Patent Publication Number: US-11035202-B2

Title: Substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement and method

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In the drilling and completion industry, there is often the need to dispose of mud and other operative fluids and particulate matter (“substance(s)”) when an operation is completed and regulations do not require the recovery of the substances to surface. In such situations, it may be desirable to “park” that substance downhole in an annular area of the borehole that is not in a target fluid bearing formation. This has been done in the art but there is always difficulty in keeping the substance in the annulus since it tends to want to flow back into the production tubing. The art would well receive alternative arrangements that facilitate deposition of such substances while avoiding the pitfalls of prior art technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     A substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement including a housing having a port therein, a sleeve disposed within the housing and positionable to cover or uncover the port, the sleeve having a first seal at one end thereof presenting a first hydraulic dimension and a second seal at another end of the sleeve having a different hydraulic dimension, a biasing member operably connected to the sleeve and to the housing and configured to urge the sleeve to a position covering the port. 
     A substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement including a housing having a port therein, a sleeve disposed within the housing and positionable to cover or uncover the port, the sleeve having a first seal at one end thereof presenting a first hydraulic dimension and a second seal at another end of the sleeve having a different hydraulic dimension, a convertible ball seat system disposed within the housing. 
     A substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement including a housing having a port and a check valve therein, a first sleeve having a first ball seat disposed within the housing, the sleeve movable between positions covering the port and uncovering the port, and a second sleeve having a second ball seat within the housing, the sleeve movable between positions covering the check valve and covering the port. 
     A borehole system including a tubing string disposed in the borehole, and a substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement disposed as a part of the tubing string. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic line drawing of a collet and ball arrangement in conjunction with a commercially available “P sleeve;” 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic enlarged view of the collet mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 2  in a first position; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic enlarged view of the collet mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 2  in a second position; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a borehole system including an arrangement as disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of a substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement  10 . The arrangement  10  includes a housing  12  with a port  14 . A sleeve  16  is slidably disposed within the housing  12  and includes a seal  18  at one end having a first piston dimension and a seal  20  at an opposite end of the sleeve  16  having a slightly smaller hydraulic dimension. A release member  22  secures the sleeve  16  in an initial position (depicted) in the housing  12  until released. Release may be occasioned by pressure increase acting on the sleeve, which causes a movement moment due to the unequal hydraulic dimensions of the seals  18  and  20  versus annulus pressure. Once a threshold force is generated on the release member  22 , it will release and allow the sleeve  16  to move. In an embodiment the release member  22  is a shear screw. Upon continued application of hydraulic pressure on the arrangement  10 , the sleeve  16  will move sufficiently to expose the port  14  whereafter substances to be discarded to the annulus (non target fluid bearing portion of formation) may be pumped through the port  14 . When pressure becomes equalized between tubing and annulus, the impetus for the sleeve remaining open is lost and the sleeve  16  may close. It is the duty of a biasing member  24  to bias the sleeve  16  back to the closed position. It will be evident to those of skill in the art that the force of the applied pressure also must initially overcome the biasing member  24  when opening the sleeve  16 . A protection sleeve  26  may be added in some iterations to protect the biasing member  24  from debris that might otherwise impede its performance. 
     Because of the biasing member  24 , the substances destined to be parked in the annulus can be pumped through the port  14  and then after pressure equalizes, the sleeve  16  will close over port  14  and prevent any flowback of the substances into the tubing string. The arrangement  10  is also open so that circulation from above remains possible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a somewhat similar embodiment of the arrangement is illustrated as numeral  110 . The arrangement  110  includes a housing  112  with a port  114 . A sleeve  116  is slidably disposed within the housing  112  and includes a seal  118  at one end having a first piston dimension and a seal  120  at an opposite end of the sleeve  116  having a slightly smaller hydraulic dimension. A release member  122  secures the sleeve  116  in an initial position (depicted) in the housing  112  until released. Release may be occasioned by pressure increase acting on the sleeve  116 , which causes a movement moment due to the unequal hydraulic dimensions of the seals  118  and  120  versus annulus pressure. Once a threshold force is generated on the release member  122 , it will release and allow the sleeve  116  to move. In an embodiment the release member  122  is a shear screw. Upon continued application of hydraulic pressure on the arrangement  110 , the sleeve  116  will move sufficiently to expose the port  114  whereafter substances to be discarded to the annulus (non target fluid bearing portion of formation) may be pumped through the port  114 . In this embodiment, the sleeve  116  does not close but rather is locked open through profile  130 . 
