WO2024091454A1 - Wireline valve with internal porting - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique facilitates a wireline operation by employing a wireline valve having internal porting to enable the supply of hydraulic actuating fluid to be routed internally, thus minimizing the exposure of ports and hydraulic hoses to damage. According to an embodiment, the wireline valve comprises bonnet assemblies which extend outwardly from a wireline valve body having a longitudinal passage therethrough. Each bonnet assembly may further comprise a bonnet flange which slidably receives a piston rod therethrough. Additionally, each bonnet assembly may have an operating cylinder connected to the bonnet flange and slidably receiving a piston which is connected to the piston rod. Each piston is hydraulically actuatable via hydraulic fluid received through porting routed internally, e.g. routed within the walls of the wireline valve body, the bonnet flange, and the operating cylinder.

Description

WIRELINE VALVE WITH INTERNAL PORTING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to India Provisional Patent Application No. 202241061424, filed October 28, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In many oil and gas well applications, wireline systems are employed to deliver well tools downhole into a well via wireline cable. A given well tool may be used for a variety of downhole sensing, testing, or other actions in a wireline intervention operation or other downhole operation. Wireline intervention is a technique which may be used for intervention of an oil and/or gas well to extend the producing life of the well; to provide data to help manage the production rate of the well or to shut off and safely abandon a flowing well; and to provide maintenance, repair, or replacement of downhole equipment. Tools often may be run on wireline to avoid the use of more costly and larger rigs. Wireline systems operate in conjunction with or include pressure control equipment that provide an interface for drilling and intervention into high-pressure wells.

[0003] Such equipment includes a wireline valve which provides a line of defense against wellbore pressure. The wireline valve holds wellbore pressure from below while providing a vertical bore through which tools may be moved into and out of the wellbore. The sealing function of the wireline valve may be achieved with the help of hydraulically controlled rams that facilitate sealing around the wireline during well intervention operations. The rams are selectively moved via pistons sliding through operating cylinders which receive hydraulic actuating fluid via outlying ports positioned on the operating cylinders. However, the hydraulic actuating fluid is supplied to these outlying ports via a number of hydraulic hoses, and this arrangement subjects both the hydraulic hoses and the outlying ports to increased risk of damage.

SUMMARY

[0004] In general, a system and methodology provide a wireline valve for use in a well operation. The wireline valve uses internal porting to enable internal routing with respect to the supply of hydraulic actuating fluid, thus minimizing the exposure of ports and hydraulic hoses to damage. According to an embodiment, the wireline valve comprises bonnet assemblies which extend outwardly from a wireline valve body having a longitudinal passage therethrough. Each bonnet assembly may further comprise a bonnet flange which slidably receives a piston rod therethrough. Additionally, each bonnet assembly may have an operating cylinder connected to the bonnet flange and slidably receiving a piston which is connected to the piston rod. Each piston is hydraulically actuatable via hydraulic fluid received through porting routed internally, e.g. routed within the walls of the wireline valve body, the bonnet flange, and the operating cylinder.

[0005] 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] 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 technologies described herein, and: [0007] Figure 1 is an illustration of an example of a wireline system deployed at a wellsite, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2 is an orthogonal view of an example of a wireline valve which may be used with the wireline system illustrated in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wireline valve illustrated in Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0010] Figure 4 is an orthogonal view of the wireline valve showing an opposite side of the wireline valve relative to Figure 2, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0011] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wireline valve showing an example of a portion of the internal porting network, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0012] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wireline valve showing an example of another portion of the internal porting network, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0013] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a wireline valve body coupled with an equalizing assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0014] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the wireline valve body to illustrate an example of the close porting configuration of the internal porting network, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [0015] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the wireline valve body to illustrate an example of the open porting configuration of the internal porting network, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0016] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a bonnet flange to illustrate an example of the close porting configuration of the internal porting network, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0017] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the bonnet flange to illustrate an example of the open porting configuration of the internal porting network, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0018] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of an operating cylinder to illustrate an example of the close porting configuration of the internal porting network, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0019] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the wireline valve to illustrate an example of seal assemblies which may be used along the internal porting network between, for example, the wireline valve body and the bonnet flanges, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0020] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a bonnet assembly utilizing a unitary operating cylinder combined with a modular piston and piston rod, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0021] Figure 15 is an orthogonal view of another example of a bonnet assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0022] Figure 16 is an orthogonal view of another example of a bonnet assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [0023] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a bonnet assembly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0024] Figure 18 is an exploded, cross-sectional view of a portion of the bonnet assembly illustrated in Figure 17, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] 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 the system and/or methodology may be practiced without these details and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments may be possible.

