Patent Application
20220112779
This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in examples described below, more particularly provides for circulation of fluid into an annulus in a well.
Well operations (such as, drilling, completions, testing, etc.) are sometimes performed using a tubular string positioned in a wellbore or within another tubular, thereby forming an annulus between the tubular string and the surrounding wellbore or other tubular. Unfortunately, debris (such as drill cuttings, etc.), sand and other materials can accumulate in the annulus and impede movement of the tubular string, or impede fluid flow through the annulus.
It will, therefore, be readily appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of performing well operations while preventing accumulation of debris and other materials in an annulus surrounding a tubular string. The present specification provides such improvements to the art. The improvements may be used with a variety of different well operations and well configurations.
Representatively illustrated in
In the
In other examples, the tubular string 12 may not include the drill bit 16 or the fluid motor. For example, the tubular string 12 could be a completion or test string not used for drilling the wellbore 14. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of the circulating valve assembly 20 with any particular type of tubular string.
In other examples, the well tool 18 may be another type of well tool. For example, the well tool 18 could be a stabilizer, a reamer, a vibratory tool, a steering tool, a testing tool, etc. The well tool 18 may or may not operate in response to the fluid flow 24 through the well tool. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to use of any particular type of well tool with the circulating valve assembly 20.
The circulating valve assembly 20 in this example includes two valves 26, 28. The valve 26 controls the fluid flow 24 longitudinally through a flow passage 30 that extends longitudinally through the bottom hole assembly 22. The valve 26 is opened in this example when it is desired for the fluid flow 24 to pass longitudinally through the bottom hole assembly 22 to thereby operate the well tool 18 and rotate the drill bit 16.
The valve 28 controls the fluid flow 24 between the flow passage 30 and an annulus 32 external to the circulating valve assembly 20. The annulus 32 in this example is formed radially between the tubular string 12 and the wellbore 14, but in other examples the annulus may be formed between the tubular string 12 and another tubular (such as, casing, liner, tubing, etc.). The fluid flow 24 into the annulus 32 may be used to clean debris, sand, etc., from the annulus, to displace fluid in the annulus for well control, or for other purposes. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular purpose or function for directing the fluid flow 24 into the annulus 32 via the valve 28.
In the
Note that, as used herein, the terms “close” and “closed” are used to indicate a valve configuration in which flow through the valve is either completely prevented or only minimal flow through the valve is permitted. In the
In the
Referring additionally now to
As depicted in
The circulating valve assembly 20 is in a longitudinally compressed configuration as depicted in
The
The operator valve 26 in the
When the operator valve 26 is open (as depicted in
The bypass valve 28 in the
When the bypass valve 28 is closed (as depicted in
With the operator valve 26 open as depicted in
Note that the operator mandrel 42 is biased upwardly in the
In the
As mentioned above, the
Referring additionally now to
Referring additionally now to
Due to the elongation of the housing assembly 34, the operator mandrel 42 and the closure member 40 are now biased in a downward direction by the biasing devices 56. Note that the upper biasing device 56 is now longitudinally compressed between the pin 64 and another pin 78 extending laterally through an upper end of the inner sleeve 60 and received in a longitudinally extending slot 80 in the operator mandrel 42. The lower biasing device 56 is longitudinally compressed between the upper fasteners 58 and another pin 82 extending laterally through the operator mandrel 42.
Thus, the biasing devices 56 now bias the operator mandrel 42 and the closure member 40 to a bypass position in which the operator valve 26 is closed and the bypass valve 28 is open. The closure device sealing surface 46 now sealingly engages the seat 44, thereby blocking the fluid flow 24 from the upper flow passage section 30a to the lower flow passage section 30b (although a relatively small amount of the fluid flow is permitted to pass through the opening 48), and the closure device sealing surface 52 does not sealingly engage the seat 50, thereby permitting the fluid flow 24 from the upper flow passage section 30a to the external annulus 32 via the ports 76. In other examples, the opening 48 may not be provided in the closure member 40, so that the fluid flow 24 between the flow passage sections 30a,b is entirely prevented in the bypass configuration.
The
The
Referring additionally now to
The
Note that, with the housing assembly 34 elongated as depicted in
In this example, the biasing devices 56 are selected so that only a nominal amount of the fluid flow 24 (such as, two barrels per minute) is required to maintain the bypass valve 28 closed and the operator valve 26 open (due to the pressure differential across the bypass valve) while the longitudinally tensile force is applied to elongate the circulating valve assembly 20. Other flow rates and other criterion for selecting the biasing devices 56 may be used in other examples.