     Arrangement  110  further includes a convertible ball seat system  132  that is initially maintained in place with a seat release member  134 , which may be a shear screw. Further edification regarding convertible ball seat system  132  is provided below with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , one embodiment of the convertible ball seat system  132  is illustrated in an enlarged view. In each case the convertible ball seat system will present a seat to a dropped ball that will allow for a pressure event to shift the system into a second configuration wherein the ball is captured by the first seat though not sealed to it and is presented with another seat now uphole of the ball and against which sealing will occur is flow moves the ball in that direction. The system  132  hence presents a check valve to allow circulation flow downhole while preventing flow back uphole. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the system  132  uses a collet configuration having fingers  136  initially forming a seat  138  for a ball  140 . The fingers  136  extend to a check seat  142 , which seat is disposed in a recess  144  of the housing  112  to ensure initial passage of the ball  140 . Finally, the fingers  136  include a release tab  146  initially connected to seat release member  134 . Upon landing a ball  140  on the seat  138  and pressuring sufficiently to release the seat release member  134 , the system  132  shifts to move the seat  138  into recess  148  of housing  112  and bring check seat  142  radially inwardly (see  FIG. 4 ). It should be appreciated in the  FIGS. 3 and 4  that recess  148  is shallower than recess  144 . This is because recess  144  is intended to position the check seat  142  initially such that the ball diameter can pass through the seat  142 . With recess  148 , the intent is that the ball  140  remains captured by the seat  138  but that it does not seal against the ball  140  but rather allows fluid to move past the ball in the downhole direction. This is what ensures circulation from above is facilitated. When check seat  142  is removed from the recess  144 , it will be sufficiently reduced in diameter that it will seal against the ball  140  in the event flow urges the ball back in the uphole direction. Hence the check seat  142  is a check valve with the ball  140 . Accordingly, substance may be pumped downhole and through port  114 , leaving the port  114  permanently open but then dropping a ball  140  on the seat  138 , shifting the seat to convert the system  132  to a check valve with the ball so that no substance can flow back uphole. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , another arrangement is illustrated as  210 . Arrangement  210  includes a housing  212  having a port  214  therein. The housing  212  further includes a check valve  216 . There are two movable sleeves,  218  and  220 , and two ball seats  222  and  224 , respectively. The ball seats are not the same size so that the intended operation is facilitated. Ball seat  222  is configured to mate with a smaller ball than ball seat  224 . This allows for a smaller ball  226  to be dropped through the seat  224  and land on seat  222  and a larger ball  228  to subsequently be dropped and land on seat  224 . Each sleeve  218  and  220  has a release member  230 ,  232  associated therewith. These release members  230 ,  232  are similar to those discussed above in other embodiments. Accordingly upon sufficient threshold force on the associated sleeve, the release member will release and allow the associated sleeve to move. The force in this case is generated by a buildup of fluid pressure against a seated ball. The first ball  226  is dropped to seat  222  and through hydraulic input causes the sleeve  218  to move downhole revealing port  214 . Substances to be parked may then be pumped through the port  214 . Subsequent to pumping the substances into the annulus about the housing  212 , the second ball  228  is caused to land on seat  224  whereafter a pressure event will cause release member  232  to release allowing sleeve  220  to move downhole and cover the port  214 . This prevents the substance from flowing back to the tubing. Due to the balls on seats in this embodiment however, it may be noted by readers that the ability to circulate fluid above the arrangement  210  would apparently be compromised. This is addressed in that check valves  216  are positioned through the housing  212  and uncovered by the movement of sleeve  220 . Circulation is facilitated and yet the port  214  is permanently closed by sleeve  220 . 
     Any of the arrangements  10 ,  110 ,  210  discussed hereinabove may be employed as a part of a borehole system  300  wherein the arrangement is a part of a tubing string  302 , which may be a drill string or a production string within a borehole  303 . The arrangement will be positioned adjacent a non producing zone  304  of a formation  306  so that substances  308  (drilling mud, excess treatment chemicals, milling junk, etc.) may be disposed of and prevented from migrating back into the tubing  302 . 
     Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure: 
     Embodiment 1 
     A substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement including a housing having a port therein, a sleeve disposed within the housing and positionable to cover or uncover the port, the sleeve having a first seal at one end thereof presenting a first hydraulic dimension and a second seal at another end of the sleeve having a different hydraulic dimension, a biasing member operably connected to the sleeve and to the housing and configured to urge the sleeve to a position covering the port. 
     Embodiment 2 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the sleeve further includes a release member configured to maintain a first position of the sleeve until an input causes release of the release member. 
     Embodiment 3 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the second seal presents a smaller hydraulic dimension. 
     Embodiment 4 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the biasing member is a compression spring. 
     Embodiment 5 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment further including a protector sleeve disposed to cover the biasing member. 
     Embodiment 6 
     A substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement including a housing having a port therein, a sleeve disposed within the housing and positionable to cover or uncover the port, the sleeve having a first seal at one end thereof presenting a first hydraulic dimension and a second seal at another end of the sleeve having a different hydraulic dimension, a convertible ball seat system disposed within the housing. 
     Embodiment 7 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the sleeve further includes a release member configured to maintain a first position of the sleeve until an input causes release of the release member. 
     Embodiment 8 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the second seal presents a smaller hydraulic dimension. 
     Embodiment 9 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the convertible ball seat system comprises a first operative position to convert the seat and a second operative position to act as a check valve with a ball dropped therein. 
     Embodiment 10 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the convertible ball seat system comprises fingers having a first seat on one end thereof and a check seat on another end thereof, the first seat being sealable with a dropped ball to convert the system and the second seat being sealable with the ball to prevent backflow through the arrangement. 
     Embodiment 11 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment further comprising a release member connected to the convertible ball seat system. 
     Embodiment 12 
     A substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement including a housing having a port and a check valve therein, a first sleeve having a first ball seat disposed within the housing, the sleeve movable between positions covering the port and uncovering the port, and a second sleeve having a second ball seat within the housing, the sleeve movable between positions covering the check valve and covering the port. 
     Embodiment 13 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the first ball seat is of smaller dimension than the second ball seat. 
     Embodiment 14 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein each sleeve further includes a release member configured to maintain an initial position of the associated sleeve until an occurrence of a selected input. 
     Embodiment 15 
     The arrangement as in any prior embodiment wherein the check valve allows fluid flow radially outwardly of the housing and not radially inwardly of the housing. 
     Embodiment 16 
     A borehole system including a tubing string disposed in the borehole, and a substance deposition and backflow preventing arrangement disposed as a part of the tubing string. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). 
     The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.