MAGNETIC VALVE ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND
[0001] When wellbores are prepared for oil and gas production, it is common to
cement a casing string within the wellbore. Often, it may be desirable to cement the casing
string within the wellbore in multiple, separate stages. The casing string may be run into the
wellbore to a predetermined depth. Various "zones" in the subterranean formation may be
isolated via the operation of one or more packers, which may also help to secure the casing
string and stimulation equipment in place, and/or via cement.
[0002] Following the placement of the casing string, it may be desirable to provide at
least one route of fluid communication out of the casing string. Where fluids are produced from
a long interval of a formation penetrated by a wellbore, it is known that balancing the
production of fluid along the interval can lead to reduced water and gas coning, and more
controlled conformance, thereby increasing the proportion and overall quantity of oil or other
desired fluid produced from the interval. Various devices and completion assemblies have been
used to help balance the production of fluid from an interval in the wellbore. For example,
inflow control devices have been used in conjunction with well screens to restrict the flow of
produced fluids through the screens for the purposes of balancing production along an interval.
[0003] Conventionally, the methods and/or tools employed to provide fluid pathways
within a casing string require mechanical tools supplied by a rig and/or downhole tools needing
high temperature protection, long term batteries, and/or wired surface connections.
Additionally, conventional methods may not allow for individual, or at least selective,
activation of a route of fluid communication from a plurality of formation zones. As such, there
exists a need for devices, systems, and/or methods for allowing and/or configuring fluid
pathways within a casing string while being capable of withstanding wellbore conditions for
the lifetime of a wellbore servicing operation.
SUMMARY
[0004] In an embodiment, an actuation device comprises a housing comprising one or
more ports, a magnetic valve component, and a central flowbore. The central flowbore is
configured to receive a disposable member configured to emit a magnetic field, and the
magnetic valve component is configured to radially shift from a first position to a second
position in response to interacting with the magnetic field.
[0005] In an embodiment, an actuation system for a downhole component comprises a
wellbore tubular comprising a central flowbore and a magnetic valve seat, where the magnetic
valve seat is disposed about the wellbore tubular, and a plug comprising at least one magnet.
The plug is configured to be received within the central flowbore, and the at least one magnet is
configured to axially shift the magnetic valve seat from a first position to a second position when
the plug passes within the central flowbore.
[0006] In an embodiment, a method of actuating a magnetic valve in a wellbore
comprises preventing, by a magnetic valve component disposed about a wellbore tubular, fluid
flow through a fluid pathway in a wellbore assembly in a first direction, passing a magnetic
member through a central flowbore of the wellbore assembly; wherein the disposable member
comprises a magnetic field, transitioning at least one magnetic valve component from a first
position to a second position in response to the magnetic field of the magnetic member, and
allowing fluid flow through the fluid pathway in the first direction in response to the
transitioning of the at least one magnetic valve component. The fluid pathway is configured to
provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore assembly and an interior of the
wellbore assembly.
[0007] These and other features will be more clearly understood from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages
thereof, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings and detailed description:
[0009] Figure 1 is a partial cut-away of an embodiment of an environment in which a
magnetic valve assembly and method of use of using such magnetic valve assembly may be
employed;
[0010] Figure 2 is a partial cut-away view of an embodiment of a wellbore penetrating a
subterranean formation, the wellbore having a magnetic valve assembly positioned therein;
[0011] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly in a first configuration;
[0012] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly in a second configuration;
[0013] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising an inflow control device in a first configuration;
[0014] Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising an inflow control device in a second configuration;
[0015] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising a bistable switch in a first position;
[0016] Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising a bistable switch in a second position;
[0017] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising a sliding segment in a first position;
[0018] Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising a sliding segment in a second position;
[0019] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising a bistable switch and a biasing member in a first position;
[0020] Figure 7B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising a bistable switch and a biasing member in a second position;
[0021] Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising a flow control device and a diverter in a first position; and
[0022] Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic valve
assembly comprising a flow control device and a diverter in a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In the drawings and description that follow, like parts are typically marked
throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. In
addition, similar reference numerals may refer to similar components in different embodiments
disclosed herein. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the
invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details
of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The
present invention is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments are
described in detail and are shown in the drawings, with the understanding that the present
disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described
herein. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed
herein may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.
[0024] Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms "connect," "engage," "couple,"
"attach," or any other like term describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit
the interaction to direct interaction between the elements and may also include indirect
interaction between the elements described. Unless otherwise specified, use of the terms "up,"
"upper," "upward," "up-hole," or other like terms shall be construed as generally from the
formation toward the surface or toward the surface of a body of water; likewise, use of "down,"
"lower," "downward," "down-hole," or other like terms shall be construed as generally into the
formation away from the surface or away from the surface of a body of water, regardless of the
wellbore orientation. Use of any one or more of the foregoing terms shall not be construed as
denoting positions along a perfectly vertical axis. Unless otherwise specified, use of the term
"subterranean formation" shall be construed as encompassing both areas below exposed earth
and areas below earth covered by water such as ocean or fresh water.
[0025] Various devices and completion assemblies have been used to help balance the
production of fluid from an interval in the wellbore. For example, various flow control devices
can be used to balance the production along one or more intervals by adjusting the resistance to
flow at various points along the wellbore. The resistance to flow can be adjusted at various
points of the life of the wellbore to allow one or more additional procedures to be performed
and/or to adjust for changes in the reservoir properties. For example, the production or
completion assemblies may be disposed in a wellbore in a closed configuration to allow for
pressure testing and/or the development of pressure within the completion assembly to operate
various tools. Once the desired operations are complete, the completion or production
assemblies may be selectively actuated to the desired production positions. At various
subsequent times, the assemblies may be selectively closed, opened, and/or shifted to new
positions as desired.
[0026] In general, completion assemblies can be actuated using physical interventions in
the wellbore, such as tools coupled to a wireless or a slickline. Such operations require time to
transition the tools within the wellbore and remove the tool after actuating one or more of the
assemblies. Rather than relying on physical interventions, the system disclosed herein may
generally rely on a pumped component such as a dart or ball to selectively actuate one or more
assemblies from a first position to a second position. In order to utilize a pumped component, a
magnetic valve assembly (MVA) as disclosed herein may be used to selectively actuate one or
more downhole components. In an embodiment, the MVA may allow an operator to wirelessly
open and/or close one or more valves, such as for production of one or more zones of a
subterranean formation and to produce a formation fluid therefrom.
[0027] In general, the MVA comprises a downhole component having a magnetic valve
component. The magnetic valve component is configured to radially shift in response to a
magnetic field and/or, longitudinally translate to open a flow path. A disposable magnetic
member in the form of a pumped component may be disposed in the wellbore. The
disposable magnetic member can be configured to produce a magnetic field, which may
interact with the magnetic valve component to shift the magnetic valve component based on
the interaction of the magnetic fields. For example, a magnetic valve component may be
radially shifted inwards or outwards. In some embodiments, the magnetic valve component
may be axial shifted by being pulled or pushed by a magnetic field from the disposable
magnetic member. The disposable magnetic member may pass through the wellbore and
actuate one or more magnetic valve components. The magnetic valves may act as one-way
valves or two-way valves.
