MULTI-CYCLE CIRCULATING VALVE ASSEMBLY

摘要

A circulating valve assembly can include a valve controlling flow between an interior and an exterior of the assembly, another valve controlling flow between sections of a flow passage extending through the assembly, and an actuator that both opens one valve and closes the other valve in response to each of multiple positive pressure differentials from the interior to the exterior. A system for use with a well can include a circulating valve assembly controlling flow through a tubular string and a well tool connected in the tubular string downstream of the assembly. In one configuration of the assembly, the flow passes through the well tool. In another configuration, the flow passes from the tubular string to an annulus external to the tubular string, with the flow substantially bypassing the well tool. The assembly cycles between the configurations in response to alternating increases and decreases in the flow.

主权项

1. A circulating valve assembly, comprising:
a first valve that controls flow through a port in a sidewall of the circulating valve assembly between an interior and an exterior of the circulating valve assembly; a second valve that controls flow between sections of a flow passage extending longitudinally through the circulating valve assembly; and an actuator that both opens the first valve and closes the second valve in response to every other positive pressure differential applied from the interior to the exterior of the circulating valve assembly.