Method and apparatus for smooth bore toe valve
First Claim
1. An apparatus for initiating fluid flow out of a string of oilfield tubulars in a well, the apparatus comprising:
- a first sub having a first bore and a fluid passage extending at least partially outward from the first bore;
a second sub having a second bore, the second sub being spaced axially apart from the first sub such that a valve cavity is defined axially therebetween;
a housing connecting together the first sub and the second sub, wherein the housing defines one or more openings therein, and wherein the housing and the first sub define a first portion of a chamber radially therebetween; and
a sleeve disposed at least partially in the chamber, the sleeve being movable from a closed position to an open position in response to fluid pressure in the fluid passage, wherein;
in the closed position, the sleeve extends across the valve cavity and blocks fluid flow between the valve cavity and the one or more openings, andin the open position fluid flow is permitted from the valve cavity to the one or more openings.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A smooth bore toe valve includes a first sub defining a through bore and a fluid flow path through a wall thereof; a second sub; a housing mechanically engaged with the first and second subs to define a valve cavity axially between the first and second subs and to define a chamber radially between the first and second subs and the housing, the housing further defining a plurality of openings in a wall thereof; and a sleeve disposed within the chamber between the housing and the first and second subs to close the openings and, upon application of fluid pressure horn the through bore through the fluid flow path, open the openings to fluid flow from the valve cavity to the exterior of the housing. A method for using such a valve is also disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for initiating fluid flow out of a string of oilfield tubulars in a well, the apparatus comprising:
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a first sub having a first bore and a fluid passage extending at least partially outward from the first bore; a second sub having a second bore, the second sub being spaced axially apart from the first sub such that a valve cavity is defined axially therebetween; a housing connecting together the first sub and the second sub, wherein the housing defines one or more openings therein, and wherein the housing and the first sub define a first portion of a chamber radially therebetween; and a sleeve disposed at least partially in the chamber, the sleeve being movable from a closed position to an open position in response to fluid pressure in the fluid passage, wherein; in the closed position, the sleeve extends across the valve cavity and blocks fluid flow between the valve cavity and the one or more openings, and in the open position fluid flow is permitted from the valve cavity to the one or more openings. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for initiating fluid flow out of a string of oilfield tubulars, the method comprising:
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connecting a valve to the string, wherein the valve comprises; a first sub having a first bore and a fluid passage extending at least partially outward from the first bore; a second sub having a second bore, the second sub being spaced axially apart from the first sub, such that a valve cavity is defined axially therebetween; a housing connecting together the first sub and the second sub, wherein the housing defines one or more openings therein, and wherein the housing and the first sub define a first portion of a chamber radially therebetween; and a sleeve disposed in the chamber, wherein the sleeve is initially in a closed position extending across the valve cavity and blocking fluid flow through the one or more openings; deploying the valve into a wellbore along with the string; increasing a pressure in the string, wherein increasing the pressure causes the sleeve to move to an open position, wherein the sleeve in the open position permits fluid flow through the one or more openings; and pumping fluid through the string and out of the one or more openings of the valve. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for initiating fluid flow out of a string of oilfield tubulars, the apparatus comprising:
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a first sub having a first bore and a fluid passage extending outward from the first bore; a second sub having a second bore, the second sub being spaced axially apart from the first sub, such that an annular valve cavity is defined axially therebetween; a housing connecting together the first sub and the second sub, wherein the housing and the first sub define a first portion of a chamber radially therebetween, wherein the housing and the second sub define a second portion of the chamber therebetween, and wherein the housing defines one or more openings therein; and a sleeve disposed in the chamber, the sleeve being movable from a closed position to an open position in response to fluid pressure in the fluid passage, the fluid passage being configured to communicate pressure from the first bore to an end of the sleeve that is positioned in the first portion of the chamber, wherein; in the closed position, the sleeve extends across the valve cavity and blocks fluid flow between the valve cavity and the one or more openings, wherein the sleeve in the closed position provides a substantially continuous bore between the first bore and the second bore; and in the open position fluid flow is permitted from the valve cavity to the one or more openings. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification