Patent Publication Number: US-10781663-B2

Title: Sliding sleeve including a self-holding connection

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     In the resource exploration and recovery industry, it is often desirable to establish a fluid flow path between a tubular and a formation. In many systems, a sliding sleeve is shifted from a first position to a second position to either cover or uncover ports formed in the tubular. The sleeve may include a ball seat that is receptive of a plug. The drop ball is introduced into the tubular and directed toward the seat. Once in position, pressure may be applied to the ball causing the sleeve to move. 
     The pressure applied to the ball is set to overcome a frangible element, such as a shear screw, that maintains the sleeve in the closed configuration. Once shifted, another element or elements, such as a retention element, maintains the sleeve in the open configuration. In addition to maintaining the sleeve in the open configuration, the retention element(s) rotationally locks the sleeve to the tubular. With the sleeve rotationally locked, a tool guided downhole is able to drill through the ball seat, if desired. The use and installation of retention elements increases an overall manufacturing cost and complexity of the tubular as well as any mating components. Accordingly, the industry would be receptive to alternative systems for maintaining a sleeve in position after shifting. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a tubular includes an outer surface, an inner surface defining a passage, and a plurality of openings extending through the outer surface and the inner surface. A sleeve is positioned within the passage. The sleeve includes an outer surface portion having at least one recess. At least one release member extends from the inner surface into the at least one recess. The at least one release member maintains the sleeve in a first configuration relative to the plurality of openings. At least one of the inner surface and the outer surface portion includes a self-holding connection that establishes one of a reduced diameter portion of the passage and an increased diameter portion of the sleeve. The self-holding connection is configured to maintain the sleeve in a second configuration axially shifted relative to the first configuration. 
     In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a downhole system includes a first system, and a second system fluidically connected to the first system through one or more tubulars. At least one of the one or more tubulars includes an outer surface, an inner surface defining a passage, and a plurality of openings extending through the outer surface and the inner surface. A sleeve is positioned within the passage. The sleeve includes an outer surface portion having at least one recess. At least one release member extends from the inner surface into the at least one recess. The at least one release member maintains the sleeve in a first configuration relative to the plurality of openings. At least one of the inner surface and the outer surface portion includes a self-holding connection that establishes one of a reduced diameter portion of the passage and an increased diameter portion of the sleeve. The self-holding connection is configured to maintain the sleeve in a second configuration axially shifted relative to the first configuration. 
    
    
     
       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  depicts a resource exploration and recovery system including a sliding sleeve having a self-holding connection, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  depicts the sleeve prior to sliding, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  depicts the self-holding connection retaining the sleeve after shifting, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a detail view of the self-holding connection, in accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  depicts a detail view of the self-holding connection, in accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     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. 
     A resource exploration and recovery system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, is indicated generally at  10 , in  FIG. 1 . Resource exploration and recovery system  10  should be understood to include well drilling operations, completions, resource extraction and recovery, CO 2  sequestration, and the like. Resource exploration and recovery system  10  may include a first system  14  which, in some environments, may take the form of a surface system  16  operatively and fluidically connected to a second system  18  which, in some environments, may take the form of a downhole system. 
     First system  14  may include a control system  23  that may provide power to, monitor, communicate with, and/or activate one or more downhole operations as will be discussed herein. Surface system  16  may include additional systems such as pumps, fluid storage systems, cranes and the like (not shown). Second system  18  may include a tubular string  30  that extends into a wellbore  34  formed in a formation  36 . Wellbore  34  includes an annular wall  38  which may be defined by a surface of formation  36 , or, in the embodiment shown, by a casing tubular  40 . 
