Apparatus for the remote deployment of valves

• US 6,006,828 A
• Filed: 03/13/1997
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sensor Dynamics Ltd. (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Sensor Dynamics Ltd. (SLB)
• Inventors: Kluth, Erhard Lothar, Varnham, Malcolm Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): NEUDER, WILLIAM P
• Application Number:
  US08/809,553
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 166/156, 166/386, 166/316, 166/319, 166/250.01
• US Class Current: 166/156
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/02 for locking the tools or the like in landing nipples or in recesses between adjacent sections of tubing E21B23/03 - E21B23/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/08 Introducing or running tools by fluid pressure, e.g. through-the-flow-line tool systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/14 for displacing a cable or a cable-operated tool, e.g. for logging or perforating operations in deviated wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/105 retrievable, e.g. wire line retrievable, i.e. with an element which can be landed into a landing-nipple provided with a passage for control fluid
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/122 Gas lift
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/135 using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves

Abstract

Apparatus for the remote deployment of one or more valves (1), comprising channel means (2) through which the valve (1) will be deployed, channel location means (3) in which the valve (1) will sit, seal means (4) to seal between the valve (1) and the channel means (2), valve location means to seat the valve (1) onto the channel location means (3), and valve means (6) to control the passage of fluid.

Claims

1. Apparatus for sensing one or more parameters, which apparatus comprises:

at least one valve;

at least one optical fibre sensor;

channel means through which the valve and the optical fibre sensor are pumped to a predetermined location;

channel location means for retaining the valve at the predetermined location;

valve location means for seating the valve onto the channel means; and

a sealing arrangement for sealing the valve and the channel means;

and the apparatus being such that the valve controls passage of fluid through the channel means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the channel means is hydraulic tubing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the channel means has a section having an increased diameter, and in which the valve location means contains inserts which spring out when they enter the section having the increased diameter.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the valve location means and the channel location means are such that the valve is able to be ejected from the channel location means by increasing flow of fluid through the channel means such that the inserts are forced in, whereby the valve is able to be pumped along the channel means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the valve location means contains autoeject means which is able to be activated by ejector means on a following valve.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the channel means is a hydraulic conduit which penetrates a packer in an oil well.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the hydraulic conduit is wrapped around a production string above the packer.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the valve contains floppy tubing which allows the optical fibre sensor to be pumped in one direction, but which seals onto the optical fibre sensor when flow is stopped or reversed.