US5531270A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Downhole flow control in multiple wells
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
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Filing: 1995-05-04
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Granted: 1996-07-02
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Expires: 2015-05-04
Abstract
Abstract Remotely controllable fluid flow control valves are disposed in the main wellbore and branch wellbores of a multiple well. Each flow control valve has a radio frequency range receiver, a controller and an actuator for moving a closure member to a selected position to control fluid flow in the wellbore in which the valve is disposed. A signal transmitter may be conveyed into the main wellbore by an E-line or coilable tubing and radio frequency range electromagnetic wave energy signals may be transmitted to the selected valve to effect fluid flow control within each wellbore of the multiple well. The remotely controllable valves eliminate expensive and difficult procedures associated with reentering branch wells extending from a central or main wellbore.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Fletcher
- 👤 Gregory S. Walz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:19
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/0035; E21B34/00; E21B34/06; E21B47/00; E21B47/12; E21B47/13; E21B2200/00; E21B2200/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for controlling fluid flow in a well including at least one wellbore, said system comprising: a fluid flow control valve interposed in said wellbore for controlling flow of fluid between a predetermined portion of said wellbore and the surface, said flow control valve including a valve closure member, an actuator, a controller and a signal receiver for receiving wireless signals for selectively positioning said closure member to control the flow of fluid through said flow control valve; and a signal transmitter disposed in said wellbore in a preselected position spaced from said flow control valve and operable to transmit signals to said receiver for operating said flow control valve, at will.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A system for controlling fluid flow in a well including at least one wellbore, said system comprising: a fluid flow control valve interposed in said wellbore for controlling flow of fluid between a predetermined portion of said wellbore and the surface, said flow control valve including a valve closure member, an actuator, a controller and a signal receiver for receiving wireless signals for selectively positioning said closure member to control the flow of fluid through said flow control valve; and a signal transmitter disposed in said wellbore in a preselected position spaced from said flow control valve and operable to transmit signals to said receiver for operating said flow control valve, at will.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein: said signal transmitter is connected to means for moving said transmitter into and out of said wellbore and for selectively positioning said transmitter in said wellbore for generating signals to operate said flow control valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system set forth in claim 2 wherein: said transmitter is disposed on conveyor means movable into and out of said wellbore through a wellhead at the surface of an earth formation penetrated by said wellbore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein: said transmitter and said receiver are operable to transmit and receive, respectively, electromagnetic wave energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein: said well includes a main wellbore extending from the surface through a portion of an earth formation and multiple wellbores in communication with said main wellbore and extending in different directions from said main wellbore, each of said multiple wellbores including one of said flow control valves disposed therein and said transmitter includes means for selectively controlling respective ones of said flow control valves in said multiple wellbores.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
A remotely controllable fluid flow control valve for placement in a wellbore for controlling fluid flow through said wellbore, said flow control valve comprising: a valve body including means for connecting said body to means disposed in said wellbore; a closure member disposed on said body and operable to control the flow of fluid through a flow passage in said body; an actuator for moving said closure member between open and closed positions of said passage; a controller operably connected to said actuator for converting signals received by said flow control valve to signals for causing said actuator to move said closure member; a receiver disposed on said body and comprising means for receiving electromagnetic wave energy signals; and an energy source operably connected to said receiver, said controller and said actuator for controlling the movement of said closure member in response to electromagnetic signals being received by said receiver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
A remotely controllable fluid flow control valve for placement in a wellbore for controlling fluid flow through said wellbore, said flow control valve comprising: a valve body including means for connecting said body to means disposed in said wellbore; a closure member disposed on said body and operable to control the flow of fluid through a flow passage in said body; an actuator for moving said closure member between open and closed positions of said passage; a controller operably connected to said actuator for converting signals received by said flow control valve to signals for causing said actuator to move said closure member; a receiver disposed on said body and comprising means for receiving electromagnetic wave energy signals; and an energy source operably connected to said receiver, said controller and said actuator for controlling the movement of said closure member in response to electromagnetic signals being received by said receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flow control valve set forth in claim 6 including: antenna means operably connected to said body and said receiver for receiving signals transmitted within said wellbore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The valve set forth in claim 7 including: a retrieval head associated with said body for inserting and retrieving said valve within said wellbore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve set forth in claim 8 wherein: said antenna means is disposed in said retrieval head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The valve set forth in claim 7 including: releasable lock means disposed on said body and cooperable with means disposed in said wellbore for receiving said flow control valve in a position in said wellbore for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a well penetrating an earth formation including a main wellbore extending within said formation from the earth's surface and at least one branch wellbore extending from the main wellbore to provide at least two wellbores in communication with respective earth formation zones, respective fluid flow control valves disposed in said wellbores for controlling flow of fluid therethrough between said earth formation and said surface, each of said flow control valves including a valve closure member, an actuator, and signal receiver means for receiving wireless signals within said well for selectively operating said flow control valves to control fluid flow therethrough; and a wireless signal transmitter disposed in said well at a selected point for operating at least one of said flow control valves by transmission of electromagnetic wave energy signals to said receiver means for operation of said closure member, at will.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a well penetrating an earth formation including a main wellbore extending within said formation from the earth's surface and at least one branch wellbore extending from the main wellbore to provide at least two wellbores in communication with respective earth formation zones, respective fluid flow control valves disposed in said wellbores for controlling flow of fluid therethrough between said earth formation and said surface, each of said flow control valves including a valve closure member, an actuator, and signal receiver means for receiving wireless signals within said well for selectively operating said flow control valves to control fluid flow therethrough; and a wireless signal transmitter disposed in said well at a selected point for operating at least one of said flow control valves by transmission of electromagnetic wave energy signals to said receiver means for operation of said closure member, at will.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention set forth in claim 11 wherein: said transmitter is connected to means for moving said transmitter into and out of said main wellbore and for selectively positioning said transmitter in said main wellbore for generating signals to operate said flow control valves, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention set forth in claim 12 wherein: said transmitter is disposed on conveyor means movable into and out of said wellbore through a wellhead at the surface of an earth formation penetrated by said wellbore.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention set forth in claim 11 wherein: said receiver means are each operable to receive signals of a predetermined characteristic to provide for independent control of said flow control valves, respectively.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention set forth in claim 11 wherein: each of said flow control valves includes a controller connected to said actuator; and an energy source comprising a battery operably connected to said receiver means, said controller and said actuator for controlling the movement of said closure member in response to electromagnetic signals received by said receiver means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention set forth in claim 15 including: antenna means operably connected to said receiver means for receiving signals transmitted within said well.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention set forth in claim 11 including: a retrieval head connected to each of said flow control valves for inserting and retrieving said flow control valves within said well, respectively.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention set forth in claim 11 including: releasable lock means disposed on said flow control valves and cooperable with means disposed in said wellbores, respectively, for receiving said flow control valves in positions in said wellbores for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-02 | 2000-01-01 | 2000-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-02 | 2004-01-01 | 2004-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-02 | 2008-01-01 | 2008-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |