Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SIDEPOCKET MANDREL FOR ORIENTING A GAS LIFT VALVE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention relates to subsurface well
completion equipment and, more particularly, to an apparatus
for lifting hydrocarbons from subterranean formations with gas
at high production rates. Additionally, embodiments c>f
independent and detachable actuators are disclosed.
2. Description Of The Related Art
Artificial lift systems, long known by those skilled
in the art of oil well production, are used to assist in the
extraction of fluids from subterranean geological formations.
The most ideal well for a company concerned with the
production of oil, is one that flows naturally and without
assistance. Often wells drilled in new fields have this
advantage. In this ideal case, the pressure of the producing
formation is greater than the hydrostatic pressure of the
fluid in the wellbore, allowing the well to flow withcut
artificial lift. However, as an oil bearing formation
matures, and some significant percentage of the product is
recovered, a reduction in the formation pressure occurs. With
this reduction in formation pressure, the hydrocarbon issuance
therefrom is likewise reduced to a point where the well no
longer flows without assistance, despite the
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presence of significant volumes of valuable product still in place in the oil
bearing stratum. In
wells where this type of production decrease occurs, or if the formation
pressure is low from the
outset, artificial lift is commonly employed to enhance the recovery of oil
from the formation.
This disclosure is primarily concerned with one type of artificial lift called
"Gas Lift."
Gas lift has long been known to those skilled in the art, as shown in U.S.
Patent No.
2,137,441 filed in November 1938. Other patents of some historic significance
are U.S. Patent
Nos. 2,672,827, 2,679,827, 2,679,903, and 2,824,525, all commonly assigned
hereto. Other,
more recent developments in this field include U.S. Patent Nos. 4,239,082,
4,360,064 of common
assignment, as well as 4,295,796, 4,625,941, and 5,176,164. While these
patents all contributed
to fiurthering the art of gas lift valves in wells, recent trends in drilling
and completion techniques
expose and highlight long felt limitations with this matured technology.
The economic climate in the oil industry of the 1990's demands that oil
producing
companies produce more oil, that is now exponentially more difficult to
exploit, in less time, and
without increasing prices to the consumer. One successful technique that is
currently being
employed is deviated and horizontal drilling, which more efficiently drains
hydrocarbon hearing
formations. This increase in production makes it necessary to use much larger
production tubing
sizes. For example, in years past, 2-3/8 inch production tubing was most
common. Today,
tubing sizes of offshore wells range from 4-1/2 to 7 inches. While much more
oil can be
produced from tubing this large, conventional gas lift techniques have reached
or exceeded their
operational limit as a result.
In order for oil to be produced utilizing gas lift, a precise volume and
velocity of the gas
flowing upward through the tubing must be maintained. Gas injected into the
hydrostatic column
of fluid decreases the column's total density and pressure gradient, allowing
the well to flow.
As the tubing size increases, the volume of gas required to maintain the well
in a flowing
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condition increases as the square of the increase in tubing diameter. If the
volume of the gas
lifting the oil is not maintained, the produced oil falls back down the
tubing, and the well suffers
a condition commonly known as "loading up." If the volume of gas is too great,
the cost of
compression and recovery of the lift gas becomes a significant percentage of
the production cost.
As a result, the size of a gas injection orifice in the gas lift valve is of
crucial importance to the
stable operation of the well. Prior art gas lift valves employ fixed diameter
orifices in a range
up to 3/4 inch, which may be inadequate for optimal production in large
diameter tubing. This
size limitation is geometrically limited by the gas lift valve's requisite
small size, and the position
of its operating mechanism, which prevents a full bore through the valve for
maximum flow.
Because well conditions and gas lift requirements change over time, those
skilled in the
art of well operations are also constantly aware of the compromise of well
efficiency that must
be balanced versus the cost of intervention to install the most optimal gas
lift valves therein as
well conditions change over time. Well intervention is expensive, most
especially on prolific
offshore or subsea wells, so a valve that can be utilized over the entire life
of the well, and whose
orifice size and subsequent flow rate can be adjusted to changing downhole
conditions, is a long
felt and unresolved need in the oil industry. There is also a need for a novel
gas lift valve that
has a gas injection orifice that is large enough to inject a volume of gas
adequate to lift oil in
large diameter production tubing. There is also a need for differing and novel
operating
mechanisms for gas lift valves that will not impede the flow of injection gas
therethrough.
Finally, there is a need for an approach to orienting a gas lift valve
relative to a first side pocket
within a mandrel into which the gas lift valve is remotely inserted and/or
relative to a second
pocket, within the same mandrel, that is parallel to the first side pocket.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been contemplated to overcome the foregoing
deficiencies and
meet the above described needs. In one aspect, the present invention is a gas
lift valve for use
in a subterranean well, comprising: a valve body with a longitudinal bore
therethrough for
sealable insertion in a mandrel; a variable orifice valve in the body for
controlling fluid flow into
the body; and, an actuating means connected to the variable orifice valve.
Another feature of
this aspect of the present invention is that the actuating means may be
electro-hydraulically
operated, and may further include: a hydraulic pump located in a downhole
housing; an electric
motor connected to and driving the hydraulic pump upon receipt of a signal
from a control panel;
hydraulic circuitry connected to and responding to the action of the pump;
and, a moveable
hydraulic piston responding to the hydraulic circuitry and operatively
connected to the variable
orifice valve, controlling movement thereof. Another feature of this aspect of
the present
invention is that the actuating means may further include a position sensor to
report relative
location of the moveable hydraulic piston to the control panel. Another
feature of this aspect of
the present invention is that the actuating means may be selectively installed
and retrievably
detached from the gas lift valve.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the actuating
means may
further include at least one pressure transducer communicating with the
hydraulic circuitry, and
transmitting collected data to the control panel. Another feature of this
aspect of the present
invention is that the actuating means may filrther include a mechanical
position holder. Another
feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the actuating means
may be selectively
installed and retrievably detached from the gas lift valve.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the actuating
means may be
hydraulically operated, and may further include: a hydraulic actuating piston
located in a
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downhole housing and operatively connected to the variable orifice valve; a
spring, biasing the
variable orifice valve in a full closed position; and, at least one control
line connected to the
hydraulic actuating piston and extending to a hydraulic pressure source.
Another feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the actuating means may further
include a position sensor
to report relative location of the moveable hydraulic piston to a control
panel. Another feature
of this aspect of the present invention is that the actuating means may
further include at least one
pressure transducer communicating with the hydraulic actuating piston, and
transmitting
collected data to a control panel. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention is that
the actuating means may be selectively installed and retrievably detached from
the gas lift valve.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the actuating
means may be
electro-hydraulic, and may further include: at least one electrically piloted
hydraulic solenoid
valve located in a downhole housing; at least one hydraulic control line
connected to the
solenoid valve and extending to a hydraulic pressure source; hydraulic
circuity connected to and
responding to the action of the solenoid valve; and, a moveable hydraulic
piston responding to
the hydraulic circuitry and operatively connected to the variable orifice
valve, controlling
movement thereof.' Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is
that the actuating
means may further include a position sensor to report relative location of the
moveable hydraulic
piston to a control panel. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the
actuating means may further include at least one pressure transducer
communicating with the
hydraulic circuitry, and transmitting collected data to a control panel.
