Deep set safety valve

• US 6,988,556 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2002
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Vick, James D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS
• Application Number:
  US10/078,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20030155131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 168/386, 168/316, 168/319, 168/320, 168/332.1, 166/373, 166/374, 166/375, 166/381, 166/65.1, 166/66.5, 166/66.6, 166/66.7, 166/325, 166/332.1, 166/332.8
• US Class Current: 166/375
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/05 Flapper valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 23/042 using a single piston or multiple mechanically interconnected pistons
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/066 electrically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/101 with means for equalizing fluid pressure above and below the valve
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/14 operated by movement of tools, e.g. sleeve valves operated by pistons or wire line tools E21B34/066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/086 the magnet being movable and actuating a second magnet connected to the closing element

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for actuation of downhole tools. In one example, a deep set safety valve uses a magnetic coupling which permits a portion of the safety valve at control line pressure to be isolated from tubing string internal pressure, without requiring the use of a dynamic seal therebetween. A piston of the safety valve may be displaced in response to a differential between control line pressure and pressure in an annulus surrounding the tubing string, pressure in another control line, or pressure in the tubing string. Other types of well tools may benefit from actuation using principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A well tool, comprising:

an actuator including a piston which displaces in response to a first pressure applied to the piston;

an operating member which displaces to operate the well tool, the operating member having a second pressure applied thereto; and

a magnetic coupling including at least one first magnet attached to the piston and at least one second magnet attached to the operating member,

displacement of the piston being translated into displacement of the operating member while the first and second pressures are isolated from each other, without the use of any dynamic seal isolating the first pressure from the second pressure.

2. The well tool according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second magnets is a permanent magnet.

3. A method of actuating a well tool in a well, the method comprising the steps of:

displacing an actuator member of the well tool, the actuator member being exposed to a first pressure, and the well tool having a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

translating displacement of the acutator member to displacement of an operating member by use of a magnetic coupling therebetween, the operating member being exposed to a second pressure, the first and second pressures being isolated from each other; and

actuating the well tool in response to displacement of the operating member.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the translating step the magnetic coupling translates displacement from the actuator member to the operating member across a rigid pressure isolation barrier between the first and second pressures.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the translating step the first and second pressures are isolated from each other without the use of any dynamic seal therebetween.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the displacing step the actuator member is exposed to a third pressure, the actuator member displacing in response to a differential between the first and third pressures.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the displacing step the first and third pressures are each isolated from the second pressure, without the use of any dynamic seal.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein in the displacing step the first pressure is pressure in a first line connected to the actuator, and the third pressure is pressure in a second line connected to the actuator.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein in the displacing step the first pressure is pressure in a first line connected to the actuator, and the third pressure is pressure in an annulus surrounding the well tool.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein in the displacing step the first pressure is pressure in a first lines connected to the actuator, and the third pressure is pressure in a chamber of compressed gas.

11. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator;

at least one first magnetic device positioned in a first portion of the well tool at a first pressure, and the actuator displacing the first magnetic device;

at least one second magnetic device positioned in a second portion of the well tool at a second pressure, and the well tool being operated in response to displacement of the operating member; and

a pressure barrier isolating the first and second pressures, and displacement of the first magnetic device on a first side of the barrier causing displacement of the second magnetic device on a second side of the barrier.

12. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the first pressure is pressure in a line connected to the actuator.

13. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the second pressure is pressure in an internal flow passage formed axially through the well tool.

14. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the first pressure is pressure in an annulus surrounding the well tool.

15. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the first pressure is pressure in a chamber containing compressed gas.

16. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the well tool is a safety valve.

17. The well tool according to claim 16, wherein the operating member is an opening prong of the safety valve.

18. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the well tool is sliding sleeve valve.

19. The well tool according to claim 18, wherein the operating member is a sliding sleeve of the valve.

20. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the well tool is a packer.

21. The well tool according to claim 20, wherein the operating member is a setting mandrel of the packer.

22. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the actuator is a rotational actuator, and wherein rotation of the first magnetic device by the actuator causes by corresponding rotation of the second magnetic device and operating member.

23. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the first pressure is isolated from the second pressure without use of any dynamic seal.

24. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the first pressure is isolated from the second pressure without use of any dynamic seal.

25. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the actuator displaces the first magnetic device in response to a pressure differential in the actuator.

26. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the actuator displaces the first magnetic device in response to operation of a motor in the actuator.

27. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the actuator displaces the first magnetic device in response to a differential between the first pressure and a third pressure applied to the actuator.

28. The well tool according to claim 27, wherein the third pressure is pressure in a line connected to the actuator.

29. The well tool according to claim 28, wherein the first pressure is pressure in an annulus surrounding the well tool.

30. The well tool according to claim 29, wherein the second pressure is pressure in a tubular string in which the well tool is interconnected.

31. The well tool according to claim 30, wherein the tubular string pressure is isolated from the line pressure and from the annulus pressure, without use of any dynamic seal.

32. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the actuator displaces the first magnetic device in response to pressure in a line connected to the actuator, the line pressure being isolated from the second pressure.

33. The well tool according to claim 32, wherein the line pressure is isolated from the second pressure without use of any dynamic seal.

34. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the actuator displaces the first magnetic device in response to a differential between pressure in an annulus surrounding the well tool and pressure in a line connected to the actuator.

35. The well tool according to claim 24, wherein the line pressure and the annulus pressure are isolated from the second pressure without use of any dynamic seal.

36. The well tool according to claim 35, wherein the second pressure is pressure in a tubing string in which the well tool is interconnected.

37. The well tool according to claim 35, wherein the first pressure is the annulus pressure.

38. The well tool according to claim 11, wherein the operating member is a closure member of a valve.

39. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator for displacing an actuator member of the well tool;

an operating member which is displaced to operate the well tool; and

a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, the magnetic coupling including first and second magnetic devices, the first magnetic device being connected to the actuator member, and the second magnetic device being connected to the operating member, the first and second magnetic devices being on opposite sides of a pressure barrier.

40. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator for displacing an actuator member of the well tool;

an operating member which is displaced to operate the well tool; and

a magnetic coupling between the actuatir member and the operating member, the magnetic coupling including first and second magnetic devices, the first magnetic device being connected to the actuator member; and

the second magnetic device being connected to the operating member, the first and second magnetic devices being pressure isolated from each other without the use of a dynamic seal.

41. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator for displacing an actuator member of the well tool;

an operating member which is displaced to operate the well tool; and

a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, the magnetic coupling including first and second magnetic devices, the first magnetic device being connected to the actuator member, and the second magnetic device being connected to the operating member, the first magnetic device including a first series of magnets having polarities opposite to a second series of magnets in the second magnetic device.

42. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator for displacing an actuator member of the well tool; and

an operating member which is displaced to operate the well tool; and

a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, the magnetic coupling including first and second magnetic devices, the first magnetic device being connected to the actuator member, and the second magnetic device being connected to the operating member, each of the first and second magnetic devices including magnets having axially aligned polarities.

43. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator for displacing an actuator member of the well tool;

an operating member which is displaced to operate the well tool; and

a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, the magnetic coupling including first and second magnetic devices, the first magnetic device being connected to the actuator member, and the second magnetic device being connected to the operating member, each of the first and second magnetic devices including magnets having radially aligned polarities.

44. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator for displacing an actuator member of the well tool;

an operating member which is displaced to operate the well tool; and

a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, the magnetic coupling including first and second magnetic devices, the first magnetic device being connected to the actuator member, and the second magnetic device being connected to the operating member, each of the first and second magnetic devices including magnets having opposing polarity directions, so that the magnets in each of the first and second magnetic devices are attracted to oppositely directed polarity magnets in the other first and second magnetic devices.

45. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator for displacing an actuator member of the well tool;

an operating member which is displaced to operate the well tool; and

a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, the magnetic coupling including first and second magnetic devices, the first magnetic device being connected to the actuator member, and the second magnetic device being connected to the operating member, each of the first and second magnetic devices including magnets having opposing polarity directions, so that the magnets in each of the first and second magnetic devices are repelled by similarly directed polarity magnets in the other of the first and second magnetic devices.

46. A well tool, comprising:

a flow passage for flow of fluid therethrough;

an actuator for displacing an actuator member of the well tool;

an operating member which is displaced to operate the well tool; and

a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, the magnetic coupling including first and second magnetic devices, the first magnetic device connected to the actuator member, and the second magnetic device being connected to the operating member, each of the first and second magnetic devices having a magnetic pattern, the magnetic patterns preventing relative displacement between the first and second magnetic devices.

47. The well tool according to claim 46, wherein the magnetic patterns are produced by varied spacings between magnets in the first and second magnetic devices.

