Valve device for use in a wellbore

Abstract

 A valve device, which may be a standing valve, is provided for use in a wellbore whereby a pumping assembly is used to pump a stream of hydrocarbon fluid from a surrounding earth formation into a conduit extending into the wellbore. The valve device comprises a housing provided with a flow passage for said stream of hydrocarbon fluid and a closure element for selectively closing the flow passage. The closure element ball 43 is movable between an open position whereby the flow passage is open and a closed position whereby the flow passage is closed. The valve device further comprises a support member for supporting at least one component of the pumping assembly in case said at least one component falls on the valve device. The support member 62 is arranged to be moved to a downward position by the weight of said at least one component, wherein the support member in the downward position thereof is arranged to prevent movement of the closure element to the open position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve device for use in a wellbore whereby a pumping assembly is used to pump a stream of hydrocarbon fluid from a surrounding earth formation into a conduit extending into the wellbore.

[0002] In the industry of hydrocarbon fluid production from a wellbore extending into an earth formation, an artificial-lift pumping system is widely used whereby a surface power source drives a downhole pump. A beam and crank assembly creates a reciprocating motion in a sucker-rod string that extends into a production tubing and connects to the downhole pump. The pump contains a plunger and valve assembly to convert the reciprocating motion of the plunger into upward flow of produced hydrocarbon fluid through the production tubing. A standing valve is arranged at the lower end of the production tubing to allow inflow of hydrocarbon fluid into the production tubing during an upward stroke of the plunger, and to prevent outflow of hydrocarbon fluid from the production tubing during a downward stroke of the plunger.

[0003] US 4,519,457 discloses a standing valve retrievably mounted in a well production tubing whereby a seal between the standing valve and a bottom hole assembly is located below the level of the valve seat and whereby fluid from the top of the valve is drained through the valve seat.

[0004] It is a drawback of the known standing valve that earth formation fluid may still flow into the wellbore in the event that repair work needs to be done when one or more components of a pumping assembly inadvertently fall through the production tubing and onto the standing valve.

[0005] There is a need for an improved valve device that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] In accordance with the invention there is provided a valve device for use in a wellbore whereby a pumping assembly is used to pump a stream of hydrocarbon fluid from a surrounding earth formation into a conduit extending into the wellbore, the valve device comprising:

• a housing provided with a flow passage for said stream of hydrocarbon fluid;
• a closure element for selectively closing the flow passage, the closure element being movable between an open position whereby the flow passage is open and a closed position whereby the flow passage is closed;
• a support member for supporting at least one component of the pumping assembly in case said at least one component falls on the valve device, wherein the support member is arranged to be moved to a downward position by the weight of said at least one component, and wherein the support member in the downward position thereof is arranged to prevent movement of the closure element to the open position.

[0007] In this manner it is achieved that the valve device is closed and the wellbore safely shut-in in the inadvertent event that one or more of the pumping components fall on the valve device. Such components may include, for example, a plunger possibly together with (a portion) of a pumping rod.

[0008] Suitably the valve device further comprises a seat for receiving the closure element so as to close the flow passage, wherein the support member is arranged to push the closure element onto the seat when the support member is in the downward position.

[0009] The seat may be movable relative to the housing in a direction allowing the seat to absorb a shock caused by the closure element being pushed onto the seat by the support member. Spring means may be provided to bias the seat to an upward position thereof. Such spring means include, for example, at least one diaphragm spring arranged between the housing and the seat.

[0010] Suitably the closure element includes a ball, and the seat includes an annular seat.

[0011] A coupling member may extend between the closure element and the support member, the coupling member being movable in correspondence with movement of the closure element, wherein the support member is arranged to push the closure element onto the seat via the coupling member. The coupling member may be positioned, for example, in an axial bore of the housing in a manner allowing the coupling member to slide through the axial bore.

[0012] Advantageously the valve device further comprises a spring acting to bias the support member to an upward position thereof. In one embodiment the support member comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis extending in axial direction of the housing, and wherein the spring comprises a compression spring extending into the cylindrical body.

[0013] The housing may be received in a landing nipple connected to the lower end of the conduit.

[0014] In a suitable application, the pumping assembly comprises a reciprocating plunger arranged in the conduit and a rod connecting the plunger to a drive system at surface, and wherein said at least one component of the pumping assembly includes the plunger. Also, said at least one component may include the rod or a portion of the rod.

[0015] To adequately support the fallen component(s), the support member suitably has an upper end portion shaped in conformance with a shape of a lower end portion of the plunger.

[0016] The invention will be described hereinafter in more detail and by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a wellbore with a pumping assembly for pumping hydrocarbon fluid from a surrounding earth formation to surface;

Fig. 2 shows, in longitudinal section, an exemplary embodiment of a valve device in accordance with the invention for use with the pumping assembly;

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the valve device, and

Fig. 4 shows the valve device whereby the flow passage thereof is closed.