[0026] The disclosure herein generally involves a system and methodology utilizing a wireline valve which may be employed in a well operation. The wireline valve uses internal porting which enables hydraulic actuating fluid to be routed internally, thus minimizing the exposure of ports and hydraulic hoses to damage. According to an embodiment, the wireline valve comprises bonnet assemblies which extend outwardly from a wireline valve body having a longitudinal passage therethrough. Each bonnet assembly further comprises a bonnet flange which slidably receives a piston rod therethrough. Additionally, each bonnet assembly has an operating cylinder connected to the bonnet flange and slidably receiving a piston which is connected to the piston rod. Each piston is hydraulically actuatable via hydraulic fluid received through porting routed internally, e.g. routed within the walls of the wireline valve body, the bonnet flange, and the operating cylinder.

[0027] In some embodiments, the wireline valve may comprise three pairs of bonnet assemblies which are hydraulically actuated, although other numbers of bonnet assemblies may be employed in other embodiments. Hydraulic actuating fluid may be introduced through, for example, port saver subs located on one side of the wireline valve. Pressurized hydraulic actuating fluid may be supplied to the port saver subs via hydraulic lines, e.g. hydraulic hoses, and then delivered to the respective operating cylinders via the internal porting network. In various applications, the wireline valve may be positioned at the bottom of a pressure control equipment stack and just above a Christmas tree positioned over a well.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the internal porting network may comprise ports internally machined in a wireline valve body, a bonnet flange, and an operating cylinder of each bonnet assembly. The ports are passages constructed with a desirable routing, such as a routing which enables the use of a single open port saver sub and a single close port saver sub for supplying hydraulic actuating fluid to two bonnet assemblies in a cooperating pair of bonnet assemblies. This arrangement reduces the number of hoses otherwise employed. Additionally, hydraulic quick connects may be used for easy connection of the hydraulic hoses to the port saver subs. Furthermore, the port saver subs may be modular to enable customization of connections according to customer requirements while also reducing the expense of repairs if control lines are pulled out in the field.

[0029] Referring generally to Figure 1, an example of a wireline system 20 is illustrated as located at a wellsite 22. The wellsite 22 may include a well 24 formed by drilling a wellbore 26 down into a subterranean formation 28 to enable retrieval of desired well fluids, such as oil and/or gas. In the example illustrated, well equipment known as a Christmas tree 30 may be positioned above the wellbore 26 at a surface 32. It should be noted there may be many types of well equipment used in a wide variety of well operations, but Figure 1 has been provided to show an example of a wireline operation employed at wellsite 22.

[0030] In the specific example illustrated, a wireline valve 34 is located in a wireline tool stack 36 which serves as or is part of the overall pressure control equipment stack. The wireline tool stack 36 may comprise various other components, such as a stuffing box 38, a tool catcher 40 located above a lubricator 42, and a cable cutter 44. The lubricator 42 may be located above the wireline valve 34 which, in turn, may be positioned above and coupled to the Christmas tree 30. A cable 46, e.g. a wireline cable, may be supplied via a cable truck 47 and routed about a lower sheave 48, around an upper sheave 50, and then down through wireline tool stack 36. As the wireline cable 46 is unspooled, it continues downwardly through Christmas tree 30 and then down into wellbore 26. A wireline tool or tools 52 may be connected to the lower end of the wireline cable 46.