Referring additionally now to
Beginning with the circulating valve assembly 20 in the elongated, bypass configuration of
Note that, with the housing assembly 34 longitudinally compressed as depicted in
Referring additionally now to
The
As depicted in
Note that, in the
As depicted in
When the flow area is reduced (e.g., when the flow restrictor 86 is positioned in the bore 90), a pressure differential across the flow restrictor 86 due to the fluid flow 24 is increased. Conversely, when the flow area is increased (e.g., when the flow restrictor 86 is positioned in the recess 88), the pressure differential across the flow restrictor 86 due to the fluid flow 24 is reduced.
In the
As depicted in
Referring additionally now to
Threaded pins 94 (see
In
As described more fully below, the pins 94 will displace downward to respective lower legs 92b of the profile 92 when the flow rate of the fluid flow 24 is increased (the flow restrictor 86 displaces downward against the biasing force of the biasing device 56 when the pressure differential across the flow restrictor increases). When the flow rate is subsequently decreased, the pins 94 will displace upward to respective upper legs 92c of the profile 92 (the flow restrictor 86 is displaced upward by the biasing force of the biasing device 56 when the pressure differential across the flow restrictor decreases). When the flow rate is subsequently increased, the pins 94 will displace downward to respective lower legs 92d of the profile 92 (the flow restrictor 86 displaces downward against the biasing force of the biasing device 56 when the pressure differential across the flow restrictor increases). When the flow rate is subsequently decreased, the pins 94 will displace upward to respective upper legs 92a, and this sequence repeats.
Note that the lower legs 92d are substantially longer than the lower legs 92b. When the pins 94 are positioned in the lower legs 92d, the flow restrictor 86 is positioned in the radially reduced bore 90, and so the flow area for the fluid flow 24 between the flow restrictor and the housing assembly 34 is substantially reduced, and the pressure differential across the flow restrictor due to the fluid flow is substantially increased.
Referring additionally now to
The bypass valve 28 remains closed. A pressure differential across the bypass valve 28 due to the fluid flow 24 helps to maintain the bypass valve in its closed configuration. The operator valve 26 remains open, so the fluid flow 24 can pass to the well tool 18 in the bottom hole assembly 22 downstream of the circulating valve assembly 20 in the
If the flow rate of the fluid flow 24 is subsequently decreased sufficiently for the biasing device 56 to displace the flow restrictor 86 upward relative to the operator mandrel 42, then the pins 94 will displace to the upper legs 92c of the profile 92. This configuration of the circulating valve assembly 20 will be essentially the same as the
If the flow rate of the fluid flow 24 is then (after the flow rate decrease that positions the pins in the upper legs 92c of the profile 92) increased sufficiently for the pressure differential across the flow restrictor 86 to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing device 56, the flow restrictor 86 will displace downward relative to the operator mandrel 42. This configuration is depicted in
In the
Referring additionally now to
The increased pressure differential across the flow restrictor 86 causes the flow restrictor 86 to displace downward with the operator mandrel 42 against the biasing force exerted by the biasing device 56. The closure members 40a,b displace downward with the operator mandrel 42.
In the
The bypass configuration of
In this example, the profile 92 is configured so that only a single set of a flow rate decrease (e.g., so that the flow rate is less than a predetermined level) followed by a flow rate increase (e.g., so that the flow rate is greater than the predetermined level) is required to switch the circulating valve assembly 20 from the bypass to the operating configuration, or from the operating configuration to the bypass configuration. The predetermined level is determined, in this example, by the biasing force exerted by the biasing devices 56, and the position of the flow restrictor 86 relative to the recess 88 and bore 90. In other examples, the profile 92 may be configured to require multiple sets of flow rate decreases and increases, or to require a different number of flow rate increases than the number of flow rate decreases, to switch between configurations of the circulating valve assembly 20.