[0028] Using the magnetic valve components having a plurality of positions may allow
the configuration of a flow path between the wellbore tubular interior and the wellbore
tubular exterior to be selectively controlled. For example, a flow path through a production
sleeve may be transitioned from a closed position to an open position in response to the
magnetic field from the disposable magnetic member. In some embodiments, the flow path
may pass through a restriction, thereby controlling the resistance to flow. Further, a wellbore
tubular string comprising a plurality of MVAs may be selectively actuated using a single
disposable magnetic member. A second disposable magnetic member may be used to revert
one or more of the magnetic valve components to a previous position using a magnetic field
with a different polarity.
[0029] Additionally, the actuation devices as disclosed herein, may allow for selective
actuation of a plurality of zones without the need to maintain a casing string pressure to actuate
one or more valves. For example, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon
viewing this disclosure, whereas conventional actuation devices utilize a pressure within at
least a portion of a casing string to apply a force (e.g., so as to actuate valve), the actuation
device disclosed herein may be actuated without the need to establish and/or to maintain any
such pressure, thereby allowing selective valve actuation independent of previous valve
actuations. As such, the presently disclosed actuation device may provide an operator with
improved control and flexibility for scheduling the actuation of various valves while offering
improved reliability.
[0030] Referring to Figure 1, in an embodiment of an operating environment in which such
a MVA and/or method may be employed is illustrated. It is noted that although some of the
figures may exemplify horizontal or vertical wellbores, the principles of the methods,
apparatuses, and systems disclosed herein may be similarly applicable to horizontal wellbore
configurations, conventional vertical wellbore configurations, or combinations thereof.
Therefore, unless otherwise noted, the horizontal, deviated, or vertical nature of any figure is
not to be construed as limiting the wellbore to any particular configuration.
[0031] Referring to the embodiment of Figure 1, the operating environment generally
comprises a wellbore 114 that penetrates a subterranean formation 102. Additionally, in an
embodiment, the subterranean formation 102 may comprise a plurality of formation zones 2, 4,
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 for the purpose of recovering hydrocarbons, storing hydrocarbons,
disposing of carbon dioxide, or the like. The wellbore 114 may be drilled into the subterranean
formation 102 using any suitable drilling technique. In an embodiment, a drilling, completion,
or servicing rig 106 comprises a derrick 108 with a rig floor 110 through which one or more
tubular strings (e.g., a work string, a drill string, a tool string, a segmented tubing string, a
jointed tubing string, or any other suitable conveyance, or combinations thereof) generally
defining an axial flowbore may be positioned within or partially within the wellbore 114. In an
embodiment, such a tubular string may comprise two or more concentrically positioned strings
of pipe or tubing (e.g., a first work string may be positioned within a second work string). The
drilling or servicing rig 106 may be conventional and may comprise a motor driven winch and
other associated equipment for conveying the work string with the wellbore 114. Alternatively,
a mobile workover rig, a wellbore servicing unit (e.g., coiled tubing units), or the like may be
used to convey the tubular string within the wellbore 114. In such an embodiment, the tubular
string may be utilized in drilling, stimulating, completing, or otherwise servicing the wellbore,
or combinations thereof.
[0032] The wellbore 114 may extend substantially vertically away from the earth's surface
104 over a vertical wellbore portion, or may deviate at any angle from the earth's surface 104
over a deviated or horizontal wellbore portion. In alternative operating environments, portions
or substantially all of the wellbore 114 may be vertical, deviated, horizontal, and/or curved. In
an embodiment, the wellbore 114 may be a new hole or an existing hole and may comprise an
open hole, cased hole, cemented cased hole, pre-perforated lined hole, or any other suitable
configuration, or combinations thereof. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 1, a casing
string 115 is positioned within at least a portion of the wellbore 114 and is secured into position
with respect to the wellbore with cement 117 (e.g., a cement sheath). In alternative
embodiments, portions and/or substantially all of such a wellbore may be cased and cemented,
cased and uncemented, uncased, or combinations thereof. In another alternative embodiment, a
casing string may be secured against the formation utilizing one or more suitable packers, such
as mechanical packers or swellable packers (for example, SwellPackers™, commercially
available from Halliburton Energy Services).
[0033] In an embodiment as illustrated in Figure 2, one or more MVA 200 may be
disposed within the wellbore 114. In such an embodiment, the wellbore tubular string 120 may
comprise any suitable type and/or configuration of string, for example, as will be appreciated
by one of ordinary skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure. In an embodiment, the wellbore
tubular string 120 may comprise one or more tubular members (e.g., jointed pipe, coiled tubing,
drill pipe, etc.). In an embodiment, each of the tubular members may comprise a suitable
means of connection, for example, to other tubular members and/or to one or more MVA 200,
as will be disclosed herein. For example, in an embodiment, the terminal ends of the tubular
members may comprise one or more internally or externally threaded surfaces, as may be
suitably employed in making a threaded connection to other tubular members and/or to one or
more MVA 200. In an embodiment, the wellbore tubular string 120 may comprise a tubular
string, a liner, a production string, a completion string, another suitable type of string, or
combinations thereof.
[0034] In an embodiment, the MVA 200 may be configured so as to selectively
configure a route of fluid communication there-through, for example, in response to
experiencing a magnetic field. Referring to Figures 3A-3B, an embodiment of such a MVA
200 is disclosed herein. In the embodiment of Figures 3A-3B, the MVA 200 may generally
comprise a housing 210 generally defining a flow passage 36, one or more magnetic valves
216, and one or more ports (e.g., an outer port and an inner port, 212a and 212b, respectively;
cumulatively and non-specifically, ports 212) for communication a fluid between the flow
passage 36 of the MVA 200 and an exterior 250 of the MVA 200 (e.g., an annular space).
[0035] In an embodiment, the MVA 200 is selectively configurable either to allow
fluid communication to/from the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 to/from the exterior 250 of
the MVA 200 or to disallow fluid communication to/from the flow passage 36 of the MVA
200 to/from the exterior 250 of the MVA 200. Additionally or alternatively, in an
embodiment, the MVA 200 may be configured to selectively control fluid inflow rate to/from
the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 to/from the exterior 250 of the MVA 200, as will be
disclosed herein. In an embodiment, for example, as illustrated in Figures 3A-3B, the MVA
200 may be configured to be transitioned from a first configuration to a second configuration,
as will be disclosed herein.
[0036] In the embodiments of Figure 3A and Figure 4A, the MVA 200 is illustrated in
the first configuration. In the embodiment of Figure 3A, in the first configuration, the MVA
200 is configured to disallow a route of fluid communication in the direction from the
exterior 250 of the MVA 200 to the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200. In an additional
embodiment, in the first configuration, the MVA 200 is further configured to disallow a route
of fluid communication in the direction from the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 to the
exterior 250 of the MVA 200. In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4A, in
the first configuration, the MVA 200 is configured to allow a route of fluid communication
via first flow path (e.g., through an inflow control device), as will be disclosed herein.
[0037] In the embodiment of Figure 3B and Figure 4B, the MVA 200 is illustrated in
the second configuration. In the embodiment of Figure 3B, in the second configuration, the
MVA 200 is configured to allow fluid communication between the flow passage 36 of the
MVA 200 and the wellbore 114 via the ports 212. In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated
in Figure 4B, in an embodiment, in the second configuration, the MVA 200 is configured to
allow a route of communication via second flow path (e.g., a bypass port), as will be
disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the MVA 200 may be configured to transition from the
first configuration to the second configuration upon experiencing a magnetic field or signal
within the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200, as will be disclosed herein.
