US2541807A - Fluid lift control valve for oil wells - Google Patents

Description

Feb, 13, 1951 BRYAN FLUID LIFT CONTROL VALVE FOR OIL WELLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1949 V INVENTOR.

A TT'O r/vm THOMAS Ben/w 3 741F342 4 w w Ar Feb. 13, 1951 BRYAN 2,541,807

FLUID LIFT CONTROL VALVE FOR OIL WELLS Filed March 18, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'THaMAsE'. BRKAA/ INVENTOR.

BY & Q4

A -r fbE/VE Patented Feb. 13, 1 951 S PATENT OFFICE FLUID LIFT CONTROL VALVE FOR OIL WELLS I Thomas E. Bryan, Fort Worth, Tex.

Application March '18, 1949, Serial No. 82,215

This invention relates to devices for flowing oil wells by fluid pressures, as by inducting into such wells gas under relatively high pressures from the earths surface, and it has particular reference to especially designed valves arranged at different levels or stages in oil wells, and involves structure generally relating to that disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,236,864, dated April 1, 1941, assigned to Thomas Bryan, and it has for its principal object the provision of a valve construction adapted to be disposed at predetermined spaced elevations along the fluid conduits of an oil well and adjusted for automatic operation by fluid pressures of different values to intermittently discharge well fluids from such well.

A further object of the invention is that of providing an arrangement of co-axial conduits by which the well fluids can be raised through one channel while suitable gas pressures can be applied through the other channel from the earths surface to move the liquids flowing into the well from the production areas thereof, the natural pressures in said well having been depleted and are therefore incapable of raising the oil column to the earths surface.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of a tubing fitting for the installa- 1 tion of the valve assembly wherein is defined a receptacle for the latter adapted to protect the assembly from damage in running the tubing into and out of the well, and forming the valve housing to especially adapt. the same for attachment in the receptacle to insure rigidity, projecting its greater length into the receptacle to prevent vibration and possible injury from similar factors.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a system of flow valves capable of installation along a tubing string which functions as a flow conduit for well fluids while the well casing, closed at the bottom from the production area of'such well by a packer, affords a channel into which gas pressures can be introduced to be admitted to the flow conduit through the said valve system in stages when, acted upon by the gas pressures and in accordance with production capabilities of the well in which the installation is made.

An object of the invention is that of providing an economical medium for automatically producingoil from wells whose natural pressures are incapable of flowing the oil from such wells, and

providing a system by which relatively high pressuresjcanbe inducted into the wells while preventing the application of excessive artificial 8 Claims. (Cl. 103-233) pressures to the producing oil sands through which the oil therein may be forced back into the formations, impairing the normal production capabilities of the well.

One object of the invention resides in the provision of a valve structure of the character described in which is embodied a closure control device whereby extended pressure contact areas are afforded to offset or nullify the effect of fluid velocities on the valve elements and insure greater efficiency in operation. I

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a valve embodying structural features which insures proper response to applied pressures sufficient to raise well fluids and is capable of utilizing the increased energies in gas at higher pressures when expanded to a lower pressure in the tubing.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates, in vertical section on lines li of Figure 3, a valve structure embodying the invention, showing a body adapted to the removable or drop assembly illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary illustration, on lines 22 of Figure 3, showing one of the vertical grooves in the body member.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the Valve shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the valve assembly taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an inverted plan view of the invention.

tion, a modified arrangement of the closure members.

Figure 10 illustrates, in side elevation, a special fitting adapted for connection into the tubing string, and showing portions cut away to illustrate the valve installed therein.

Figure 11 is a. plan View of the fitting in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a transverse sectional view through the fitting on lines |2--l2 of Figure 10.

shown Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view of a type of fitting employed at the bottom of the tubing string for receiving the drop valve shown in Figure 6, and

Figure 14 is a vertical cross-sectional 'view of a well illustrating a typical installation and showing a typical time cycle device connected therewith.

While the embodiment of the invention is primarily a valve structure, it embraces a complete system of valves and flow conduits by which oil is produced from wells which would otherwise require the use of pumping equipment.

