Flow control system with variable staged adjustable triggering device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9464505-B2
Application number	US-201213722751-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2012
Priority date	Jun 8, 2012
Publication date	Oct 11, 2016
Grant date	Oct 11, 2016

Abstract

Techniques and equipment to facilitate controlling flow of a fluid along a flow passage. A flow control assembly is placed along a flow passage, and a bypass is routed past the flow control assembly. Flow along the bypass is controlled by a flow bypass mechanism which may be operated via pressure increase within the flow control assembly. A shear device restricts the opening of the bypass, and a dampening device acts to limit the shear device to exposure of forces from the pressure increase.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A flow control system for use in a wellbore well system, comprising:
a flow control assembly;
a bypass positioned to route fluid flow around the flow control assembly within the well system;
a flow bypass mechanism located along the bypass and positioned to selectively block flow along the bypass, the flow bypass mechanism being selectively displaceable to open the bypass in response to a designated increase in pressure within the flow control assembly;
a shear device restricting the opening of the bypass until the designated increase in pressure within the flow control assembly is reached;
a dampening device to limit the shear device exposure to force from pressure increases within the flow control assembly that are not intended to open the bypass;
a power piston suitable to shift in response to the pressure increase in the flow control assembly, wherein the dampening device initially limits the power piston shifting force from being transmitted to the shear device; and
an actuator assembly, a portion of which is disposed between the dampening device and the power piston, and another portion of which is suitable to engage the shear device when the designated increase in pressure occurs within the flow control assembly.

2. The flow control system of claim 1 , further comprising a variable adjustment member which allows the dampening device to be adjusted to respond to varying designated increases of pressure.

3. The flow control system of claim 1 , further comprising an engagement member fixedly connected to the actuator assembly, the engagement member suitable to engage with the flow bypass mechanism after the designated increase in pressure occurs.

4. The flow control system of claim 1 , wherein the flow control assembly comprises an in-line barrier valve in the form of a ball valve.

5. The flow control system of claim 1 , wherein the flow bypass mechanism comprises a sliding sleeve valve.

6. The flow control system of claim 1 , wherein the dampening device is a biasing member or a spring.

7. A method of controlling flow in a well system, comprising:
positioning a flow control assembly in a downhole well system;
providing a bypass around the flow control assembly;
controlling flow through the bypass with a flow bypass mechanism, wherein the flow bypass mechanism is selectively operated in response to a designated increase in pressure within the flow control assembly;
restricting the operation of the flow bypass mechanism with a shear device, the shear device suitable to shear in response to the designated increase in pressure, thereby allowing the bypass to open;
protecting the shear device with a dampening device, the dampening device suitable to limit the shear device's exposure to forces or translations related to pressure increases within the flow control assembly that are not intended to open the bypass;
increasing pressure in the flow control assembly to a point less than the designated pressure;
shifting a power piston in a first direction in response to the pressure increase, the power piston engaging with the dampening device so that limited force or displacement from the power piston is translated past the dampening device;
increasing pressure in the flow assembly to a point at or above the designated pressure;
shifting the power piston further, such that the dampening device allows force or displacement from the power piston to translate through the dampening device to the shear device; and
shearing at least part of the shear device, thereby allowing an engagement member previously restrained by the shear device to engage with the flow bypass mechanism.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
reducing pressure in the flow control assembly to a point less than the designated pressure;
shifting the power piston in a second direction in response to the pressure decrease;
transmitting the power piston shifting in the second direction to the engagement member and partially opening the flow bypass mechanism through the translation of the engagement member in the second direction; and
continuing the shifting of the power position in the second direction through the addition of force provided by the dampening device.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising protecting the shear device with a dampening device, the dampening device suitable to limit the shear device exposure to forces or translations arising from impacts or jarring of the flow control assembly during its deployment downhole.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the flow control assembly comprises an in-line barrier valve in the form of a ball valve.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the flow bypass mechanism comprises a sliding sleeve valve.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the dampening device is a biasing member or a spring.

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Anyan Steven L
• Martinez Ricardo
• Leonardi Tauna

Classifications

• E21B34/14

  operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools {(E21B34/066 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• E21B34/103

  with a shear pin · CPC title

• E21B34/102

  with means for locking the closing element in open or closed position (E21B34/105 and E21B34/108 take precedence) · CPC title

• E21B34/101

  with means for equalizing fluid pressure above and below the valve · CPC title

• E21B34/08

  responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained (E21B34/10 takes precedence) · CPC title