Hydraulic Delay Toe Valve System and Method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing a time delay in injection of pressured fluid into a geologic formation. In one aspect the invention is a toe valve activated by fluid pressure that opens ports after a predetermined time interval to allow fluid to pass from a well casing to a formation. The controlled time delay enables casing integrity testing before fluid is passed through the ports. This time delay also allows multiple valves to be used in the same well casing and provide a focused jetting action to better penetrate a concrete casing lining.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sliding sleeve valve for use in a wellbore casing comprising a mandrel with a first threaded end and a second threaded end; said mandrel manufactured from one integral piece such that said mandrel carries a torque rating of said wellbore casing when said mandrel is threaded to ends of said wellbore casing. 
     
     
         2 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, a plurality of components are installed on an outer surface of said mandrel. 
     
     
         3 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, a plurality of components are installed on an inner surface of said mandrel. 
     
     
         4 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, a plurality of components are installed on an inner surface of said mandrel and an outer surface of said mandrel. 
     
     
         5 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, a plurality of components are installed longitudinally from one end of said mandrel towards an opposite end of said mandrel. 
     
     
         6 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, a plurality of components are installed longitudinally from either end of said mandrel. 
     
     
         7 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, said first threaded end and second threaded end are configured with threads; said threads are configured to conform to said wellbore casing torque specification. 
     
     
         8 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, said sliding sleeve valve is installed on a toe end of said wellbore casing. 
     
     
         9 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, said mandrel is made of materials selected from a group comprising of: steel, cast iron or ceramics. 
     
     
         10 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, said sliding sleeve valve is a controlled hydraulic time delay valve. 
     
     
         11 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 10 , wherein, said controlled hydraulic time delay valve comprises dual time delay valves; said dual time delay valves are each actuated by dual actuating devices. 
     
     
         12 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 10 , wherein, said controlled hydraulic time delay valve comprises dual time delay valves; said dual time delay valves are both actuated by a single actuating device. 
     
     
         13 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1  wherein, said sliding sleeve valve is configured to be conveyed with said wellbore casing. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a sliding sleeve valve for use in a wellbore casing; said sliding sleeve valve comprising a mandrel with a first threaded end and a second threaded end; said mandrel manufactured from one integral piece such that said mandrel carries a torque rating of said wellbore casing when mandrel is threaded to said wellbore casing;
 wherein said method comprises the steps of:   (1) installing a pressure actuating disk onto said mandrel;   (2) installing a piston onto said mandrel to cover a plurality of openings in said mandrel from said first threaded end towards said second threaded end and hydraulically locking in place;   (3) sliding a first outer housing over said piston from said first threaded end and stopping on a first shoulder;   (4) installing a high pressure chamber with the fluid from said first threaded end and stopping adjacent to said piston;   (5) installing a restriction assembly from said first end and stopping adjacent to said high pressure chamber;   (6) sliding a second outer housing over said mandrel adjacent to said restriction assembly;   (7) installing an end cap in said mandrel and creating a low pressure chamber adjacent to said restriction assembly; and   (8) threading said wellbore casing to said sliding sleeve valve with said mandrel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, a plurality of components are installed on an outer surface of said mandrel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, a plurality of components are installed on an inner surface of said mandrel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, a plurality of components are installed on an inner surface of said mandrel and an outer surface of said mandrel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, a plurality of components are installed longitudinally from one end of said mandrel towards an opposite end of said mandrel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, a plurality of components are installed longitudinally from either end of said mandrel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, said first threaded end and second threaded end are configured with threads; said threads are configured to conform to said wellbore casing torque specification. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, said sliding sleeve valve is installed on a toe end of said wellbore casing. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, said mandrel is made of materials selected from a group comprising of: steel, cast iron or ceramics. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, said sliding sleeve valve is a controlled hydraulic time delay valve. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein, said controlled hydraulic time delay valve comprises dual time delay valves; said dual time delay valves are each actuated by dual actuating devices. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein, said controlled hydraulic time delay valve comprises dual time delay valves; said dual time delay valves are both actuated by a single actuating device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14  wherein, said sliding sleeve valve is configured to be conveyed with said wellbore casing.