Testable back pressure valves

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10689947-B2
Application number	US-201715840833-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 13, 2017
Priority date	Dec 13, 2016
Publication date	Jun 23, 2020
Grant date	Jun 23, 2020

Abstract

A testable back pressure valve can include a body. The valve can also include a first flow regulating device movably disposed within a top end of the body, where the first flow regulating device is configured to move from a first default position to a first position based on first flow characteristics of a first fluid that flows into a top end of the body toward a bottom end of the body. The valve can further include a second flow regulating device movably disposed within the bottom end of the body. The valve can also include a network of channels disposed within the body between the first flow regulating device and the second flow regulating device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A testable back pressure valve, comprising:
a body;
a first flow regulating device movably disposed within a top end of the body, wherein the first flow regulating device is configured to move from a first default position to a first position based on first flow characteristics of a first fluid that flows into a top end of the body toward a bottom end of the body;
a second flow regulating device movably disposed within the bottom end of the body; and
a network of channels disposed within the body between the first flow regulating device and the second flow regulating device,
wherein the second flow regulating device moves independently of the first flow regulating device, and
wherein the first flow regulating device and the second flow regulating device are inverted relative to each other.

2. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the first default position of the first flow regulating device is a first closed position that prevents downhole fluids from passing upward around the first flow regulating device.

3. The testable back pressure valve of claim 2 , wherein the network of channels is further disposed within the body above the first flow regulating device, wherein the network of channels allow the first fluid to flow toward the second flow regulating device when the first flow regulating device is in the first closed position.

4. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the first position of the first flow regulating device is a first open position that allows kill fluid to flow around the first flow regulating device toward the bottom end of the body.

5. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the second flow regulating device has a second default position, wherein the second default position is an open position that allows the first fluid to pass therethrough.

6. The testable back pressure valve of claim 5 , wherein the second flow regulating device further has a second position, wherein the second position is a closed position that prevents the first fluid from passing therethrough.

7. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the network of channels is configurable.

8. The testable back pressure valve of claim 7 , further comprising:
at least one plug disposed in the network of channels, wherein the at least one plug prevents flow of the first fluid therethrough.

9. The testable back pressure valve of claim 7 , further comprising:
at least one check valve disposed in the network of channels, wherein the at least one check valve prevents flow of the first fluid in one direction and allows flow of the first fluid in an opposing direction.

10. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the first flow regulating device comprises a first spring valve, and wherein the second flow regulating device comprises a second spring valve.

11. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the network of channels is configured to receive a test fluid from an external component of a system when the first flow regulating device is in the first default position.

12. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the second flow regulating device comprises a resilient device that returns the second flow regulating device to an open position when the first flow characteristics of the first fluid fall below a threshold level.

13. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the first flow regulating device and the second flow regulating device are configured differently from each other.

14. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the first flow regulating device comprises a resilient device that returns the first flow regulating device to the first default position when the first flow characteristics of the first fluid fall below a threshold level.

15. The testable back pressure valve of claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an upper portion, a lower portion, and a middle portion disposed therebetween, wherein the first flow regulating device is nested within the upper portion and the middle portion, and wherein the second flow regulating device is nested within the lower portion and the middle portion.

16. A valve system comprising:
a casing head; and
a testable back pressure valve disposed within the casing head, wherein the testable back pressure valve comprises:
a body;
a first flow regulating device movably disposed within a top end of the body, wherein the first flow regulating device is configured to move from a first default position to a first position based on first flow characteristics of a first fluid that flows into a top end of the body toward a bottom end of the body;
a second flow regulating device movably disposed within the bottom end of the body; and
a network of channels disposed within the body between the first flow regulating device and the second flow regulating device,
wherein the second flow regulating device moves independently of the first flow regulating device, and
wherein the first flow regulating device and the second flow regulating device are inverted relative to each other.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the casing head comprises a test port and a casing head channel connected to the test port, wherein the casing head channel is coupled to the network of channels of the testable back pressure valve.

18. The system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a testing rod coupled to an upper end of the testable back pressure valve.

Assignees

• Chevron Usa Inc

Inventors

• Montoya James Daniel
• Lynch Heath Evan
• Painter Jay Patrick
• Archuleta Jacobo Rogelio

Classifications

• F16K15/18

  with actuating mechanism; Combined check valves and actuated valves · CPC title

• F16K15/063

  the valve being loaded by a spring · CPC title

• F16K17/18

  opening on surplus pressure on either side · CPC title

• E21B33/04

  Casing heads; Suspending casings or tubings in well heads · CPC title

• F16K15/026

  the valve member being a movable body around which the medium flows when the valve is open · CPC title