially cylindrical body 12 with an open bore 14 therethrough for allowing the flow of product, such as oil and gas.
  • product such as oil and gas.
  • wire-line tools may also pass through the bore 14 to perform a variety of necessary functions to evaluate and service the well.
  • the safety valve 10 may be connected to a string of tubing (not shown), instead of inside a tubing as in a wireline retrievable safety valve, by top subassembly 16 and bottom subassembly 18, which are connected to each end of the housing 12. This allows the diameter of the valve 10 to be increased and consequently provides an increased size bore 14 therethrough, which is desirable for reducing sand cutting, minimizing turbulence and allowing increased production.
  • the housing 12 is threadably connected at each end thereof to the top sub 16 and bottom sub 18.
  • the threaded connections 15 and 17 are such that a metal-to-metal joint is created at each connection point.
  • Such metal-to-metal connections avoid the additional parts associated with an elastomeric seal between the components of the safety valve and provide a more fail-safe seal.
  • Such metal-to-metal seals are known generally in the art, but have not heretofore been used to connect housing components of this type of safety valve.
  • a valve element such as flapper element 20, is provided, and is connected to a valve housing 21 on a pivot 22, and is movable from an open position, as shown in FIG. 1C, to a closed position seated on a valve seat 24 for blocking flow upwardly through the bore 14.
  • the valve housing 21 is secured to the inner wall of the housing 12 by conventional means, such as by welds or threaded connections.
  • a flow tube 26 is longitudinally movable in the housing 12 for controlling the opening and closing of the valve element 20.
  • Spring means 28 acts between a shoulder 30 on the top sub 16 and a spring stop 33 connected to the flow tube 26 and positioned on a shoulder 32 of the housing 12 to yieldably urge the flow tube 26 downwardly in a direction to engage and move the valve element 20 to an open position.
  • a torsional spring element 23 acting on the flapper valve 20 forces the valve 20 to swing to the closed position such that the valve 20 engages the seat 24 and creates a seal.
  • the closure of the flapper valve 20 is also obtained by well production in the housing 12 acting on the back 34 of the flapper valve 20.
  • a choke bean 36 is provided in the bore 14 connected to the flow tube 26 having an internal diameter 38 which creates a differential pressure across the bean 36.
  • the relatively large size of the bore 14 and the location of the choke bean 36 allow for high flow rates during injection into a well, and low flow rates for production from the well.
  • the choke bean 36 is formed from a hard material, such as Inconel-718 or other inco-alloys, to prevent erosion. Hastelloy C-276 or clad stellite over a softer parent metal may also be used to achieve the desired hardness for the choke bean. Other materials having similar hardness and erosion resistance characteristics may also be used.
  • the choke bean 36 may be integral with the flow tube 26 as shown in FIG. IB, or it may be selectively separable from the flow tube to permit wireline replacement of the choke bean 36.
  • a locking device is positioned on the lower edge of the choke bean 36 for selectively engaging an upper receiving edge of the flow tube 26.
  • the choke bean 36 may be lowered into the body 12 by wireline and locked onto the flow tube 26 via a locking device.
  • the flapper valve 20 When the flapper valve 20 is in the open position, the flow tube 26 holds the flapper valve 20 in the open position and protects the valve 20 from debris and damage.
  • a lower edge of the flow tube 26 is seated in an annular nose seal 40, which is located on an annular ledge 41 formed on the inner surface of the bottom sub 18.
  • the nose seal 40 is formed from a non-elastomeric material, preferably a plastic. Examples of suitable plastics include TEFLON®, RYTON® and PEEK®.
  • a nose seal retainer 42 is used to hold the nose seal 40 in position against the annular ledge 41.
  • a plurality of nose seal screws 44 may also be provided to secure the annular nose seal 40 to the ledge 41.
  • a primary, metal to metal seal is created between the front side of the metal flapper valve 20 and the seat portion 24a of the metal valve seat element 24.
  • a secondary seal is also formed between the front side of the flapper valve 20 and a secondary soft seat 46, which is connected to the valve seat element 24 near the seat portion 24a thereof.
  • the soft seal 46 is formed of a non-elastomeric substance, and is preferably formed from plastic.
  • An annular cup seal 48 is also provided in the space defined by the valve seat element 24, flapper housing 21 and the inner wall of housing 12 to prevent fluid from passing between the flapper housing 21 and valve seat 24.
  • the cup seal 48 includes an annular plastic sealing member 50 having a substantially C-shaped portion for receiving a spring member 52 therein.
  • the spring member 52 acts to bias the cup seal outwardly to form a seal against the inner wall of the housing 12.
  • suitable plastics for use in the soft seal 46 and the cup seal 48 include TEFLON®, RYTON® and PEEK®.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Safety Valves (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur une soupape de sécurité (10) d'un puits de forage actionnée sous la pression différentielle et pouvant être accessible par le tubage. Le corps (12) de la soupape de sécurité est conçu pour être raccordé vissé au tubage et est traversé par un trou (14). Un élément (20) de soupape est raccordé au corps et peut se déplacer entre des positions fermée et ouverte dans le trou. L'élément de soupape est normalement sollicité en position ouverte. Un élément (24) de siège de soupape est raccordé au corps de façon à venir en contact avec l'élément de soupape en position fermée. Un joint (24a) hermétique non élastomère est positionné sur une surface de l'élément de siège de soupape de façon à venir en contact avec une surface de l'élément de soupape en position fermée, et fermer hermétiquement le trou. Le corps comprend un sous-ensemble supérieur (16), un élément (12) de corps principal et un sous-ensemble (18) inférieur, chacun étant formé dans un matériau métallique et raccordés vissés l'un à l'autre de former à former des joints métal contre métal. Un joint (40) avant annulaire est raccordé au corps et positionné dans le trou de façon à former un joint étanche entre le corps et une première extrémité d'un tube d'écoulement positionné par coulissement dans le trou lorsque la soupape est en position ouverte.
PCT/US1998/022469 1997-10-31 1998-10-22 Soupape anti-refoulement WO1999023352A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU12751/99A AU1275199A (en) 1997-10-31 1998-10-22 Backflow prevention valve

