Patent Publication Number: US-11643906-B2

Title: Sliding sleeve and split shifting tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present document is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/751,504, filed Oct. 26, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as a reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Once a wellbore has been drilled, the well must be completed before hydrocarbons can be produced from the well. A completion involves the design, selection, and installation of equipment and materials in an around the wellbore for conveying, pumping, or controlling the production or injection of fluids. 
     While completing a well or performing subsequent remedial work, downhole tools requiring mechanical actuation are often used. The mechanical actuation can be used to perform numerous types of actions, for example, setting or releasing a downhole tool or reconfiguring a tool, such as opening or closing a valve. 
     Sliding sleeves and shifting tools of various kinds are commonly used in the industry and known to those skilled in the art. In general, a sliding sleeve is a communication device that provides a flow path between a production conduit and a surrounding annulus downhole. In particular, a sliding sleeve valve may be used to control fluid flow between the production conduit and the surrounding annulus during production. A shifting tool may be used to shift the sliding sleeve or the sliding sleeve valve between closed and open positions. Control lines may be deployed along the completion to facilitate actuation of the sliding sleeve or the sliding sleeve valve in cooperation with the shifting tool. However, when multiple control lines are employed, splicing several control lines together may introduce weak points that are susceptible to corrosion, shorting, leakage, control line damage, and other deleterious effects. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more embodiments of the present disclosure is directed to a system that includes a sliding sleeve valve including a valve body and an inner sleeve selectively shiftable within the valve body, at least one flow port contained in the valve body, at least one metal to metal seal provided between an inside wall of the valve body and the inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve includes a plurality of selective profiles, and a shifting tool engageable with the plurality of selective profiles of the inner sleeve, wherein the shifting tool comprises two halves that each include a recess for accommodating a plurality of control lines. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a device includes a first half, a second half, wherein the first half and the second half are disposed around a tubing and fastened together creating a central bore, wherein at least one of the first half and the second half includes a recess for accommodating a plurality of control lines, and at least one collet configured to engage a selective profile of an inner sleeve of a sliding sleeve valve. 
     One or more embodiments of the present disclosure is directed to a method including running a sliding sleeve valve downhole in a closed position, wherein the sliding sleeve valve includes: a valve body, an inner sleeve selectively shiftable within the valve body, at least one flow port contained in the valve body, and at least one metal to metal seal provided between an inside wall of the valve body and the inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve includes an opening selective profile and a closing selective profile, operating a shifting tool to engage with the opening selective profile of the inner sleeve of the sliding sleeve valve, wherein the shifting tool includes two halves that each include a recess for accommodating a plurality of control lines, shifting the inner sleeve of the sliding sleeve valve until the sliding sleeve valve transitions from the closed position to an open position in which the at least one flow port is uncovered, disengaging the shifting tool from the opening selective profile of the inner sleeve of the sliding sleeve valve, operating the shifting tool to engage with the closing selective profile of the inner sleeve of the sliding sleeve valve, operating the shifting tool to engage with the closing selective profile of the inner sleeve of the sliding sleeve valve, shifting the inner sleeve of the sliding sleeve valve until the sliding sleeve valve transitions from the open position back to the closed position, and retrieving the shifting tool from downhole until the shifting tool disengages from the closing selective profile of the inner sleeve of the sliding sleeve valve. 
     However, many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the disclosure will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying figures illustrate the various implementations described herein and are not meant to limit the scope of various technologies described herein, and: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic illustration of a completion having a sliding sleeve valve and a split shifting tool deployed in a wellbore, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is the schematic illustration of a completion similar to  FIG.  1   , but with an inner tool including control lines and injection lines removed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic illustration of an example of a sliding sleeve valve, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic illustration of an example of a sliding sleeve valve similar to that of  FIG.  3   , but with a different seal configuration, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic illustration of an example of a sliding sleeve valve, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic illustration of an example of a sliding sleeve valve similar to that of  FIG.  5   , but during a different operational stage, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a partial cross-section of an example of a split shifting tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a top view of the example of the split shifting tool of  FIG.  7 A , taken along line  7 B- 7 B, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a partial cross-section of an example of a split shifting tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  8 B  is a top view of the example of the split shifting tool of  FIG.  8 A , taken along line  8 B- 8 B, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  9 A  is a partial cross-section of an example of a split shifting tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  9 B  is a top view of the example of the split shifting tool of  FIG.  9 A , taken along line  9 B- 9 B, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  10 A  is a partial cross-section of an example of a split shifting tool, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  10 B  is a top view of the example of the split shifting tool of  FIG.  10 A , taken along line  10 B- 10 B, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic illustration of an example of a split shifting tool and a sliding sleeve valve, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic illustration similar to that of  FIG.  11    but during a different operational stage, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic illustration similar to that of  FIG.  12    but during a different operational stage, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic illustration similar to that of  FIG.  13    but during a different operational stage, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic illustration similar to that of  FIG.  14    but during a different operational stage, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  16    is a schematic illustration similar to that of  FIG.  15    but during a different operational stage, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  17    is a schematic illustration similar to that of  FIG.  16    but during a different operational stage, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  18    is a schematic illustration similar to that of  FIG.  17    but during a different operational stage, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the system and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible. 
     In the specification and appended claims: the terms “connect,” “connection,” “connected,” “in connection with,” “connecting,” “couple,” “coupled,” “coupled with,” and “coupling” are used to mean “in direct connection with” or “in connection with via another element.” As used herein, the terms “up” and “down,” “upper” and “lower,” “upwardly” and “downwardly,” “upstream” and “downstream,” “uphole” and “downhole,” “above” and “below,” and other like terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point or element are used in this description to more clearly describe some embodiments of the disclosure. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a system and methodology for operating a sliding sleeve valve using a split shifting tool. Because the shifting tool adopts a split configuration that may accommodate control line flat packs, it is not necessary to splice together multiple control lines that may be deployed along the completion for actuation of the sliding sleeve or the sliding sleeve valve in cooperation with the shifting tool. Advantageously, the splice-free control lines reduce the potential for corrosion, shorting, leakage, control line damage, and other deleterious effects that could occur at splice points. 
     Referring generally to  FIG.  1   , a schematic illustration of a completion  10  deployed in a wellbore  12  is shown. In this embodiment, the completion  10  includes a sliding sleeve valve  14  with a selective profile and a split shifting tool  16  with a corresponding selective profile to open and close the sliding sleeve valve  14 . As shown, the sliding sleeve valve  14  may be disposed on a liner  18  of the completion  10 , and the split shifting tool  16  may be disposed on a production tubing  20  of the completion  10 . The completion  10  may include other components such as a feed through packer  22 , a flow control valve  24 , an open hole zonal isolation packer  26 , a chemical injection line  28 , a chemical injection mandrel  30 , and mechanical sliding sleeve valve  37 , for example. In this particular embodiment, the completion  10  also includes several hydraulic control lines  32  and an electronic cable  34 , for example. As shown in  FIG.  1   , and as further described below, the split shifting tool  16  is able to accommodate multiple hydraulic control lines  32  and electronic cables  34  in the area of the completion  10  where the split shifting tool  16  is disposed without having to splice together the multiple control lines  32  and cables  34 . In contrast, in the area of the completion  10  where the split shifting tool  16  is not disposed, an electrical and hydraulic splice  36  is needed to splice together the multiple hydraulic control lines  32  and electronic cables  34 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , a schematic illustration of a completion  10  similar to  FIG.  1   , but with an inner tool including control lines and injection lines removed, is shown for additional clarity. As shown, there is one split shifting tool  16  having a selective profile for each sliding sleeve valve  14  having a corresponding selective profile, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , a schematic illustration of an example of a sliding sleeve valve  14  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, the sliding sleeve valve  14  includes a valve body  38  and an inner sleeve  40 . A position holding collet  42  on the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  engages a shoulder  44  of the valve body  38  and holds the position of the inner sleeve  40  with respect to the valve body  38 . According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the inner sleeve  40  may be selectively shifted to either permit or block fluid flow through the flow ports  46  in the valve body  38 . As shown in the example of  FIG.  3   , the inner sleeve  40  is shifted over the flow ports  46  in the valve body  38  to block fluid flow through the flow ports  46 . As such, the sliding sleeve valve  14  shown in  FIG.  3    is in a closed, run-in-hole position. As further shown, the inner sleeve  40  includes an opening selective profile  48  for engagement with a corresponding selective profile of a split shifting tool  16 , and a closing selective profile  50  for engagement with a corresponding selective profile of the split shifting tool  16 , according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. 
