Sliding Sleeve Valve and Shifting Tool Therefor

Abstract

A sliding sleeve valve comprises a sliding sleeve having an internal profile along the length thereof, wherein the internal profile has a length that is less than the length of the sleeve and wherein the profile is adapted to engage a sleeve shifting tool. A sleeve shifting tool comprises sleeve engagement arms, for engaging a sliding sleeve of a sliding sleeve valve, wherein the sleeve engagement arms are hydraulically driven by a reciprocally rotating mandrel. An indexing tool allows rotation of the shifting tool to be achieved by axially moving a work string.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sliding sleeve valve for a tubing string, the valve comprising a generally tubular structure having a longitudinal axis and a first connecting end and a second connecting end, the first and second connecting ends being connectable to tubing string components, the valve comprising:
 a first sub, having a first end comprising the first connecting end and a second end;   a second sub, having a first end comprising the second connecting end and a second end;   a generally cylindrical housing extending between the first and second subs and having first and second ends, and a wall having an interior surface; and,   a generally cylindrical sliding sleeve coaxially located within the housing and having first end facing the first sub second end and a second end facing the second sub second end;   wherein:
 the housing first end is connected to the first sub second end, and the housing second end is connected to the second sub second end; 
 the housing wall includes at least one port for providing fluid communication through the wall; and, 
 the interior surface of the wall has a profile defining at least first and second circumferential grooves provided at spaced separate locations along the longitudinal axis; 
 the sliding sleeve is slidable, with respect to the housing, along the longitudinal axis of the valve; 
 sliding of the sliding sleeve within the housing is limited by the first sub second end and the second sub second end; 
 the sleeve is slidable between a closed port position, where the sleeve covers the at least one port, and an open port position, where the sleeve does not cover the at least one port; 
 the sleeve has an inner surface with a region with reduced internal diameter, wherein the length of the region of reduced internal diameter is less than the length of the sleeve and wherein the region of reduced internal diameter defines a cross-sectional profile, the profile having opposed shoulders; and, 
 the sleeve includes a locating means adapted to engage the first groove or second groove, wherein the locating means is engaged within the first groove when the sleeve is in the closed port position and wherein the locating means is engaged within the second groove when the sleeve is in the open port position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1 , wherein first and second grooves are wider than the locating means. 
     
     
         3 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 1 , wherein the locating means comprises at least one snap ring provided on the outer circumference of the sliding sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The sliding sleeve valve of  claim 3 , wherein the snap ring is provided within a groove provided on the outer surface of the sliding sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . A shifting tool for shifting a sleeve of a sliding sleeve valve, the shifting tool comprising a generally cylindrical body having a lumen and a longitudinal axis, the shifting tool comprising:
 two or more sleeve engagement arms provided on the cylindrical body, wherein:
 the sleeve engagement arms comprise elongate elements having longitudinal axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body; 
 each of the sleeve engagement arms having opposed ends pivotably connected to the cylindrical body, whereby the arms are radially extendable away from the cylindrical body and reciprocate between a retracted position and an extended position; 
 each of sleeve engagement arms having a pair of spaced apart sleeve engagement fingers provided on opposite ends thereof, each pair of sleeve engagement fingers defining a sliding sleeve engagement space there-between; 
   an elongate mandrel having a longitudinal axis and extending generally coaxially through the cylindrical body, wherein:
 the mandrel is rotatable about its axis within the cylindrical body; 
 the mandrel includes a first portion connected to a rotation means; and 
 the mandrel is provided with pivot linkages for pivotably connecting with each of the sleeve engagement arms; 
   a force transferring means, for transferring rotational motion of the mandrel to extend the at least two arms between the retracted and extended positions.   
     
     
         6 . The shifting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the rotation means comprises:
 at least one spiral or helical groove provided on the exterior of the mandrel; and,   at least one guide pin provided on a first reciprocating piston provided within the body;   wherein, axial movement of the first piston imparts rotational motion to the mandrel as the at least one guide pin traverses the at least one spiral or helical groove.