     Tubular string  30  may be formed by a series of interconnected discrete tubulars, two of which are indicated at  44  and  46 , or by a single tubular that could take the form of coiled tubing. Tubular string  30  may support a slidable sleeve  50  that selectively covers one or more openings or ports  56  ( FIG. 2 ) formed in, for example, tubular  44 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , tubular  44  includes a first outer surface  64  and a first inner surface  65  that defines a passage  67 . Tubular  46  is connected to tubular  44  and includes a second outer surface  70  and a second inner surface  72  that also defines passage  67 . First inner surface  65  includes a first sleeve receiving recess portion  80  and second inner surface  72  includes a second sleeve receiving recess portion  82 . Slidable sleeve  50  is positioned in first and second sleeve receiving recess portions  80  and  82 . Second inner surface  72  includes a reduced diameter portion  85  that defines a first containment element  86 . As will be detailed herein, first containment element  86  provides structure for securing slidable sleeve  50  to tubular  46 . 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, slidable sleeve  50  includes a first end  88 , a second end  90  and an intermediate portion  91  extending therebetween. Slidable sleeve  50  includes an outer surface portion  92  and an inner surface portion  94  that defines a passageway  96  that registers with, and is fluidically connected to, passage  67 . A plug seat  98 , shown in the form of a ball seat, is mounted to first end  88 . While shown at first end  88 , it should be understood that plug seat  98  could be mounted at second end  90 . Plug seat  98  includes a reduced diameter zone  100  that is receptive of a plug such as a drop ball  104  that is employed to actuate or shift slidable sleeve  50 . In an embodiment, slidable sleeve  50  may shift from a first position covering ports  56  to a second position in which ports  56  are uncovered. It should be understood that, in an alternate embodiment, slidable sleeve  50  may also be shifted to cover instead of uncover ports  56 . 
     In further accordance with an embodiment, slidable sleeve  50  is secured in passage  67  covering ports  56  by one or more release members  108  shown in the form of shear screws  110 . Of course, it should be understood that other forms of release members may be employed. Shear screws  110  extend into a recess  112  that is formed in outer surface portion  92 . In operation, drop ball  104  is introduced into tubular string  30  from first system  14 . Drop ball  104  moves along passage  67  and may come to rest at reduced diameter zone  100  of ball seat  98 . Pressure is applied to drop ball  104  causing release member  108  to be activated allowing slidable sleeve  50  to shift from a first configuration, in which ports  56  are covered, along passage  67  to a second configuration uncovering ports  56 . 
     In still further accordance with an exemplary embodiment, slidable sleeve  50  may include a second containment element  128  at second end  90 . Second containment element  128  may take the form of an increased diameter portion. First containment element  86  and second containment element  128  cooperate to form a self-holding connection (not separately labeled) that retains slidable sleeve  50  in the second configuration. The self-holding connection may take on a variety of forms including, but not limited to, a press fit connection, an interference fit connection, and a self-holding taper including a Morse taper  132  such as shown in  FIG. 4  or a projection that may be defined by an annular rib  134  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The interference fit not only prevents slidable sleeve  50  from shifting axially, but also effectively transmits torque thereby preventing relative rotation. In this manner, slidable sleeve  50  and/or plug seat  98  may be bored out and removed, if so desired. In an embodiment, the self-holding connection possesses a shallow angle which cooperates with first containment element  86  to hold torque loads that may be applied to slidable sleeve  50  during removal operations. Further, the ability of the self-holding connection to hold torque increases with axial loading. Thus, increasing a downward force on tubular  44  increases an overall torque holding capability of containment feature  132  thereby allowing for the removal of slidable sleeve  50  and/or plug seat  98 . 
     Slidable sleeve  50  is also shown to support a first seal  138  and a second seal  140 . First and second seals  138  and  140  help ensure that slidable sleeve  50  seals ports  56  when in the first configuration. When shifting, first and second seals  138  and  140  may create a pressure increase as annular rib  128  engages with reduced diameter portion  85 . Thus, in accordance with an exemplary aspect, slidable sleeve  50  may include one or more pressure relief orifices  144  arranged proximate to second end  90 . 
     At this point, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments describes a containment feature that maintains a slidable sleeve in a post activation position. The containment feature prevents the sleeve from returning to a pre-activation state, where ports  56  may be covered, while also acting as a torque transmitter. That is, the containment feature prevents rotation of the slidable sleeve post activation to promote removal, if desired. Further, the containment feature secures the sleeve without the need for additional parts, manufacturing operations, and/or assembly steps. 
     Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure: 
     Embodiment 1 
     A tubular including: an outer surface, an inner surface defining a passage, and a plurality of openings extending through the outer surface and the inner surface; a sleeve positioned within the passage, the sleeve including an outer surface portion having at least one recess; and at least one release member extending from the inner surface into the at least one recess, the at least one release member maintaining the sleeve in a first configuration relative to the plurality of openings, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface portion includes a self-holding connection that establishes one of a reduced diameter portion of the passage and an increased diameter portion of the sleeve, the self-holding connection being configured to maintain the sleeve in a second configuration axially shifted relative to the first configuration. 
     Embodiment 2 
     The tubular as in any prior embodiment, wherein the self-holding connection comprises a projection formed on the outer surface portion of the sleeve. 
     Embodiment 3 
     The tubular as in any prior embodiment, wherein the projection defines an annular rib. 
     Embodiment 4 
     The tubular as in any prior embodiment, wherein the sleeve includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the first end including a ball seat. 
     Embodiment 5 
     The tubular as in any prior embodiment, wherein the self-holding connection comprises a Morse taper formed at the second end of the sleeve. 
     Embodiment 6 
     The tubular as in any prior embodiment, wherein the sleeve includes one or more pressure relief orifices arranged at the second end. 
     Embodiment 7 
     The tubular as in any prior embodiment, wherein the self-holding connection includes a first containment feature defining an increased diameter portion of the sleeve and a second containment feature defining a reduced diameter portion of the passage. 
     Embodiment 8 
     The tubular as in any prior embodiment, wherein the tubular includes a first tubular member joined to a second tubular member, the openings being formed in the first tubular member and the second containment feature being formed in the second tubular member. 
     Embodiment 9 
     The tubular as in any prior embodiment, further including: at least one seal extending about the sleeve. 
     Embodiment 10 
     The tubular according as in any prior embodiment, wherein the at least one release member comprises a shear screw. 
     Embodiment 11 
     A downhole system including: a first system; and a second system fluidically connected to the first system through one or more tubulars, at least one of the one or more tubulars including: an outer surface, an inner surface defining a passage, and a plurality of openings extending through the outer surface and the inner surface; a sleeve positioned within the passage, the sleeve including an outer surface portion having at least one recess; and at least one release member extending from the inner surface into the at least one recess, the at least one release member maintaining the sleeve in a first configuration relative to the plurality of openings, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface portion includes a self-holding connection that establishes one of a reduced diameter portion of the passage and an increased diameter portion of the sleeve, the self-holding connection being configured to maintain the sleeve in a second configuration axially shifted relative to the first configuration. 
     Embodiment 12 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the self-holding connection comprises a projection formed on the outer surface portion of the sleeve. 
     Embodiment 13 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the projection defines an annular rib. 
     Embodiment 14 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the sleeve includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the first end including a ball seat. 
     Embodiment 15 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the self-holding connection comprises a Morse taper formed at the second end of the sleeve. 
     Embodiment 16 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the sleeve includes one or more pressure relief orifices arranged at the second end. 
     Embodiment 17 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the self-holding connection includes a first containment feature defining an increased diameter portion of the sleeve and a second containment feature defining a reduced diameter portion of the passage. 
     Embodiment 18 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the tubular includes a first tubular member joined to a second tubular member, the openings being formed in the first tubular member and the second containment feature being formed in the second tubular member. 
     Embodiment 19 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, further comprising: at least one seal extending about the sleeve. 
     Embodiment 20 
     The downhole system as in any prior embodiment, wherein the at least one release member comprises a shear screw. 
     The terms “about” and “substantially” are intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “about” and/or “substantially” can include a range of ±8% or 5%, or 2% of a given value. 
     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.