IP Library Granted Patent US 9,163,481
Granted Patent B2
US 9,163,481 · App. 13/237,347 · Granted Oct 20, 2015

Remotely operated isolation valve

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,163,481
App. No.
13/237,347
Granted
Oct 20, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore includes: deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore. The work string comprises a deployment string, a shifting tool, and a bottomhole assembly (BHA). The tubular string comprises the isolation valve and an actuator. The method further includes rotating the actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening or closing the isolation valve. The isolation valve isolates a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore in the closed position.

Claims (107)

1. A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore, comprising:

deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, wherein:

the work string comprises a deployment string, a shifting tool, and a bottomhole assembly (BHA), and

the tubular string comprises the isolation valve and an actuator spaced from the isolation valve by a length sufficient to accommodate the BHA;

radially extending a plurality of drivers of the shifting tool to engage respective profiles on the actuator; and

rotating the actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening or closing the isolation valve, wherein:

the isolation valve isolates a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore in the closed position, and

a longitudinal clearance exists between the BHA and a closure member of the isolation valve while rotating the actuator.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the work string is a drill string,

the deployment string is drill pipe,

the BHA comprises a drill bit,

the tubular string is a casing string, and

the method further comprises drilling the wellbore through the formation by injecting drilling fluid through the drill string and rotating the drill bit.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

the actuator is located distally from the isolation valve, and

the shifting tool is located along the drill string distal from the drill bit.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the shifting tool remains in a cased portion of the wellbore during drilling.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is rotated by rotating the work string.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising pressurizing the deployment string to engage the shifting tool with the actuator.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein interaction between the shifting tool and the actuator depressurizes the work string in response to the opening or closing of the valve.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein:

the deployment string is pressurized by deploying a blocking member through the deployment string and seating the blocking member in the shifting tool, and

the work string is depressurized by the shifting tool releasing the blocking member.

9. The method of claim 8 , the shifting tool disengages from the actuator after the blocking member is released.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising setting at least a portion of weight of the work string on to the actuator to verify engagement of the shifting tool with the actuator.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein each driver extends independently to accommodate eccentricity of the actuator.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is rotated by pressurizing the deployment string, thereby extending the shifting tool into engagement with the actuator and rotating the shifting tool and the actuator relative to the rest of the work string.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the deployment string is pressurized by deploying a blocking member through the deployment string and seating the blocking member in the shifting tool.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising pumping the blocking member through the seat, wherein the shifting tool disengages from the actuator after the blocking member is released.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the actuator is a first hydraulic power sub,

the tubular string further comprises a second hydraulic power sub,

the power subs are hydraulically connected to the isolation valve in a three way switch configuration,

the isolation valve is opened by rotating the first power sub, and

the isolation valve is closed by rotating the second power sub.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises:

a piston in fluid communication with the isolation valve;

a helical profile operable to longitudinally move the piston from a first position to a second position; and

a clutch operable to disengage the helical profile from the piston in response to the piston reaching the second position.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises:

a mandrel rotatable by the shifting tool; and

a pump operable to pump hydraulic fluid to the isolation valve in response to rotation of the mandrel.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the actuator further comprises:

a variable volume hydraulic reservoir in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump;

a control valve having an actuator in fluid communication with the isolation valve;

a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump and the reservoir; and

a thermal compensation valve in fluid communication with the control valve actuator and the reservoir.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the wellbore is a subsea wellbore, and

the actuator accommodates heave of the work string.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the wellbore is a subsea wellbore, and

the shifting tool accommodates heave of the work string.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein interaction between the shifting tool and the actuator provides an indication detectable at surface in response to the opening or closing of the isolation valve.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the actuator is a hydraulic power sub,

the tubular string further comprises a toggle sub in fluid communication with the power sub and the isolation valve, and

the method further comprises operating the toggle sub.