Production can thus be accomplished through a typical installation, such as that illustrated Figure 14, in which a casing I is arranged in a well bore H and a string of tubin or flow conduit l2 arranged co-axially thereof. A packer I3 is installed near the lower end of the casing l0. and provides a seal about the tubing l2 defining an annular space M therearound inside the casing. 13-. A perforated tail pipe |5 extends below the. packer i3 into theproduction area 160i the well.

The well fluid is conducted, to the earths surface, through the tubing l2 when acted upon by artificial gas pressure introduced into the space. M in the casing it], through a pressure line I! in, the casing head IS, the pressures being controlled by any. conventional type of pressure regulator. A time cycle mechanism may also be employed to introduce pressures into the conduits at predetermined intervals, or as the well fluid flows into the bore H from the producing formation it. Suitable flow pipes l9 and 253 may. be provided for conveyin the oil to storage from. the. head l8.

The valve structure employed in theinvention and installed in the flow line or tubing. 2 at properly spaced. intervals, is housed according to the specific use to. which the same is placed, as will become apparent by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 6 as compared. to the structures shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10. The structure illustrated in Figure I, particularly, is especially adapted to be installed. in the removable or drop valve assembly shown in Figure 6 which is designed for installation in a special fitting shown. in Figure 13 at the lower end of the tubing. string. l2 and just above the packer l3, as illustrated in Figure 14. This fitting may be categorically referred to hereafter as the unloading chamber through which all well fluids are discharged from the annular space Is. in the casing is after the packer I3 is set. After the unloading operation, the annular space It in the casin I!) being dry, oil from the producing formation H3 is flowed upwardly through. the tubing |2 to storage aided by gaseous pressures introduced into the annular space M and admitted to the tubing |2 in stages at different elevations to raise the liquid column.

In Figure 1 the valve assembly is shown encased within a housing 2| having a body portionv 22, the housing being formed with threaded portions 23 and 24 above and below the body portion 22, while a tail portion 25 is defined below the lower threaded portion 24 of the housing 2|. A central bore 26 is formed through the housing 2| and a sleeve 2'! is arranged intermediate the ends thereof and has a central port 28 therethrough with seats 29 and 30 formed on each side. A stem 3| is arranged in the bore 26 and extends concentrically through the bore 28 of the sleeve 21, a closure 32 being formed on the stem 3| above the sleeve 21 and adapted to engage the seat 29 thereon to close the port 28 under pressures entering the inlet 33 into the upper chamber of the bore 26 above the sleeve 21 therein.

A closure 3 is formed on the stem 3| below the sleeve 2'! and is adapted to engage the seat 30 therein alternately with the closure 32 in closing the port 23 through the sleeve. 21 The closure 34 is normally held against the seat 30 by a spring 35 arranged about the lower end of the stem 3| and which will yield under pressures applied through the inlet 33 previously referred to. A 'plug 36 is pressed or otherwise secured within the upper end of the housing 2| and functions to guide the upper end of the stem 3| which extends into a bore 3'! to properly center the stem 3| in the bore 26 and guide the closures 32 and 34 to their seats 29 and 30.

The lower end of the bore 28 is interiorly threaded to receive an exteriorly threaded follower 33 which may be threaded into and out ofthe, hcusing 2| against the spring 35 to increaseor. decrease the tension thereof thus con-. trolling the amount of pressure required through theinlet 3.3, to displace the closure 34, fromits seat 32. A lock-nut 3,9 is threaded upon the followertt whereby the latter is secured in, its adjusted positions. An, orifice 40 is, provided concentrically of the follower 38. to discharge pressures from the chamber ll within the follower 38, and the bore, 25, in cooperation with. another outlet passage hereinafter referred to.

