IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,905,139
Granted Patent B2
US 8,905,139 · App. 13/266,120 · Granted Dec 9, 2014

Blapper valve tools and related methods

Inventors: Napoleon Arizmendi, Jr. (Magnolia, TX); Richard Paul Rubbo (The Woodlands, TX)
Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
E21B34/06E21B2034/002E21B41/00E21B23/04E21B34/066E21B2034/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,905,139
App. No.
13/266,120
Granted
Dec 9, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention disclose enhanced and improved well production tools for increasing the stability of production zones in a wellbore. Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparatuses, systems, and processes for efficiently and effectively isolating zones within a wellbore.

Claims (29)

1. A mandrel for isolating production zones in a wellbore, the mandrel defining a through passage smaller than an exterior portion of the mandrel comprising:

a) a blapper valve operatively connected to the mandrel;

b) a valve actuator, the valve actuator comprising:

i. a piston chamber separate from the through passage;

ii. a piston with a first side oriented toward the valve and a second side oriented away from the valve, the piston being disposed within the piston chamber;

iii. an incompressible fluid between the second side of the piston and a pressure barrier, the pressure barrier being positioned between the incompressible fluid and a compressible gas and;

wherein upon breach of said pressure barrier the piston moves within the piston chamber and the blapper valve can be actuated into at least a first position wherein said blapper valve is open and said through passage is open or at least a second position wherein said blapper valve is closed and said through passage is closed.

2. The mandrel of claim 1 , further comprising a battery pack operably connected to said valve actuator.

3. The mandrel of claim 1 , further comprising a control wire running downhole to the actuator for controlling the actuator.

4. A completed wellbore with at least a first production zone, said completed wellbore further comprising a cemented casing string, a production string, a fracture valve tool and a mandrel of claim 1 connected to said production string and positioned above said first production zone.

5. A process for producing a hydrocarbon from the completed wellbore of claim 4 , said process comprising the steps of: a) opening said blapper valve; b) fracturing said first production zone; and, c) flowing a drilling mud through said completed wellbore for cleanup, wherein a hydrocarbon is produced up said production string.

6. The mandrel of claim 1 , wherein the valve actuator is actuated by a pyrotechnic charge.

7. The mandrel of claim 1 , wherein the valve actuator is actuated by a spring.

8. The mandrel of claim 1 , wherein the valve actuator is actuated by a solenoid.

9. A fracture valve tool for running in a wellbore and isolating production zones in said wellbore, said fracture valve tool comprising a mandrel comprising at least a first open end and a second open end; a blapper valve, wherein said blapper valve is attached to at least one of said first open end and said second open end of said mandrel; and, an actuator comprising:

a) a piston chamber separate from the through passage;

b) a piston with a first side oriented toward the valve and a second side oriented away from the valve, the piston being disposed within the piston chamber;

c) an incompressible fluid between the second side of the piston and a pressure barrier, the pressure barrier positioned between the incompressible fluid and a compressible gas and;

wherein upon breach of the pressure barrier said actuator opens or closes the position of said blapper valve and wherein a piston or a shaft is operably connected to said actuator for rotating said blapper valve between said open position and said closed position.

10. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , wherein said mandrel is connected to one of a casing string or a production string.

11. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , wherein said fracture valve tool is cemented in a wellbore.

12. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , wherein said fracture valve tool is cemented in a closed position.

13. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , wherein said fracture valve tool is cemented in an open position.

14. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , wherein said fracture valve tool is cemented above or below an oil and gas formation.

15. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , wherein said fracture valve tool is cemented above an oil and gas formation.

16. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , wherein said actuator is designed to open or close said blapper valve upon receiving a signal.

17. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , further comprising at least one packer.

18. A completed wellbore comprising the fracture valve tool of claim 9 .

19. The fracture valve tool of claim 9 , wherein said actuator is designed to open or close said blapper valve at a predetermined time.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2018
From: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
To: COMPLETION TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 046003/0516 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2015
From: PRODUCTION SCIENCES, INC.
To: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
Reel/Frame 034708/0490 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2013
From: ARIZMENDI, NAPOLEON, JR.; RUBBO, RICHARD PAUL
To: PRODUCTION SCIENCES, INC. DBA INFICOMM, INC.
Reel/Frame 029905/0446 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61172676 · Apr 24, 2009
Related Publication 20120043092A1 · Feb 23, 2012