Referring additionally now to
Thus, in a bypass configuration of the
Referring additionally now to
The
As depicted in
The flow restrictor 86 is positioned in the radially enlarged recess 88 in the housing assembly 34. The biasing device 56 biases the operator mandrel 42 longitudinally upward toward a closed position of the bypass valve 28 and an open position of the operator valve 26. This configuration is similar to that depicted in
Referring now to
In this example, the flow restrictor 86 is formed on an outer sleeve 96 secured to an index sleeve 98 of the index mechanism 84 with a snap ring 100. Thus, the outer sleeve 96 and the flow restrictor 86 formed thereon displace with the index sleeve 98 relative to the operator mandrel 42. Another sleeve 102 is retained radially between the outer sleeve 96 and the index sleeve 98.
Referring now to
In this example, the index mechanism 84 includes an upper index profile 104 formed on a lower end of a ratchet sleeve 106 secured to the operator mandrel 42 with a pin 108. A complementarily shaped upper index profile 110 is formed on an upper end of the index sleeve 98.
A lower index profile 112 is formed on a lower end of the index sleeve 98. A complimentarily shaped index profile 114 is formed on the operator mandrel 42.
The upper index profiles 104, 110 include mating inclined surfaces that tend to rotate the index sleeve 98 in a clockwise direction (as viewed from above) when the index sleeve engages and displaces upward relative to the ratchet sleeve 106. Similarly, the lower index profiles 112, 114 include mating inclined surfaces that tend to rotate the index sleeve 98 in a clockwise direction when the index sleeve engages and displaces downward relative to the operator mandrel 42.
However, note that the index profile 112 has two lower legs 112a that extend further downward than two lower legs 112b (only one of which is visible in
When the index profiles 112, 114 are fully engaged with each other (e.g., when the index sleeve 98 has been displaced downward relative to the operator mandrel 42 as described more fully below), the index sleeve 98 will be in one of two longitudinal positions relative to the operator mandrel. Which of the two longitudinal positions the index sleeve 98 is in relative to the operator mandrel 42 is determined by the rotational orientation of the legs 112a,b relative to the legs 114a,b.
Referring again to
If the flow rate of the fluid flow 24 is sufficient to produce a great enough pressure differential across the flow restrictor 86 to overcome the upwardly biasing force exerted by the biasing device 56, the sleeve 102 and index sleeve 98 will displace downward relative to the operator mandrel 42, so that the lower index profiles 112, 114 profiles are engaged with each other. The rotational position of profiles 112, 114 relative to each other will determine how far the index sleeve 98 displaces downward relative to the operator mandrel 42. This is similar to the manner in which the downward displacement distance of the flow restrictor 86 relative to the operator mandrel 42 is determined by whether the pins 94 are received in the shorter profile legs 92b or the longer profile legs 92d in the
Referring now to
When the lower profiles 112, 114 engage each other, the inclined surfaces of the profiles cause the index sleeve 98 to rotate clockwise somewhat. As depicted in
A subsequent decrease in the flow rate of the fluid flow 24 can then allow the biasing device 56 to displace the index sleeve 98 upward relative to the operator mandrel 42 (the pressure differential across the flow restrictor 86 decreases when the flow rate is decreased). As a result, the index mechanism will return to the
Referring now to
The flow restrictor 86 is now positioned in the reduced diameter bore 90, which thereby reduces a flow area of the annulus between the flow restrictor and the housing assembly 34. The pressure differential across the flow restrictor 86 is, thus, increased for a given flow rate of the fluid flow 24 through the annulus, as compared to the configuration (see
Components of the index mechanism 84 are representatively illustrated in
Referring now to
The operator valve 26 now blocks flow from the upper flow passage section 30a to the lower flow passage section 30b. The bypass valve 28 is now open, thereby permitting flow from the upper flow passage section 30a to the external annulus 32. Note that, in its closed configuration, the operator valve 26 could permit some flow from the upper flow passage section 30a to the lower flow passage section 30b (such as, utilizing the opening 48 as depicted in
The circulating valve 20 can be returned to the
The bypass configuration of
In this example, the profiles 104, 110, 112, 114 are configured so that only a single set of a flow rate decrease (e.g., so that the flow rate is less than a predetermined level) followed by a flow rate increase (e.g., so that the flow rate is greater than the predetermined level) is required to switch the circulating valve assembly 20 from the bypass to the operating configuration, or from the operating configuration to the bypass configuration. In other examples, the profiles 104, 110, 112, 114 may be configured to require multiple sets of flow rate decreases and increases, or to require a different number of flow rate increases than the number of flow rate decreases, to switch between configurations of the circulating valve assembly 20.