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6395897P 1997-10-31 1997-10-31
US60/063,958 1997-10-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999023352A1 true WO1999023352A1 (fr) 1999-05-14

Family

ID=22052605

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1998/022469 WO1999023352A1 (fr) 1997-10-31 1998-10-22 Soupape anti-refoulement

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1275199A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999023352A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116378611A (zh) * 2021-12-24 2023-07-04 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 节流嘴结构、高抗硫固定式井下节流器及其捕捞方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4362214A (en) * 1981-01-19 1982-12-07 Camco, Incorporated Tubing retrievable variable setting differential pressure actuated well safety valve
US4722399A (en) * 1987-03-12 1988-02-02 Camco, Incorporated Self closing equalizing valve for a subsurface well safety valve
US5029646A (en) * 1990-07-11 1991-07-09 Camco International Inc. Orifice well safety valve with release mechanism
US5095994A (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-03-17 Otis Engineering Corportion Flow actuated safety valve with retrievable choke and metal seals
US5125457A (en) * 1991-06-11 1992-06-30 Otis Engineering Corporation Resilient seal for curved flapper valve

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4362214A (en) * 1981-01-19 1982-12-07 Camco, Incorporated Tubing retrievable variable setting differential pressure actuated well safety valve
US4722399A (en) * 1987-03-12 1988-02-02 Camco, Incorporated Self closing equalizing valve for a subsurface well safety valve
US5029646A (en) * 1990-07-11 1991-07-09 Camco International Inc. Orifice well safety valve with release mechanism
US5095994A (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-03-17 Otis Engineering Corportion Flow actuated safety valve with retrievable choke and metal seals
US5125457A (en) * 1991-06-11 1992-06-30 Otis Engineering Corporation Resilient seal for curved flapper valve

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116378611A (zh) * 2021-12-24 2023-07-04 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 节流嘴结构、高抗硫固定式井下节流器及其捕捞方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1275199A (en) 1999-05-24

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