As, apparent in Figures 2, 3, 4. and 5 the body portion 22,, is formed with a plurality of verti.-.

cal grooves 42 which are partially enclosed bya sleeve 33 pressedupon the body. portion 22 in. a

manner shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 5. By this.

means the ressures entering the housing 2| through the port 33-.are, effective on the element 34 to ,closethe, valve. The stem 3|, shownindetail in. Figure 7, has a free-floating. piston45s1idably arranged. thereon below. the closure 33 and against which the sprin 3.5.exerts its tension to insurethe positive operation of thestem 3| to close the lower seat 30 by the. closure- The valve. assembly illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3,4 and, 5. is housed within av removable casing id-which, has upper and lower sections 41 andJIB threaded upon. the portions. 23and 24 of the housing, 3|. The upper section 4'? has a rounded shoulder 4.9 at its upper end about which is arranged. a plurality of ports 53. A spear 5| is formed on the upper end of the upper section 41 by which. the assembly can be removed by a cablelnot shown), the lower section 48 being substantially fiat on the bottom and adapted to engage. a. supporting shoulder. 53v formed in the bottom. of a fitting 54, shown. in Figure 13, by which it is adapted to be installed in the tubing string i2, in the manner shown in Figure 14, and which will presently be described indetail.

The fitting 54, illustrated in Figure 13, is swaged providing. reduced portions 55 and 56 at each end, the larger body portionor shell 54 embracing a tubular sleeve 57 arranged concentrically of. the member 5 3 having an interiorly threaded flange 58. formed at its lower end into which a tube (not shown) may be connected and which extends into the tail pipe I5. Tubular couplings 59 are arranged radially on the member 5T -and extend through the walls of the body portion of the shell E i and provide communication between the sleeve 5'1? andthe annular space M within the casing in. The fitting 54 is eon nected to the tubing l2 at each of its reduced 6i of the sleeve 51 isbevelled inwardly to expe dite the seating of the drop valve assembly thereinto.

Above and below the valve housing 2!, and the assembly illustrated in Figurefi, arearrangements of sealing rings or cups 62 and 63 arranged on the upper and lower sections 41 and 48 of the drop valve assembly to isolate the port 33 in the annular space defined by the reduced portion 84 intermediate the ends of the assembly, as shown in Figure 6, the opposing ends of the upper and lower sections AT and 48 being tightly fitted against the collar 42 arranged about the body portion 22 of the valve housing 2|. The couplings 59 provide communication between the annular space defined about the drop valve assembly within the member 51 and the space M within the casing H].

A latch 65 is pivotally attached to the bottom of the drop valve by a pin 66 which is capable of being sheared when the drop valve assembly is removed by a wire line (not shown). The fitting 55 is installed in the tubing in the manner illustrated in Figure 14 near the packer l3. The latch 65 is adapted to drop into a slot which may be formed in the lower end of the sleeve 51 and at the bottom thereof just above the shoulder 53 therein upon which the drop valve assembly rests when seated. This arrangement will prevent the drop valve assembly from being displaced from its seat by pressures from the producing area it below.

In Figure is illustrated a fitting 61 which is capable of being connected into the tubing string l2 by suitable couplings 68, in the manner illustrated in Figure 14. The member 61 is threaded on each end and is formed with a receptacle 69, as in Figure 10, to receive a valve assembly which is illustrated fragmentarily in Figures 8 and 9.

Spaced above the receptacle 69 is an integral hood It affording further protection for the valve assembly arranged in the receptacle 89.

The valve assembly shown in Figures 8 and 9 is similar to the valve illustrated in Figures 1 through 5. It will become apparent, however, that the housing 'H in this latter structure does not have the sleeve or collar 43 thereon although its port I2 is formed inthe polygonal-head 13, as illustrated in Figure 8. A port 14 is formed in the housing H below the head 13 and the sleeve 15 therein and this port communicates with a port 16 in the wall of the fitting 61 providing communication between the valvehousing H and the receptacle 69 when the'assembly is installed in the manner illustrated) in Figure 10. The upper end of the housing H is closed by a flanged plug ll threaded into the member H, and the upper end of the valve stem 18, arranged through the port 19 in the sleeve 15, operates within a recess formed within the plug 11.

