Sliding sleeve
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A sliding sleeve is a standard component for the completion of an oil or gas well. Their main uses are to shut off flow from one or more reservoir zones or to regulate pressure between zones.
There are two main categories of sliding sleeves: open/close and choking. Open/close sleeves are shifted between a full open position and a closed position. They are used to shut off flow from a zone for economic reasons or to shut off a zone that is depleting or producing too much water. In multi-zone wells, they are used to regulate which zones to produce from and which ones to shut off. Mechanically actuated sleeves are simple and inexpensive but require actuation by a "lock," which must be run in the well on wireline or coiled tubing. Hydraulically actuated sleeves are more complicated but can be actuated from a small pump at surface.
The second type of sliding sleeve is called a choking sleeve. These sleeves can be adjusted to provide a specific opening or orifice size. Choking sleeves can be used to regulate the pressure between two or more zones. They are also used to regulate the flow of fluid into a well during proppant fracturing or hydraulic fracturing operations. Choking sleeves are all hydraulically actuated and have a much more complex design than open/close sleeves.
A "sliding sleeve is also:
- Part of a pencil for heavy-handed users.
- Sliding sleeve supports the lead for precise lines and retracts as the pencil is used.
- The sleeve is designed to protect the lead and minimize lead breakage.
- Ideal for heavy-handed writers needing to use fine lead
