This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an example described below, more particularly includes provision of internal lines in a well tool.
It is at times desirable to be able to extend one or more lines along or past a well tool. However, cross-sectional area is very limited in a wellbore. If the lines are positioned external to the well tool, this increases the well tool's effective outer diameter. External lines can be recessed into an exterior of the well tool, but this reduces a wall thickness of the well tool.
If the lines are positioned internal to the well tool, the lines may interfere with operation of the well tool, or may restrict flow and access through the well tool. In addition, the wall thickness of the well tool may be too thin to accommodate the lines while maintaining a desired pressure and load capacity of the well tool.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of constructing and utilizing well tools with one or more lines therein. These improvements may be useful in a variety of different types of well tools and well systems.
Representatively illustrated in
In the
Although
The drill string 14 may be rotated at surface, for example, using a top drive (not shown) or a rotary table incorporated into a rig floor 36. A drill bit 38 connected at a distal end of the drill string 14 may also, or alternatively, be rotated by use of a drill motor (not shown) connected in the drill string above the drill bit.
Note that the term “surface” is used herein to refer to locations at or near the earth's surface, whether covered by water or on dry land. Thus, a subsea wellhead assembly would be located at surface, as would a wellhead assembly suspended from a floating rig, or a wellhead assembly on dry land.
As depicted in
Connected as part of the casing string 28 is a well tool 30. In this example, the well tool 30 is of the type known to those skilled in the art as a downhole deployment valve or a downhole isolation valve.
The well tool 30 functions to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the interior of the casing string 28 below and above the well tool. During drilling operations, a downhole deployment valve or a downhole isolation valve can be used to isolate an open hole portion of the wellbore 12 from pressures in the casing string 28 above the tool 30, and can be used to prevent flow from the open hole portion of the wellbore 12 to the casing string 28 above the tool 30.
In the
The well tool 30 depicted in
In
The downhole lines 32a may be connected to multiple well tools, and/or to multiple sections of a well tool. The downhole lines 32a may at various locations be positioned external to, internal to, or in a wall of, the casing string 28 (or other tubular string).
Referring additionally now to
As depicted in
A closure member 42 is pivotably mounted relative to an annular seat 44. The flow passage 40 extends through the seat 44, in that the seat outwardly surrounds the flow passage.
In this example, the closure member 42 comprises an element of the type known to those skilled in the art as a flapper. In other examples, the closure member 42 could be provided as a rotatable ball, a plug or other type of closure member.
The closure member 42 is depicted in a closed position in
A generally tubular operator member 46 is used to displace the closure member 42 between its open and closed positions. As depicted in
To displace the closure member 42 to its open position, the operator member 46 is displaced downward and into contact with the closure member, thereby pivoting the closure member downward about a pivot 48 against a biasing force exerted by springs 50 (not visible in
Note that it is not necessary for the closure member 42 to rotate or pivot between the open and closed positions, or for the closure member to displace in any particular direction (upward, downward, longitudinally, etc.) between the open and closed positions. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular displacement of the closure member 42 between its open and closed positions.
In some examples, the operator member 46 can be displaced longitudinally to open or close the closure member 42 in response to manipulation of pressure in one or more of the lines 32. For example, pressure may be increased (e.g., using a pump connected to the surface lines 32b) in one of the downhole lines 32a to downwardly displace the operator member 46 and thereby pivot the closure member 42 downwardly to its open position, and the pressure may be decreased to upwardly displace the operator member and thereby allow the closure member to be pivoted upwardly to its closed position.
In other examples, the operator member 46 could be displaced by use of an electric motor, a linear actuator or another type of actuator or device. Components other than the operator member 46 may alternatively be used to displace the closure member 42 between its open and closed positions. Thus, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular means for displacing the closure member 42 between its open and closed positions.