Referring additionally now to
The
The circulating valve assembly 20 is depicted in a longitudinally compressed operating configuration in
Note that the circulating valve assembly 20 includes the splined connection 66. In this example, the splined connection 66 permits relative longitudinal displacement between the upper connector housing 36 and the remainder of the outer housing assembly 34. The upper connector housing 36 is connected to the operator mandrel 42, so the operator mandrel is also permitted to displace longitudinally relative to the remainder of the outer housing assembly 34 with the upper connector. However, the splined connection prevents relative rotation between the upper connector housing 36 and the outer housing 68.
The operator mandrel 42 is in tubular form in this example, so that the flow passage 30 extends through the operator mandrel. An annular piston 118 is connected at an upper end of the operator mandrel 42, and a tubular upper mandrel 120 is connected between the piston and the upper connector housing 36.
The piston 118 is sealingly received in a bore 122 formed in an outer housing 124 of the housing assembly 34, and the upper mandrel 120 is sealingly received in a smaller diameter bore 126 formed in the outer housing 124. An annular chamber 128 is formed radially between the outer housing 124 and the upper mandrel 120, and longitudinally between the piston 118 and an upper end of the outer housing 124. Another annular chamber 130 is formed radially between the operator mandrel 42 and the outer housing 124, and longitudinally between the piston 118 and the lower connector housing 38. The chambers 128, 130 are positioned on opposite longitudinal sides of the piston 118.
The chamber 128 is in fluid communication with the flow passage 30 via an opening 132 formed through a sidewall of the upper mandrel 120. The chamber 130 is in fluid communication with the external annulus 32 via an opening 134 formed through a sidewall of the lower connector housing 38. Thus, a pressure differential across the piston 118 is essentially the same as a pressure differential between the flow passage 30 and the external annulus 32.
In the operating configuration of
Thus, once the circulating valve assembly 20 is in the operating configuration and sufficient fluid flow 24 is maintained through the flow passage 30, it is not necessary for a compressive force to be applied to the circulating valve assembly 20 for it to remain in the operating configuration. For example, the circulating valve assembly 20 can be placed in the operating configuration by applying a compressive force to the circulating valve assembly (e.g., by slacking off weight on the tubular string 12 at surface while a lower end of the tubular string abuts a distal end of the wellbore 14). The fluid flow 24 through the flow passage 30 can then be used to operate the well tool 18, for example, in order to rotate the drill bit 16 and thereby further drill the wellbore 14.
If sufficient fluid flow 24 is then maintained through the flow passage 30, the compressive force can be relieved and a tensile force can be applied to the circulating valve assembly 20 (for example, by picking up on the tubular string 12 at surface when the tubular string is retrieved from the well), without causing the operator mandrel 42 to displace upward relative to the housing assembly 34. The pressure differential from the chamber 128 to the chamber 130 will continue to bias the piston 118 downward, thereby maintaining the circulating valve assembly 20 in the operating configuration, as long as sufficient fluid flow 24 is maintained.
The sufficient fluid flow 24 may, for example, comprise a flow rate sufficient to operate the well tool 18, although this is not necessary in keeping with the scope of this disclosure. The sufficient flow rate is a flow rate greater than a predetermined level determined, for example, by piston areas of the piston 118, fluid friction through the bottom hole assembly 22, etc.
The bypass valve 28 in this example includes closure members 136 in the form of spheres, balls or other types of plugs. The closure members 136 block fluid flow from the flow passage 30 to the external annulus 32 via the ports 76. The pressure differential from the flow passage 30 to the external annulus 32 maintains each of the closure members 136 in a position blocking flow through a respective one of the ports 76 while the fluid flow 24 is maintained through the flow passage 30. In other examples, other types of closure members (such as, one or more flappers, sliding sleeves, etc.) may be used instead of the closure members 136.
Note that the closure members 136 are partially received in an external radially reduced recess 138 formed on the operator mandrel 42. The recess 138 is positioned on the operator mandrel 42 so that, if the operator mandrel is displaced upward relative to the lower connector housing 38, the operator mandrel will cause the closure members 136 to be displaced upward and away from the ports 76. In another example, the closure members 136 could be received in slots, grooves or other types of recesses formed on the operator mandrel 42.
Referring additionally now to
The
The bypass valve 28 is opened in response to the operator mandrel 42 being displaced upward relative to the lower connector housing 38 of the housing assembly 34. The upward displacement of the operator mandrel 42 causes the closure members 136 to also be displaced upward, so that they no longer block flow outward through the ports 76. Openings 140 formed through a sidewall of the operator mandrel 42 permit fluid flow 24 from the flow passage 30 to the ports 76 when the closure members 136 do not block the ports 76.