[0031] The upper sheave 50 may be suspended above the wellbore 26 by, for example, a boom 54 mounted on a boom truck 56. The wireline valve 34 and other components of the overall wireline system 20 may be hydraulically controlled via hydraulic actuation fluid supplied by hydraulic lines 58, which are connected to a hydraulic pumping system 60. By way of example, the hydraulic lines 58 may be hydraulic hoses connected with wireline valve 34, stuffing box 38, cable cutter 44, and/or other hydraulically controlled tools. The hydraulic pumping system 60 may be electrically powered via an electric power source, such as a power grid or power generator. It should be noted, the wireline valve 34 may be used in many types wireline cables and other types of cables in a variety of well related systems which benefit from well pressure control.

[0032] Referring generally to Figures 2-3, an example of wireline valve 34 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the wireline valve 34 comprises a plurality of bonnet assemblies 62. For example, the bonnet assemblies 62 may be arranged in pairs of opposed bonnet assemblies 62. The illustrated embodiment shows three pairs of opposed bonnet assemblies 62, although other numbers of bonnet assemblies may be employed for a given application, e.g. two pairs or four pairs of bonnet assemblies 62. The bonnet assemblies 62 extend from a wireline valve body 64 having a longitudinal passage 66 (see Figure 3) which provides access to the wellbore 26.

[0033] Each bonnet assembly 62 also comprises a bonnet flange 68, connected to the wireline valve body 64, and an operating cylinder 70 connected to the bonnet flange 68. Each bonnet flange 68 has a suitable opening for slidably and sealingly receiving a piston rod 72 which is coupled with a piston 74. According to an embodiment, each bonnet flange 68 may be slidably mounted on rods 76, which are threadably engaged or otherwise connected to wireline valve body 64. Each bonnet flange 68 may be secured to the wireline valve body 64 via bonnet bolts 78 or other suitable fasteners. Each operating cylinder 70 may be secured to the corresponding bonnet flange 68 by threaded fasteners 80, e.g. threaded studs, or other suitable fasteners.

[0034] Each piston 74 is slidably received within the interior of the corresponding operating cylinder 70. Piston 74 may be a modular piston, as explained in greater detail below, to facilitate construction of the piston 74 and the piston rod 72 from different materials. For example, the piston rod 72 may be made from a stronger, more corrosion resistant material while the piston 74 is made from a less expensive material. The modularity of piston 74 enables mounting of different pistons on the same piston rod 72 so that different types and sizes of piston 74 may be used in different types of wireline valves 34.

[0035] As further illustrated in Figure 3, an internal end of the piston rod 72 also may be connected to a corresponding ram 82. Each ram 82 is slidably received in a lateral, e.g. horizontal, passage 84 of wireline valve body 64. In the example illustrated, six lateral passages 84 intersect with longitudinal passage 66 of wireline valve body 64. The rams 82 may each comprise a seal element 86, e.g. a rubber seal element, positioned and sized for sealing engagement with cable 46 when the rams 82 are actuated inwardly to a closed position via shifting of pistons 74.

[0036] Locking mechanisms 88 may be used to lock the rams 82 in the closed position. By way of example, locking mechanisms 88 may comprise lock screws 90 which are each threadably engaged with an outlying portion of the corresponding operating cylinder 70. Once the piston 74 and rams 82 have been shifted to the closed position, the lock screws 90 can be rotated and moved inwardly against the piston rod 72 to lock the rams 82 in sealing engagement with the cable 46. Retention mechanisms 92, e.g. retention pins, may be used to prevent inadvertent removal of the lock screws 90. In other words, the retention mechanisms 92 limit the extent to which the lock screws 90 may be unscrewed from the operating cylinders 70.

[0037] Wireline valve 34 also may comprise connection ends 94 by which the wireline valve 34 is connected to adjacent components, e.g. Christmas tree 30. By way of example, the connection ends 94 may comprise pin-and-box type connection ends. In the embodiment illustrated, the upper connection end 94 comprises a threaded exterior 96 by which the next upper adjacent component may be threadably engaged with the wireline valve 34. The upper connection end 94 also may comprise an internal cavity 98 sized to receive a corresponding feature of the next upper adjacent component. According to the illustrated embodiment, the lower connection end 94 comprises a rotatable, threaded union 100 having internal threads for threadably engaging the next lower adjacent component. The threaded union 100 may be constructed to tighten against a corresponding abutment 102 of wireline valve body 64.

