초록 ▼

A submersible pump assembly suspended on a string of tubing in a well has a valve that drains the tubing above the pump when the pump shuts down. The valve includes a valve housing installed with the tubing string above the submersible pump assembly. The valve housing has an interior in communicatio

A submersible pump assembly suspended on a string of tubing in a well has a valve that drains the tubing above the pump when the pump shuts down. The valve includes a valve housing installed with the tubing string above the submersible pump assembly. The valve housing has an interior in communication with fluid in the string of tubing above the valve housing, and a shunt port communicating the interior of the valve housing with an annulus surrounding the string of tubing. A valve cage is slidably received within the valve housing for movement between upper and lower positions. The valve cage blocks communication through the shunt port while in the upper position, and while in the lower position, opens the shunt port. A valve seat is located in the valve cage, and a valve member moves between a lower position, sealingly engaging the valve seat, and an upper position, allowing flow through the valve seat from the pump to the tubing string. Pump pressure causes the valve cage and the valve member to move to the upper positions. Ceasing operation of the submersible pump assembly causes the valve cage and the valve member to move to the lower positions, allowing fluid in the tubing string to flow out the shunt port to equalize with fluid in the annulus.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [14.]14. A method of equalizing fluid in a tubing string in a well with a tubing annulus when a submersible pump assembly supported by the tubing string ceases operation, comprising:(a) connecting a valve assembly into the tubing string at a point above the submersible pump assembly, th

[ We claim:] [14.]14. A method of equalizing fluid in a tubing string in a well with a tubing annulus when a submersible pump assembly supported by the tubing string ceases operation, comprising:(a) connecting a valve assembly into the tubing string at a point above the submersible pump assembly, the valve assembly including a valve housing having a shunt port leading to the tubing annulus, a shunt valve member slidably and sealingly received within the valve housing for movement between open and closed positions with the shunt port, a tubing access seat that communicates the submersible pump assembly with the string of tubing, and a tubing access valve member that moves between open and closed positions with the tubing access seat;(b) operating the submersible pump assembly, resulting in pump fluid pressure that moves the shunt valve member to closed position and the tubing access valve member to the open position; then(c) ceasing operation of the submersible pump assembly, resulting in a loss of pump fluid pressure that causes the shunt valve member to move to the open position and the tubing access valve member to move to the closed position, allowing fluid in the tubing string to flow out the shunt port to equalize with fluid in the annulus.