Hydraulic Delay Toe Valve System and Method

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A controlled time delay apparatus integrated into a wellbore casing for injection of pressurized fluid into a subterranean formation, said apparatus comprising: a housing with openings, a piston, a delay restrictor, an actuating device and a high pressure chamber with a hydraulic fluid; said delay restrictor is configured to be in pressure communication with said high pressure chamber; a rate of travel of said piston is restrained by a passage of said hydraulic fluid from the high pressure chamber into a low pressure chamber through said delay restrictor;
wherein upon actuation by said actuating device, said piston travels for an actuation time period, after elapse of said actuation time period, said piston travel allows opening of said openings so that said pressurized fluid flows through said openings for a port opening time interval.