[0038] Referring to Figures 3A-3B and Figures 4A-4B, in an embodiment, the housing
210 may generally comprise a cylindrical or tubular-like structure. The housing 210 may
comprise a unitary structure; alternatively, the housing 210 may be made up of two or more
operably connected components (e.g., an upper component and a lower component).
Alternatively, the housing 210 may comprise any suitable structure as would be appreciated
by one of ordinary skill in the art upon viewing this disclosure. In an embodiment, the
housing 210 may be made of a ferromagnetic material (e.g., a material susceptible to a
magnetic field), such as, iron, cobalt, nickel, steel, rare-earth metal alloys, any other suitable
material as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon viewing this
disclosure, or combination thereof. Additionally, in an embodiment, an inner bore surface
238 of the housing 210 may not be susceptible to a magnetic field (e.g., not made of a
ferromagnetic material). In an additional or alternative embodiment, the housing 210 may
further comprise one or more windows comprising non-ferromagnetic material disposed
about the interior bore surface 238 of the housing 210, for example, positioned substantially
adjacent to and/or in-line with a valve and the flow passage 36, as will be disclosed herein.
[0039] In an embodiment, the MVA 200 may be configured for incorporation into the
wellbore tubular string 120 and/or another suitable tubular string. In such an embodiment, the
housing 210 may comprise a suitable connection to the wellbore tubular string 120 (e.g., to a
casing string member, such as a casing joint), or alternatively, into any suitable string (e.g., a
liner, a work string, a coiled tubing string, etc.). For example, the housing 210 may comprise
internally or externally threaded surfaces and may be configured to be joined with the casing
string 120 via the internally or externally threaded surfaces. Additional or alternative suitable
connections to a casing string (e.g., a tubular string) will be known to those of ordinary skill
in the art upon viewing this disclosure.
[0040] In the embodiment of Figures 3A-3B and 4A-4B, the housing 210 generally
defines the flow passage 36, for example, the flow passage 36 may be generally defined by
the inner bore surface 238 of the housing 210. In such an embodiment, the MVA 200 is
incorporated within the wellbore tubular string 120 such that the flow passage 36 of the MVA
200 is in fluid communication with the flow passage 121 of the wellbore tubular string 120.
[0041] Additionally, in an embodiment, the housing 210 may further comprise one or
more recesses, cut-outs, chambers, voids, or the like, as will be disclosed herein. For
example, in an embodiment as illustrated in Figures 3A-3B, the housing 210 may comprise a
one or more ported chambers 220 and may be disposed circumferentially around the flow
passage 36 of the MVA 200.
[0042] In an embodiment, the housing 210 comprises one or more ports 212. In an
embodiment, the one or more ports 212 may be disposed circumferentially around an interior
and/or exterior surface of the housing 210, as will be disclosed herein. As such, the ports 212
may provide a route of fluid communication between the flow passage 36 and the exterior
250 of the MVA 200, when so-configured. For example, in an embodiment as illustrated in
Figures 3A-3B, the ports 212 may comprise the outer port 212a and the inner port 212b. In
an embodiment, the outer port 212a may extend radially between the ported chamber 220 and
exterior 250 of the MVA 200. Additionally, the inner port 212b may extend radially between
the flow passage 36 and the ported chamber 220. For example, in an embodiment, the MVA
200 may be configured such that the ports 212 (e.g., the outer port 212a and the inner port
212b) provide a route of fluid communication between the flow passage 36 and the exterior
250 of the MVA 200 (e.g., via a ported chamber) when the ports 212 are unblocked.
Alternatively, the MVA 200 may be configured such that no fluid will be communicated via
one or more of the ports 212 between the flow passage 36 and the exterior 250 of the MVA
200 when the route of fluid communication of the ports 212 are blocked (e.g., by the
magnetic valve 216 or a check valve, as will be disclosed herein).
[0043] In an embodiment, for example as illustrated in Figures 3A-3B, the ports 212
(e.g., the outer port 212a and the inner port 212b) may be configured to comprise different
diameters. For example, in an embodiment, the diameter of the inner port 212b may be
generally characterized as being greater than the diameter of the outer port 212a. In an
alternative embodiment, the outer port 212a and the inner port 212b may be configured to
have about the same diameter. Additionally, the ports 212 (e.g., the inner port 212b) may be
sufficiently sized so that a magnetic field may penetrate the ports 212. For example, in an
embodiment, the ports 212 may be sized such that a magnetic field within the flow passage
36 of the MVA 200 may interact with one or more magnetic devices (e.g., a magnetic valve)
via the ports 212. Alternatively, in an embodiment, one or more non-ferromagnetic windows
may be disposed adjacent to or about the ports 212 to allow a magnetic field to interact with a
valve, as will be disclosed herein.
[0044] In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 3A-3B, the outer port 212a may be
disposed along an outer chamber surface 221a of the ported chamber 220 and the outer port
212a may provide a route of fluid communication between the exterior 250 of the housing
210 and the ported chamber 220. Additionally, in an embodiment, the inner port 212b may be
disposed along the inner chamber surface 221b of the ported chamber 220 and may provide a
route of fluid communication between the ported chamber 220 and the flow path 36 of the
MVA 200. In an embodiment, the outer port 212a may be substantially aligned, at least
partially up-hole, or at least partially down-hole from the inner port 212b.
[0045] In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 4A-4B, the housing 210
may comprise the outer port 212a, the inner port 212b, and a bypass port 212c. In such an
embodiment, the outer port 212a may provide a route of fluid communication between the
exterior 250 of the MVA 200 and one or more chambers (e.g., a first ported chamber 220a
and a second ported chamber 220b) within the MVA 200, as will be disclosed herein.
Additionally, the inner port 212b may be disposed along a second inner chamber surface
22 1d of the second ported chamber 220b and may provide a route of fluid communication
between the second ported chamber 220b and the flow path 36 of the MVA 200. Further, the
bypass port 212c may be disposed along a first inner chamber surface 221c of the first ported
chamber 220a of the housing 210 and may provide a route of fluid communication between
the first ported chamber 220a and the flow path 36 of the MVA 200.
[0046] Additionally, in an embodiment, one or more of the ports 212 (e.g., the outer port
212a) may be positioned adjacent to, at least partially covered by, and/or in fluid
communication with a filter element such as a plug, a screen, a filter, a "wire-wrapped" filter, a
sintered mesh filter, a pre-pack filter, an expandable filter, a slotted filter, a perforated filter, a
cover, or a shield, for example, to prevent debris from entering the ports 212. For example, in
the embodiment of Figures 4A-4B, the MVA 200 may further comprise a filter 402 (e.g., a
"wire -wrapped" filter) positioned adjacent to and/or covering the outer port 212a, and the filter
402 may be configured to allow a fluid to pass but not sand or other debris larger than a certain
size. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the ports 212 may comprise one or more
pressure-altering devices (e.g., nozzles, erodible nozzles, fluid jets, or the like). For example, in
such an embodiment, the ports 212 may be configured to provide an adjustable fluid flow rate.