[0038] In some embodiments, the wireline valve 34 also may comprise a side outlet 104 which may be closed with a side outlet cover 106. The side outlet 104 may be used to gain high-pressure access to the wellbore by, for example, unbolting the side outlet cover 106 and connecting an appropriate tube, e.g. hose. With additional reference to Figure 4, some embodiments of the wireline valve 34 also may comprise an equalizing assembly 108. The equalizing assembly 108 may be located on one side of the wireline valve 34 for equalizing pressures below and above at least some of the rams 82.

[0039] Referring generally to Figures 5 and 6, cross-sectional views of the wireline valve 34 are provided to help illustrate an internal porting network 110. The internal porting network 110 is used to provide hydraulic actuating fluid to the operating cylinders 70 and corresponding pistons 74 so as to enable selective actuation of the pistons 74, and thus the rams 82, in a closing or opening direction. The internal porting network 110 may comprise porting 112 in the form of passages routed through the wireline valve body 64 as well as through the corresponding bonnet flanges 68 and operating cylinders 70. The internal porting 1 12 avoids the use of outlying ports on the operating cylinders while also avoiding the corresponding hoses that would otherwise be coupled with the outlying ports. The internal porting 112 illustrated herein may be in the form of machined passages.

[0040] Hydraulic actuating fluid is placed in communication with the internal porting network 110 via close port fittings 114 and open port fittings 116 mounted on wireline valve body 64. The close and open port fittings 114, 116 may be combined with hydraulic quick connects 118 to facilitate rapid connection and disconnection of hydraulic lines 58.

[0041] In Figure 5, the illustrated internal porting 112 is routed from the corresponding close port fittings 114 to an interior of the upper opposed pair of bonnet assemblies 62 and specifically to the corresponding operating cylinders 70. The hydraulic actuating fluid is routed to the interior of operating cylinders 70 so as to shift the corresponding pistons 74, and thus the corresponding rams 82, to the closed position within longitudinal passage 66. It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment the internal porting 112 may be routed from a single close port fitting 114 to both of the opposed bonnet assemblies 62, thus reducing the number of close port fittings 114. The same pattern of closing internal porting 112 may be repeated for each opposed pair of bonnet assemblies 62.

[0042] In Figure 6, the illustrated internal porting 112 is routed from the corresponding open port fittings 116 to an interior of the upper opposed pair of bonnet assemblies 62 and specifically to the corresponding operating cylinders 70. The hydraulic actuating fluid is again routed to the interior of operating cylinders 70 but on an opposite side of pistons 74 so as to shift the corresponding pistons 74, and thus the corresponding rams 82, to the open position which opens up longitudinal passage 66. Similar to that described above with respect to the close port fittings 114, the internal porting 112 may be routed from a single open port fitting 116 to both of the opposed bonnet assemblies 62, thus reducing the number of open port fittings 116. The same pattern of opening internal porting 112 may be repeated for each opposed pair of bonnet assemblies 62.

[0043] Referring generally to Figures 7-12, cross-sectional illustrations are provided of components of the wireline valve 34 to help explain the equalizing assembly 108 and the internal porting 112. As illustrated in Figure 7, the equalizing assembly 108 may be mounted alongside the wireline valve body 64. The equalizing assembly 108 has a plurality of equalizing passages 120 which are placed in communication with longitudinal passage 66.

[0044] For example, the equalizing passages 120 may be sealably connected with lateral wireline valve body passages 122 at positions below and above each set of rams 82 or selected sets of rams 82. In this manner, the equalizing assembly 108 provides a pathway for equalizing well pressure below and above the rams 82. By way of example, when opening rams 82, it may be desirable to equalize high pressure below the rams 82 with pressure above the rams by diverting the high-pressure from the bottom to the top of each set of rams 82.