In this example, the closure members 136 preferably comprise a relatively hard, abrasion- and erosion-resistant material (such as, tungsten carbide or another carbide material). In addition, the ports 76 and openings 140 may be lined with, or extend through, a similar relatively hard, abrasion- and erosion-resistant material.
If desired, the circulating valve assembly 20 can be returned to the
It may now be fully appreciated that the above disclosure provides significant advancements to the art of performing well operations while preventing accumulation of debris and other materials in an annulus surrounding a tubular string. In the
A method of performing an operation in a subterranean well is provided to the art by the above disclosure. In one example, the method can comprise: closing a bypass valve 28 of a circulating valve assembly 20, thereby blocking fluid communication between an internal flow passage 30 of the circulating valve assembly 20 and an annulus 32 external to the circulating valve assembly 20; and then applying a first longitudinally tensile force to the circulating valve assembly 20 while a fluid flow 24 passes longitudinally through the flow passage 30, the bypass valve 28 remaining closed when the longitudinally tensile force is applied to the circulating valve assembly 20.
In various examples described herein:
The method may include applying a second longitudinally tensile force to the circulating valve assembly 20 while a flow rate of the fluid flow 24 is less than a predetermined level, thereby opening the bypass valve 28.
The method may include reducing a flow rate of the fluid flow 24 to less than a predetermined level, thereby opening the bypass valve 28.
The method may include opening an operator valve 26 of the circulating valve assembly 20, thereby permitting the fluid flow 24 to pass longitudinally through the circulating valve assembly 20 via the flow passage 30 while the bypass valve 28 is closed.
The step of applying the first longitudinally tensile force may include the operator valve 26 remaining open when the first longitudinally tensile force is applied to the circulating valve assembly 20.
The step of opening the operator valve 26 may include applying a longitudinally compressive force to the circulating valve assembly 20.
The method may include operating a well tool 18 in response to the fluid flow 24, the well tool 18 being connected downstream of the circulating valve assembly 20, and the well tool 18 being selected from the group consisting of a fluid motor, a vibratory tool, a stabilizer, a steering tool and a reamer.
The step of applying the first longitudinally tensile force may include elongating the circulating valve assembly 20.
Another method of performing an operation in a subterranean well is provided to the art by the above disclosure. In one example, the method can comprise: deploying a circulating valve assembly 20 into the well, the circulating valve assembly 20 having an operating configuration in which fluid flow 24 through the circulating valve assembly 20 is directed to a well tool 18 connected downstream of the circulating valve assembly 20, and a bypass configuration in which the fluid flow 24 can pass through a sidewall of the circulating valve assembly 20 to an annulus 32 external to the circulating valve assembly 20; applying a longitudinally compressive force to the circulating valve assembly 20, thereby placing the circulating valve assembly 20 in the operating configuration; and then applying a first longitudinally tensile force to the circulating valve assembly 20, the circulating valve assembly 20 remaining in the operating configuration after the first longitudinally tensile force has been applied.
In various examples described herein:
The step of applying the longitudinally compressive force may include decreasing a length of the circulating valve assembly 20. The step of applying the first longitudinally tensile force may include increasing a length of the circulating valve assembly 20.
The step of applying the first longitudinally tensile force may include maintaining a flow rate of the fluid flow 24 greater than a predetermined level while the longitudinally tensile force is applied to the circulating valve assembly 20.
The method may include applying a second longitudinally tensile force to the circulating valve assembly 20 while the flow rate of the fluid flow 24 is less than the predetermined level, thereby placing the circulating valve assembly 20 in the bypass configuration.
The step of placing the circulating valve assembly 20 in the bypass configuration may include displacing at least one closure member 40, 136 that blocks the fluid flow 24 through at least one port 76 formed through the sidewall.
A biasing device 56 may bias the closure member 40 toward a closed position of a bypass valve 28 of the circulating valve assembly 20 when the longitudinally compressive force is applied to the circulating valve assembly 20, and the biasing device 56 may bias the closure member 40 toward an open position of an operator valve 26 of the circulating valve assembly 20 when the first and second longitudinally tensile forces are applied to the circulating valve assembly 20.
