Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Christophe Rayssiguier

Vincent Tourillon

St&eacute;phane Hiron

A flow rate control device (,) placed at the bottom of an oil well in production comprises holes (,) formed in the production tubing (,), a closure sleeve (,) suitable for sliding over the holes (,) for controlling the flow rate, and a protective sleeve (,). The protective sleeve (,) is urged by a return spring (,) into a position in which it covers a sealing gasket (,). During closure of the device (,), the two sleeves come into edge-to-edge abutment and the closure sleeve (,) pushes the protective sleeve (,) back against the return spring (,). The sealing gasket (,) is never in direct contact with the fluid in the well. Preferably, the closure sleeve (,) is mounted on the outside of the production tubing (,).

Sliding sleeve with sleeve protection

A flow rate control device (,) placed down an oil well in production comprises holes (,) formed in the production tubing (,), a closure sleeve (,) suitable for sliding facing the holes (,), an actuator (,) disposed eccentrically relative to the tubing (,), and an intermediate part (,). The intermediate part (,) is guided on the tubing (,) in a manner such as to withstand the tilting torque due to the eccentricity of the actuator (,). A coupling (,) that is flexible except in the direction in which the sleeve is moved connects the part (,) to the closure sleeve (,) symmetrically about the axis of the tubing (,). The resulting decoupling guarantees that the sleeve (,) is self-centering, which improves the life-span of the device (,) significantly.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Christophe Rayssiguier