Another feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the actuating means may be selectively
installed and
retrievably detached from the gas lift valve.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the actuating
means may be
pneumo-hydraulically actuated, and may further include: a moveable hydraulic
piston having a
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first and second end, operatively connected to the variable orifice valve,
controlling movement
thereof; at least one hydraulic control line connected to a hydraulic pressure
source and
communicating with the first end of the hydraulic piston; and, a gas chamber
connected to and
communicating with the second end of the hydraulic piston. Another feature of
this aspect of the
present invention is that the gas lift valve may be retrievably locatable
within a side pocket
mandrel by wireline and coiled tubing intervention tools. Another feature of
this aspect of the
present invention is that the gas lift valve may be selectively installed and
retrievably detached
from the actuating means. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the
actuating means may be selectively installed and retrievably detached from the
gas lift valve.
In another aspect, the present invention may be a method of using a gas lift
valve in a
subterranean well, comprising: installing a first mandrel and a second mandrel
in a well
production string that are in operational communication; retrievably
installing a variable orifice
gas lift valve in a first mandrel; installing a controllable actuating means
in a second mandrel;
and, controlling the variable orifice gas lift valve by surface manipulation
of a control panel that
communicates with the actuating means. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention
is that the method of installing the variable orifice gas lift valve and the
actuating means may
be by wireline intervention. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the
method of installing the variable orifice gas lift valve and the actuating
means may be by coiled
tubing intervention.
In another aspect, the present invention may be a gas lift valve for variably
introducing
injection gas into a subterranean well, comprising: a valve body with a
longitudinal bore
therethrough for sealable insertion in a mandrel; a variable orifice valve in
the body for
controlling flow of injection gas into the body; and, a moveable hydraulic
piston connected to
the variable orifice valve and in communication with a source of pressurized
fluid; whereby the
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amount of injection gas introduced into the well through the variable orifice
valve is controlled
by varying the amount of pressurized fluid being applied to the moveable
hydraulic piston.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the source of
pressurized fluid may
be external to the gas lift valve and may be transmitted to the gas lift valve
through a control line
connected between the gas lift valve and the external source of pressurized
fluid. Another feature
of this aspect of the present invention is that the external source of
pressurized fluid may be
located at the earth's surface. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the
source of pressurized fluid may be an on-board hydraulic system including: a
hydraulic pump
located in a downhole housing and in fluid communication with a fluid
reservoir; an electric
motor connected to and driving the hydraulic pump upon receipt of a signal
from a control panel;
and, hydraulic circuitry in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump and
the hydraulic piston.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift
valve may further
include an electrical conduit connecting the control panel to the gas lift
valve for providing a
signal to the electric motor. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the
hydraulic system may further include a solenoid valve located in the downhole
housing and
connected to the electrical conduit, the solenoid valve directing the
pressurized fluid from the
hydraulic system through the hydraulic circuitry to the hydraulic piston.
Another feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include
at least one pressure
transducer in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuitry and connected
to the electrical
conduit for providing a pressure reading to the control panel. Another feature
of this aspect of
the present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include an
upstream pressure
transducer connected to the electrical conduit and a downstream pressure
transducer connected
to the electrical conduit, the upstream and downstream pressure transducers
being located within
the gas lift valve to measure a pressure drop across the variable orifice
valve, the pressure drop
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measurement being reported to the control panel through the electrical
conduit. Another feature
of this aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may further
include a position
sensor to report relative location of the moveable hydraulic piston to the
control panel. Another
feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may
further include a
mechanical position holder to mechanically assure that the variable orifice
valve remains in its
desired position if conditions in the hydraulic system change during use.
Another feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the variable orifice valve may be
stopped at intermediate
positions between a full open and a full closed position to adjust the flow of
injection gas
therethrough, the variable orifice valve being held in the intermediate
positions by the position
holder. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the
hydraulic system may
further include a movable volume compensator piston for displacing a volume of
fluid that is
utilized as the hydraulic system operates. Another feature of this aspect of
the present invention
is that the variable orifice valve may further include a carbide stem and
seat. Another feature of
this aspect of the present invention is that the mandrel may be provided with
at least one injection
gas port through which injection gas flows when the variable orifice valve is
open. Another
feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may
further include an
upper and lower one-way check valve located on opposite sides of the variable
orifice valve to
prevent any fluid flow from the well into the gas lift valve. Another feature
of this aspect of the
present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include latch means
for adapting the
variable orifice valve to be remotely deployed and retrieved. Another feature
of this aspect of
the present invention is that the variable orifice valve may be remotely
deployed and retrieved
by utilization of coiled tubing. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the
variable orifice valve may be remotely deployed and retrieved by utilization
of wireline. Another
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feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may
further include a valve
connection collet.
In another aspect, the present invention may be a gas lift valve for variably
introducing
injection gas into a subterranean well, comprising: a valve body with a
longitudinal bore
therethrough for sealable insertion in a mandrel; a hydraulic control line
connected to the gas lift
valve for providing a supply of pressurized fluid thereto; a variable orifice
valve in the body for
controlling flow of injection gas into the body; a spring biasing the variable
orifice valve in a fixll
closed position; a moveable hydraulic piston connected to the variable orifice
valve; and, an
actuating piston located in a downhole housing, connected to the moveable
hydraulic piston and
in communication with the control line; whereby the amount of injection gas
introduced into the
well through the variable orifice valve is controlled by varying the amount of
pressurized fluid
being applied to the actuating piston. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention is
that the control line may be connected to a source of pressurized fluid
located at the earth's
surface. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the
gas lift valve may
fiutller include a mechanical position holder to mechanically assure that the
variable orifice valve
remains in its desired position if conditions in the gas lift valve change
during use. Another
feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the variable orifice
valve may be stopped at
intermediate positions between a full open and a fill closed position to
adjust the flow of
injection gas therethrough, the variable orifice valve being held in the
intermediate positions by
the position holder. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention
is that the variable
orifice valve may further include a carbide stem and seat. Another feature of
this aspect of the
present invention is that the mandrel may be provided with at least one
injection gas port through
which injection gas flows when the variable orifice valve is open. Another
feature of this aspect
of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include an
upper and lower one-way
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check valve located on opposite sides of the variable orifice valve to prevent
any fluid flow from
the well into the gas lift valve. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention is that the
gas lift valve may further include latch means for adapting the variable
orifice valve to be
remotely deployed and retrieved. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that
the variable orifice valve may be remotely deployed and retrieved by
utilization of coiled tubing.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the variable
orifice valve may be
remotely deployed and retrieved by utilization of wireline. Another feature of
this aspect of the
present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include a valve
connection collet.
