US 12,258,838 B2
Flow regulating valve
Jinjiang Xiao, Dhahran (SA); Songlin Zhong, Dhahran (SA); and Chidirim Enoch Ejim, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Oct. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/046,721.
Prior Publication US 2024/0125207 A1, Apr. 18, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 43/12 (2006.01); E21B 34/06 (2006.01); E21B 34/14 (2006.01); F04B 47/06 (2006.01); F04B 49/03 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 34/14 (2013.01) [E21B 34/066 (2013.01); E21B 43/128 (2013.01); F04B 47/06 (2013.01); F04B 49/03 (2013.01); E21B 2200/05 (2020.05)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
16. A method, comprising:
activating a pump of an electric submersible pump;
pressure-sealing, by a plurality of seals, a pressure chamber of a flow regulating valve such that a pressure force within the pressure chamber is applied upon a piston;
moving, by the piston, a flow tube within the flow regulating valve;
receiving a fluid through a pump intake from a production tubing of a well, the fluid flowing from the production tubing to the pump intake through a stinger having a conduit;
venting, by a pump discharge, the fluid to a surface location;
positioning, by a spring, the piston within the flow regulating valve when the pump is inactive; and
blocking, by the flow tube, the fluid from entering the pump intake;
wherein the spring is disposed within a cavity bounded between an upper end of the piston and a spring support, wherein the spring abuts and acts upon the piston and the spring is supported by and fixed to the spring support.