The above disclosure also provides to the art a method of performing an operation in a subterranean well, in which the method can include: directing fluid flow 24 longitudinally through a well tool 18 connected in a tubular string 12 downstream of a longitudinally compressed circulating valve assembly 20, thereby causing the well tool 18 to operate; and longitudinally elongating the circulating valve assembly 20 while the fluid flow 24 is ceased, and then increasing the fluid flow 24, thereby causing the fluid flow 24 after the elongating step to pass outwardly through a sidewall of a housing 36 of the circulating valve assembly 20 to an annulus 32 external to the circulating valve assembly 20.
In any of the examples described herein:
The well tool 18 may comprise at least one of a fluid motor, a vibratory tool, a stabilizer, a steering tool and a reamer. The step of causing the well tool 18 to operate may include operating the fluid motor, the vibratory tool, the stabilizer, the steering tool and/or the reamer.
The elongating step may include causing a bypass valve 28 of the circulating valve assembly 20 to open, thereby permitting the fluid flow 24 to pass from a central longitudinal flow passage 30 of the circulating valve assembly 20 to the external annulus 32 via a port 76 in the circulating valve assembly housing 36.
The elongating step may include causing an operator valve 26 of the circulating valve assembly 20 to close, thereby blocking the fluid flow 24 between first and second sections 30a,b of the flow passage 30.
The permitting step may include permitting the fluid flow 24 to pass from the flow passage first section 30a to the external annulus 32 via the bypass valve 28.
The method may include longitudinally compressing the circulating valve assembly 20 prior to the directing step, thereby closing the bypass valve 28 and opening the operator valve 26. The fluid flow 24 may be ceased during the longitudinally compressing step.
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include a biasing device 56 that exerts a biasing force that biases an operator mandrel 42 between an operating position in which the bypass valve 28 is closed and the operator valve 26 is open, and a bypass position in which the bypass valve 28 is open and the operator valve 26 is closed.
The compressing step may include the biasing force biasing the operator mandrel 42 toward the operating position. The elongating step may include the biasing force biasing the operator mandrel 42 toward the bypass position.
Also provided to the art by the above disclosure is a circulating valve assembly 20 for use in a subterranean well. In one example, the circulating valve assembly 20 can include: a housing assembly 34 having a longitudinally compressed configuration and a longitudinally elongated configuration; a flow passage 30 extending longitudinally through the housing assembly 34; an operator valve 26 that selectively blocks flow between first and second sections 30a,b of the flow passage 30; and a bypass valve 28 that selectively blocks flow between the flow passage first section 30a and an exterior of the circulating valve assembly 20.
In any of the examples described herein:
The operator valve 26 may be open and the bypass valve 28 may be closed in the compressed configuration. The operator valve 26 may be closed and the bypass valve 28 may be open in the elongated configuration.
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include a biasing device 56 that exerts a biasing force that biases an operator mandrel 42 between an operating position in which the bypass valve 28 is closed and the operator valve 26 is open, and a bypass position in which the bypass valve 28 is open and the operator valve 26 is closed.
The biasing force may bias the operator mandrel 42 toward the operating position in the compressed configuration. The biasing force may bias the operator mandrel 42 toward the bypass position in the elongated configuration.
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include a closure member 40 secured to the operator mandrel 42, the closure member 40 comprising a first seal surface 52 for sealing engagement with a seat 50 of the bypass valve 28, and a second seal surface 46 for sealing engagement with a seat 44 of the operator valve 26.
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include a closure member 40 positioned longitudinally between a seat 50 of the bypass valve 28 and a seat 44 of the operator valve 26. The closure member 40 may be sealingly engaged with the bypass valve seat 50 in the compressed configuration, and the closure member 40 may be sealingly engaged with the operator valve seat 44 in the elongated configuration.
Some fluid flow 24 between the first and second flow passage sections 30a,b may be permitted in a closed configuration of the operator valve 26.
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include a splined connection 66 between first and second housings 38, 68 of the housing assembly 34.
Another method of performing an operation in a subterranean well is provided to the art by the above disclosure. In one example, the method can include: directing a fluid flow 24 through a well tool 18 connected in a tubular string 12 downstream of a circulating valve assembly 20, thereby causing the well tool 18 to operate; and decreasing then increasing a flow rate of the fluid flow 24, thereby causing the fluid flow 24 to pass outwardly through a sidewall of a housing assembly 34 of the circulating valve assembly 20 to an annulus 32 external to the circulating valve assembly 20.