[0045] In some embodiments, the equalizing assembly 108 may comprise other features such as needle valves 124 and access ports 126 (see also Figure 4) which may be used to provide access for a pressure gauge, for injection, or for other operational procedures. It should be noted with reference to Figure 7, the side outlet 104 may be formed via a passage 128 also extending laterally through wireline valve body 64 to longitudinal passage 66.

[0046] Referring again to Figures 8 and 9, examples of the internal porting 112 routed through wireline valve body 64 are illustrated. Figure 8 illustrates the close port configuration of internal porting 112 routed from a single close port fitting 114 via an inlet port 130 toward a pair of corresponding bonnet assemblies 62. Figure 9 illustrates the open port configuration of internal porting 112 routed from a single open port fitting 116 via an inlet port 132 toward the pair of corresponding bonnet assemblies 62. [0047] From the internal porting 112 of wireline valve body 64, the hydraulic actuating fluid is directed to internal porting 112 through corresponding bonnet flanges 68 illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 illustrates the close port configuration of internal porting 112, and Figure 11 illustrates the open port configuration of internal porting 112.

[0048] From the internal porting 112 of bonnet flanges 68, the hydraulic actuating fluid is directed to internal porting 112 through corresponding operating cylinders 70 as illustrated in Figure 12. It should be noted Figure 12 illustrates the close port configuration of internal porting 112 which directs the hydraulic actuating fluid to the closing side of piston 74 via a port 134. The open port configuration of internal porting 112 (not shown) directs the hydraulic actuating fluid to the opening side of piston 74. Accordingly, the hydraulic actuating fluid flows internally from the port fittings 114, 116 to the interior of the corresponding operating cylinders 70 during actuation of rams 82.

[0049] In some embodiments, the connection of internal porting 112 across separable components may be facilitated via seal mechanisms 134, such as the valved couplers 136 illustrated in Figure 13. In this example, each valved coupler 136 comprises a female valve coupler component 138 disposed in one component and oriented to receive a male valve coupler component 140 disposed in the adjacent component. According to the example illustrated in Figure 13, the female valve coupler components 138 are located along the internal porting 112 within the wireline valve body 64 and the male valve coupler components 140 are located along the internal porting 112 within the adjacent bonnet flanges 68.

[0050] The valve coupler components 138, 140 may each comprise a spring- loaded check valve 142 which is biased to a close flow position when the components, e.g. wireline valve body 64 and corresponding bonnet flanges 68, are separated from each other. The ability of the valve coupler components 138, 140 to automatically shift to the close configuration prevents release and spillage of hydraulic actuating fluid when wireline valve components are disassembled, e.g. when a given bonnet subassembly is removed from the wireline valve body 64.

[0051] Referring generally to Figure 14, a cross-sectional illustration is provided of one of the operating cylinders 70 coupled to a corresponding bonnet flange 68. In this example, piston 74 is a modular piston 144 which slides along an internal cylindrical surface 146 of operating cylinder 70. As with other pistons 74, the modular piston 144 comprises at least one seal ring 145 which forms a seal between the piston 74/modular piston 144 and internal cylindrical surface 146 during actuation movement.

[0052] Additionally, the modular piston 144 is releasably secured to piston rod 72 via an attachment mechanism 148. By way of example, the attachment mechanism 148 may comprise a plurality, e g. two, semicircular moon plates 150 which are secured to modular piston 144 via suitable fasteners 152, e.g. threaded bolts. The semicircular moon plates 150 may be positioned in a corresponding recess 154 formed about the circumference of piston rod 72. When the moon plates 150 are positioned in recess 154 and bolted to modular piston 144, the modular piston 144 is effectively locked in place along the piston rod 72.

[0053] Accordingly, the modular piston 144 and piston rod 72 are readily interchanged so that different sizes and types of modular pistons 144 may be used with a common piston rod 72. Additionally, the piston rod 72 and modular piston 144 may be formed from different materials to potentially enable use of a less expensive material to form the modular piston 144.