48. The well tool according to claim 46, wherein the magnetic patterns are produced by varied polarity sequences between magnets in the first and second magnetic devices.

49. The well tool according to claim 48, wherein the varied polarity sequences include alternating magnet polarities in the first and second magnetic devices.

50. A method of completing a well, the method comprising steps of:

positioning a well tool in the well;

displacing an actuator member of the well tool; and

translating displacement of the actuator member to displacement of an operating member of the well tool, the translation being performed across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal, and the translating step being performed using a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member.

51. A method of completing a well, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a well tool in the well;

displacing an actuator member of the well; and

translating displacement of the actuator member to displacement of an operating member of the well tool, the translation being performed across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal, and the translating step further comprising displacing a first magnetic device operatively associated with the actuator member to thereby cause displacement of a second magnetic device operatively associated with the operating member.

52. A method of installing a tubular string in a well, the method comprising the steps of:

interconnecting in the tubular string a well tool including an actuator member;

positioning the tubular string in the well; and

translating displacement of the actuator member to displacement of an operating member of the well tool, the translation being performed across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal, and the translating step being performed using a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member.

53. A method of installing a tubular string in a well, the method comprising the steps of:

interconnecting in the tubular string a well tool including an actuator member;

positioning the tubular string in the well; and

translating displacement of the actuator member to displacement of an operating member of the wall tool, the translation being performed across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal, and the translating step further comprising displacing a first magnetic device operatively associated with the actuator member to thereby cause displacement of a second magnetic device operatively associated with the operating member.

54. A completion string for use in a well, the completion string comprising:

a well tool interconnected in the completion string, the well tool including an actuator member and an operating member, displacement of the actuator member being translatable into displacement of the operating member across a pressure barrier without use of any dynamic seal, and the well tool further including a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member.

55. A completion string for use in a well, the completion string comprising:

a well tool interconnected in the completion string, the well tool including an actuator member and an operating member, displacement of the actuator member being translatable into displacement of the operating member across a pressure barrier without use of any dynamic seal, and

wherein a first magnetic device operatively associated with the actuator member causes displacement of a second magnetic device operatively associated with the operating member when displacement of the actuator member is translated into displacement of the operating member.

56. A method of completing a well, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a well tool in the well;

displacing an actuator member of the well tool; and

translating displacement of the actuator member into displacement of an operating member of the well tool using a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, and performing the translating step across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal.

57. The method according to claim 56, wherein in the translating step, a pressure differential exists across the pressure isolation barrier.

58. A method of completing a well, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a well tool in the well;

displacing an actuator member of the well tool; and

translating displacement of the actuator member into displacement of an operating member of the well tool using a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, and

wherein in the translating step, the actuator member is exposed to a first pressure, and the operating member is exposed to a second pressure different from the first pressure, without use of any dynamic seal therebetween.

59. A method of installing a tubular string in a well, the method comprising the steps of:

interconnecting in the tubular string a well tool including an actuator member;

positioning the tubular string in the well; and

translating displacement of the actuator member into displacement of an operating member of the well tool using a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, and performing the translating step across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein in the translating step, a pressure differential exists across the pressure isolation barrier.

61. A method of installing a tubular string in a well, the method comprising the steps of:

interconnecting in the tubular string a well tool including an actuator member;

positioning the tubular string in the well; and

translating displacement of the actuator member into displacement of an operating member of the well tool using a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, and

wherein in the translating step, the actuator member is exposed to a first pressure, and the operating member is exposed to a second pressure different from the first pressure, without use of any dynamic seal therebetween.

62. A completion string for use in a well, the completion string comprising:

a well tool interconnected in the completion string, the well tool including an actuator member, an operating member, and a magnetic coupling, displacement of the actuator member being translatable into displacement of the operating member using the magnetic coupling, and the well tool further including a pressure isolation barrier between the actuator member and the operating member, displacement of the actuator member being translatable into displacement of the operating member across the pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal.

63. The completion string according to claim 62, wherein a pressure differential exists across the pressure isolation barrier when displacement of the actuator member is translated into displacement of the operating member.

64. A completion string for use in a well, the completion string comprising:

a well tool interconnected in the completion string, the well tool including an actuator member, an operating member, and a magnetic coupling, displacement of the actuator member being translatable into displacement of the operating member using the magnetic coupling, and

wherein the actuator member is exposed to a first pressure, and the operating member is exposed to a second pressure different from the first pressure, when displacement of the actuator member is translated into displacement of the operating member.