Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a dual in-line ball valve assembly for a subsea tree intervention tool having a pair of axially-movable pistons and a rotatable linkage member pinned between each of the pistons and the independently operable ball valves. The linkage members have eccentric hubs which rotate the ball valves between open and closed positions when the pistons are axially actuated. A recess is formed in each ball valve adjacent to the central flow passage of the assembly for accommodating a lower side of tubing or wireline. The recesses prevent shearing of the tubing or wireline in two places when one of the valves moves to the closed position.

<CIT> discloses a cement valve for use in the production of an oil or gas well where hydraulic fracturing has been employed. An embodiment includes a cement valve having a reclosable valve. When properly located, a first piston sleeve is hydraulically actuated to open the cement ports on the tool. After the cement has been pumped through the tool and the cement ports to a wellbore annulus, a blocking ball is dropped to stop flow through the tool. The tool is internally pressurized. The pressure overcomes shear pins to force downward movement of a ball housing inside the cement valve. This movement translates a travelling pin along a guide path, which rotates a ball valve inside the ball housing, releasing the blocking ball to open up the internal flow path through the cement valve at the same time the cement ports are closed.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system including: a housing; a rotational ball seat section disposed within the housing, the rotational ball seat section including: a spring; a first internal sleeve; and an upper rotational ball seat including: a restricted position; and an open through bore position; a remote operated section disposed within the housing adjacent to the rotational ball seat section, the remote operated section including: a lower rotational ball valve disposed between second and third internal sleeves, wherein the lower rotational ball valve includes: an open through bore position; and a closed position; a setting sleeve operatively connected to the lower rotational ball valve; and a plurality of shear pins that hold the first, second, and third internal sleeves in place until a shear event occurs, wherein, in a run-in-hole position, the upper rotational ball seat is in the restricted position, and the lower rotational ball valve is in the open through bore position, wherein a downhole force of the spring compresses the first internal sleeve, the second internal sleeve, and the third internal sleeve such that the first, second, and third internal sleeves sandwich the upper rotational ball seat and the lower rotational ball valve in compression until the shear event occurs; and an electrical / hydraulic section that facilitates remote actuation of the remote operated section, wherein an inner diameter of the system is closed prior to the shear event to facilitate setting of hydraulic equipment, and wherein the shear event releases the downhole force of the spring, thereby pushing the first internal sleeve, the second internal sleeve, the third internal sleeve, the upper rotational ball seat, and the lower rotational ball valve downhole, which rotates the upper rotational ball seat and the lower rotational ball valve into the open through bore positions, thereby opening the inner diameter of the system.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of setting hydraulic equipment, including: running in hole a system including: a housing; a rotational ball seat section disposed within the housing, the rotational ball seat section comprising: a spring; a first internal sleeve; and an upper rotational ball seat including: a restricted position; and an open through bore position; a remote operated section disposed with the housing adjacent to the rotational ball seat section, the remote operated section including: a lower rotational ball valve disposed between second and third internal sleeves, wherein the lower rotational ball valve includes: an open through bore position; and a closed position; a setting sleeve operatively connected to the lower rotational ball valve; and a plurality of shear pins that hold the first, second, and third internal sleeves in place; and an electrical / hydraulic section including: an electronic actuation device; at least one power source; at least one electronic component; and an atmospheric chamber, wherein, during the running in hole step, the upper rotational ball seat is in the restricted position, and the lower rotational ball valve is in the open through bore position; compressing the first, second, and third internal sleeves with a downhole force of the spring until a shear event occurs, wherein the compressing step includes the first, second, and third internal sleeves sandwiching the upper rotational ball seat and the lower rotational ball valve; sending a signal from surface to trigger rotation of the lower rotational ball valve from the open through bore position to the closed position via the electrical / hydraulic section; if triggering rotation of the lower rotational ball valve from the open through bore position to the closed position is unsuccessful, dropping a contingency ball from the surface to land in a restriction of the upper rotational ball seat; pressuring up the system to set the hydraulic equipment; increasing pressure within the system until the shear event occurs; releasing the downhole force of the spring as a result of the shear event; shifting the first, second, and third internal sleeves, the upper rotational ball seat, and the lower rotational ball valve in a downhole direction; and rotating the upper rotational ball seat and the lower rotational ball valve into the open through bore positions.

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.

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 described technologies. The drawings are as follows:.

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 that embodiments of the present disclosure 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.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a system and method for facilitating remote setting and release of hydraulic actuated equipment. More specifically, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a dual ball seat system and associated method for the remote setting and release of a hydraulic liner hanger system. Current hydraulic liner hanger systems may require a setting ball to be dropped into the wellbore and pumped to a ball seat to build the required hydraulic pressure in the system for actuation and release of the tools. Alternatively, the dual ball seat system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may remotely create the pack-off needed to set and release the hydraulic liner hanger system by closing off the inner diameter (ID) of the running string. Advantageously, the dual ball seat system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a built in contingency for setting and releasing the hydraulic liner hanger system in case the ID of the running string cannot be remotely closed.

Referring generally to <FIG>, a cross-sectional view of a dual ball seat system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in <FIG>, the dual ball seat system <NUM> includes, inter alia, a housing <NUM>, a rotation ball seat section <NUM> disposed within the housing <NUM>, and a remote operated section <NUM> disposed within the housing <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a zoomed-in partial view of <FIG>, showing greater detail of the rotational ball seat section <NUM> and the remote operated section <NUM>, as further described below.

Still referring to <FIG>, the rotational ball seat section <NUM> of the dual ball seat system <NUM> includes a spring <NUM>, a first internal sleeve 22a, and an upper rotational ball seat <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In this way, the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> of the rotational ball seat section <NUM> is one of the ball seats of the dual ball seat system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Still referring to <FIG>, the remote operated section <NUM> of the dual ball seat system <NUM> may be disposed within the housing <NUM> adjacent to the rotational ball seat section <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, the remoted operated section <NUM> of the dual ball seat system <NUM> may include a lower rotational ball valve <NUM> disposed between a second internal sleeve 22b and a third internal sleeve 22c. As further shown in <FIG>, the remote operated section <NUM> may also include a setting sleeve <NUM> operatively connected to the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As further shown in <FIG>, a plurality of shear pins <NUM> may hold, at least, the first internal sleeve 22a, the second internal sleeve 22b, and the third internal sleeve 22c in place until a shear event occurs, as further described below, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The remote operated section <NUM> may also include a bottom sub <NUM> downhole of the third internal sleeve 22c in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the setting sleeve <NUM> and the first, second, and third internal sleeves 22a, 22b, and 22c may be pinned to the bottom sub <NUM> via the shear pins <NUM>. Advantageously, pinning the setting sleeve <NUM> to the bottom sub <NUM> prevents movement of the setting sleeve <NUM> during run-in-hole and prior to actuation, as further described below. Further, pinning one or more of the first, second, and third internal sleeves 22a, 22b, and 22c to the bottom sub <NUM> prevents premature movement of the respective pinned internal sleeve, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In this way, the pinning one or more of the first, second, and third internal sleeves 22a, 22b, and 22c to the bottom sub <NUM> prevents premature opening of the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> and/or the upper rotational ball seat <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Still referring to <FIG>, the remote operated section <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure further comprises a plurality of internal seals <NUM> that seals between the second and third internal sleeves 22b, 22c and the housing <NUM> of the dual ball seat system <NUM>. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of internal seals <NUM> allows pressure to be applied to either the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> of the rotational ball seat section <NUM> or the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> of the remote operation section <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, greater detail of the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> and the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> of the dual ball seat system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The upper rotational ball seat <NUM> may include a restricted position and an open through bore position according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Indeed, <FIG> shows the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> having a through bore in one direction and a restriction in the other direction. Further, the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> may include an open through bore position and a closed position according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Indeed, <FIG> shows the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> having a through bore in one direction and being completely solid in the other direction to block off flow.

