Pressure control apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling the pressure in an isolated lower wellbore annulus while gravel packing, the isolated lower wellbore annulus being defined by a conduit sealably positioned within an isolated lower wellbore segment, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of valves carried by the conduit at discrete locations for selectively admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit at the discrete locations; and
a pressure-sensitive device carried by the conduit independently of the valves for sensing the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing, and for actuating one or more of the valves when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions so as to admit fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit and thereby control the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing, wherein each of the valves comprises;
a valve body carried within the conduit, the valve body being equipped with a first port for admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus to the conduit; and
a piston slidably disposed in a chamber of the valve body and movable from a position closing the first port to a position opening the first port upon actuation of the piston by the pressure-sensitive device, each valve further comprising a check valve carried in the first port to ensure fluid flows through the first port in one direction;
from the isolated lower annulus to the conduit, the check valve comprising a flapper valve having one or more pivotally mounted plates.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Pressure control in an isolated lower wellbore annulus, defined by a conduit sealably positioned within an isolated lower wellbore segment, is achieved while gravel packing by sensing the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing and admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit at one or more discrete locations along the conduit when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions. The annulus pressure is sensed while gravel packing using a pressure-sensitive device disposed in the annulus, e.g., positioned by the conduit at a high-pressure location. The pressure-sensitive device actuates one or more valves carried along the conduit to admit fluid from the annulus into the conduit at one or more of the discrete locations, and thereby control the pressure in the isolated lower annulus.
61 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling the pressure in an isolated lower wellbore annulus while gravel packing, the isolated lower wellbore annulus being defined by a conduit sealably positioned within an isolated lower wellbore segment, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of valves carried by the conduit at discrete locations for selectively admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit at the discrete locations; and
a pressure-sensitive device carried by the conduit independently of the valves for sensing the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing, and for actuating one or more of the valves when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions so as to admit fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit and thereby control the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing, wherein each of the valves comprises;a valve body carried within the conduit, the valve body being equipped with a first port for admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus to the conduit; and a piston slidably disposed in a chamber of the valve body and movable from a position closing the first port to a position opening the first port upon actuation of the piston by the pressure-sensitive device, each valve further comprising a check valve carried in the first port to ensure fluid flows through the first port in one direction;
from the isolated lower annulus to the conduit, the check valve comprising a flapper valve having one or more pivotally mounted plates.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A valve for use in a conduit disposed in a wellbore while gravel packing an isolated lower annulus of the wellbore, comprising:
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a valve body adapted for carriage within the conduit and having a first port for admitting wellbore fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit, a second port for admitting fluid pressure from the isolated lower annulus into the valve body, and a chamber; a piston slidably disposed in the valve body chamber and movable between positions closing and opening the first port while maintaining the conduit in an open flow position; the second port admitting fluid pressure from the isolated lower annulus to the valve body chamber to urge the piston to the position opening the first port; and a closure mechanism for closing the first port. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A valve for use in a conduit disposed in a wellbore while gravel packing an isolated lower annulus of the wellbore, comprising:
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a valve body adapted for carriage within the conduit and having a first port for admitting wellbore fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit, a second port for admitting fluid pressure from the isolated lower annulus into the valve body, and a chamber; a piston slidably disposed in the valve body chamber and movable between positions closing and opening the first port; the second port admitting fluid pressure from the isolated lower annulus to the valve body chamber to urge the piston to the position opening the first port; and a closure mechanism for closing the first port, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a check valve carried in the first port to close the first port against fluid flow from the conduit to the isolated lower annulus, further wherein the check valve comprises a flapper valve having one or more pivotally mounted plates.
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Specification