[0054] In this example, the piston rod 72 also comprises an internal attachment end 156 configured for attachment with the corresponding ram 82. Additionally, the piston rod 72 may comprise an abutment 158 located at a necked down region of the piston rod 72 to limit linear movement of the piston rod 72 through the corresponding operating cylinder 70. As with other embodiments illustrated in the previous Figures, the piston rod may be sealingly slidable through an opening 159 formed through the bonnet flange 68. Also, lock screw 90 may be threadably engaged with the outlying portion of operating cylinder 70 to enable locking of piston rod 72, modular piston 144, and the corresponding ram 82 in the closed position where the ram 82 seals against the cable 46. In some embodiments, a window or windows 160 may be formed through the outlying portion of operating cylinder 70 (or through other appropriate portions) to provide an operator with an indication as to location of the piston rod 72/piston 74.

[0055] It should be noted this embodiment of operating cylinder 70 provides a single piece, unitary operating cylinder 70 which simplifies construction. By way of example, the unitary operating cylinder 70 may be cast as a single piece and then machined appropriately to form, for example, internal cylindrical surface 146. The use of a single, unitary construction can simplify assembly and cut down on component cost.

[0056] Referring generally to Figure 15, another embodiment of a portion of bonnet assembly 62 is illustrated. In this example, the operating cylinder 70 comprises a cylinder 162 combined with a separate cylinder head 164 and a separate outlying lock housing 166. The cylinder head 164 is secured to the corresponding bonnet flange 68 via fasteners 168, e.g. threaded studs, to secure the cylinder 162 between the cylinder head 164 and the bonnet flange 68. Additionally, the separate lock housing 166 is secured to the cylinder head 164 via additional fasteners 170, e g. threaded studs. The lock housing 166 may include one or more windows 160.

[0057] In Figure 16, another embodiment of a portion of the bonnet assembly 62 is illustrated. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment described with reference to Figure 15, however the number of fasteners 168, 170 has been reduced. The reduction in number of fasteners 168, 170 may be achieved by utilizing larger sized studs with an optimized layout of the studs. This configuration also may utilize lock pins or other retention mechanisms to prevent unwanted removal of the lock screw 90 from the separate lock housing 166. [0058] Referring generally to Figures 17 and 18, another embodiment of a portion of the bonnet assembly 62 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the separate outlying lock housing 166 is secured to cylinder head 164 without separate fasteners. As illustrated, the separate lock housing 166 is inserted through an opening 172 in the corresponding cylinder head 164 from the left or internal side of cylinder head 164. The lock housing 166 comprises an expanded retention end 174 which has flat sides 176, e.g. flat sides arranged generally in a square configuration. The flat sides 176 abuttingly engage corresponding flat sides 178 within opening 172 (see Figure 18). The expanded retention end 174 prevents the separate lock housing 166 from passing outwardly through the cylinder head 164, and the flat sides 176 prevent rotation of the lock housing 166 relative to the cylinder head 164.

[0059] In this example, the separate lock housing 166 may be secured within cylinder head 164 via a retainer plate 180 having an internal seal 182 combined with a retention ring 184. By way of example, the retention ring 184 may be in the form of a snap ring which is received in a corresponding ring groove 186 so as to trap the expanded retention end 174 in cylinder head 164.

[0060] Depending on the specific well operation and well equipment, the wireline valve 34 may be combined with a variety of additional and/or other components. Additionally, the wireline valve 34 may be used for selective sealing against wireline cable as well as other types of cable 46 employed in a variety of well related operations. It should be noted the figures illustrate a variety of seals which may be used between stationary components and components undergoing relative motion, e.g. piston 74 and operating cylinder 70. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the seals may comprise O-ring seals, chevron seals, T-seals, and a variety of other seals to provide the desired sealing functionality between components. Additionally, the connection ends 130 of wireline valve 34 may comprise a variety of features and forms to facilitate coupling with other types of components. [0061] Furthermore, the wireline valve 34 may be constructed in various sizes and shapes with desired features for a given operation. In some embodiments, for example, the piston 74 may be modular while other embodiments may utilize a dedicated piston 74 and piston rod 72. The number of bonnet assemblies 62 also may vary. For example, a pair of bonnet assemblies 62, two pairs of bonnet assemblies 62, three pairs of bonnet assemblies 62, or additional pairs of bonnet assemblies 62 may be employed according to the parameters of a given well operation. In some embodiments, the bonnet assemblies 62 for both sides of the wireline valve body 64 may be constructed the same so as to simplify part supply and assembly. However, the opposed bonnet assemblies 62 also could be unique relative to each other.