[0047] Referring to Figures 4A-4B, in an embodiment a flow restrictor 404 may be
disposed within the housing 210 to provide a desired resistance to flow (e.g., pressure drop)
along a route of fluid communication between the first ported chamber 220a and the second
ported chamber 220b. In such an embodiment, the flow restrictor 404 may be configured to
cause a fluid pressure differential across the flow restrictor 404 in response to communicating
a fluid through the flow restrictor 404 in at least one direction. In an embodiment, the flow
restrictor 404 may be cylindrical in shape and may comprise at least one fluid passage
extending axially through the flow restrictor 404 having a diameter significantly smaller than
the length of the passage. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the flow restrictor 404
may be formed of an orifice restrictor, a nozzle restrictor, a helical restrictor, a u-bend
restrictor, and/or any other types of suitable restrictors for creating a pressure differential
across the flow restrictor 404 as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon
viewing this disclosure. In some embodiments, the flow restrictor 404 may permit one-way
fluid communication, for example, allowing fluid communication in a first direction with
minimal resistance and substantially preventing fluid communication in a second direction
(e.g., providing a high resistance). For example, in an embodiment, the flow restrictor 404
may comprise a check-valve or other similar device for providing one-way fluid
communication.
[0048] Additionally, in an embodiment, the route of fluid communication provided by
the flow restrictor 404 may be at least partially more restrictive (e.g., providing more
resistance) than the route of fluid communication provided via the bypass port 212c. For
example, in an embodiment, the flow restrictor 404 may be configured such that a fluid may
flow at a lower flow rate and/or a higher pressure drop through the flow restrictor 404 than
through the bypass port 212c.
[0049] Referring to Figures 3A-3B and 6A-6B, in an embodiment, the MVA 200 may
further comprise a check valve ball 255 disposed within the housing 210, for example, within
the ported chamber 220. In an embodiment, the check valve ball 255 may be made of nonferromagnetic
materials. In the embodiments of Figures 3A-3B and 6A-6B, the check valve
ball 255 may be configured to restrict or substantially restrict fluid communication in one
direction, for example, from the ported chamber 220 and/or flow passage 36 to the exterior
250 of the MVA 200 via the outer port 212a. Additionally, the check valve ball 255 may be
sized such that it may engage and/or block a first port (e.g., the outer port 212a) and may pass
through a second port (e.g., the inner port 212b), as will be disclosed herein.
[0050] In the embodiments of Figures 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, 6A-6B, 7A-7B, and 8A-
8B, the magnetic valve 216 may be configured to selectively allow or disallow a route of
fluid communication and/or to selectively control a route of fluid communication via two or
more flow paths, as will be disclosed herein. For example, in the embodiments of Figures 3A-
3B, 5A-5B, 6A-6B, 7A-7B, and 8A-8B, the magnetic valve 216 may be configured to allow
or disallow a route of fluid communication between the exterior 250 of the housing 210 and
the flow path 36 of the housing 210, as will be disclosed. In an alternative embodiment, as
illustrated in Figures 4A-4B, the magnetic valve 216 may be configured to selectively control
fluid communication between two or more flow paths, as will be disclosed herein.
[0051] In an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 generally comprises a structure
sized to be fitted onto or against a corresponding bore (e.g., one or more ports 212). In such
an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 may be positioned to cover one or more ports 212
and may provide a fluid-tight or substantially fluid-tight seal disallowing fluid
communication via the one or more ports 212 in at least one direction. For example, in an
embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 may be configured to prohibit or substantially restrict
fluid communication from the exterior 250 of the housing 210 to the flow passage 36 of the
MVA 200.
[0052] In the embodiments of Figures 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, 7A-7B, and 8A-8B, the
magnetic valve 216 may comprise a unitary structure. Alternatively, in the embodiment of
Figures 6A-6B, the magnetic valve 216 may be made up of two or more operably connected
segments (e.g., a first segment, a second segment, etc.). For example, in the embodiment of
Figure 6A-6B, the magnetic valve 216 comprises a fixed segment 216a and a sliding segment
216b fitted against at least a portion of the inner chamber surface 221b. In such an
embodiment, the sliding segment 216b may be moveable from a first position to a second
position and/or slidably fitted against the outer chamber surface 221a and/or the inner
chamber surface 221b, as will be disclosed herein. Additionally, in an embodiment, the
magnetic valve 216 may be configured to comprise a check valve ball seat, for example, for
the purpose of retaining a check valve ball 255 in a fixed position with respect to the housing
210, as illustrated in Figure 6A. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216
may comprise any suitable structure and/or configurations as would be appreciated by one of
ordinary skill in the art upon viewing of this disclosure.
[0053] In an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 may be made of a ferromagnetic
material (e.g., a material susceptible to a magnetic field), such as, iron, cobalt, nickel, steel,
rare-earth metal alloys, ceramic magnets, nickel-iron alloys, rare-earth magnets (e.g., a
Neodymium magnet, a Samarium-cobalt magnet), other known materials such as Co-netic
AA ®, Mumetal ®, Hipernon ®, Hy-Mu-80 ®, Permalloy ® which all may comprise about
80% nickel, about 15% iron, with the balance being copper, molybdenum, chromium, any
other suitable material as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon
viewing this disclosure, or any combination thereof. For example, in an embodiment, the
magnetic valve 216 may comprise a magnet, for example, a ceramic magnet or a rare-earth
magnet (e.g., a neodymium magnet or a samarium-cobalt magnet). In such an embodiment,
the magnetic valve 216 may comprise a surface having a magnetic north-pole polarity and a
surface having magnetic south-pole polarity and may be configured to generate a magnetic
field, for example, a magnetic field with a sufficient attraction force to couple the magnetic
valve 216 to a surface (e.g., outer chamber surface 221a and/or the inner chamber surface
221b) of the housing 210 of the MVA 200, as will be disclosed herein. In the embodiments of
Figures 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, 6A-6B, 7A-7B, and 8A-8B, the magnetic valve 216 may be
disposed within the housing 210 (e.g., within the ported chamber 220) of the MVA 200.
[0054] In an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 may be movable from a first
position to a second position with respect to the housing 210. In an embodiment, the
magnetic valve 216 may be configured to allow or disallow a route of fluid communication
between the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 and the exterior 250 of the MVA 200, for
example, a route of fluid communication via the outer port 212a and the inner port 212b,
based on the position of the magnetic valve 216 with respect to the housing 210, one or more
ports 212 (e.g., the inner port 212b, the outer port 212a, etc.), and/or ported chamber 220, as
will be disclosed herein.
[0055] Referring to the embodiments of Figure 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, and 8A, the
magnetic valve 216 is illustrated in the first position. In the embodiments illustrated in
Figures 3A, 6A, and 7A, the magnetic valve 216 engages the inner port 212b of the housing
210, and thereby prohibits or substantially restricts fluid communication from the exterior
250 of the MVA 200 to the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 via the ports 212 (e.g., the inner
port 212b). Additionally, in an embodiment, then the magnetic valve 216 engages the inner
port 212b of the housing 210, the magnetic valve 216 may prohibit or substantially restrict
fluid communication from the flow passage 36 to the exterior 250 of the MVA 200. In the
embodiment of Figure 6A, where the magnetic valve 216 comprises the sliding segment
216b, in the first position at least a portion of the magnetic valve 216 (e.g., the sliding
segment 216b) may be positioned to block at least a portion of the inner port 212b and
thereby blocks a route of route of fluid communication between the ports 212. Additionally,
in an embodiment where the MVA 200 comprises a check valve ball 255, when the sliding
segment 2 16b is in the first position the MVA 200 may be configured such that check valve
ball 255 is retained, for example, within the ported chamber 220. In the embodiments of
Figures 4A and 5A, when the magnetic valve 216 is in the first position, the magnetic valve
216 blocks a first flow path (e.g., via the inner port 212b as illustrated in Figure 5A or the
bypass port 212c as illustrated in Figure 4A) and does not block a second flow path (e.g., via
the outer port 212a as illustrated in Figure 5A or the inner port 212b as illustrated in Figure
4A), thereby allowing fluid communication via the second flow path. In an embodiment,
when the magnetic valve 216 is in the first position, the MVA 200 may be in the first
configuration. In the embodiment of Figure 8A, the when the magnetic valve 216 is in the
first position, the magnetic valve 216 directs fluid flow along an upper flow path into the
vortex chamber, which may have a different resistance to flow between an exterior port 2 12d
and an interior port 2 12e than the lower flow path.
[0056] Referring to the embodiments of Figures 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, and 8B, the
magnetic valve 216 is illustrated in the second position. In the embodiments illustrated in
Figures 3B, 6B, and 7B, the magnetic valve 216 does not block the inner port 212b of the
housing 210 and thereby, allows a route of fluid communication between the flow passage 36
of the housing 210 and the exterior 250 of the MVA 200 via the ports 212 (e.g., the inner port
212b and the outer port 212a). In the embodiment of Figure 6B, where the magnetic valve
216 comprises the sliding segment 216b, the inner port 121b may not be blocked by the
magnetic valve 216 (e.g., the sliding segment 216b) and thereby allows a route of fluid
communication between the ports 212. Additionally, in an embodiment where the MVA 200
comprises a check valve ball 255, when the sliding segment 216b is in the second position the
MVA 200 may be configured to release the check valve ball 255, for example, from the
ported chamber 220 into the flow passage 36. In an alternative embodiment as illustrated in
Figures 4B and 5B, when the magnetic valve 216 is in the second position, the magnetic
valve 216 does not block the first flow path (e.g., via the inner port 212b as illustrated in
Figure 5B or the bypass port 212c as illustrated in Figure 4B), thereby allowing fluid
communication via the first flow path. Additionally, in the embodiments of Figures 4B and
5B in the second position, the magnetic valve 216 blocks the second flow path (e.g., via the
outer port 212a as illustrated in Figure 5B or the inner port 212b as illustrated in Figure 4B).
In an embodiment, when the magnetic valve 216 is in the second position, the MVA 200 may
be in the second configuration. In the embodiment of Figure 8B, the when the magnetic valve
216 is in the second position, the magnetic valve 216 allows a route of fluid communication
along the lower flow path between an exterior port 212d and an interior port 212e.
[0057] In an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 may be held (e.g., selectively
retained) in the first position or the second position by a suitable retaining mechanism. For
example, in an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 may be held (e.g., selectively retained)
in the first position or the second position by a magnetic coupling between the magnetic
valve 216 and the housing 210 of the MVA 200. Not intending to be bound by theory, where
the magnetic valve 216 comprises a surface having a magnetic north-pole polarity and a
surface having magnetic south-pole polarity and may be configured to couple with a surface
of the housing 210 via a magnetic attractive force between magnetic fields of dissimilar
polarities, for example, a magnetic north-pole surface of the magnetic valve 216 coupled to a
magnetic south-pole surface of the housing 210. Additionally, in an embodiment as illustrated
in Figures 7A -7B, the magnetic valve 216 may be maintained in the first position or the
second position by a biasing member 218 (e.g., a permanent magnet) disposed within the
housing 210 (e.g., the ported chamber 220). In such an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216
and the biasing member 218 may be repelled from one another via a magnetic repulsive force
between magnetic fields of similar polarities, for example, a magnetic north-pole surface of
the magnetic valve 216 repelled from a magnetic north-pole surface of the housing 210.
Additionally, in the embodiments of Figures 6A-6B, the magnetic valve 216 (e.g., the sliding
segment 216b) may be frictionally fit to one or more surfaces of the ported chamber 220
(e.g., the inner chamber surface 221b) to limit the axial translation of magnetic valve 216. In
an additional or alternative embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 may be retained in the first
position or the second position via a guiding arm, as will be disclosed herein.
[0058] In an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 may be configured to be selectively
transitioned from the first position to the second position. In an embodiment magnetic valve
216 may be configured to transition from the first position to the second position via a
magnetic repulsive force from an interaction with a magnetic field, as will be disclosed
herein. For example, in an embodiment, in response to experiencing a magnetic field of a
disposable magnetic member 300 via one or more ports 212 (e.g., the inner port 212b) and/or
windows, the magnetic valve 216 may transition to the second position, as will be disclosed
herein. In such an embodiment, the magnetic valve 216 and the disposable magnetic member
300 may be repelled from one another via a magnetic repulsive force between magnetic fields
of similar polarities, for example, a magnetic south-pole surface of the magnetic valve 216
repelled from a magnetic south-pole surface of the disposable magnetic member 300.
[0059] Additionally, in an embodiment as illustrated in Figures 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-
5B, and 7A-7B, the magnetic valve 216 may be coupled to a guiding arm 225 and tethered to
one or more surfaces of the housing 210 via the guiding arm 225. In an embodiment, the
guiding arm 225 may be configured to control and/or at least partially restrict the movement
of the magnetic valve 216. For example, in an embodiment, the guiding arm 225 may be
configured to guide the magnetic valve 216 from the first position to the second position and
may prevent and/or reduce trajectory deviations as the magnetic valve 216 transitions from
the first position to the second position. In an embodiment, the guiding arm 225 may
comprise partially or substantially flexible material (e.g., an elastomer, metal, composite,
etc.), partially or substantially rigid materials (e.g., a plastic, metal, composite, etc.), any
other suitable material as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the arts upon
viewing this disclosure, or combinations thereof. For example, a guiding arm 225 may be a
flexure, a spring, a cable, a rod, a hinge, any other suitable material as would be appreciated
by one of ordinary skill in the arts upon viewing this disclosure, or combinations thereof.
[0060] Additionally, in an embodiment, the guiding arm 225 may be configured to
bias the magnetic valve 216 in the direction of the first or second position. For example, in an
embodiment, the guiding arm 225 may be configured to apply a force in the direction of the
first position onto the magnetic valve 216 and may be configured to transition (e.g., to return)
the magnetic valve 216 to the first position from the second position, for example, following
a reduction in differential pressure applied to the MVA 200 and/or the magnetic valve 216. In
an alternative embodiment, the guiding arm 225 may be configured to apply a force in the
direction of the second position onto the magnetic valve 216 and may be capable of retaining
the magnetic valve 216 in the second position upon transitioning to the second position.