The valve housing II is formed with a threaded portion as just below the. head 13 by which the assembly is threaded into the upper end of the receptacle 69 so that the major portion of the housing H extends downwardly into the receptacle 59 and is thus protected against damage from vibrationand other factors. on the stem 18 is a pair of closures 8| and 82 adapted to alternately engage the seats 83 and 84 in the sleeve member 75. the lower end of the stem 18 to provide sufiieient tension against the lower seating member; 82 to retain the same normally against the seat, in

A Spring 85 is arranged about 6 the same; manner as thatof the arrangement illustrated in Figure-l.

The valve structure shown-in Figure 1 8 is=modi-= fied, as illustrated in- Figure9, whereby the seat:

ing member BI is eliminated from-the -stem-18 thelatter extending only-'intothe' port '19- inth'e sleeve 15, and -a ball 86 isprovided f'orclosin'g' the port l'9, by engagingtheseat 83in theupper end of the sleeve 15; and is capable of being raised by the stem- 'l8--i-n the manner shown-in- Figure 9.

Itis a prime object of the invention to-liftthe' oil, as nearly as possible, in accordance with normally plugged or have a system of gate-valves thereon (not shown) and the tubing sealed;

Such a method of discharging liquids from the casing I9 is desirable to prevent forcing the oil;

through the valves installed at spacedgintervals-'- I in the tubing l2 and thus avoid damage th'ereto through lodging sand, rocks, and other substances therein. Oil will rise from the producing area I6 into the tubing t2 and can be raised to the earths surface by continuing to apply gas pres-- sures to the casing H! to be admitted to the tub-* ing through the valves therein;

In construction, as previously pointed out, the valve shown in Figures 8 and 9 is identical in principle with the structureillustrated in Figure 1, the primary difference residing in the respective housings. The lower end of each valve structure, the tail portions 25 and H being alike, are" closed at their lower ends by followers 38 which have ports 48 therein. These elements are not is shown in Figures 8 and 9.

In a typical installation the valves, are installed with the lower valve elements 82* seated, under the pressure of the springs 85,"as shown in Fig ures 8 and 9. With no pressure in the casing H} or in the tubing [2 such positions of the stems with their closure elements are normal. As soon as the annular space M within the casing" ifi=has been unloaded, as previously described, the upper closure elements'32 and 8 Ion the stems 3 tandjlty or the ball 86, will engage the seats 29 and 83' under gas pressures existing in thecasing I83 Oil rises into the tubing i 2 from the producing area 16 through'the tail pipe 15, and a standing valve (not shown) which may be threaded into the element 58 of the fitting 54 if desiredyand submerges the valves. As the column of fluid increases its weight will exert sufficient pressure upon the pistons and the upper closure elements; through theparts 48 and 14, respectively, to; dis place the same from their seats to admitgas pressures to the tubingand expel the liquid there-,- from. The rapidly decreasing oil pressures with in the tubing will enable the upper elementstobe reseated underthe gas pressures exerted upon the same.

As gasenters the lower body of the valve hous ing 13 the pressures become effective onthe upper face of the piston Q5 while the underside, of the latter is exposed tothe pressure of the oil column in the tubing l2 through the port 40,,

Gas escaping through the port 14, when the piston is moved downwardly, lightens the oil column permitting the piston 45 to be depressed by gas pressures entering through the ported sleeve 21 or 15 and when a proper difierential of pressures, for which the valve is set, occurs the upper seating element 8|, or ball 85, will engage the seat 83 closing the valve against the gas pressures.

Each valve operates in this fashion until all fluid in the casing has been transferred into the tubing l2 through the fitting or chamber 54 whereupon the removable drop valve is installed, as previously described, the upper seating element 32 engaging the seat 29.

The well fluid may now rise into the tubing around the member 57in the chamber 54 to a level which is determined by the gas pressures in the casing and the tension of the spring 35 whereupon the pressure of the oil column is effective through the ports 40 and 4 (or is and 74 as applied to the other valves) below the seating elements to force the upper seating element 32 (or 8| with the aid of the spring 35, on its seat and admit gas pressures to the tubing in the manner previously explained. When a sumcient quantity of the gas pressure has been passed into the tubing to lighten the oil column and lift the same to the surface, the gas pressure enterin the ports 33 (Figure 1) and 72 (Figure 8) will become efiective downwardly on the piston 45 to close the valve against the tension of the spring. The other valves above will function in like manner, successively, as the oil, or other fluids, reaches the proper height to submerge the valves and have sufficient weight to actuate the same.