In the
The conduits 54 are positioned in the annular cavity 52, so that there is clearance between the conduits and the closure member 42 as it pivots between its open and closed positions. As described more fully below, the conduits 54 can communicate various types of signals between the seat 44 and the annular structure 56a, so that the downhole lines 32a (see
The signals may include electrical signals, in which case an electrical conductor (not shown) could extend through a conduit 54. The signals may include optical signals, in which case an optical waveguide (such as an optical fiber or optical ribbon, not shown) could extend through a conduit 54. The signals may include fluid signals (such as hydraulic or pneumatic pressure or flow variations), in which case a fluid may be transmitted through a conduit 54. Any type, number or combination of signals may be communicated using the conduits 54, in keeping with the principles of this disclosure.
Note that a passageway 58a extends to the seat 44 in the well tool 30, and passageway 60a extends to the annular structure 56a. The conduits 54 provide for connecting these passageways 58a, 60a (and additional passageways), as described more fully below.
Referring additionally now to
The seat 44 has a series of longitudinally spaced apart seals 62 on an upper end thereof, with an external annular groove 64a-d formed between each adjacent pair of seals. In this example, there are five of the seals 62 and four of the grooves 64a-d, but any number, combination or configuration may be used in other examples.
The passageway 58a depicted in
The annular groove 64a allows the passageway in the seat 44 to be circumferentially offset from the passageway 58a. Additional passageways may be in communication with respective ones of the other annular grooves 64b-d (as depicted in
Referring additionally now to
The sleeve 66 has a series of longitudinally spaced apart external seals 68 thereon, with an external annular groove 70a-c formed between each adjacent pair of seals. In this example, there are four of the seals 68 and three of the grooves 70a-c, but any number, combination or configuration may be used in other examples.
The passageway 60a depicted in
The annular groove 70a allows the passageway in the annular structure 56a to be circumferentially offset from the passageway 60a. Additional passageways may be in communication with respective ones of the other annular grooves 70b,c (as depicted in
Referring additionally now to
The conduits 54b,c are sealingly received in the seat 44, and are sealingly received in the annular structure 56a. Thus, the conduits 54b,c provide sealed passageways for communication between the seat 44 and the annular structure 56a.
A passageway 72b formed in the seat 44 provides for communication between the annular groove 64b and the conduit 54b. Another passageway 72c formed in the seat 44 provides for communication between the annular groove 64c and the conduit 54c.
Passageways similar to the passageway 58a depicted in
A passageway 74b formed in the annular structure 56a provides for communication between the annular groove 70b and the conduit 54b. Another passageway 74c formed in the annular structure 56a provides for communication between the annular groove 70c and the conduit 54c.
Passageways similar to the passageway 60a depicted in
Thus, it will be appreciated that communication is provided through the well tool 30 in this example by the combination of passageways, annular grooves and conduits described above. However, it should be clearly understood that other configurations are possible in keeping with the principles of this disclosure. For example, if it is not desired to circumferentially offset passageways in the well tool 30, the annular grooves 64a-d, 70a-c may not be used.
The combination of passageways, annular grooves and conduits described above can be used to extend the downhole lines 32a (see
One of the lines 32a can comprise a particular combination of the passageways, annular grooves and conduits described above, and another of the lines 32a can comprise another combination of the passageways, annular grooves and conduits. In some examples, lines 32a may be placed in communication with each other in the well tool 30 (such as, by providing communication between one of the grooves 64a-d and multiple passageways 72b,c in the seat 44, or by providing communication between one of the grooves 70a-c and multiple passageways 74b,c in the annular structure 56a).
Any number or combination of electrical conductors, optical waveguides and/or fluid can be passed through the passageways, annular grooves and conduits described above. For electrical lines and optical waveguides, less circuitous routes can be provided.
Note that it is not necessary for all of the passageways, annular grooves and conduits described above to be provided in the well tool 30. For example, only a single conduit 54 may be provided, with a passageway extending to respective ends of the conduit in the seat 44 and in the annular structure 56a.
Referring additionally now to
Note, also, that the conduits 54 are not contacted by the closure member 42 as it displaces between the open and closed positions. The conduits 54 are appropriately positioned in the annular cavity 52, so that there is clearance between the conduits and the closure member 42 in all operational positions of the closure member.