In another aspect, the present invention may be a gas lift valve for variably
introducing
injection gas into a subterranean well, comprising: a valve body with a
longitudinal bore
therethrough for sealable insertion in a mandrel; a valve-open and a valve-
closed hydraulic
control line connected to the gas lift valve for providing dual supplies of
pressurized fluid
thereto; a variable orifice valve in the body for controlling flow of
injection gas into the body;
and, a moveable hydraulic piston connected to the variable orifice valve and
in fluid
communication with the valve-open and valve-closed hydraulic control lines;
whereby the
variable orifice valve is opened by applying pressure to the hydraulic piston
through the valve-
open control line and bleeding off pressure from the valve-closed control
line; the variable
orifice valve is closed by applying pressure to the hydraulic piston through
the valve-closed
control line and bleeding off pressure from the valve-open control line; and,
the amount of
injection gas introduced into the well through the variable orifice valve is
controlled by varying
the amount of pressurized fluid being applied to and bled off from the
hydraulic piston through
the control lines. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is
that the control lines
may be connected to a source of pressurized fluid located at the earth's
surface. Another feature
of this aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may further
include a mechanical
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position holder to mechanically assure that the variable orifice valve remains
in its desired
position if conditions in the gas lift valve change during use. Another
feature of this aspect of
the present invention is that the variable orifice valve may be stopped at
intermediate positions
between a full open and a full closed position to adjust the flow of injection
gas therethrough, the
variable orifice valve being held in the intermediate positions by the
position holder. Another
feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the variable orifice
valve may further include
a carbide stem and seat. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the
mandrel may be provided with at least one injection gas port through which
injection gas flows
when the variable orifice valve is open. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention
is that the gas lift valve may further include an upper and lower one-way
check valve located on
opposite sides of the variable orifice valve to prevent any fluid flow from
the well into the gas
lift valve. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that
the gas lift valve may
further include latch means for adapting the variable orifice valve to be
remotely deployed and
retrieved. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the
variable orifice valve
may be remotely deployed and retrieved by utilization of coiled tubing.
Another feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the variable orifice valve may be
remotely deployed and
retrieved by utilization of wireline. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention is that
the gas lift valve may further including a valve connection coilet. Another
feature of this aspect
of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include a
fluid displacement port for
use during the bleeding off of pressurized fluid from the hydraulic piston.
Another feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include
a valve-open and a
valve-closed conduit for routing pressurized fluid from the valve-open and
valve-closed control
lines to the hydraulic piston.
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Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift
valve may further
include an electrical conduit connecting a control panel at the earth's
surface to the gas lift valve
for communicating collected data to the control panel. Another feature of this
aspect of the
present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include a valve-open
pressure transducer
and to a valve-closed pressure transducer, the valve-open pressure transducer
being connected
to the electrical conduit and in fluid communication wit the valve-open
conduit, the valve-closed
pressure transducer being connected to the electrical conduit and in fluid
communication with
the valve-closed conduit, the pressure transducers providing pressure readings
to the control
panel via the electrical conduit. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention is that the
gas lift valve may further include an upstream pressure transducer connected
to the electrical
conduit and a downstream pressure transducer connected to the electrical
conduit, the upstream
and downstream pressure transducers being located within the gas lift valve to
measure a pressure
drop across the variable orifice valve, the pressure drop measurement being
reported to the
control panel through the electrical conduit.
In another aspect, the present invention may be a gas lift valve for variably
introducing
injection gas into a subterranean well, comprising: a valve body with a
longitudinal bore
therethrough for sealable insertion in a mandrel; a hydraulic control line
connected to the gas lift
valve for providing a supply of pressurized fluid thereto; a variable orifice
valve in the body for
controlling flow of injection gas into the body; a nitrogen coil chamber
providing a pressurized
nitrogen charge through a pneumatic conduit for biasing the variable orifice
valve in a full closed
position; and, a moveable hydraulic piston connected to the variable orifice
valve and in fluid
communication with the hydraulic control line and the pneumatic conduit;
whereby the variable
orifice valve is opened by applying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic piston
through the
hydraulic control line to overcome the pneumatic pressure in the pneumatic
conduit; the variable
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orifice valve is closed by bleeding off pressure from the hydraulic control
line to enable the
pneumatic pressure in the nitrogen coil chamber to closed the variable orifice
valve; and, the
amount of injection gas introduced into the well through the variable orifice
valve is controlled
by varying the amount of hydraulic fluid being bled off from the hydraulic
piston through the
hydraulic control Line. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the hydraulic
control line may be connected to a source of pressurized fluid located at the
earth's surface.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift
valve may further
include a mechanical position holder to mechanically assure that the variable
orifice valve
remains in its desired position if conditions in the gas lift valve change
during use. Another
feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the variable orifice
valve may be stopped at
intermediate positions between a full open and a full closed position to
adjust the flow of
injection gas therethrough, the variable orifice valve being held in the
intermediate positions by
the position holder. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention
is that the variable
orifice valve may further include a carbide stem and seat. Another feature of
this aspect of the
present invention is that the mandrel may be provided with at least one
injection gas port through
which injection gas flows when the variable orifice valve is open. Another
feature of this aspect
of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include an
upper and lower one-way
check valve located on opposite sides of the variable orifice valve to prevent
any fluid flow from
the well into the gas lift valve. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention is that the
gas lift valve may further include latch means for adapting the variable
orifice valve to be
remotely deployed and retrieved. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that
the variable orifice valve may be remotely deployed and retrieved by
utilization of coiled tubing.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the variable
orifice valve may be
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remotely deployed and retrieved by utilization of wireline. Another feature of
this aspect of the
present invention is that the gas lift valve may further include a valve
connection collet.
In another aspect, the present invention may be a gas lift valve for variably
introducing
injection gas into a subterranean well, comprising: a first mandrel connected
to a second
mandrel, the first and second mandrel being installed in a well production
string; a valve means
having a variable orifice for controlling flow of injection gas into the well,
the valve means being
installed in the first mandrel; an actuating means for controlling the valve
means, the actuating
means being installed in the second mandrel, in communication with and
controllable from a
control panel, and connected to the valve means by a first and second
hydraulic control line.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the valve
means and the actuating
means may be remotely deployed within and retrieved from their respective
mandrels. Another
feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the valve means and
actuating means may
be remotely deployed and retrieved by utilization of coiled tubing. Another
feature of this aspect
of the present invention is that the valve means and actuating means may be
remotely deployed
and retrieved by utilization of wireline.
In another aspect, the invention may be an apparatus for orienting a first
device in a first
pocket in a mandrel relative to a second device in a second pocket in the
mandrel, the first and
second pockets being substantially parallel to one another, comprising: a
first guide rail and a
second guide rail, the first and second guide rails being on an inner surface
of the mandrel and
spaced apart in substantially parallel relationship to define a longitudinal
groove therebetween;
the first device having an orienting key and a first reference point, the
orienting key and the first
reference point being longitudinally aligned; the second device having a
second reference point;
and the first and second reference points being longitudinally aligned when
the orienting key is
disposed within the longitudinal groove between the guide rails. Another
feature of this aspect
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of the present invention is that the longitudinal groove is above the first
pocket. Another feature
of this aspect of the present invention is that the first and second guide
rails are located within
a discriminator trough in the mandrel. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention is
that the first device is a latch attached to a variable orifice gas lift
valve. Another feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the orienting key is attached to the
latch. Another feature
of this aspect of the present invention is that the first reference point is a
latching dog on a collet
finger, the collet finger being attached to a stem disposed for longitudinal
movement within a
valve body of the gas lift valve, the second reference point being a recess on
the second device,
the latching dog being securely engaged with the recess when the gas lift
valve is in a lowermost
position. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the
second device is a
means for actuating the gas lift valve. Another feature of this aspect of the
present invention is
that the first pocket and the second pocket are connected by a window, and the
connection
between the latching dog and the recess is made through the window. Another
feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the gas lift valve may include a first
and a second flow
window, and the mandrel may further include a first and a second flow port,
the first flow port
being aligned with the first flow window when the first and second reference
points are
longitudinally and elevationally aligned. Another feature of this aspect of
the present invention
is that the first and second flow windows are positioned at right angles to
each other, and wherein
the first and second flow ports are positioned at right angles to each other.