In any of the examples described herein:
The decreasing then increasing step may be performed after the directing step. The decreasing then increasing step may be performed prior to the directing step.
The well tool 20 may include at least one of a fluid motor, a vibratory tool, a stabilizer, a steering tool and a reamer. The step of causing the well tool 18 to operate may include operating the fluid motor, the vibratory tool, the stabilizer, the steering tool and/or the reamer.
The decreasing then increasing step may include causing a bypass valve 28 of the circulating valve assembly 20 to open, thereby permitting the fluid flow 24 to pass from a central longitudinal flow passage 30 of the circulating valve assembly 20 to the external annulus 32.
The decreasing then increasing step may include diverting the fluid flow 24 from the well tool 18 to the external annulus 32.
The decreasing then increasing step may include closing an operator valve 26 that controls the fluid flow 24 longitudinally through the circulating valve assembly 20. The decreasing then increasing step may include opening a bypass valve 28 that controls the fluid flow 24 laterally through the housing assembly 34 sidewall.
The method may include decreasing then increasing the flow rate of the fluid flow 24, thereby closing a bypass valve 28 of the circulating valve assembly 20 and opening an operator valve 26 of the circulating valve assembly 20, the operator valve 26 controlling the fluid flow 24 between first and second sections 30a,b of a flow passage 30 extending longitudinally through the circulating valve assembly 20, and the bypass valve 28 controlling the fluid flow 24 between the flow passage first section 30a and the annulus 32 external to the circulating valve assembly 20.
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include an operator mandrel 42 reciprocably disposed in the housing assembly 34, and an index profile 92 that controls a longitudinal position of a flow restrictor 86 relative to the operator mandrel 42.
The decreasing then increasing step may include longitudinally displacing the flow restrictor 86 relative to the operator mandrel 42. The decreasing then increasing step may include reducing a flow area between the flow restrictor 86 and the housing assembly 34.
Also described above is a circulating valve assembly 20 for use in a subterranean well. In one example, the circulating valve assembly 20 can include: a housing assembly 34; a flow passage 30 extending longitudinally through the housing assembly 34; an operator valve 26 that controls fluid communication between first and second sections 30a,b of the flow passage 30; a bypass valve 28 that controls fluid communication between the flow passage first section 30a and an exterior of the circulating valve assembly 20; and an index mechanism 84 configured to vary a flow area of the flow passage 30.
In any of the examples described herein:
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include a flow restrictor 86 that restricts fluid communication through the flow passage 30. The index mechanism 84 may control a longitudinal position of the flow restrictor 86.
The flow area between the flow restrictor 86 and the housing assembly 34 in an operating configuration is greater than the flow area between the flow restrictor 86 and the housing assembly 34 in a bypass configuration. The operator valve 26 is open and the bypass valve 28 is closed in the operating configuration, and the operator valve 26 is closed and the bypass valve 28 is open in the bypass configuration.
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include an operator mandrel 42 reciprocably disposed in the housing assembly 34, a bypass valve closure member 40b secured at one end of the operator mandrel 42, and an operator valve closure member 40a secured at an opposite end of the operator mandrel 42.
The index mechanism 84 may include an index profile 92 formed on the operator mandrel 42.
The bypass valve closure member 40b may be configured to sealingly engage a seat 50 of the bypass valve 28, and the operator valve closure member 40a may be configured to sealingly engage a seat 44 of the operator valve 26.
The index mechanism 84 may control a longitudinal position of a flow restrictor 86 relative to the operator mandrel 42.
The flow restrictor 86 may be positioned longitudinally between the bypass valve closure member 40b and the operator valve closure member 40a.
The circulating valve assembly 20 may include a biasing device 56 that biases the flow restrictor 86, operator mandrel 42 and bypass valve closure member 40b toward an operating configuration in which the bypass valve closure member 40b sealingly engages a seat 50 of the bypass valve 28.
Some fluid communication between the first and second flow passage sections 30a,b may be permitted in a bypass configuration.
Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example's features are not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.
Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used.
It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.
In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms (such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “upward,” “downward,” etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.
The terms “including,” “includes,” “comprising,” “comprises,” and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as “including” a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “comprises” is considered to mean “comprises, but is not limited to.”
Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure. For example, structures disclosed as being separately formed can, in other examples, be integrally formed and vice versa. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
