Deep set safety valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A safety valve, comprising:
- an actuator piston which displaces in response to a differential between pressure in a line connected to the safety valve, and pressure in an annulus formed between the safety valve and a wellbore of a subterranean well;
an operating member which is displaced to operate the safety valve; and
a magnetic coupling between the piston and the operating member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
85 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A safety valve, comprising:
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an actuator piston which displaces in response to a differential between pressure in a line connected to the safety valve, and pressure in an annulus formed between the safety valve and a wellbore of a subterranean well; an operating member which is displaced to operate the safety valve; and a magnetic coupling between the piston and the operating member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of actuating a safety valve, the method comprising the steps of:
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interconnecting the safety valve in a tubular string for a subterranean well, the safety valve thereby being operable to control flow through the tubular string; displacing an actuator member of the safety valve; and translating displacement of the actuator member to displacement of an operating member, the translation being performed across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal, a magnetic coupling being used to fix displacement of the operating member to displacement of the actuator member.
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13. A method of actuating a safety valve, the method comprising the steps of:
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interconnecting the safety valve in a tubular string for a subterranean well, the safety valve thereby being operable to control flow through the tubular string; displacing an actuator member of the safety valve; and translating displacement of the actuator member to displacement of an operating member, the translation being performed across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal, at least one first magnet being attached to the actuator member and at least one second magnet being attached to the operating member, magnetic attraction between the first and second magnets causing the operating member to displace with the actuator member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A safety valve, comprising:
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an actuator piston which displaces in response to a pressure differential; an operating member which is displaced to operate the safety valve and thereby control flow through a tubular string for a subterranean well; and a magnetic coupling between the piston and the operating member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A safety valve, comprising:
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an actuator having an actuator member and a motor which displaces the actuator member; an operating member which is displaced to operate the safety valve and thereby control flow through a tubular string for a subterranean well, the operating member being pressure isolated from the actuator member; and a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member.
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31. A safety valve, comprising:
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an actuator having an actuator member and a motor which displaces the actuator member; an operating member which is displaced to operate the safety valve and thereby control flow through a tubular string for a subterranean well; and a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member, wherein a barrier separates pressure acting on the actuator member from pressure acting on the operating member, and wherein the magnetic coupling translates displacement from the actuator member to the operating member across the barrier.
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32. A safety valve, comprising:
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an actuator having an actuator member and a motor which displaces the actuator member; an operating member which is displaced to operate the safety valve and thereby control flow through a tubular string for a subterranean well, the operating member being pressure-balanced; and a magnetic coupling between the actuator member and the operating member.
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33. A method of actuating a safety valve, the method comprising the steps of:
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interconnecting the safety valve in a tubular string for a subterranean well, the safety valve thereby being operable to control flow through the tubular string; displacing an actuator member of the safety valve; translating displacement of the actuator member to displacement of an operating member, the translation being performed across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal, a magnetic coupling being used to fix displacement of the operating member relative to displacement of the actuator member; and actuating the safety valve between open and closed positions in response to displacement of the operating member.
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34. A method of actuating a safety valve, the method comprising the steps of:
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interconnecting the safety valve in a tubular string for a subterranean well, the safety valve thereby being operable to control flow through the tubular string; displacing an actuator member of the safety valve; translating displacement of the actuator member to displacement of an operating member, the translation being performed across a pressure isolation barrier without use of any dynamic seal, at least one first magnetic device being attached to the actuator member and at least one second magnetic device being attached to the operating member, magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic devices causing the operating member to displace with the actuator member; and actuating the safety valve between open and closed positions in response to displacement of the operating member. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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Specification