Another feature of
this aspect of the present invention is that the first device includes at
least one additional
reference point, and the second device includes at least one additional
reference point, and the
at least one additional reference point on the first device is aligned with
the at least one additional
reference point on the second device with the first and second reference
points are longitudinally
and elevationally aligned. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the
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distance between the orienting key and the first reference point is such that
the orienting key is
disposed within the longitudinal groove between the guide rails when the first
and second
reference points are longitudinally and elevationally aligned.
In another aspect, the present invention may be an apparatus for orienting a
variable
orifice gas lift valve in a first pocket in a mandrel relative to a means for
actuating the gas lift
valve that is located in a second pocket in the mandrel, the first and second
pockets being
substantially parallel to one another, comprising: a first guide rail and a
second guide rail, the
first and second guide rails being on an inner surface of the mandrel and
spaced apart in
substantially parallel relationship to define a longitudinal groove
therebetween; the gas lift valve
having an orienting key and a latching dog, the orienting key and the latching
dog being
longitudinally aligned; the actuating means having a recess for engagably
receiving the latching
dog; and the latching dog and the actuator recess being longitudinally aligned
when the orienting
key is disposed within the longitudinal groove between the guide rails.
Another feature of this
aspect of the present invention is that the latching dog and the actuator
recess are elevationally
aligned and securely engaged when the gas lift valve is in a lowermost
position. Another feature
of this aspect of the present invention is that the first pocket and the
second pocket are connected
by a window, and the connection between the latching dog and the recess is
made through the
window. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the
longitudinal groove
is above the first pocket. Another feature of this aspect of the present
invention is that the first
and second guide rails are located within a discriminator trough in the
mandrel. Another feature
of this aspect of the present invention is that the orienting key is attached
to a remotely
retrievable latch, and the latch is attached to the gas lift valve. Another
feature of this aspect of
the present invention is that the latching dog is part of a collet finger, the
collet finger being
attached to a stem disposed for longitudinal movement within a valve body of
the gas lift valve,
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the stem having an annular sealing surface, a first flow slot, and a second
flow slot, the valve
body having an annular stem seat, a first flow window, and a second flow
window, the first and
second flow windows and the first and second flow slots being longitudinally
aligned,
respectively, and being positioned relative to the latching dog so that when
the latching dog is
engaged with the actuator recess the f rst flow window and the first flow slot
are longitudinally
and elevationally aligned with a first flow port in the mandrel and the second
flow window and
the second flow slot are longitudinally and elevationally aligned with a
second flow port in the
mandrel. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the
first and second flow
windows are positioned at right angles to each other, the first and second
flow slots are
positioned at right angles to each other, and the first and second flow ports
are positioned at right
angles to each other. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention
is that the distance
between the orienting key and the latching dog is such that the orienting key
is disposed within
the longitudinal groove between the guide rails when the latching dog and
actuator recess are
longitudinally and elevationally aligned. Another feature of this aspect of
the present invention
is that the first guide rail includes a first inclined surface extending away
from the longitudinal
groove and away from the first pocket, and the second guide rail further
includes a second
inclined surface extending away from the longitudinal groove and away from the
first pocket.
Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the actuating
means is electro-
hydraulically operated, further including: a hydraulic pump located in a
downhole housing; an
electric motor connected to and driving the hydraulic pump upon receipt of a
signal from a
control panel; hydraulic circuitry connected to and responding to the action
of the pump; and
a moveable hydraulic piston responding to the hydraulic circuitry and
operatively connected to
the variable orifice valve, controlling movement thereof. Another feature of
this aspect of the
present invention is that the actuating means is hydraulically operated,
further including: a
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hydraulic actuating piston located in a downhole housing and operatively
connected to the
variable orifice valve; a spring, biasing the variable orifice valve in a full
closed position; and
at least one control line connected to the hydraulic actuating piston and
extending to a hydraulic
pressure source. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is
that the actuating
means is electro-hydraulic further including: at least one electrically
piloted hydraulic solenoid
valve located in a downhole housing; at least one hydraulic control line
connected to the
solenoid valve and extending to a hydraulic pressure source; hydraulic
circuity connected to and
responding to the action of the solenoid valve; and a moveable hydraulic
piston responding to
the hydraulic circuitry and operatively connected to the variable orifice
valve, controlling
movement thereof. Another feature of this aspect of the present invention is
that the actuating
means is pneumo-hydraulically actuated, further comprising: a moveable
hydraulic piston having
a first and second end, operatively connected to the variable orifice valve,
controlling movement
thereof; at least one hydraulic control line connected to a hydraulic pressure
source and
communicating with the first end of the hydraulic piston; and a gas chamber
connected to and
communicating with the second end of the hydraulic piston.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures lA-1C are elevation views which together illustrate an electro-
hydraulically
operated embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention having an on-
board hydraulic
system and connected to an electrical conduit running from the earth's
surface; the power unit
is shown rotated ninety degrees for clarity.
Figures 2A-2C are elevation views which together illustrate a hydraulically
operated
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention connected to a single
hydraulic control line
running from the earth's surface; the power unit is shown rotated ninety
degrees for clarity.
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Figures 3A-3C are elevation views which together illustrate another
hydraulically
operated embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention connected to
dual hydraulic
control lines running from the earth's surface; the power unit is shown
rotated ninety degrees
for clarity.
Figures 4A-4C are elevation views which together illustrate another
hydraulically
operated embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention connected to
dual hydraulic
control lines running from the earth's surface; the power unit is shown
rotated ninety degrees
for clarity.
Figures SA-SC are elevation views which together illustrate a pneumatic-
hydraulically
operated embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention connected to a
single hydraulic
control line running from the earth's surface; the power unit is shown rotated
ninety degrees for
clarity.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 1B.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 1B.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 2B.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 2B.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Figure 3B.
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 3B.
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of Figure 4B.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Figure 4B.
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of Figure SB.
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Figure SB.
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Figure 16 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the present
invention
with a retrievable actuator positioned in an upper mandrel and a retrievable
variable orifice gas
lift valve positioned in a lowermost mandrel.
Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of Figure 16.
Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I8-18 of Figure 16.
Figures 19A-19E are elevation views which together illustrate a side pocket
mandrel
having a first pocket for receiving a gas lift valve and a second pocket,
parallel to the first pocket,
for receiving a actuator.
Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along Iine 20-20 of Figure 19D.
Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 of Figure 19D.
Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 of Figure 19C.
Figure 23 is a fragmentary elevation view taken along line 23-23 of Figure
19C.
Figures 24A-24D are elevation views which together illustrate an alternative
embodiment
of a gas lift valve of the present invention.
Figure 25 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along line 25-25 of Figure
24A.
Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26 of Figure 25.
Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 27-27 of Figure 24B.
Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28-28 of Figure 24C.
Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 29-29 of Figure 24D.
Figure 30 shows jets of lift gas flowing into mandrel flow ports and colliding
with one
another and thereby being slowed down and redirected to lessen erosion.
While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred
embodiments, it
will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those
embodiments. On the
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contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the description that follows, like parts are marked through the
specification and
drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The figures are not
necessarily drawn
to scale, and in some instances, have been exaggerated or simplified to
clarify certain features
of the invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate many differing
applications of the
described apparatus.
