Check valve for well stimulation

摘要

Check valve assemblies operable to inject treatment fluids during stimulation operations are described. One check valve assembly includes a valve body defining an inlet, one or more discharge ports, and a cylindrical passageway fluidly communicating the inlet with the one or more discharge ports, the valve body further defining a valve body seat within the passageway. A valve cap is configured to be coupled to the valve body and defines an opening therein that fluidly communicates with the cylindrical passageway, the valve cap further providing a valve cap seat. A spherical piston is disposed within the passageway and movable between a closed configuration where the spherical piston engages the valve body seat and an open configuration where the spherical piston engages the valve cap seat and allows fluid communication between the inlet and the one or more discharge ports.

主权项

1. A method for regulating the injection of a stimulation fluid into a subterranean formation, comprising:
arranging a base pipe within the subterranean formation, the base pipe having a check valve assembly arranged therewith, the check valve assembly having a valve body defining an inlet, one or more discharge ports, and a cylindrical passageway fluidly communicating the inlet with the one or more discharge ports, the check valve assembly further having a piston movably disposed within the passageway; magnetically-attracting the piston into engagement with a valve body seat defined in the passageway such that the piston is biased to a closed configuration that prevents fluid communication between the inlet and the one or more discharge ports; and injecting the stimulation fluid into the base pipe at a rate sufficient to induce the piston to move from the closed configuration to an open configuration where the piston engages a valve cap seat defined in a valve cap coupled to the valve body and defining an opening therein, the opening providing fluid communication between the cylindrical passageway and the subterranean formation, and wherein the stimulation fluid is injected at a rate sufficient to induce the piston to engage the opening and form a mechanical seal therewith.