Valve device for a side pocket or sub in a well

Abstract

A valve device for use in a side pocket and/or sub in a well, having a housing ( 1 ) with a first port ( 2 ) and a second port ( 3 ), a first valve body ( 11 ) movably mounted internally in the housing( 1 ), a second valve body ( 20 ) mounted internally in the housing ( 1 ) and movable relative to both the housing ( 1 ) and the first valve body ( 11 ), where a first locking device (A) is configured between the first valve body ( 11 ) and the second valve body ( 20 ) in order to lock the movement of the first valve body ( 11 ) relative to the second valve body ( 20 ) in one direction and in such a manner that when the first locking device (A) is activated, the first valve body ( 11 ) is held in an open position as long as the second valve body ( 20 ) is in an open position.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A valve device for use in a side pocket and/or sub in a well, comprising a housing ( 1 ) with a first port ( 2 ) and a second port ( 3 ), where during use the first port ( 2 ) leads to the annulus and the second port ( 3 ) leads to the tubing, and a first valve body ( 11 ) is movably mounted internally in the housing( 1 ), and a second valve body ( 20 ) is mounted internally in the housing ( 1 ) and movable relative to both the housing ( 1 ) and the first valve body ( 11 ),
 wherein   a first locking device (A) is configured between the first valve body ( 11 ) and the second valve body ( 20 ) in order to lock the movement of the first valve body ( 11 ) relative to the second valve body ( 20 ) in one direction and in such a manner that when the first locking device (A) is activated, the first valve body ( 11 ) is held in an open position as long as the second valve body ( 20 ) is in an open position, thereby providing through-flow through the valve device, and   a second locking device (C) is configured between the second valve body ( 20 ) and the housing ( 1 ), with the result that release of the second locking device (C) will permit movement of the second valve body ( 20 ) relative to the housing ( 1 ) and thereby to a closed position of the valve device, thereby also permitting the first valve body ( 11 ) to go to a closed position.   
     
     
         13 . A valve device according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein a third locking device (B) is configured between the second valve body ( 20 ), the housing ( 1 ) and the first valve body ( 11 ), in such a manner that the second valve body ( 20 ) is permanently locked relative to the housing ( 1 ) in an open position until the first valve body ( 11 ) is locked in the first locking device (A) and thereby in an open position of the valve device.   
     
     
         14 . A valve device according to  claim 12  or  13 ,
 wherein a fourth locking device (D) is configured between the housing ( 1 ) and the first valve body ( 11 ) in such a manner that it locks the first valve body ( 11 ) to the housing ( 1 ) in a closed position and further arranged so that it (D) has to be released before the first valve body ( 11 ) can be moved and locked by the first locking device (D). 
 
     
     
         15 . A valve device according to  claim 12  or  13 ,
 wherein the first locking device (A) is activated from a neutral position to a locked position by the first valve body ( 11 ) being moved relative to the housing ( 1 ) from a closed position to a locked open position when a given pressure differential is attained between a pressure at the first port ( 2 ) and a pressure at the second port ( 3 ). 
 
     
     
         16 . A valve device according to  claim 12  or  13 ,
 wherein a chamber ( 31 ;  31 ′) set at a given pressure before installation of the valve device in the well is provided between the second valve body ( 20 ) and the housing ( 1 ). 
 
     
     
         17 . A valve device according  claim 12  or  13 ,
 wherein the second locking device (C) is configured in such a manner that when the valve device is in an open position, the second locking device (C) can be released when there is a given pressure differential between the chamber ( 31 ;  31 ′) and a pressure at the first or second port ( 2 ,  3 ), with the result that the second valve body ( 20 ) goes to a closed position. 
 
     
     
         18 . A valve device according to  claim 12  or  13 ,
 wherein the valve device comprises a fifth locking device (E) which locks the second valve body ( 20 ) permanently relative to the housing ( 1 ) in a closed position. 
 
     
     
         19 . A valve device according to  claim 12  or  13 ,
 wherein the first valve body ( 11 ) is mounted relatively inside the second valve body ( 20 ), where the first valve body ( 11 ) in a closed position shuts off the second port ( 3 ) and the second valve body ( 20 ) in a closed position shuts off the first port ( 2 ). 
 
     
     
         20 . A valve device according to  claim 12  or  13 ,
 characterised in that the second valve body ( 20 ) is substantially sleeve-shaped and comprises an admission port ( 21 ) through the sleeve wall for fluid through-flow. 
 
     
     
         21 . A valve device according to  claim 12  or  13 ,
 wherein the first valve body ( 11 ) comprises a substantially cylindrical main part with a central through-flow passage ( 14 ) with a port ( 15 ) at one end of the cylinder facing the first port ( 2 ) of the valve device and a closed opposite end of the cylinder with ports ( 13 ) arranged in a side wall of the cylinder facing the second port ( 3 ) of the valve device. 
 
     
     
         22 . A method for operation of a valve device between the tubing and annulus in a well, where the valve comprises a first port ( 2 ) and a second port ( 3 ), comprising the steps of pressurising fluid in the annulus which is permitted to flow into the valve device until a pressure differential is achieved between annulus pressure and tubing pressure, thereby causing the second port ( 3 ) of the valve to be opened, characterised in that the valve is locked in this position and fluid is permitted to flow through the valve, whereupon the fluid in the well is pressurised so that a locking device (C) internally in the valve is broken and both the second and the first port are shut off.