For the purposes of this discussion, the terms "upper" and "lower," "up hole"
and
"downhole," and "upwardly" and "downwardiy" are relative terms to indicate
position and
direction of movement in easily recognized terms. Usually, these terms are
relative to a line
drawn from an upmost position at the surface to a point at the center of the
earth, and would be
appropriate for use in relatively straight, vertical wellbores. However, when
the wellbore is
highly deviated, such as from about 60 degrees from vertical, or horizontal,
these terms do not
make sense and therefore should not be taken as limitations. These terms are
only used for ease
of understanding as an indication of what the position or movement would be if
taken within a
vertical wellbore.
Figures lA-1C together show a semidiagrammatic cross section of a gas lift
valve 8
shown in the closed position, used in a subterranean well (not shown),
illustrating: a valve body
10 with a longitudinal bore 12 for sealable insertion in a side pocket mandrel
14, a variable
orifice valve 16 in the body 10 which alternately permits, prohibits, or
throttles fluid flow
(represented by item 18 - see Figure 7) into said body through injection gas
ports 13 in the
mandrel 14, and an actuating means, shown generally by numeral 20 which is
electro-
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hydraulically operated using a hydraulic pump 22 located in a downhole housing
24, an electric
motor 26 connected to and driving the hydraulic pump 22 upon receipt of a
signal through an
electrical conduit 23 connected to a control panel (not shown) located at the
earth's surface. Also
shown is a moveable temperature/volume compensator piston 15 for displacing a
volume of fluid
that is utilized as the actuating means 20 operates and for compensating for
pressure changes
caused by temperature fluctuations. A solenoid valve 28 controls the movement
of pressurized
fluid pumped from a control fluid reservoir 25 through a pump suction port 21
and in a hydraulic
circuitry 30, and the direction of the fluid flowing therethrough, which is
connected to and
responding to the action of the pump 22. A moveable hydraulic piston 32
responding to the
pressure signal from the hydraulic circuitry 30 opens and controls the
movement of the variable
orifice valve 16. The actuator has a position sensor 34 which reports the
relative location of the
moveable hydraulic piston 32 to the control panel (not shown), and a position
holder 33 which
is configured to mechanically assure that the actuating means 20 remains in
the desired position
by the operator if conditions in the hydraulic system change slightly in use.
Also shown is a
pressure transducer 35 communicating with the hydraulic circuitry 30, and
transmitting collected
data to the control panel (not shown) via the electrical conduit 23. As shown
in Figure 1 C, a
dovvnstream pressure transducer 19 may be provided to cooperate with the
pressure transducer
35 for measuring and reporting to the control panel any pressure drop across
the variable orifice
valve 16. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the electric motor
26 and downhole
pump 22 have been used to eliminate the cost of running a control line from a
surface pressure
source. This representation should not be taken as a limitation. Obviously, a
control line could
be run from the surface to replace the electric motor 26 and downhole pump 22,
and would be
controlled in the same manner without altering the scope or spirit of this
invention. When it is
operationally desirable to open the variable orifice valve 16, an electric
signal from the surface
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activates the electric motor 26 and the hydraulic pump 22, which routes
pressure to the solenoid
valve 28. The solenoid valve 28 also responding to stimulus from the control
panel, shifts to a
position to route hydraulic pressure to the moveable hydraulic piston 32 that
opens the variable
orifice valve 16. The variable orifice valve 16 may be stopped at intermediate
positions between
open and closed to adjust the flow of lift or injection gas 31 therethrough,
and is held in place by
the position holder 33. To close the valve, the solenoid valve 28 merely has
to be moved to the
opposite position rerouting hydraulic fluid to the opposite side of the
moveable hydraulic piston
32, which then translates back to the closed position.
As shown in Figure 1 B, the variable orifice valve 16 may include a carbide
stem and seat
17. The gas lift valve 8 may also be provided with one-way check valves 29 to
prevent any fluid
flow from the well conduit into the gas lift valve 8. The gas lift valve 8 may
also be provided
with a latch 27 so the valve may be remotely installed and/or retrieved by
well known wireline
or coiled tubing intervention methods. As shown in Figure 6, this embodiment
of the present
invention may also be provided with a valve connection collet 1 l, the
structure and operation of
which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Figures 2A-2C together depict a semidiagrammatic cross section of a gas lift
valve 8
shown in the closed position, used in a subterranean well (not shown),
illustrating: a valve body
10 with a longitudinal bore 12 for sealable insertion in a side pocket mandrel
14, a variable
orifice valve 16 in the body 10 which alternately permits, prohibits, or
throttles fluid flow
(represented by item 18 - see Figure 9) into said body through injection gas
ports 13 in the
mandrel 14, and an actuating means shown generally by numeral 36 that is
hydraulically
operated. Further illustrated is: a hydraulic actuating piston 38 located in a
downhole housing
40 and operatively connected to a moveable piston 42, which is operatively
connected to the
variable orifice valve 16. A spring 44, biases said variable orifice valve 16
in either the full open
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or full closed position, and a control line 46 communicates with the hydraulic
actuating piston
38 and extends to a hydraulic pressure source (not shown). When it is
operationally desirable
to open the variable orifice valve 16, hydraulic pressure is applied from the
hydraulic pressure
source (not shown), which communicates down the hydraulic control line 46 to
the hydraulic
actuating piston 38, which moves the moveable piston 42, which opens the
variable orifice valve
16. The variable orifice valve 16 may be stopped at intermediate positions
between open and
closed to adjust the flow of lift or injection gas 31 therethrough, and is
held in place by a position
holder 33 which is configured to mechanically assure that the actuating means
36 remains in the
position where set by the operator if conditions in the hydraulic system
change slightly in use.
The valve is closed by releasing the pressure on the control line 46, allowing
the spring 44 to
translate the moveable piston 42, and the variable orifice valve 16 back to
the closed position.
As shown in Figure 2B, the variable orifice valve 16 may include a carbide
stem and seat
17. The gas lift valve 8 may also be provided with one-way check valves 29 to
prevent any fluid
flow from the well conduit into the gas lift valve 8. The gas lift valve 8 may
also be provided
with a latch 27 so the valve may be remotely installed and/or retrieved by
well known wireline
or coiled tubing intervention methods. As shown in Figure 8, this embodiment
of the present
invention may also be provided with a valve connection collet 11, the
structure and operation of
which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Figures 3A-3C together disclose another embodiment of a semidiagrammatic cross
section of a gas lift valve 8 shown in the closed position, used in a
subterranean well (not shown),
illustrating: a valve body 10 with a longitudinal bore 12 for sealable
insertion in a side pocket
mandrel 14, a variable orifice valve 16 in the body 10 which alternately
permits, prohibits, or
throttles fluid flow (represented by item 18 - see Figure 11 ) into said body
through injection gas
ports 13 in the mandrel 14, and an actuating means shown generally by numeral
48 that is
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hydraulically operated. Further illustrated: hydraulic conduits 50 and 51 that
route pressurized
hydraulic fluid directly to a moveable piston 32, which is operatively
connected to the variable
orifice valve 16. Two control lines 46 extend to a hydraulic pressure source
(not shown). The
moveable hydraulic piston 32 responding to the pressure signal from the "valve
open" hydraulic
conduit 50 which opens and controls the movement of the variable orifice valve
16 while the
"valve closed" hydraulic conduit 51 is bled off: The variable orifice valve 16
may be stopped
at intermediate positions between open and closed to adjust the flow of lift
or injection gas 31
therethrough, and is held in place by a position holder 33 which is configured
to mechanically
assure that the actuating means 48 remains in the position where set by the
operator if conditions
in the hydraulic system change slightly in use. Closure of the variable
orifice valve 16 is
accomplished by sending a pressure signal down the "valve closed" hydraulic
conduit 51, and
simultaneously bleeding pressure from the "valve open" hydraulic conduit S0.