[0017] In the detailed description and the figures, like reference numerals relate to like components.

[0018] Referring to Fig. 1 there is shown a wellbore 1 for the production of hydrocarbon fluid from a surrounding earth formation 2. A casing 4 extends from surface 5 into the wellbore 1, the casing being provided with perforations 6 in a lower section 7 of the wellbore 1 for inflow of hydrocarbon fluid from the earth formation into the lower wellbore section 7. A conduit in the form of production tubing 8 for flow of produced hydrocarbon fluid to surface extends from the lower wellbore section 7 to a wellhead 10 at surface. A pipeline 11 is provided at surface for further transporting produced hydrocarbon fluid that flows through the production tubing 8 to surface. A production packer 12 is arranged between the casing 4 and the production tubing 8 to isolate an annular space 14 between the casing 4 and the production tubing 8 from the lower wellbore section 7, the annular space being filled with brine. Fluid pressure in the annular space is controlled via a control line 18 at surface. A valve device in the form of standing valve 20 is provided at the lower end of the production tubing 8. The standing valve 20 is a one-way valve allowing inflow of hydrocarbon fluid into the production tubing 8 and preventing outflow of hydrocarbon fluid from the production tubing 8.

[0019] A pumping assembly in the form of sucker rod pump 22 is provided for pumping hydrocarbon fluid from the lower wellbore section 7 via the production tubing 8 into the pipeline 11. The sucker rod pump includes a beam 24 rotatably connected to a post 26 whereby one end of the beam 24 is connected to a drive system 28 via arm 30. The other end of the beam is provided with a horsehead 32. A plunger 34 is suspended in the production tubing 8 on a rod 36 having a polished upper portion 38 passing through a stuffing box at the wellhead 10 and being connected to the horsehead 32. The plunger 34 includes a one-way valve system 39 allowing fluid to pass in upward direction through the plunger 34 and preventing fluid to pass in downward direction through the plunger. The drive system 28 is arranged to induce reciprocating angular rotations to the beam 24 so as to induce a reciprocating vertical movement to the rod 36 and plunger 34.

[0020] Referring to Figs. 2-4 there is shown in more detail the standing valve 20 received in a landing nipple 40 connected to the lower end of the production tubing 8 by connector 41. The standing valve 20 comprises a cylindrical housing 42 having a central bore 43 that forms a flow passage for produced hydrocarbon fluid flowing into the production tubing 8. The housing 42 is sealed to the inner surface of the production tubing 8 by one or more annular seals (not shown). A seat ring 44 is arranged in the central bore 43 of housing 42. The seat ring 44 is axially movable a short distance in the central bore, and diaphragm springs 46 are arranged below the seat ring 44 to bias the seat ring 44 upwardly against an annular shoulder of the housing 42. A ball 48 is positioned in the central bore 43 above the seat ring 44. The ball is axially movable between an open position whereby the ball 48 is axially displaced from the seat ring 44 and a closed position whereby the ball 48 seats on the seat ring 44 so as to close the flow passage 43. Side openings 50 are provided in the housing 42 for flow of produced hydrocarbon fluid from the central bore 43 into the production tubing 8.

[0021] A cylindrical guide post 52 having a central bore 54 is connected to the housing 42 at the upper end thereof. A rod element is arranged in the central bore 54, having telescoping upper and lower rod sections 56a, 56b whereby the lower rod section 56b is arranged to slide in axial direction through the central bore 54. Reference sign 57 indicates the upper surface of lower rod section 56b. A compression 59 spring extends around the lower rod section 56b acting to bias the lower rod section 56b in downward direction against the ball 48 thereby biasing the ball 48 onto the seat ring 44. Further, the upper rod section 56a is connected to a lifting member 60 having keys 61 adapted to be received in a J-slot 61a provided at the lower end of the plunger 34 (Fig. 3).

[0022] A tubular support member 62 extends around the guide post 52 in a manner allowing the support member 62 to slide in axial direction along the guide post. The interior of the support member 62 is provided with a ring 64 extending around rod section 56a and positioned against an annular shoulder 66 at the upper end of the support member. The annular shoulder 66 is adapted to support the plunger 34 when the latter falls on the support member 62. The ring 64 has an internal diameter allowing the ring 64 to axially slide along rod section 56a whereby downward sliding of the ring 64 is limited by the upper surface 57 of rod section 56b. A compression spring 68 extends between the housing 42 and the ring 64, acting to bias support member 62 in upward direction against the lifting member 60.