When the dual ball seat system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is in the run-in-hole position, the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> is in the restricted position, and the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> is in the open through bore position. Further, during running-in-hole, the spring <NUM> of the rotational ball seat section <NUM> is compressed. As such, the spring <NUM> provides a constant force downhole on all internal components of the dual ball seat system <NUM> to keep these internal components in compression. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the downhole force of the spring <NUM> compresses the first internal sleeve 22a, the second internal sleeve 22b, and the third internal sleeve 22c such that the first, second, and third internal sleeves 22a, 22b, and 22c sandwich the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> and the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> in compression during running-in-hole and until a shear event occurs, as further described below.

Referring back to <FIG>, the rotational ball seat section <NUM> also includes two control arms <NUM> each including a slot <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the slot <NUM> may be a two position longitudinal slot according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As also shown in <FIG>, the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include two pins <NUM>, and the slots <NUM> of the two control arms <NUM> each accommodate a pin <NUM> of the two pins <NUM>. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the two pins <NUM> facilitate rotation of the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> from the restricted position to the open through bore position by translating down the slots <NUM> of the two control arms <NUM> of the rotational ball seat section <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the remote operated section <NUM> also includes two control arms <NUM> each including a slot <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the slot <NUM> may be a three position slot according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As also show in <FIG>, the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include two features <NUM>, and the three position slots <NUM> of the two control arms <NUM> each accommodate a feature <NUM> of the two features <NUM>. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the two features <NUM> may be milled features <NUM> disposed on a flat side of the lower rotational ball valve <NUM>, for example. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure the two features <NUM> of the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> in cooperation with the three position slots <NUM> of the two control arms <NUM> facilitate the remote and contingency operations of the remote operated section <NUM> of the dual ball seat system <NUM>. In view of <FIG> and <FIG>, the setting sleeve <NUM> of the remote operated section <NUM> is linked to the two control arms <NUM> of the lower rotational ball valve <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring back to <FIG>, the dual ball seat system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure also includes an electrical / hydraulic section <NUM> that facilitates remote actuation of the remote operated section <NUM>. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic / hydraulic section <NUM> may include an electronic actuation device, at least one power source such as a battery, at least one electronic component, and an atmospheric chamber, for example.

Referring back to <FIG>, the dual ball seat system <NUM> may include a prefill area <NUM> between the housing <NUM>, the setting sleeve <NUM>, and the bottom sub <NUM>, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the prefill area <NUM>, i.e., an empty volume, may be filled with hydraulic fluid, such as hydraulic oil, for example. A signal may be sent from the surface to the electrical / hydraulic section <NUM> of the dual ball seat system <NUM> to trigger actuation. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the signal may be a pump pressure pulse signal, for example. If the electrical / hydraulic section <NUM> of the dual ball seat system <NUM> successfully receives the signal sent from the surface to trigger actuation, the electronic actuation device of the electrical / hydraulic section <NUM> will fire. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic actuation device may include an electronic rupture disc, a motor, or a solenoid, for example. Firing of the electronic actuation device will cause the hydraulic fluid to vacate the prefill area <NUM> and move into the atmospheric chamber of the electrical / hydraulic section <NUM>. The pressure differential created will be high enough to shear the setting sleeve <NUM> of the remote operated section <NUM>, pulling the setting sleeve <NUM> downhole. Because the setting sleeve <NUM> is linked to the two control arms <NUM> of the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> as previously described, pulling the setting sleeve <NUM> downhole rotates the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> from the (run-in-hole) open through bore position to the closed position via the two control arms <NUM>. Once the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> is in the closed position, the ID of the dual ball seat system <NUM> is effectively closed. Applied pressure may then be increased above the closed ID of the dual ball seat system <NUM> to set hydraulic equipment. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the hydraulic equipment may be a liner hanger, for example. After the hydraulic equipment is set, applied pressure above the closed ID may be further increased until a shear event occurs. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the shear event releases the downhole force of the spring <NUM>, and pushes the first internal sleeve 22a, the second internal sleeve 22b, the third internal sleeve 22c, the upper rotational ball seat <NUM>, and the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> downhole, which rotates the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> from the (run-in-hole) restricted position to the open through bore position, and the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> from the closed position to the open through bore position. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> may rotate from the (run-in-hole) restricted position to the open through bore position during the closure of the lower rotational ball valve, as previously described. <FIG> provide a sequence of the functionality of the dual ball seat system <NUM> via remote actuation according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Advantageously, the dual ball seat system <NUM> according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a built-in contingency feature in case the signal sent from the surface to trigger actuation is not received by the electrical / hydraulic section <NUM>, or if actuation, i.e., rotating the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> from the (run-in-hole) open through bore position to the closed position, fails to occur. As previously described, the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> is in the restricted position when the dual ball seat system <NUM> is run-in-hole. In this restricted position, the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> is able to receive a contingency ball <NUM> from the surface, such as shown in <FIG>, for example, into a restriction of the upper rotational ball seat <NUM>. Advantageously, landing the contingency ball <NUM> into the restriction of the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> effectively closes the ID of the dual ball seat system <NUM> such that applied pressure may be increased above the closed ID to set hydraulic equipment, as previously described. Thereafter, the method of operation proceeds as previously described, whereby after setting the hydraulic equipment, the applied pressure is increased until the shear event occurs, shifting the internal components of the dual ball seat system <NUM> downhole, and causing the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> and the lower rotational ball valve <NUM> to rotate into the open through bore positions, thereby fully opening the ID of the dual ball seat system <NUM> for subsequent downhole operations. According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, rotating the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> from the restricted position to the open through bore position in response to the shear event causes the contingency ball <NUM> to release from the restriction in the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> and fall into the ID of the system when the contingency ball <NUM> may be displaced downhole. <FIG> provide a sequence of the functionality of the dual ball seat system <NUM> via the contingency feature according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper rotational ball seat <NUM> may include remote opening capabilities, for example.