A fluid displacement control port 49 may also be provided for use during the
bleeding off
of the conduits 50 and 51, in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill
in the art. As shown
in Figure 3B, the variable orifice valve 16 may include a carbide stem and
seat 17. The gas lift
valve 8 may also be provided with one-way check valves 29 to prevent any fluid
flow from the
well conduit into the gas lift valve 8. The gas lift valve 8 may also be
provided with a latch 27
so the valve may be remotely installed and/or retrieved by well known wireline
or coiled tubing
intervention methods. As shown in Figure 10, this embodiment of the present
invention rnay also
be provided with a valve connection collet 11, the structure and operation of
which are well
known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Figures 4A-4C together depict a semidiagrammatic cross section of a gas lift
valve 8
shown in the closed position, used in a subterranean well (not shown),
illustrating: a valve body
10 with a longitudinal bore 12 for sealable insertion in a side pocket mandrel
14, a variable
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orifice valve 16 in the body 10 which alternately permits, prohibits, or
throttles fluid flow
(represented by item 18 - see Figure 13) into said body through injection gas
ports 13 in the
mandrel 14, and an actuating means shown generally by .numeral 48 that is
hydraulically
operated. Further illustrated: hydraulic conduits 50 and 51 that route
pressurized hydraulic fluid
S directly to a moveable piston 32, which is operatively connected to the
variable orifice valve 16,
and two control lines 46 extending to a hydraulic pressure source (not shown}.
The movable
hydraulic piston 32 responding to the pressure signal from the "valve open"
hydraulic conduit
50 which opens and controls the movement of the variable orifice valve 16
while the "valve
closed" hydraulic conduit 51 is bled off. The variable orifice valve 16 may be
stopped at
intermediate positions between open and closed to adjust the flow of lift or
injection gas 31
therethrough, and is held in place by a position holder 33 which is configured
to mechanically
assure that the actuating means 20 remains in the position where set by the
operator if conditions
in the hydraulic system change slightly in use. Closure of the variable
orifice valve 16 is
accomplished by sending a pressure signal down the "valve closed" hydraulic
conduit 51, and
simultaneously bleeding pressure from the "valve open" hydraulic conduit 50.
The actuator has
a position sensor 34 which reports the relative location of the moveable
hydraulic piston 32 to
the control panel (not shown) via an electrical conduit 23. Also shown are
pressure transducers
35 communicating with the hydraulic conduits 50 and 51 through hydraulic
pressure sensor
chambers (e.g., conduit 51 communicates with chamber 9), and transmitting
collected data to the
control panel (nat shown) via the electrical conduit 23.
As shown in Figure 4C, a downstream pressure transducer 19 may be provided to
cooperate with the pressure transducer 35 for measuring and reporting to the
control panel any
pressure drop across the variable orifice valve 16. As shown' in Figure 4B, a
fluid displacement
control port 49 may also be provided for use during the bleeding off of the
conduits 50 and 51,
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in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As also shown in
Figure 4B, the
variable orifice valve 16 may include a carbide stem and seat 17. The gas lift
valve 8 may also
be provided with one-way check valves 29 to prevent any fluid flow from the
well conduit into
the gas lift valve 8. The gas lift valve 8 may also be provided with a latch
27 so the valve may
be remotely installed and/or retrieved by well known wireline or coiled tubing
intervention
methods. As shown in Figure 12, this embodiment of the present invention may
also be provided
with a valve connection collet 11, the structure and operation of which are
well known to those
of ordinary skill in the art.
Figures SA-SC together depict a semidiagrammatic cross section of a gas lift
valve 8
shown in the closed position, used in a subterranean well (not shown),
illustrating: a valve body
10 with a longitudinal bore 12 for sealable insertion in a side pocket mandrel
14, a variable
orifice valve 16 in the body 10 which alternately permits, prohibits, or
throttles fluid flow
(represented by item 18 - see Figure 1 S) into said body through injection gas
ports 13 in the
mandrel 14, and an actuating means shown generally by numeral 52 that is
hydraulically
operated. Further illustrated: a hydraulic conduit 54 that routes pressurized
hydraulic fluid
directly to a moveable piston 32, which is operatively connected to the
variable orifice valve 16.
Hydraulic pressure is opposed by a pressurized nitrogen charge inside of a
nitrogen coil chamber
56, the pressure of which is routed through a pneumatic conduit 58, which acts
on an opposite
end of the moveable hydraulic piston 32, biasing the variable orifice valve 16
in the closed
position. The nitrogen coil chamber 56 is charged with nitrogen through a
nitrogen charging port
57. When it is operationally desirable to open the variable orifice valve 16,
hydraulic pressure
is added to the control line 54, which overcomes pneumatic pressure in the
pneumatic conduit
58 and nitrogen coil chamber 56, and translates the moveable piston 32 upward
to open the
variable orifice valve 16. As before, the variable orifice valve 16 may be
stopped at intermediate
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positions between open and closed to adjust the flow of lift or injection gas
31 therethrough, and
is held in place by a position holder 33 which is configured to mechanically
assure that the
actuating means 52 remains in the position where set by the operator if
conditions in the
hydraulic system change slightly in use. Closing the variable orifice valve 16
is accomplished
by bleeding offthe pressure from the control line 54, which causes the
pneumatic pressure in the
nitrogen coil chamber 56 to close the valve because it is higher than the
hydraulic pressure in the
hydraulic conduit 54. An annulus port 53 may also be provided through the wall
of the mandrel
14 through which pressure may be discharged to the annulus during operation.
As shown in Figure SB, the variable orifice valve 16 may include a carbide
stem and seat
17. The gas lift valve 8 may also be provided with one-way check valves 29 to
prevent any fluid
flow from the well conduit into the gas lift valve 8. The gas lift valve 8 may
also be provided
with a latch 27 so the valve may be remotely installed and/or retrieved by
well known wireline
or coiled tubing intervention methods. As shown in Figure 14, this embodiment
of the present
invention may also be provided with a valve connection collet 11, the
structure and operation of
I S which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Figure 16 is a schematic representation of one preferred embodiment of the
present
invention. Disclosed are uppermost and lowermost side pocket mandrels 60 and
61 sealably
connected by a well coupling 62. A coiled tubing or wireline retrievable
actuator 64 is positioned
in the uppermost mandrel 60, and a variable orifice gas lift valve 66 is
positioned in the
lowermost mandrel 61, and are operatively connected by hydraulic control lines
68. In previous
figures, the variable orifice valve 16 and the actuating mechanisms described
in Figures 1-5 are
shown located in the same mandrel, making retrieval of both mechanisms
difficult, if not
impossible. In this embodiment, the variable orifice gas lift valve 66, and
the electro-hydraulic
wireline or coiled tubing retrievable actuator 64 of the present invention are
located, installed and
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wo ooroo~m rcTiusmozsas
retrieved separately, but are operatively connected one to another by
hydraulic control lines 68.
This allows retrieval of each mechanism separately, using either wireline or
coiled tubing
intervention methods which are well known in the art. As shown in Figure 18,
which is a cross-
sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Figure 16, an operating piston 72 is
disposed adjacent
the variable orifice valve 66 in the lowermost mandrel 61. In every other
aspect, however, the
mechanisms operate as heretofore described.
It should be noted that the preferred embodiments described herein employ a
well known
valve mechanism generically known as a poppet valve to those skilled in the
art of valve
mechanics. It can, however, be appreciated that several well known valve
mechanisms may
obviously be employed and still be within the scope and spirit of the present
invention. Rotating
balls or plugs, butterfly valves, rising stem gates, and flappers are several
other generic valve
mechanisms which may obviously be employed to accomplish the same function in
the same
manner.
Another aspect of the present invention broadly relates to orienting the gas
lift valve 8
relative to certain distinct locations on the mandrel 14. This aspect of the
present invention will
be explained in part with reference to portions of Figures 1 to 18, discussed
above, but for the
most part will be explained and described with references to Figures 19 to 29.
Referring initially
to Figures 19A to 19E, there is shown a side pocket mandrel 100 having a
locating and orienting
sleeve 102 for locating and aligning a kickover tool (not shown) to which a
gas lift valve (not
shown) is attached. Locating and orienting sleeves, such as the sleeve 102,
and kickover tools
are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As best shown in Figure
20, which is a cross-
sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Figure 19D, the mandrel 100 includes
a first pocket 104
and a second pocket 106. The first and second pockets 104 and 106 are
substantially parallel to
one another. The first pocket 104 is for receiving a gas lift valve (not shown
here). The second
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pocket 106 is for housing an independent power source, such as any of the
various actuators
discussed above and shown in Figures 1-18. The second pocket 106 is sometimes
referred to as
a "blind" pocket because it is enclosed, whereas the top of the first pocket
104 is open so it can
receive a gas lift valve. As shown in Figures 19D and 21, the mandrel 100 may
further include
a window 108 that connects the first pocket 104 and the second pocket 106. As
best shown in
Figure 21, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 of Figure
19D, the mandrel 100
may further include a first fluid flow port 110 and a second fluid flow port
112. In a specific
embodiment, the flow ports 110 and 112 may be positioned in the mandrel 100 at
right, or 90
degree, angles to one another.
Reference will now be made to Figures 19C, 22 and 23. Figure 22 is a cross-
sectional
view taken along line 22-22 of Figure 19C, and Figure 23 is a fragmentary
elevation view taken
along line 23-23 of Figure 19C. Taken together, Figures 19C, 22 and 23 show
that the mandrel
100 may further include a first orienting guide rail 114 and a second
orienting guide rail 116.
The guide rails 114 and 116 are spaced apart in substantially parallel
relationship so as to define
a longitudinal groove 118 therebetween. The guide rails 114 and 116 may be on
an inner surface
101 of the mandrel 100, and may either be formed as integral parts of the
mandrel 100 or
individually attached to the mandrel 100, as by welding. The guide rails 114
and 116 are located
above the first pocket 104 and may be located within a discriminator trough
120 in the mandrel
100. The first guide rail 114 may include a first inclined surface 1 I S
extending away from the
longitudinal groove 118 and away from the first pocket 104. Similarly, the
second guide rail 116
may include a second inclined surface 117 extending away from the longitudinal
groove 118 and
away from the first pocket 104. As will be more fully explained below, the
function of the guide
rails 114 and 116 is to orient at least one reference point on a gas lift
valve (not shown here)
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relative to at least one reference point on the mandrel 100, such as, for
example, the window 108
and/or the fluid flow ports 110 and 112.
A particular embodiment of a gas lift valve for insertion into the first
pocket 104 of the
above-described mandrel 100 will now be described with reference to Figures
24A-24D and 25
29. Figures 24A-24D, taken together, show a longitudinal view of a gas lift
valve 122, which is
similar to the gas lift valve 8 discussed above. A first end 124 of the gas
lift valve 122 is shown
with a latch 126 attached thereto. The latch 126 is similar to the latch 27
discussed above; one
significant difference, however, between the latch 126 and the latch 27 is
that the latch 126
includes an orienting key 128, as shown in Figure 24A. The orienting key 128
is further
illustrated in Figures 25 and 26. Figure 25 is a fragmentary elevational view
taken along line 25-
25 of Figure 24C. Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 26-26
of Figure 25. As
will be more fully explained below, the orienting key 128 is designed to mate
with the
longitudinal groove 118 (see Figures 22 and 23) between the first and second
guide rails 114 and
116 within the mandrel 100 to orient at least one reference point on the gas
lift valve 122 relative
to at least one reference point on the first pocket 104 in the mandrel 100,
such as, for example,
the window 108 and/or the fluid flow ports 110 and 112.
As noted above, the gas lift valve 8, discussed above in relation to Figures 1-
18; and the
gas lift valve 122 shown here (in Figures 24-29), are very similar; however,
there is one
significant difference between the two, namely, that the gas lift valve 122
(Figures 24-29)
includes a single collet finger 130 having a single latching dog 132 (see
Figures 24C and 28),
whereas the gas lift valve 8 (Figures 1-18) has an annular collet 11 having a
plurality of collet
fingers and corresponding latching dogs 11 a (see, e.g., Figures 1 B and 6).
The latching dog 132
may correspond to a first reference point. As shown in Figure 1B, the function
of the latching
dogs 1 la is to establish a mechanical connection between the gas lift valve 8
and the actuating
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means 20. There are number of embodiments of actuators, or independent power
sources, shown
in Figures 1-18, all of which may be used in connection with the orienting
aspect of the present
invention; the orienting aspect of the present invention is not intended to be
limited to use with
any particular actuator. In Figure 1B, the actuating means 20 is a moveable
hydraulic piston 32
having a recess 32a for receiving one of the latching dogs 11 a. The recess
may correspond to a
second reference point. Each of the various embodiments of actuators includes
a recess 32a for
receiving at least one of the latching dogs 1 la. In the embodiments shown in
Figures 1-18, there
is no need to orient the latching dogs 11 a relative to the recess 32a in the
actuating means 20
since there will be a latching dog l la aligned with the recess 32a in the
actuating means 20
I 0 irrespective of the orientation of the gas lift valve 8; this is because,
as noted above, the annular
collet 11 includes a plurality of latching dogs l la extending about its
circumference. However,
as noted above, the gas lift valve 122 shown in Figures 24-29 does not include
a plurality of
collet fingers and latching dogs 1 la extending about the circumference of the
annular collet 11,
as shown in Figures 1-18, but, instead, as shown in Figures 24C and 28,
includes only a single
I S collet finger 130 having a single latching dog 132. As such, there is a
need to orient the gas lift
valve 122 relative to the actuating means so that the single latching dog 132
is aligned with the
recess in the actuating means. The recess and actuating means is not shown in
Figures 19-21.
Any of the various actuator embodiments shown in Figures 1-18 may be used.
Irrespective of
which embodiment is used, the actuating means will be housed in the second
pocket 106 of the
20 mandrel 100, as discussed above and as best understood with reference to
Figures 20 and 21.
Further, irrespective of which embodiment of the actuator is used, the
actuator will be situated
within the second pocket 106 so that the actuator recess for receiving the
single latching dog 132
on the single collet finger 130 is positioned within the window 108 connecting
the first and
second pockets 104 and 106.