[0023] During normal operation the drive system 28 of sucker rod pump 22 is operated to induce a reciprocating angular rotation to the beam 24 and horsehead 32 resulting in a vertical reciprocating movement of the rod 36 and plunger 34. The plunger thereby pumps hydrocarbon fluid that has entered the lower wellbore section 7, through the production tubing 8 to surface and further through pipeline 11 to a production facility (not shown). During each downward stroke of the plunger 34, the ball 48 is pushed onto the seat ring 44 by the action of spring 59 that pushes rod section 56b in downward direction against the ball 48, and by the action of the hydrostatic fluid column above the ball 48. Thus, the ball 48 closes the flow passage 43 during each downward stroke thereby preventing backflow of hydrocarbon fluid from the production tubing 8 into the lower wellbore section 7. During each upward stoke of the plunger 34, hydrocarbon fluid is drawn into the production tubing via the flow passage 43 whereby the ball moves a short distance upwardly away from the seat ring 44.

[0024] If the standing valve 20 needs to be retrieved to surface, the plunger 34 is lowered onto the standing valve so that the keys 61 of lifting member 60 latch into the J-slot of the plunger, where after the standing valve 20 is pulled out of the landing nipple 40 and retrieved to surface (Fig. 2).

[0025] In the event that, due to an inadvertent situation, the plunger 34 together with the rod 36 or a portion thereof falls onto the standing valve 20, the plunger 34 lands on the annular shoulder 66 of the support member 62. Due to the weight of the fallen component(s), the support member 62 and the ring 64 move in downward direction whereby the ring 64 slides along the rod section 56a. Upon the ring 64 arriving at upper surface 57 of rod section 56b, the latter is pushed in downward direction by the ring 64 and the support member 62. Rod section 56b thereby pushes the ball 48 onto the seat ring 44 so that the flow passage 43 becomes closed. The diaphragm spring 46 act to mitigate the impact forces between the ball 48 and the seat ring 44 when the plunger 34 lands on the support member 62.

[0026] Downward movement of the support member 62 is counteracted by an increasing reaction force of the compression spring 68 until an equilibrium situation occurs whereby the weight of the fallen component(s) is carried by the compression spring 68 and by the contact between the ball 48 and the seat ring 44 (Fig. 4).

[0027] In this manner it is achieved that the flow passage 43 is closed when the plunger 34 and possibly (a portion of) the rod 36 inadvertently falls onto the standing valve 20, so that adequate repair measures may be taken while the well is safely shut-in.

Claims

1. A valve device for use in a wellbore whereby a pumping assembly is used to pump a stream of hydrocarbon fluid from a surrounding earth formation into a conduit extending into the wellbore, the valve device comprising:

- a housing provided with a flow passage for said stream of hydrocarbon fluid;

- a closure element for selectively closing the flow passage, the closure element being movable between an open position whereby the flow passage is open and a closed position whereby the flow passage is closed;

- a support member for supporting at least one component of the pumping assembly in case said at least one component falls on the valve device, wherein the support member is arranged to be moved to a downward position by the weight of said at least one component, and wherein the support member in the downward position thereof is arranged to prevent movement of the closure element to the open position.

2. The valve device of claim 1, further comprising a seat for receiving the closure element so as to close the flow passage, and wherein the support member is arranged to push the closure element onto the seat when the support member is in the downward position.

3. The valve device of claim 2, wherein the seat is movable relative to the housing in a direction allowing the seat to absorb a shock caused by the closure element being pushed onto the seat by the support member.

4. The valve device of claim 3, further comprising spring means arranged to bias the seat to an upward position thereof.

5. The valve device of claim 4, wherein the spring means includes at least one diaphragm spring arranged between the housing and the seat.

6. The valve device of any one of claims 2-5, wherein the closure element includes a ball, and wherein the seat includes an annular seat.

7. The valve device of any one of claims 2-6, wherein a coupling member extends between the closure element and the support member, the coupling member being movable in correspondence with movement of the closure element, and wherein the support member is arranged to push the closure element onto the seat via the coupling member.

8. The valve device of claim 7, wherein the coupling member is positioned in an axial bore of the housing in a manner allowing the coupling member to slide through the axial bore.

9. The valve device of any one of claims 1-8, further comprising a spring acting to bias the support member to an upward position thereof.

10. The valve device of claim 9, wherein the support member comprises a cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis extending in axial direction of the housing, and wherein the spring comprises a compression spring extending into the cylindrical body.

11. The valve device of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the housing is received in a landing nipple connected to the lower end of the conduit.

12. The valve device of claim 11, wherein the pumping assembly comprises a reciprocating plunger arranged in the conduit and a rod connecting the plunger to a drive system at surface, and wherein said at least one component of the pumping assembly includes the plunger.

13. The valve device of claim 12, wherein said at least one component further includes the rod or a portion of the rod.

14. The valve device of claim 12 or 13, wherein the support member has an upper end portion shaped in conformance with a shape of a lower end portion of the plunger.

15. The valve device substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawing