Camco International, Inc.

Camco Inc.

Other

Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Arthur J Morris

Ronald E Pringle

Dwayne D Leismer

Thomas G Hill, Jr

Leroy C Delatorre

James R Reaux

Walter S Going

Brian K Moore

John Joseph Johnson

Walter J Laflin

Vitold P Serafin

James K Garner, Jr

Jeffrey L Knieriemen

Danny W Wagoner

David L Parker

Douglas G Durst

Donald E Newton

An in-line flow control device for a well chokes flow through a conduit while allowing access therethrough.

Method and apparatus for selective injection or flow control with through-tubing operation capacity

A downhole flow control device is provided for remotely controlling fluid flow of production or injection fluids, and may offer the capacity to pass wireline tools therethrough. In a broad aspect, the device may include: a body member having a first bore extending from a first end of the body member and through an extension member disposed within the body member, a second bore extending from a second end of the body member and into an annular space disposed about the extension member, a first valve seat disposed within the first bore, and at least one flow port in the extension member establishing fluid communication between the annular space and the first bore; and a first sleeve member remotely shiftable within the first bore, and having a second valve seat adapted for cooperable sealing engagement with the first valve seat to regulate fluid flow through the at least one flow port. The device may also include: a closure member disposed for movement between an open and a closed position to control fluid flow through the first bore; a second sleeve member remotely shiftable within the first bore to move the closure member between its open and closed positions; means for selectively controlling movement of the first sleeve member to regulate fluid flow through the at least one flow port; and a cone member for directing fluid flow into the annular space.

In a broad aspect, the present invention is a downhole hydraulic multiplexer, which is comprised of one or more piloted shuttle valves, and method of using. The invention takes one or more input signals from a surface control panel or computer, said signals may be electric or hydraulic, and converts said signals into a plurality of pressurized hydraulic output channels. The invention is shown in a variety of preferred embodiments, including a tubing deployed version, a wireline retrievable version, and a version residing in the wall of a downhole completion tool. Also disclosed is the use of multiple shuttle valves used in parallel or in series to embody a downhole hydraulic fluid multiplexer, controllable by and reporting positions of said shuttle valves to said surface control panel or computer.

Downhole multiplexer and related methods

In a multiple well completion, spaced apart production packers isolate independent production zones from one another. In each isolated production zone, a side pocket mandrel with a full opening bore has lengthwise extending side by side elongated pockets (1) for receiving a static pressure measuring instrument or tool (static pressure pocket); (2) for providing a venturi flow passageway (flow passageway pocket); and (3) for receiving a differential pressure measuring tool (differential pressure pocket). The static pressure measuring tool and the differential pressure measuring tool or instrument are commonly connected by a data coupling means to a single electrical conductor line which is strapped to the string of tubing and extends to the earth's surface for transmission of control signals and data signals between the earth's surface and the various side pocket tools. The venturi flow passageway is connected for fluid communication with the static pressure pocket and the differential pressure pocket in the side pocket mandrel. Fluid flow from a particular production zone is channeled through the respective venturi flow passageway to the full opening bore and the fluid flow parameters are communicated to the static pressure measuring tool and to the differential pressure tool. The flow passageway is constructed and arranged to develop a differential pressure which is measured by the differential pressure measuring tool. At the same time, the static pressure of the production fluid in the production zone is measured by the static pressure measuring tool. Both the differential pressure measurements and the static pressure measurements may be transmitted to the surface and recorded as a function of real time.

Multizone production monitoring system

An improved apparatus for transmitting signals through a well tool is provided. In a broad aspect, the present invention is a communication conduit in a well tool comprising: a cylindrical mandrel having a longitudinal bore therethrough, an inner diameter, an outer diameter, and an outside circumference; a well tool attached to the outside circumference of the cylindrical mandrel; and at least one signal transmitting passageway positioned in the mandrel between the inner diameter and the outer diameter. In a specific embodiment, the well tool may be a packer. The at least one signal transmitting passageway may be used as a carrier for electrical or fiber optic conductors, or it may be a pressure retaining member whereby pressurized hydraulic fluid may be passed through to a device below the well tool without interruption.

Communication conduit in a well tool

An electro-hydraulic well tool actuator is provided to control fluid-actuated well tools. The actuator may include a cylindrical housing at least one hydraulic fluid flowpath within the housing, a communication link sealably connected to the housing on one end and a control panel located at the earth's surface on the other, at least one solenoid valve mounted in the housing for directing the flow of hydraulic fluid, and at least one discharge port in the housing for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulically actuated downhole device. Alternate embodiments include an onboard hydraulic system, and different methods of interfacing with downhole fluid actuated devices.

Electro-hydraulic well tool actuator

A variable flow control device having a substantially cylindrical housing with a valve element connected to an inner surface thereof. The valve is movable between an open position and a closed position in the bore. One or more flow control orifices are located in the valve element for controlling the flow of fluids through the housing when the valve element is in the closed position. A drive mechanism is also connected to the valve element for controlling the size of the one or more flow control orifices. As such, a full bore variable flow control device is provided that controls the flow of wellbore fluids without permanent reduction of the internal bore of the production tubing. By closing the flapper valve and selecting the size of the variable orifices, total control of the production flow of the wellbore can be achieved. By opening the flapper valve, full bore wireline operations to the bottom of the well can be performed.

Full bore variable flow control device

A method and apparatus for selectively producing fluids from multiple lateral wellbores that extend from a central wellbore. The apparatus comprises a fluid flow assembly with a selectively openable and adjustable flow control valve in communication with a production tubing, located in the central wellbore between packers, and a lateral wellbore, and a selectively openable access door located adjacent the lateral wellbore allowing and preventing service tool entry into the lateral wellbore. The valve and door are individually controlled from the earth's surface.

Apparatus for remote control of multilateral wells

Method and apparatus for remote control of multilateral wells

A flow measurement having a substantially cylindrical housing with a valve element connected to an inner surface thereof. The valve is movable between an open position and a closed position in the bore. A secondary flow passageway is formed in the housing and extends along the longitudinal axis of the housing. A first end of the secondary flow passageway is in fluid communication with the bore below the valve element. A flow measuring device is located near a second end of the secondary flow passageway for measuring the rate of fluid flow therethrough. The housing is adapted to be connected at each end thereof to well tubing. The present invention provides a flow measurement mandrel that diverts the production flow the secondary flow passageway by closing a hydraulically operated flapper valve and routing the fluid or gas through the a venturi flume in the secondary flow passageway for flow measurement. After monitoring flow rate, the flapper valve is re-opened and full bore production is achieved.

Flow measurement mandrel

A method and related system for operating a downhole tool connected to coiled tubing comprises introducing the tool and the coiled tubing into a wellbore providing to the earth's surface a signal indicative of compression, tension and/or impact forces applied to the tool, using the signal to determine at the earth's surface the location of the tool within the wellbore, and then operating the tool.

Growing community of inventors

Magnolia, TX, United States of America

Arthur J Morris