23. The method of claim 1 , further comprising radially extending a plurality of release members of the shifting tool to engage the respective profiles on the actuator.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein each respective profile on the actuator comprises a length greater than a combined length of each release member and each driver.

25. The method of claim 1 , wherein rotating the actuator using the shifting tool includes rotating the shifting tool in the same direction to sequentially open or close the isolation valve.

26. A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore, comprising:

deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, wherein:

the work string comprises a deployment string, a shifting tool, and a bottomhole assembly (BHA), and

the tubular string comprises the isolation valve and an actuator;

operating the actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening or closing the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve isolates a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore in the closed position; and

interacting the shifting tool with the actuator in response to the opening or closing of the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve causes the interaction between the shifting tool and the actuator.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein interacting the shifting tool with the actuator opens fluid communication through the work string.

28. The method of claim 26 , wherein rotating the actuator using the shifting tool includes expanding the shifting tool to a first position, and wherein interacting the shifting tool with the actuator includes expanding the shifting tool to a second position.

29. The method of claim 1 , wherein rotating the actuator using the shifting tool includes rotating the shifting tool in the same direction to sequentially open or close the isolation valve.

30. A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore, comprising:

deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, wherein:

the work string comprises a deployment string, a shifting tool, and a bottomhole assembly (BHA), and

the tubular string comprises the isolation valve and first and second actuators;

operating the first actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening the isolation valve; and

operating the second actuator using the shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.

31. An isolation assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising:

an isolation valve operable between an open and a closed position;

an opener power sub having an opener profile for receiving a driver of a shifting tool and operable to open the isolation valve in response to being rotated by the shifting tool; and

a closer power sub having a closer profile for receiving the driver and operable to close the isolation valve in response to being rotated by the shifting tool.

32. The isolation assembly of claim 31 , wherein:

the isolation valve comprises:

a tubular valve housing having a bore therethrough;

a closure member operable to close the bore in the closed position and allow free passage through the bore in the open position; and

a valve piston operable to open and close the closure member, the opener power sub comprises:

a tubular opener housing having a bore therethrough;

a tubular opener mandrel disposed in the opener housing and having the opener profile; and

an opener piston in fluid communication with the valve piston and operably coupled to the opener mandrel, and

the closer power sub, comprises:

a tubular closer housing having a bore therethrough;

a tubular closer mandrel disposed in the closer housing and having the closer profile; and

a closer piston in fluid communication with the valve piston and the opener piston and operably coupled to the closer mandrel.

33. The isolation assembly of claim 32 , wherein:

the opener and closer mandrels are each rotatable relative to the respective opener and closer housings, and

the opener and closer pistons are each operably coupled to the respective opener and closer mandrels such that rotation of the respective mandrels by the shifting tool driver longitudinally moves the pistons.

34. The isolation assembly of claim 33 , wherein the longitudinal movement is reciprocation.

35. The isolation assembly of claim 31 , wherein the opener and closer power subs each comprise a release operable to receive a release of the shifting tool after operation of the respective power sub, thereby depressurizing the shifting tool.

36. The isolation assembly of claim 31 , wherein the opener power sub and the closer power sub rotate in the same direction.

37. A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore, comprising:

deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore, wherein:

the work string comprises a deployment string and a shifting tool, and

the tubular string comprises the isolation valve and an actuator;

seating a blocking member in the shifting tool;

increasing pressure to engage the shifting tool with the actuator;

rotating the actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening or closing the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve isolates a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore in the closed position; and

expanding the shifting tool to release the blocking member in response to opening or closing the isolation valve.

Assignments (9)
PATENT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063470/0629 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 057683/0706 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 1, 2021
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 057683/0423 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054288/0302 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053838/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051419/0140 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051891/0089 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2014
From: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 034526/0272 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2011
From: NOSKE, JOE; SMITH, RODDIE R.; SMITH, PAUL L.; BAILEY, THOMAS F.; MCDOWELL, CHRISTOPHER L.
To: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
Reel/Frame 026936/0006 →