     Still referring to  FIG.  3   , seals are provided between the inside wall of the valve body  38  and the inner sleeve  40  to prevent fluid bypass when the valve is closed. For example, at least a metal to metal unloading seal  52  is provided in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. An additional non-elastomeric seal  54  may also be provided. As further shown in  FIG.  3   , the metal to metal unloading seal  52  may include a metal ring  56  made of aluminum and/or bronze in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The metal ring  56  used in the metal to metal unloading seal  52  may be of the close tolerance type or may provide a small interference fit. In one or more embodiments, O-rings or Metal Spring Energized (MSE) seals  58  may be employed in the metal to metal unloading seal  52  as shown in  FIG.  3   . In some embodiments a back-up ring  60  may be used in the metal to metal unloading seal  52  to prevent extrusion of the O-rings or MSE seals  58 , for example. The back-up ring  60  may be made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or another thermoplastic material, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , a schematic illustration of an example of a sliding sleeve valve  14  similar to that of  FIG.  3   , but with a different seal configuration, is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically,  FIG.  4    shows a combination of a full support sleeve  62  and a split ring  64  provided between the metal to metal unloading seal  52  and a second non-elastomeric seal  55 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  4   , each of the first non-elastomeric seal  54 , the metal to metal unloading seal  52 , the combination of the full support sleeve  62  and the split ring  64 , and the second non-elastomeric seal  55  are provided between the inside wall of the valve body  38  and the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14 . Advantageously, due to this seal configuration, at least the second non-elastomeric seal  55  can provide sealing at lower pressures while the metal to metal unloading seal  52  may help to prevent blowouts. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , a schematic illustration of another example of a sliding sleeve valve  14  according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. Specifically,  FIG.  5    shows the sliding sleeve valve  14  in a closed, run-in-hole position, and  FIG.  6    shows the sliding sleeve valve  14  in an open position. According to one or more embodiments, a split shifting tool  16  (not shown) cooperates with the closing selective profile  50  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  to shift the sliding sleeve valve  14  to the closed position, and cooperates with the opening selective profile  48  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  to shift the sliding sleeve valve  14  to the open position. 
     Still referring to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the combination of the full support sleeve  62  and the split ring  64  is provided between the metal to metal unloading seal  52  and the second non-elastomeric seal  55 , as previously described with respect to  FIG.  4   . As further shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , a protector sleeve  66  may be provided to protect at least the metal to metal unloading seal  52 , the combination of the full support sleeve  62  and the split ring  64 , and the second non-elastomeric seal  55 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG.  5   , for example, a downhole end of the protector sleeve  66  may include a plurality of collets  68  for releasably holding one or more protrusions  70  on an uphole end of the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  when the sliding sleeve valve  14  is in the closed position. Advantageously, this collet configuration provides a more cost-effective and robust solution than corresponding conventional configurations that utilize a spring. As further shown in  FIG.  5   , the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  protects at least the metal to metal unloading seal  52 , the combination of the full support sleeve  62  and the split ring  64 , and the second non-elastomeric seal  55 , when the sliding sleeve valve  14  is in the closed position. Referring now to  FIG.  6   , when a split shifting tool  16  (not shown) cooperates with the opening selective profile  48  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  to shift the sliding sleeve valve  14  to the open position, the inner sleeve  40  and the seal protector sleeve  66  move down until the protector sleeve  66  is protecting at least the metal to metal unloading seal, the combination of the full support sleeve and the split ring, and the second non-elastomeric seal  52 , and the plurality of collets  68  of the seal protector sleeve  66  releases the one or more protrusions  70  on the uphole end of the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14 . In this way, the seal configuration of the sliding sleeve valve  14  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be protected by the protector sleeve  66  during production when the sliding sleeve valve  14  is in the open position. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7 A , a partial cross-section of an example of a split shifting tool  16  is shown, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the split shifting tool  16  includes at least one fluted centralizer  72 , a collet  74 , a selective profile  76  corresponding to a selective profile of a sliding sleeve valve  14 , and a pup joint  78  having a bore therethrough according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As also shown in  FIG.  7 A , the split shifting tool  16  accommodates a control line flat pack  80 . Depending on the specific application, the control lines may include electrical cables or a variety of other control lines including hydraulic control lines, optical fiber control lines, and other control lines. The control lines may also include hybrid control lines providing various combinations of electrical, hydraulic, optical, and/or other control lines. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7 B , a top view of the example of the split shifting tool  16  of  FIG.  7 A  taken along line  7 B- 7 B is shown, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown more clearly in  FIG.  7 B , the two half-fluted centralizers  72  contribute to the split design of the split shifting tool  16 . As shown, the two half-fluted centralizers  72  may be bolted together with a type of fastener  82 . Further, each half-fluted centralizer  72  includes a recess  84  arranged along a portion of the circumference of the pup joint  78  for accommodating the control line flat pack  80 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Due to this split design of the split shifting tool  16 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, splicing together multiple control lines may be avoided. Although two fasteners  82  are shown in the view of  FIG.  7 B , this number is not limiting, and other amounts of fasteners  82  are within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8 A , a partial cross-section of an example of a split shifting tool  16 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Specifically,  FIG.  8 A  shows the split shifting tool  16  having the same components as described with respect to  FIG.  7 A  above.  