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To longitudinally align the single latching dog 132 with the window 108, and
therefore
with the recess (not shown) on the actuator (not shown) housed in the second
pocket 106, the
latching dog 132 should be longitudinally aligned with the orienting key 128
on the latch 126
before the latch 126 and gas lift valve 122 are lowered into the well (not
shown). As stated
above, the orienting key 128 is designed to mate with the longitudinal groove
118 (see Figures
22 and 23) between the first and second guide rails 114 and 116 within the
mandrel 100 to orient
the gas lift valve 122 as it is being inserted into the first pocket 104 in
the mandrel 100 (see
Figures 19C, 20, and 21 ). The longitudinal groove 118 between the guide rails
114 and 116 is
longitudinally aligned with the window 108. Before the latch 126 and the gas
lift valve 122 are
lowered into the well (not shown), they are attached to a kickover tool (not
shown), in a manner
well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such that, after the
kickover tool (not shown) and
gas lift valve 122 have been lowered into the well (not shown) and located and
oriented within
the mandrel 100 by use of the orienting sleeve 102 (see Figure 19A), the
latching dog 132 on the
collet finger 130 and the orienting key 128 on the latch 126 will be directed
into contact with
either the first or second inclined surfaces 115 or 117 on the first or second
guide rails 114 or
116, and then into the longitudinal groove 118, or directly into the
longitudinal groove 118
without contacting the inclined surfaces 115 or 117. The latching dog 132 will
enter and exit the
longitudinal groove 118 before the orienting key 128 enters the longitudinal
groove 118. Once
the latching dog 132 is in the longitudinal groove 118, the latching dog 132
will be longitudinally
aligned with the window 108. The gas lift valve I22 will continue to be
lowered into the first
pocket 104 until the orienting key 128 on the latch i26 enters the
longitudinal groove 118 and
the gas lift valve 122 locates in its locked, or lowermost, position, in a
manner well known to
those of skill in the art, such that the latching dog 132 on the single collet
finger 130 is positioned
within the window 108 and positively engaged with the recess (not shown here)
on the actuator
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(not shown here) that is housed within the second pocket 106. The manner in
which the latching
dog 132 is securely engaged with the recess (not shown) is well known to those
of ordinary skill
in the art. Once this connection is established between the latching dog 132
and the actuator
recess (not shown), the actuator (not shown) may be used to open and close the
gas lift valve 122,
as will be more fully discussed below. The distance between the orienting key
128 on the latch
126 and the latching dog 132 is such that the orienting key 128 remains
positioned in the
longitudinal groove 118 between the guide rails 114 and 116 when the latching
dog 132 is
secured to the actuator recess (not shown).
In addition to orienting the gas lift valve I22 within the first pocket 104 so
as to align the
latching dog 132 with the actuator recess (not shown), it may also be desired
to orient the gas lift
valve 122 for other reasons, such as relative to the first and second fluid
flow ports 110 and 112,
shown in Figure 21.
Referring now to Figures 24C and 24D, which show the gas lift valve 122 in an
open
position, the gas lift valve 122 may include a stem I38 connected to the
collet forger 130 and
having an annular sealing surface 140, a first flow slot 142, and a second
flow slot 144, shown
with dashed lines. In a specific embodiment, the first flow slot 142 and the
second flow slot 144
may be aligned at right, or 90 degree, angles to one another. The gas lift
valve 122 may further
include a valve body 145 having a first flow window 146, a second flow window
148 (shown
with dashed lines), and an annular stem seat 150. In a specific embodiment,
the first flow
window 146 and the second flow window 148 may be aligned at right, or 90
degree, angles to
one another. The stem 138 is disposed for longitudinal movement within the
valve body 145.
The stem 138 is moved up and down by the collet finger I30, which is moved up
and down by
the actuator (see, e.g., the actuating means 20 in Figure 1B), by virtue of
the actuator and collet
finger 130 being mechanically attached to one another via the latching dog 132
and the recess
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32a (see Figure 1 B). When the valve 122 is in its open position, as shown in
Figure 24D, the first
flow slot 142 on the stem 138 is positioned adjacent the first flow window 146
on the valve body
145, and the second flow slot 144 on the stem 138 is positioned adjacent the
second flow window
148 on the valve body 145, so as to establish two channels through which lift
gas may flow into
the valve 122. When the valve is moved to its closed position (not shown), the
stem sealing
surface 140 is sealed against the stem seat 1 S0, so as to prohibit the flow
of lift gas through the
flow windows 146 and 148, and through the flow slots 142 and 144,
respectively. The flow
windows 146 and 148, and the flow slots 142 and 144, are positioned in a
specific relationship
to the latching dog 132 so that when the gas lift valve 122 is properly
located within the first
mandrel pocket 104 (i.e., when the latching dog 132 is engaged with the
actuator recess), the first
flow window 146 and the first flow slot 142 are longitudinally and
elevationally aligned with the
first flow port 110 in the mandrel 100 (see Figure 21 ), and the second flow
window 148 and the
second flow slot 144 are longitudinally and elevationally aligned with the
second flow port 112
in the mandrel 100 (see Figure 21 ).
1S With the gas lift valve 8, discussed above with reference to Figures 1-18,
there is no need
to orient the gas lift valve 8 relative to the injection gas ports 13 (see
Figure 7) because the valve
body 10 (see Figure 1B) associated with the gas lift valve 8 is provided with
a plurality of flow
slots 10a disposed about the circumference of the valve body 10. As such,
irrespective of the
orientation of the gas lift valve 8 relative to the injection gas ports 13,
there will be a flow slot
10a disposed adjacent each of the injection gas ports 13 to facilitate the
flow of injection gas 18
into the gas lift valve 8. However, with the gas lift valve 122 shown in
Figures 24 to 29, the
valve body 14S and the stem 138 each include just two flow channels, namely
the first and
second flow windows 146 and 148, and the first and second flow slots 142 and
144. As such,
it is desirable to align the first flow window 146 and the first flow slot 142
(see Figure 24D) with
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the first flow port 110 on the mandrel 100 (see Figure 21 ), and to align the
second flow window
148 and the second flow slot 144 with the second flow port 112 on the mandrel
100. A key
advantage to providing the gas lift valve 122 with only two flow channels for
the lift gas to flow
into the valve 122 is that erosion of an inner bore I 52 of the stem 138, due
to high-velocity gas
flow thereover, is reduced. This is especially so when the two flow channels
are positioned
relative to one another at right, or 90 degree, angles. As illustrated by
Figure 30, this is because
the jets of lift gas flowing into the valve 122 through the mandrel flow ports
110 and 112 collide
with one another and are thereby slowed down and redirected to prevent high-
velocity contact
of the jets with the inner bore 152.
Whereas the present invention has been described in particular relation to the
drawings
attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications,
apart from those
shown or suggested herein, may be made within the scope and spirit of the
present invention.
For example, it should be understood that the orienting aspect of the present
invention is not
limited to orienting a gas lift valve relative to an actuator, but may be used
for the relative
1 S orientation of any two devices within parallel pockets in a mandrel.
Further, the orienting aspect
of the present invention may be used not only for the purpose of establishing
a mechanical
connection between two devices within parallel mandrel pockets, but also to
make an indirect
(e.g., magnetic, electrical, etc.) connection between two devices within
parallel mandrel pockets,
even if there is no window connecting the parallel pockets. Accordingly, the
invention is
therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
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