Referring now to <FIG>, sequences of the functionality of the dual ball seat system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Specifically, <FIG>shows a sequence of functionality of the dual ball seat system in the event of a standard, successful actuation, and a sequence of functionality that utilizes the contingency feature of the dual ball seat system in the event of an unsuccessful actuation, as previously described.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a rotational ball seat section (<NUM>) disposed within the housing (<NUM>), the rotational ball seat section (<NUM>) comprising:
a spring (<NUM>);
a first internal sleeve (22a); and
an upper rotational ball seat (<NUM>) comprising: a restricted position; and an open through bore position;
a remote operated section (<NUM>) disposed within the housing (<NUM>) adjacent to the rotational ball seat section (<NUM>), the remote operated section (<NUM>) comprising:
a lower rotational ball valve (<NUM>) disposed between second (22b) and third (22c) internal sleeves,
wherein the lower rotational ball valve (<NUM>) comprises: an open through bore position; and a closed position;
a setting sleeve (<NUM>) operatively connected to the lower rotational ball valve (<NUM>); and
a plurality of shear pins (<NUM>) that hold the first (22a), second (22b), and third (22c) internal sleeves in place until a shear event occurs,
wherein, in a run-in-hole position, the upper rotational ball seat (<NUM>) is in the restricted position, and the lower rotational ball valve (<NUM>) is in the open through bore position,
wherein a downhole force of the spring (<NUM>) compresses the first internal sleeve (22a), the second internal sleeve (22b), and the third internal sleeve (22c) such that the first (22a), second (22b), and third (22c) internal sleeves sandwich the upper rotational ball seat (<NUM>) and the lower rotational ball valve (<NUM>) in compression until the shear event occurs; and
an electrical / hydraulic section (<NUM>) that facilitates remote actuation of the remote operated section (<NUM>),
wherein an inner diameter of the system (<NUM>) is closed prior to the shear event to facilitate setting of hydraulic equipment, and
wherein the shear event releases the downhole force of the spring (<NUM>), thereby pushing the first internal sleeve (22a), the second internal sleeve (22b), the third internal sleeve (22c), the upper rotational ball seat (<NUM>), and the lower rotational ball valve (<NUM>) downhole, which rotates the upper rotational ball seat (<NUM>) and the lower rotational ball valve (<NUM>) into the open through bore positions, thereby opening the inner diameter of the system (<NUM>).