[0061] Additionally, in an embodiment as illustrated in Figures 8A-8B, the MVA 200
may comprise an actuator or a diverter 400. In such an embodiment, the diverter 400 can be
pivotable, rotatable, and/or otherwise movable in response to a signal from the disposable
magnetic member 300. For example, in an embodiment, the diverter 400 is operable to
control a fluid flow ratio through the MVA 200 (e.g., via the ports 212). In such an
embodiment, the diverter 400 may be magnetic (e.g., comprise one or more ferromagnetic
portions) and may be configured to be operated via a magnetic force (e.g., a magnetic force
generated by a disposable magnetic member). Suitable types and/or configuration of actuators
and diverters 400 are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0255739 entitled
"Selectively Variable Flow Restrictor for Use in a Subterranean Well" to Fripp et al, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Suitable flow control
devices including autonomous inflow control devices with which an actuator or diverter can be
used may include those described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0211243 entitled
"Method and Apparatus for Autonomous Downhole Fluid Selection with Pathway Dependent
Resistance System" to Dykstra et al. and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0266001 entitled
"Method and Apparatus for Controlling Fluid Flow Using Movable Flow Diverter Assembly"
to Dykstra et al, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0062] In an embodiment, a disposable magnetic member 300 may be configured to
generate a magnetic field, for example, the magnetic field may be formed by or contained
within a tool, or other apparatus (e.g., a ball, a dart, a bullet, a plug, etc.) disposed within the
wellbore 114, within the wellbore tubular string 120. For example, in the embodiments of
Figures 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, 6A-6B, and 7A-7B, the disposable magnetic member 300
(e.g., a dart) may be configured to be disposed within the flow passage 121 of the wellbore
tubular string 120 and/or the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 and to radiate a magnetic field
so as to allow the magnetic field to interact with the MVA 200 and/or the magnetic valve
216, as will be disclosed herein. In an alternative embodiment, the disposable magnetic
member 300 may comprise an electromagnet, as will be disclosed herein. While described as
a disposable member, the disposable magnetic member 300 can be considered to be
disposable even if it is retrieved back to the surface (e.g., removed from the wellbore).
[0063] In an embodiment, the disposable magnetic member 300 may be made of a
ferromagnetic material (e.g., a material susceptible to a magnetic field), such as, iron, cobalt,
nickel, steel, rare-earth metal alloys, ceramic magnets, nickel-iron alloys, rare-earth magnets
(e.g., a Neodymium magnet, a Samarium-cobalt magnet), other known materials such as Conetic
AA ®, Mumetal ®, Hipernon ®, Hy-Mu-80 ®, Permalloy ® which all may comprise
about 80% nickel, 15% iron, with the balance being copper, molybdenum, chromium, and/or
any other suitable material as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art upon
viewing this disclosure, or any combination thereof. For example, in an embodiment, the
disposable magnetic member 300 may comprise a magnet, for example, a ceramic magnet or
a rare-earth magnet (e.g., a neodymium magnet or a samarium-cobalt magnet). In such an
embodiment, the disposable magnetic member 300 may comprise a surface having a
magnetic north-pole polarity and a surface having magnetic south-pole polarity and may be
configured to generate a magnetic field, for example, for the purposes of repelling and/or
attracting one or more magnetic valves 216.
[0064] In an alternative embodiment, the disposable magnetic member 300 may
comprise an electromagnet comprising an electronic circuit comprising a current source (e.g.,
current from one or more batteries, a wire line, etc.), an insulated electrical coil (e.g., an
insulated copper wire with a plurality of turns arranged side-by-side), a ferromagnetic core
(e.g., an iron rod), and/or any other suitable electrical or magnetic components as would be
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the arts upon viewing this disclosure, or combinations
thereof. In such an embodiment, the electromagnet may be configured to provide an
adjustable magnetic polarity and may be configured to engage one or more MVAs and/or to
not engage one or more other MVAs. In an embodiment, the disposable magnetic member
300 may comprise an insulated electrical coil electrically connected to a current source,
thereby forming an electromagnet. Additionally, in such an embodiment, a metal core may be
disposed within the electrical coil, thereby increasing the magnetic flux (e.g., magnetic field)
of the electromagnet. Not intending to be bound by theory, according to Ampere's Circuital
Law, the insulated electric coil may produce a temporary magnetic field while an electric
current flows through it and may stop emitting the magnetic field when the current stops.
Applying a direct current (DC) to the electric coil may form a magnetic field of constant
polarity and reversing the direction of the current flow may reverse the magnetic polarity of
the magnetic field.
[0065] One or more embodiments of a MVA 200 and a system comprising one or
more of such MVA 200 having been disclosed, one or more embodiments of an actuation
method utilizing the one or more MVAs 200 (and/or system comprising such MVA 200) is
disclosed herein. In an embodiment, such a method may generally comprise the steps of
providing a wellbore tubular string 120 comprising one or more MVAs 200 within a wellbore
114, optionally, isolating adjacent zones of the subterranean formation 102, passing a
disposable magnetic member 300 within the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200, preparing the
MVA 200 for communication of a formation fluid (for example, a hydrocarbon, such as oil
and/or gas), and communicating a formation fluid via the ports 212 of the MVA 200. In an
additional embodiment, for example, where multiple MVA 200 are placed within a wellbore
114, an actuation method may further comprise repeating the process of preparing the MVA
200 (e.g., toggling one or more MVAs) for the communication of a production fluid and
communicating a production fluid via the MVAs 200.
[0066] Referring to Figure 2, in an embodiment the actuation method comprises
positioning or "running in" a wellbore tubular string 120 comprising a plurality of MVA 200a-
200i within the wellbore 114. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 2, the wellbore
tubular string 120 has incorporated therein a first MVA 200a, a second MVA 200b, a third
MVA 200c, a fourth MVA 200d, a fifth MVA 200e, a sixth MVA 200f, a seventh MVA
200g, an eighth MVA 200h, and a ninth MVA 200L Also in the embodiment of Figure 2, the
wellbore tubular string 120 is positioned within the wellbore 114 such that the first MVA 200a,
the second MVA 200b, the third MVA 200c, the fourth MVA 200d, the fifth MVA 200e, the
sixth MVA 200f, the seventh MVA 200g, the eighth MVA 200h, and the ninth MVA 200i
may be positioned proximate and/or substantially adjacent to a first, a second, a third, a
fourth, a fifth, a sixth, a seventh, an eighth, and a ninth subterranean formation zone 2, 4, 6, 8,
10, 12, 14, 16, and 18, respectively. It is noted that although in the embodiment of Figure 2,
the wellbore tubular string 120 comprises nine MVAs (e.g., MVA 200a-200i), one of
ordinary skill in the art, upon viewing this disclosure, will appreciate that any suitable
number of MVA 200 may be similarly incorporated within a tubular string such as the
wellbore tubular string 120, for example one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more
MVA 200. In an alternative embodiment, two or more MVA 200 may be positioned
proximate and/or substantially adjacent to a single formation zone, alternatively, a MVA 200
may be positioned adjacent to two or more zones.
[0067] As disclosed herein, in the embodiments where the MVA 200 is in the first
configuration, the magnetic valve 216 is held in the first position, thereby prohibiting or
substantially restricting fluid communication in the direction from the exterior 250 of the MVA
200 to the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 via the inner port 212b. In an additional
embodiment, when the magnetic valve 216 is in the first position, the magnetic valve 216 may
be configured to prohibit or substantially restrict fluid communication in the direction from the
flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 to the exterior 250 of the MVA 200. In the embodiments of
Figures 4A and 5A, where the MVA 200 is in the first configuration, the magnetic valve 216 is
held in the first position, thereby prohibiting or substantially restricting a second flow path from
the exterior 250 of the MVA 200 to the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 via the bypass port
212c. In an additional embodiment, when the magnetic valve 216 is in the first position, the
magnetic valve 216 may be configured to prohibit or substantially restrict fluid communication
the direction from the flow passage 36 to the exterior 250 of the MVA 200 via the bypass port
212c.