Referring additionally now to
A center 76 of the flow passage 40 (see
Note that the conduits 54b,c are located along the horizontal axis 80, and in the annular cavity 52. The conduit 54a is located “below” the axis 80 (opposite the axis from the pivot 48, as viewed in
Preferably, but not necessarily, the conduits 54a-c (and any additional conduits) are located along the axis 80 or opposite the axis 80 from the pivot 48. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular positions of conduits in the annular cavity 52.
It may now be fully appreciated that the above disclosure provides significant advances to the art of constructing and utilizing well tools with one or more lines therein. In one example described above, the lines 32a can be extended internally in the well tool 30, without obstructing the flow passage 40, and without reducing a pressure or load capacity of the well tool.
The above disclosure provides to the art a well tool 30. In one example, the well tool 30 can include a closure member 42 which is displaceable between open and closed positions, a seat 44 having a flow passage 40 extending therethrough which is blocked by the closure member 42 in the closed position, and at least one line 32a extending through the seat 44.
The line 32a may extend between the seat 44 and a housing 56 of the well tool 30, with the closure member 42 being positioned within the housing 56. The line 32a and the seat 44 may also be positioned within the housing 56.
The closure member 42 may rotate or pivot between the open and closed positions. The closure member 42 may comprise a flapper.
The line 32a may extend from the seat 44 into an annular cavity 52. The annular cavity 52 may outwardly surround the flow passage 40 in the open position.
The “at least one” line 32a may comprise multiple lines. The closure member 42 may be positioned between at least two of the lines 32a in the closed position.
The above disclosure also provides to the art a method of communicating through a well tool 30 in a subterranean well. In one example, the method can include positioning at least one conduit 54 in an interior of the well tool 30, and conducting a signal via the at least one conduit 54, the signal being conducted between annular structures 44, 56a at respective opposite ends of the conduit 54, each of the annular structures 44, 56a surrounding a flow passage 40 that extends longitudinally through the well tool 30.
The positioning step may include exposing the conduit 54 to the flow passage 40.
The method may include sealingly engaging a closure member 42 with one of the annular structures 44, the closure member 42 having open and closed positions, and the closure member 42 blocking flow through the flow passage 40 in the closed position. The positioning step may include positioning the conduit 54 in an annular cavity 52 of the well tool 30, and the closure member 42 being received in the annular cavity 52 in the open position.
The other annular structure 56a may form part of an outer housing 56 of the well tool 30.
The signal may comprise one or more of an electrical signal, a fluid signal and an optical signal.
The conducting step may include conducting the signal through at least one annular groove 64a-d in the annular structure 44.
The “at least one” conduit 54 may comprise multiple conduits. The positioning step may include positioning at least two of the conduits 54b,c on opposite lateral sides of the flow passage 40.
A well system 10 is also described above. In one example, the well system 10 can include a well tool 30 connected in a tubular string 28, a flow passage 40 of the tubular string 28 extending longitudinally through the well tool 30, the well tool 30 comprising a closure member 42 having open and closed positions, in which the closure member 42 respectively permits flow through the flow passage 40 in the well tool 30 and blocks flow through the flow passage 40 in the well tool 30, an annular cavity 52 surrounding the flow passage 40, and at least one line 32a, the closure member 42 and the at least one line 32a being positioned in the annular cavity 52 in the open position of the closure member 42.
The line 32a may comprise at least one conduit 54 positioned in the annular cavity 52.
The closure member 42 may sealingly engage a seat 44 in the closed position. The line 32a may extend through the seat 44.
The “at least one” line 32a may comprise multiple lines 32a. The closure member 42 may be positioned between at least two of the lines 32a in the closed position.
The well tool 30 may include an operator member 46 that displaces the closure member 42 between the open and closed positions. The operator member 46 may be disposed between the flow passage 40 and the at least one line 32a in the annular cavity 52 in the open position.
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,” 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.
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