Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Otis Engineering Corporation

Jimmie R Williamson, Jr

James Dan Vick, Jr

Bruce Edward Scott

Adam Evan Beck

Roger Lynn Schultz

Paul David Ringgenberg

Colby M Ross

Perry C Shy

Leo Guadalupe Collins

Frank David Kalb

Virgilio Garcia-Soule

Timothy J Noack

Fredrick D Curtis

Jack W Tamplen

Tom Swan

Robert L Thurman

Abram Serda Galindo

Ronald E Hyden

Michael Harvey

James D Vick

James Dan Vick

A sliding sleeve well device has a first sliding sleeve received in a second sliding sleeve. A polymer seal having a polymer sealing surface is between and in sealing contact with the sliding sleeves. A metal-to-metal seal is between the sliding sleeves and actuable into sealing contact with the first and second sliding sleeves.

Sliding sleeve well tool with metal-to-metal seal

A pressure equalization apparatus can include separate longitudinal bores which form a continuous flowpath, the flowpath alternating direction between the bores, and the bores being interconnected at opposite ends thereof. A well system can include a well tool with a chamber therein containing an assembly in a dielectric fluid, and a pressure equalization apparatus including a flowpath having one end connected to the chamber, and the other end connected to a source of a another fluid, the flowpath extending in opposite directions between the flowpath ends through multiple separate bores. A method of installing a well tool can include attaching a mandrel to the well tool, then lowering the well tool at least partially into the well suspended from the mandrel, and then securing a pressure equalization apparatus to the mandrel, a flowpath of the apparatus being connected to a chamber of the well tool containing an assembly.

Pressure equalization apparatus and associated systems and methods

An autonomous valve includes a fluid-sensitive actuator operable to automatically actuate the valve in response to being exposed to a target fluid. The target fluid may be a fluid whose presence is generally undesirable in a production fluid, such as water, and the valve may be actuated to stop flow from an interval within a wellbore that is no longer expected to produce hydrocarbon-bearing fluids. The valve further includes a protective layer disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid-sensitive actuator, the protective layer being insoluble in the target fluid. The fluid-sensitive actuator may include a swellable piston that swells to actuate the valve in the presence of the target fluid, a soluble plug that isolates a hydraulic, closing piston until the soluble plug is dissolved into the target fluid, and an electromechanical actuator that closes the valve in response to detecting the target fluid using an electronic sensor.

Valves for autonomous actuation of downhole tools

A method of actuating multiple valves in a well can include applying a pressure cycle to the valves without causing actuation of any of the valves, and then simultaneously reducing pressure applied to the valves, thereby actuating the valves. Another method can include releasing a locking device of each valve which prevents actuation, and then reducing pressure applied to the valves, thereby actuating the valves. A valve can include a port which provides for fluid communication between an exterior and an interior of the valve, a closure member which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through the port, the closure member permits flow through the port in response to a decrease in a pressure differential from the interior to the exterior of the valve, and a locking device which prevents displacement of the closure member, the locking device being released in response to mechanical force applied to the locking device.

Remotely operated production valve

Remotely operated production valve and method

A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, an internal chamber containing a dielectric fluid, and a flow path which alternates direction, and which provides pressure communication between the internal chamber and the flow passage. A method of controlling operation of a well tool can include actuating an actuator positioned in an internal chamber of the well tool, a dielectric fluid being disposed in the chamber, and the chamber being pressure balanced with a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, and varying the actuating, based on measurements made by at least one sensor of the well tool.

Safety valve with electrical actuator and tubing pressure balancing

A safety valve for use in a subterranean well can include a housing assembly having a flow passage extending longitudinally through the housing assembly. An outer diameter of the housing assembly is eccentric relative to the flow passage. A well tool can include a magnetic coupling between magnet devices. One magnet device includes a series of magnets which are unequally spaced circumferentially about the other magnet device. Another safety valve can include a longitudinally extending flow passage, a closure device which selectively permits and prevents flow through the flow passage, and an outer diameter which is eccentric relative to the flow passage.

Eccentric safety valve

A fluid isolating pressure equalization in a subterranean well. A well system includes a well tool including a chamber therein containing an electrical assembly in a dielectric fluid, and a pressure equalization apparatus including a flowpath having opposite ends. One end is connected to the chamber, and the other end is connected to a source of another fluid. The flowpath extends alternately upward and downward between the opposite ends. A pressure equalization apparatus for use with a well tool in a subterranean well includes multiple spiral wraps of a tube. A flowpath in the tube extends in opposite directions in respective successive wraps of the tube.

Fluid isolating pressure equalization in subterranean well tools

Growing community of inventors

Carrollton, TX, United States of America

Jimmie R Williamson, Jr