[0068] In an embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 2, the MVA 200a-200i may be
integrated within the wellbore tubular string 120, for example, such that, the MVA 200 and the
wellbore tubular string 120 comprise a common flow passage. Thus, a fluid and/or an object
introduced into the wellbore tubular string 120 will be communicated with the MVA 200. In
the embodiment, the MVA 200 is introduced and/or positioned within a wellbore 114 in the
first configuration and/or the second configuration.
[0069] In an embodiment, once the wellbore tubular string 120 comprising the MVA 200
(e.g., MVA 200a-200i) has been positioned within the wellbore 114, one or more of the
adjacent zones may be isolated and/or the wellbore tubular string 120 may be secured within
the formation 102. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 2, the first zone 2 may be
isolated from relatively more up-hole portions of the wellbore 114 (e.g., via a first packer
170a), the first zone 2 may be isolated from the second zone 4 (e.g., via a second packer 170b),
the second zone 4 from the third zone 6 (e.g., via a third packer 170c), the third zone 6 from the
fourth zone 4 (e.g., via a fourth packer 170d), the fourth zone 8 from relatively more downhole
portions of the wellbore 114 (e.g., via a fifth packer 170e), or combinations thereof. In an
embodiment, the adjacent zones may be separated by one or more suitable wellbore isolation
devices. Suitable wellbore isolation devices are generally known to those of skill in the art and
include but are not limited to packers, such as mechanical packers and swellable packers (e.g.,
Swellpackers™, commercially available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.), sand plugs,
sealant compositions such as cement, or combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment,
only a portion of the zones (e.g., zones 2-18) may be isolated, alternatively, the zones may
remain unisolated. Additionally and/or alternatively, in an embodiment, a casing string may be
secured within the formation, as noted above, for example, by cementing.
[0070] In an embodiment, following positioning one or more MVAs and/or securing the
wellbore tubular string 120, the wellbore servicing system comprising one or more MVAs (e.g.,
MVA 200a-200i) configured in the first position and/or the second position may remain in such
a configuration for any desired amount of time (e.g., weeks, months, years, etc.).
[0071] In an embodiment where the wellbore is serviced working from the furthestdownhole
formation zone progressively upward, once the wellbore tubular string 120 has
been positioned and, optionally, once adjacent zones have been isolated, the first MVA 200a
may be prepared for the communication of a formation fluid (for example, a hydrocarbon,
such as oil and/or gas) from the proximate formation zone(s). In an embodiment, preparing
the MVA 200 to communicate the formation fluid may generally comprise communicating a
magnetic field (e.g., via a disposable magnetic member 300) within the flow passage 36 of the
MVA 200 to transition the MVA 200 from the first configuration to the second configuration.
[0072] In an embodiment, a magnetic field may be communicated to one or more
MVAs 200 to transition the one or more MVAs 200 from the first configuration to the second
configuration and/or from the second configuration to the first configuration, for example, by
transitioning the magnetic valve 216 from the first position to the second position or from the
second position to the first position. In an embodiment, the disposable magnetic member 300
field may be conveyed (e.g., from the surface by a pump tool) to the flow passage 36 of the
MVA 200, for example, by introducing the disposable magnetic member 300 (e.g., a dart) to
the wellbore tubular string 120. In an embodiment, the magnetic field may be unique (e.g.,
have a predetermined magnetic polarization) to one or more MVAs 200. For example, a
MVA 200 may be configured such that a predetermined magnetic polarization may elicit a
given response from that particular well tool. For example, the magnetic field may be
characterized as being unique to a particular tool (e.g., one or more of the MVA 200a-200i).
[0073] In an embodiment, in response to experiencing the magnetic field of the
disposable magnetic member 300, the one or more magnetic valves 216 may move from the
first position to the second position or from the second position to the first position. For
example, one or more magnetic valves 216 may move from the first position to the second
position as a result of a repulsive force from an interaction of similar polarities between the
magnetic field of the one or more magnetic valves 216 and the disposable magnetic member
300. In an embodiment, upon transitioning from the first position to the second position, the
magnetic valve 216 may be retained in the second position. For example, the magnetic valve
216 may be retained in the second position via a magnetic attractive force of dissimilar
polarities (e.g., a north pole and a south pole) between the magnetic fields of the one or more
magnetic valve 216 and the magnetic field of the outer chamber surface 221a. In an
alternative embodiment where the magnetic valve 216 comprises the sliding segment 216b,
as illustrated in Figures 6A-6B, as the disposable magnetic member 300 passes through the
flow passage 36 of the MVA 200 the sliding segment 216b may move or slide along a surface
(e.g., the inner chamber surface 221b) of housing 210 in the direction of the second position
by a repulsive force from an interaction of similar polarities (e.g., a north pole and a north
pole, a south pole and a south pole) between the magnetic field of the sliding segment 216b
and the disposable magnetic member 300. Additionally, in an embodiment where the MVA
200 comprises the check valve ball 255, the check valve ball 255 may be released into the
flow passage 36 of the MVA 200, for example, from the ported chamber 220 via the inner
port 212b.
[0074] In an embodiment, as shown in Figures 3B, 6B, and 7B, the transition of the
one or more magnetic valve 216 from the first position to the second position unblocks the
inner port 212b, thereby providing a route of fluid communication between the inner port
212b and the outer port 212a, thereby allowing fluid communication between the exterior 250
of the MVA 200 and the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200. Additionally, in the embodiment
where the MVA 200 comprises a check valve ball 255, the check valve ball 255 may be
released into the flow passage 36 of the MVA 200, for example, from the ported chamber 220
via the inner port 212b, as illustrated in Figures 3A-3B. In an alternative embodiment, as
shown in Figures 4B and 5B, the transition of the magnetic valve 216 from the first position
to the second position unblocks a second flow path, for example, a flow path via the bypass
port 212c as shown in Figure 4B, thereby providing an alternative route of fluid
communication between the exterior 250 of the MVA 200 and flow passage 36 of the MVA
200. Additionally or alternatively, in such an embodiment, the first flow path may be blocked
by the magnetic valve 216 and/or the guiding arm 225, if present, when the magnetic valve
216 is in the second position. In an additional or alternative embodiment, one or more of the
MVAs 200 may transition from the second position to the first position, as previously
disclosed.
[0075] In an embodiment, once the wellbore servicing system has been configured for the
communication of a formation fluid (e.g., a hydrocarbon, such as oil and/or gas, an aqueous
fluid, etc.), for example, when one or more MVAs 200 have transitioned to the second
configuration, as disclosed herein, the fluid may be communicated to/from the formation (e.g.,
first formation zone 2), for example, via the unblocked ports 212 of the MVAs 200. For
example, in the embodiment of Figure 2, the first MVA 200a may transition from the first
configuration to the second configuration and may communicate a fluid between the first MVA
200a and the first formation zone 2.
