Patent ID: 6112816
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A sliding sleeve connected to a tubular conduit disposed within a well conduit for controlling fluid flow through the tubular conduit, the tubular conduit and well conduit defining an annulus therebetween, the sliding sleeve comprising:a housing having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, at least one annulus pressure port, and at least one outer fluid flow port;an inner sleeve disposed for axial movement within the longitudinal bore of the housing, and having a longitudinal bore and at least one inner fluid flow port for cooperating with the at least one outer fluid flow port through the housing to control fluid flow between the annulus and the longitudinal bore of the inner sleeve; and,a piston associated with the inner sleeve and the longitudinal bore of the housing;the housing, inner sleeve, and piston cooperating to yield:a run-in mode wherein the piston is releasably secured to the housing, the piston is exposed to annulus pressure through the at least one annulus pressure port, and the at least one outer fluid flow port is misaligned with the at least one inner fluid flow port so that fluid communication is prevented between the annulus and the longitudinal bore of the inner sleeve;an opening mode wherein a predetermined annulus pressure is applied through the at least one annulus pressure port to the piston to release the piston from the housing and force the inner sleeve to a first position so that the at least one outer fluid flow port is aligned with the at least one inner fluid flow port and fluid communication is established between the annulus and the longitudinal bore of the inner sleeve; and,a closing mode wherein the inner sleeve is shifted to a second position so that the at least one outer fluid flow port is misaligned with the at least one inner fluid flow port so that fluid communication is prevented between the annulus and the longitudinal bore of the inner sleeve.