Computer controlled downhole safety valve system

• US 6,199,629 B1
• Filed: 09/22/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Shaw, Brian, Rawson, Mike, Shirk, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): SUCHFIELD, GEORGE A
• Application Number:
  US09/158,382
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 166/65.1, 166/66.4, 166/302, 166/304
• US Class Current: 166/66.4
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/005 Below-ground automatic control systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/00 Survey of boreholes or wells monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08

Abstract

A subsurface safety device positioning and monitoring system includes a controller and at least one downhole sensor that senses and records conditions of the well near the valve and of the valve itself. Conditions include temperature, pressure, flow rate, degree of closure of valve, structural condition of valve, water cut of produced fluids, etc.

Claims

1. A subsurface safety valve position and monitoring system for a production well comprising:

a downhole valve housing;

a downhole valve housed in said valve housing;

a controller for controlling said downhole valve;

sensors proximate said valve to provide sensory information about the environmental conditions proximate to the valve and the condition of the valve, said sensors transmitting said information to said controller; and

a pair of communications conduits running to said valve housing.

2. A subsurface safety valve position and monitoring system for a production well as claimed in claim 1 wherein said downhole valve is electrically operated.

3. A subsurface safety valve position and monitoring system for a production well as claimed in claim 1 wherein said downhole valve is hydraulically operated.

4. A subsurface safety valve position and monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system further includes a proximity sensor associated with said downhole valve to sense position of said valve.

5. A subsurface valve position and monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensors include:

a first pressure sensor for sensing pressure upstream of said downhole valve;

a second pressure sensor for sensing pressure downstream of said downhole valve;

a third pressure sensor for sensing pressure at a control line; and

a fourth pressure sensor for sensing pressure in an annulus between said valve housing and a wellbore.

6. A subsurface valve position and monitoring system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said plurality of sensors further include;

a proximity sensor associated with said downhole valve.

7. A subsurface valve position and monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising

a temperature sensor associated with said downhole valve.

8. A subsurface safety valve position and monitoring system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said controller is located within said valve housing.

9. A subsurface safety valve in an oil well comprising:

a downhole valve housing;

a safety valve housed in said valve housing; and

at least one sensor proximate said housing to sense at least one parameter of said valve said parameter being at least one of differential pressure across the valve, leakage across the valve, tension in at least one of the valve and housing, torque on at least one of the valve and housing, bending moment on the valve, contaminants in a produced fluid from the oil well, paraffin buildup on valve components of said safety valve, speed of movement of components of said safety valve, acceleration of components of said safety valve, and position of components and strain on components of said safety valve.

10. A subsurface safety valve in an oil well as claimed in claim 9 wherein said valve is self adjustable.

11. A subsurface safety valve in an oil well as claimed in claims 9 wherein said valve includes a controller, said controller handling decision making and adjustment downhole and without surface intervention.

12. A subsurface safety valve in an oil well as claimed in claim 9 wherein said safety valve includes downhole electronics adapted to modify signals generated by said at least one sensor to reduce conductors necessary for communication and power.