FIG.  8 B  is a top view of the example of the split shifting tool  16  of  FIG.  8 A  taken along line  8 B- 8 B, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. From the view of  FIG.  8 B , four additional screws, bolts, or other types of fasteners  82  may be seen disposed around the perimeter of the pup joint  78  or tubing. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the additional screws  82  disposed around the perimeter of the pup joint  78  or tubing prevent axial and rotational movement of the split shifting tool  16 . That is, the additional screws allow the split shifting tool to be fixed to the tubing and prevent undesired cutting of or other damage to the control lines. Although four additional screws  82  are shown in  FIG.  8 B , this number is not limiting, and other amounts of additional screws  82  or other types of fasteners are within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9 A , a partial cross-section of an example of a split shifting tool, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Specifically,  FIG.  9 A  shows the split shifting tool  16  having the same components as described with respect to  FIG.  7 A  above.  FIG.  9 B  is a top view of the example of the split shifting tool of  FIG.  9 A  taken along line  9 - 9 , according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. From the view of  FIG.  9 B , three additional screws  83 , bolts, or other types of fasteners may be seen disposed around the perimeter of each of the two half-fluted centralizers  72 . According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, these additional screws  83  help to clamp the two half-fluted centralizers  72  to a mechanical structure. Although a total of six additional screws  83  are shown in  FIG.  9 B , this number is not limiting, and other amounts of additional screws  83  or other types of fasteners are within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  10 A , a partial cross-section of an alternate design of a split shifting tool  16  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Specifically,  FIG.  10 A  shows the split shifting tool  16  having the same components as described with respect to  FIG.  7 A  above. In contrast to  FIG.  7 A , however,  FIG.  10 A  also shows that the split shifting tool  16  may include at least one groove  86  for taking an axial load according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG.  10 B  is a top view of the example of the split shifting tool  16  of  FIG.  10 A  taken along line  10 B- 10 B, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. This view of  FIG.  10 B  is similar to that of the view of  FIG.  7 B , as previously described. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  11 - 18   , a method for operating a sliding sleeve valve  14  using a split shifting tool  16  according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in  FIG.  11   , for example, sliding sleeve valve  14  is shown in a closed position. The split shifting tool  16  is run-in-hole until the opening selective profile  48  of the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  engages the corresponding selective profile on the split shifting tool  16 . According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the split shifting tool  16  may be run via wireline, slickline, pump down procedures, rods, or via a conduit. Once the split shifting tool  16  engages with the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  in this way, pushing down of the split shifting tool  16  also causes the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  to shift downward until the flow ports  46  in the valve body  38  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  are uncovered as shown in  FIG.  12   , for example. That is,  FIG.  12    shows the sliding sleeve valve  14  in the open position according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As further shown in  FIG.  12   , as the split shifting tool  16 , as engaged with the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  is pushed further downhole, the housing shoulder  88  on the valve body  38  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  pushes the collet  74  of the split shifting tool  16  radially inward to allow the split shifting tool  16  to disengage from the opening selective profile  48  on the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  ( FIG.  13   ). 
     Once the split shifting tool  16  has disengaged from the opening selective profile  48  on the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14 , the split shifting tool  16  may be retrieved by pulling the split shifting tool  16  upward until a corresponding profile (e.g., the collet  74 ) on the split shifting tool  16  engages the closing selective profile  50  on the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14 , as shown in  FIG.  14   . Engagement of the collet  74  on the split shifting tool  16  with the closing selective profile  50  on the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  in this way allows the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  to shift upward as the split shifting tool  16  is retrieved until the flow ports  46  in the valve body  38  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  are re-covered as shown in  FIG.  15   , for example. That is,  FIG.  15    shows the sliding sleeve valve  14  in the closed position according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As further shown in  FIG.  16   , as the split shifting tool  16 , as engaged with the closing selective profile  50  on the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14 , is pulled further uphole, the housing shoulder  88  on the valve body  38  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  pushes the collet  74  of the split shifting tool  16  radially inward to allow the split shifting tool  16  to disengage from the closing selective profile  50  on the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14  ( FIG.  17   ). Once the split shifting tool  16  has disengaged from the closing selective profile  50  on the inner sleeve  40  of the sliding sleeve valve  14 , the split shifting tool  16  may be retrieved ( FIG.  17   ) by pulling the split shifting tool  16  upward until the split shifting tool has been completely removed from the wellbore, and the sliding sleeve valve  14  remains downhole in the closed position ( FIG.  18   ). 
     Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the teachings of this disclosure. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.