[0076] In an embodiment, the process of preparing the MVA 200 for the communication
of a fluid (e.g., a production fluid) via communication of an experienced magnetic field, and
communicating a production fluid via one or more MVAs 200 may be repeated with respect to
one or more of the well tools (e.g., the first MVA 200a, the second MVA 200b, the third
MVA 200c, the fourth MVA 200d, the fifth MVA 200e, the sixth MVA 200f, the seventh
MVA 200g, the eighth MVA 200h, and/or the ninth MVA 200i). In an additional or
alternative embodiment, one or more of the MVAs 200 may selectively alternate between the
second configuration and the first configuration, or vice-versa. For example, referring to
Figure 2, the process of preparing the MVA may be repeated for the first MVA 200a and may
close the one or more ports 212. In an additional or alternative embodiment, one or more
MVAs 200 (e.g., the second MVA 200b) may be prepared for communication of a fluid (e.g., a
production fluid).
[0077] One of ordinary skill in the art, upon viewing this disclosure, will appreciate that a
wellbore servicing system (like the wellbore servicing system) comprising one or more MVAs
200 may be comprise any suitable number of and/or combinations of MVA configurations and
may be configured to selectively transition and/or toggle one or more of the MVAs 200.
[0078] It should be understood that the various embodiments previously described
may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc.,
and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The
embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the
disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.
[0079] In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms (such
as "above," "below," "upper," "lower," etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the
accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this
disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.
[0080] The terms "including," "includes," "comprising," "comprises," and similar
terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method,
apparatus, device, etc., is described as "including" a certain feature or element, the system,
method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include
other features or elements. Similarly, the term "comprises" is considered to mean "comprises,
but is not limited to."
[0081] Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the
above description of representative embodiments of the disclosure, readily appreciate that
many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to the
specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of this disclosure.
Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by
way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited
solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0082] While embodiments of the invention have been shown and described,
modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit
and teachings of the invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are
not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the invention disclosed
herein are possible and are within the scope of the invention. Where numerical ranges or
limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to
include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated
ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10
includes 0.1 1, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit,
Rl, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically
disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed:
R=R1 +k* (Ru-Rl), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1
percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, 50 percent,
5 1 percent, 52 percent, , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100
percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is
also specifically disclosed. Use of the term "optionally" with respect to any element of a claim
is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both
alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as
comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms
such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc.
[0083] Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out
above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the
subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an
embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an
addition to the embodiments of the present invention. The discussion of a reference in the
Detailed Description of the Embodiments is not an admission that it is prior art to the present
invention, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of
this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary,
procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.

CLAIMS
What is claimed:
1. An actuation device comprising:
a housing comprising one or more ports, a magnetic valve component, and a central
flowbore,
wherein the central flowbore is configured to receive a disposable member configured
to emit a magnetic field, and
wherein the magnetic valve component is configured to radially shift from a first
position to a second position in response to interacting with the magnetic field.
2. The actuation device of claim 1, wherein when the magnetic valve component is in
the first position, the magnetic valve component prevents a route of fluid
communication in a first direction between an exterior of the housing and the central
flowbore of the housing via the one or more ports, and when the magnetic valve
component is in the second position, the magnetic valve component allows fluid
communication in the first direction via the one or more ports.
3. The actuation device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic valve component is configured
to act as a check valve.
4. The actuation device of claim 1, wherein when the magnetic valve component is in
the first position, the magnetic valve is configured to prevent fluid communication in
all directions.
5. The actuation device of claim 1, further comprising a ball disposed within the
housing, wherein the ball is configured to prevent flow through one or more of the
one or more ports, and wherein the magnetic valve component is configured to release
the ball upon transitioning to the second position.
6. The actuation device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic valve component comprises a
selector switch in an autonomous inflow control device.
7. The actuation device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field is emitted by at least one
of a permanent magnet or an electro-magnet.
8. The actuation device of claim 1, further comprising an inflow control device disposed
in a flow path between an exterior of the housing and the central flowbore of the
housing via the one or more ports, wherein when the magnetic valve component is in
the first position, the magnetic valve component prevents a route of fluid
communication through the inflow control device, and when the magnetic valve
component is in the second position, the magnetic valve component allows fluid
communication through the inflow control device.
9. The actuation device of claim 1, further comprising disposable member disposed
within the central flowbore, wherein the disposable member comprises at least one
magnet.
10. The actuation device of claim 9, wherein the at least one magnet comprises a first
polarity alignment and a second polarity alignment, wherein the first polarity
alignment is configured to radially shift the magnetic valve component from the first
position to the second position, and wherein the second polarity alignment is
configured to radially shift the magnetic valve component from the second position to
the first position.
11. An actuation system for a downhole component comprising:
a wellbore tubular comprising a central flowbore and a magnetic valve seat, wherein
the magnetic valve seat is disposed about the wellbore tubular; and
a disposable member comprising at least one magnet, wherein the disposable member
is configured to be received within the central flowbore,
wherein the at least one magnet is configured to axially shift the magnetic valve seat
from a first position to a second position when the plug passes within the
central flowbore.
12. The actuation system of claim 11, further comprising a flow path disposed between an
exterior of the wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, wherein the
magnetic valve seat is configured to block flow through the flow path in the first
position, and wherein the magnetic valve seat is configured to allow flow through the
flow path in the second position.
13. The actuation system of claim 12, further comprising at least one of an autonomous
inflow control device or an inflow control device in the flow path.
14. The actuation system of claim 11, further comprising a ball, wherein the ball is
configured to sealingly engage the magnetic valve seat, wherein the magnetic valve
seat is configured to retain and engage the ball when the magnetic valve seat is in the
first position, and wherein the magnetic valve seat is configured to release the ball
into the central flowbore when the magnetic valve seat is in the second position.
15. A method of actuating a magnetic valve in a wellbore comprising:
preventing, by a magnetic valve component disposed about a wellbore tubular, fluid
flow through a fluid pathway in a wellbore assembly in a first direction,
wherein the fluid pathway is configured to provide fluid communication
between an exterior of a wellbore assembly and an interior of the wellbore
assembly;
passing a magnetic member through a central flowbore of the wellbore assembly;
wherein the disposable member comprises a magnetic field;
transitioning at least one magnetic valve component from a first position to a second
position in response to the magnetic field of the magnetic member; and
allowing fluid flow through the fluid pathway in the first direction in response to the
transitioning of the at least one magnetic valve component.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the transitioning of the at least one magnetic valve
component comprises radially translating the at least one magnetic valve component.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one magnetic valve component
comprises a magnetic seat configured to engage a ball, and wherein transitioning the at least
one magnetic valve component comprises axially shifting the magnetic seat to release the
ball.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the wellbore assembly comprises an autonomous
inflow control device, and wherein transitioning the at least one magnetic valve component
comprises shifting the at least one magnetic valve component from a closed position to a
restricted position.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one magnetic valve component prevents
fluid communication in all directions along the fluid pathway in the first position.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising releasing a ball in response to the
transitioning of the at least one magnetic valve, wherein the ball is configured to prevent fluid
flow through the fluid pathway in the wellbore assembly in a second direction when the at
least one magnetic valve component is in the first position.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one magnetic valve component prevents
fluid communication in a second direction through the fluid pathway when the at least one
magnetic valve component is in the second position.