It is apparent that the piston 45, which has been described as slidable or free-floating on the stem 3|, will assume the position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 8 when the lower seating element 34 or 82 is against its seat and in such position will close the port 44 (Figure 2) or E4 (Figure 8) and close the same against oil pressure from the tubing. The piston 45 is relatively closely fitted in the chamber in the lower portion of the valve body and actually functions as a piston. Thus, oil pressures from the tubing is effective only on the bottom of the piston 45 while the lower element 34 or 82 is against its seat. When gas pressures in the casing reach a value suitable to overcome the back pressure of the oil in the tubing such gas pressures will be effective on the top of the piston to move the same downwardl relieving, to some extent, the tension of the spring 85 and opening the port 74 so that such pressures will pass into the tubing to raise the liquid column.

As the port '14 is initially cracked open enough gas or casing pressure will be admitted to the tubing to lighten the fluid column by aeration, as previously described, to permit the piston 45 to be further depressed against the tension of the spring 35 (Figure l) 01' 85 (Figure 8) and free the stem so that the lower seating element can be moved further away from its seat to fully open the passage 28 or 79 and, at once, fully open the port 14 (Figure 8) or the port 44 (Figure 2) and flow the well,

It is to be understood that all of the valves have the same function and operate in an identical manner. The elements referred to in one structure, although having different character references, have similar functions. The seating elements, valve stems and, springs operate in an identical manner.

Obviously, when the gas pressures in the casing and tubing are equalizedno fluid can reenter the casing through'any of the valves for the reason that they remain closed, opening only when the casing pressure is greater, and under such conditions the passage of liquids therethrough is resisted. I

Certain changes and modifications in the structure herein shown and described may be resorted to from time to time by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flow valve for oil wells comprising a tubular housing for installation in a fitting in a well tubing, an inlet port in one end of said housing and an outlet port in its opposite end, a pas sage between said inlet and outlet ports, a seat formed on each end of said passage, a stem operating in said passage having opposing seating elements formed thereon alternately engageable with said seats, a piston element closely fittingin said tubular housing and slidable on said stem and engaging the lowermost of said seating elements and normally closing said outlet port, a spring on said stein tensioning said piston element and yieidable to well pressures applied to said piston to open said outlet port and aid in moving said stem to open said passage and close the same.

2. In a gas flow valve for oil wells comprising tubular housing adapted for installation in a fiting connected in a well tubing, a gas inlet port in one end of said housing and an outlet port spaced from said inlet port in said housing, a passage between said inlet and outlet ports, a seat formed on each end of said passage, a valve stem operating in said passage and having opposing seating elements formed thereon alternately engageable with said seats, a piston element slidably operating in the lower portion of said housing below said passage and slidable on said stem to engage one of said seating elements, the said piston element being normally positioned to close said outlet port, a spring on said stern engaging said piston and yieldable to gas pressures on said piston to open said outlet port and aid in moving last named seating element to open said passage and close the same upon the occurrence of pressure differentials between said inlet and outlet ports.

3. In a gas lift device for oil wells and mounting therefor, a well casing, a tubing in said casing, a tubular fitting connected at difierent levels in said tubing, a valve receptacle formed on said fitting having communication with the said tubing, a valve assembly threadedly supported in said fitting and having a portion exposed to gas pressures in the casing, the said valve assembly comprising a housing, gas inlet and outlet ports in said housing, a passage formed axially on said housing between said ports and a valve seat on each end of said passage, a valve stem operatively arranged through said passage, a pair of seating surfaces on said stein alternately engageable with said valve seats to close said passage, a spring on said stern normally retaining one of said seating surfaces on its seat, a piston closely fitting in said housing and slidably arranged on said stem below said passage closing said outlet port and engaged by said spring and yieldable to gas pressures in said casing to move on said stem whereby said pressures can actuate said stem to open said outlet port and close said passage until a predetermined pressure differential occurs between said tubing and casing to reopen said passage.

4. In a device for raising oil in an oil well having a casing and tubing therein, a fitting connected at different levels in said tubing, a valve receptacle formed on said fitting and having communication with said tubing, a valve removably supported in said receptacle comprising a housing having gas inlet and outlet ports therein, a communication in said housing between said ports and a seat formed on each end of said communication, a stem operatively arranged through said communication and having seating elements thereon for alternately engaging said seats, a spring in said housing associated with said stem exerting tension thereon to normally retain one of said seating elements against one of said seats, and a piston member slidable on said stem and slidably operating in said housing below the lowermost of said seating elements closing said outlet port and amenable to gas pressures to compress said spring whereby said pressures can actuate said stem to open said outlet port and close said communication until a predetermined pressure differential occurs between said casing and tubing to reopen said communication.

5. In a gas lift device for installation in an oil well, a tubing in said well, a fitting connected in said tubing and having a valve receptacle formed thereon and having communication with said tubing, a valve housing threadedly secured in said fitting to expose a portion thereof to gas pressures exteriorly of said tubing and having an outlet port theren in said receptacle, a gas inlet port in the exposed portion of said housing, a passage formed in said housing intermediate said inlet and outlet ports, a seat formed on each end of said passage, a valve stem operatively arranged through said passage and formed with seating surfaces alternately engageable with said seats to close said passage, a spring on said stem normally urging one of said seating surfaces to its seat, a sliding piston on said stem adjacent to one of said seating surfaces and closing said outlet port and engaged by said spring, and amenable to gas pressures to move on said stem against the tension of said spring whereby to open said outlet port and said stem can move to open said passage and close the same at the opposite end after a predetermined interval.

6. In a gas lift mechanism for admitting a lifting fluid to a liquid column inan oil well having 2 a string of tubing and casing and a packer therein, a fitting connected in said tubing at spaced intervals and having a valve receptacle thereon, a valve housing having an opposing arrangement of seats and a communication between said seats installed in said receptacle on said fitting externally thereof, a valve stem operable through said communication and having seating elements thereon adapted to alternately engage said seats, a spring in said housing asociated with said stem capable of exerting a pressure thereon to normally retain one of the said seating elements against one of said seats, inlet and outlet openings in said housing for the passage of said lifting fluid, means slidable on said stem below said seating elements and closely fitting in said housing and engaged by said spring to close said outlet opening and amenable to gas pressures to compress said spring whereby said pressures can pass 10 through said outlet opening and actuate said stem to close said communication when a pressure differential occurs between the casing and the tubing.

posing seats formed on the ends of said passage,

a stem operatively arranged in said housing and through said seats, a pair of closure elements formed on said stem alternately engageable with said seats, a piston member closely fitted in said housing and slidably arranged on said stem below the lowermost of said closure elements closing said outlet port and aiding in the operation of said stem, tensionedmeans on said stem engaging said piston member for normally retaining the lowermost of said closure elements against its said seat whereby, when gas pressure is applied to said piston member, said outlet port is opened and tension on said stem is relieved and said stem can move to open said passage and close the same from the opposite end after a predetermined interval.

8. In a gas lift mechanism for oil wells having a casing and tubing, a plurality of fittings spaced along said tubing, each having a valve receptacle exteriorly thereof open to said casing at one end, a valve housing arranged in each fitting and having a portion exposed to gas pressure in said casing, a gas inlet port in said exposed portion and an outlet port in said housing open to said fitting through said receptacle, a passage between said ports providing communication between said ports and a seat at each end of said passage, a stem operatively arranged through said seats and having a pair of opposing seating surfaces formed thereon alternately engageable with said seats to close said passage, a tensioned piston element closely fitting in said housing and slidably operating on said stem to normally close said outlet port and urge one of said seating surfaces to its seat and yieldable to pressure in said casing whereby to open said outlet port and said pressure can force the opposite seating surface to its said seat after a predetermined interval.

THOMAS E. BRYAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Carlisle Mar. 22, 1949

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