[0062] The internal porting network 110 may comprise various patterns and arrangements of internal porting 112 to facilitate connection of components and/or ram closing or opening functionality. Different numbers of port fittings 114, 116 also may be employed according to the number of bonnet assemblies 62 and the arrangement of internal porting network 110. Similarly, various other changes and adjustments to the components of wireline valve 34 may be made to accommodate the equipment and goals associated with a given well operation.

[0063] Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that 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.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for use in a wireline operation, comprising: a wireline valve having a plurality of pairs of bonnet assemblies, each pair of bonnet assemblies comprising opposed bonnet assemblies extending from a wireline valve body having a longitudinal passage therethrough, each opposed bonnet assembly further comprising: a bonnet flange slidably receiving a piston rod therethrough; and an operating cylinder connected to the bonnet flange and slidably receiving a piston, the piston being coupled to the piston rod, each bonnet assembly further comprising porting routed through the wireline valve body, the bonnet flange, and the operating cylinder to enable hydraulic actuation of the piston in selected closing and opening directions.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each piston rod is connected to a ram oriented for lateral movement into the longitudinal passage of the wireline valve body.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pairs comprises three pairs of bonnet assemblies.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the porting comprises machined passages within the wireline valve body, the bonnet flange, and the operating cylinder of each opposed bonnet assembly.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the porting for each opposed bonnet assembly is routed to a close port saver sub and an open port saver sub. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein each of the close port saver subs and open port saver subs supplies hydraulic fluid to two operating cylinders. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the porting is routed through at least one valved coupler positioned between the wireline valve body and the bonnet flange. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the wireline valve further comprises a lock screw on each opposed bonnet assembly, the lock screw being positioned to enable locking of the ram in a closed configuration. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the wireline valve further comprises an equalizer assembly for equalizing well pressure on the uphole side and the downhole side of selected rams. A system, comprising: a wireline valve for use in a wireline operation, the wireline valve comprising: a wireline valve body with a longitudinal passage for receiving a wireline therethrough during the wireline operation; a bonnet flange coupled to the wireline valve body; an operating cylinder coupled to the bonnet flange; a piston slidably mounted within the operating cylinder; a piston rod connected to the piston and slidably extending through an opening in the bonnet flange; a ram connected to the piston rod and oriented for movement laterally into the longitudinal passage; and a porting network routed internally through the wireline valve body, the bonnet flange, and the operating cylinder to enable hydraulic actuation of the piston and thus the ram. The system as recited in claim 10, further comprising: a second bonnet flange coupled to the wireline valve body on an opposite side of the wireline valve body; and a second operating cylinder coupled to the second bonnet flange to enable operation of a second ram. The system as recited in claim 10, further comprising a Christmas tree, the wireline valve being mounted above the Christmas tree. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the piston rod is connected to the piston via moon plates to facilitate formation of the piston and the piston rod from different materials. The system as recited in claim 13, further comprising a hydraulic actuating fluid system coupled to the wireline valve body in communication with the porting network to enable shifting of the piston and thus the ram. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein each operating cylinder is formed from a single casting. The system as recited in claim 10, further comprising an equalizer assembly for equalizing well pressure on the ram. A method, comprising: providing a wireline valve with a plurality of pairs of bonnet assemblies, each bonnet assembly having a bonnet flange coupled with a wireline valve body and an operating cylinder coupled with the bonnet flange; deploying a hydraulically actuated piston in each bonnet assembly; coupling a ram to each hydraulically actuated piston; and routing hydraulic actuating fluid passages internally from the wireline valve body to enable selective actuation of each ram. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein providing the wireline valve with a plurality of pairs comprises providing the wireline valve with three pairs of bonnet assemblies. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising mounting the wireline valve over a Christmas tree positioned above a well. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising deploying a wireline down through the wireline valve, the Christmas tree, and into the well.