U.S. patent application number 14/167564 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-30 for thermal regulating well completion devices and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schlumberger Technology Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Schlumberger Technology Corporation. Invention is credited to Bruce Boyle, Saikumar Mani, David Verzwyvelt.
Application Number | 20150211335 14/167564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53678559 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150211335 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyle; Bruce ; et
al. |
July 30, 2015 |
THERMAL REGULATING WELL COMPLETION DEVICES AND METHODS
Abstract
A well completion includes a downhole steam generator (DSG)
having a water inlet and a discharge to convey a hot effluent away
from the DSG, a stinger having an inner mandrel forming a stinger
bore in communication with the discharge and an outer mandrel
carrying a seal element, and a passage located between the inner
mandrel and the outer mandrel to circulate a cooling fluid from an
inlet port to an outlet port. The outlet port may be in
communication with the water inlet of the DSG or the stinger
bore.
Inventors: |
Boyle; Bruce; (Sugar Land,
TX) ; Mani; Saikumar; (Pearland, TX) ;
Verzwyvelt; David; (West Columbia, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schlumberger Technology Corporation |
Sugar Land |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Schlumberger Technology
Corporation
Sugar Land
TX
|
Family ID: |
53678559 |
Appl. No.: |
14/167564 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/302 ;
166/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/24 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 36/00 20060101
E21B036/00; E21B 43/24 20060101 E21B043/24; E21B 33/12 20060101
E21B033/12 |
Claims
1. A thermal regulating device, comprising: a downhole steam
generator; a supply line to the downhole steam generator configured
to deliver fluid to the downhole steam generator from which the
downhole steam generator is configured to generate a hot effluent;
a temperature-sensitive completion component in the well; and a
heat sink configured to insulate the temperature-sensitive
completion component from thermal energy in the hot effluent.
2. The thermal regulating device of claim 1 wherein the heat sink
includes the fluid from the supply line before reaching the
downhole steam generator.
3. The thermal regulating device of claim 1 wherein the
temperature-sensitive completion component is in thermal contact
with a formation in a well.
4. The thermal regulating device of claim 1 wherein the supply line
is configured to discharge at least a portion of the fluid out of
the supply line and into thermal contact with the
temperature-sensitive completion component.
5. A thermal regulating completion device, the device comprising:
an inner mandrel having a bore; an outer mandrel surrounding the
inner mandrel and carrying a seal element; and a passage located
between the inner mandrel and the inner mandrel and the outer
mandrel to circulate a cooling fluid from an inlet port to an
outlet port.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the inlet port and the outlet
port are located at an upper end the device.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein the inlet port is located at an
upper end of the device and the outlet port is in communication
with the bore.
8. The device of claim 5, comprising an insulation located between
the inner mandrel and the outer mandrel.
9. The device of claim 5, comprising an insulation located between
the inner mandrel and the outer mandrel; and the inlet port and the
outlet port are located at an upper end the device.
10. The device of claim 5, comprising an insulation located between
the inner mandrel and the outer mandrel; and the inlet port is
located at an upper end of the device and the outlet port is in
communication with the bore.
11. A completion, comprising: a downhole steam generator (DSG)
having a water inlet and a discharge to convey a hot effluent away
from the DSG; a stinger having an inner mandrel forming a stinger
bore in communication with the discharge and an outer mandrel
carrying a seal element; and a passage located between the inner
mandrel and the outer mandrel to circulate a cooling fluid from an
inlet port to an outlet port.
12. The completion of claim 11, wherein the outlet port is in
communication with the stinger bore.
13. The completion of claim 11, wherein the outlet port is in
communication with the water inlet of the DSG.
14. The completion of claim 11, wherein the stinger includes an
insulation located between the inner mandrel and the outer
mandrel.
15. The completion of claim 11, wherein: the stinger is landed in a
packer set in a wellbore; the inlet port is located at an upper end
of the stinger above the packer; and the outlet port is located at
an upper end of the stinger above the packer.
16. The completion of claim 15, wherein the outlet port is in
communication with the water inlet of the DSG.
17. The completion of claim 11, wherein: the stinger is landed in a
packer set in a wellbore; the inlet port is located at an upper end
of the stinger above the packer; and the outlet port is in
communication with the stinger bore.
18. A method, comprising: generating a hot effluent at a downhole
steam generator (DSG) incorporated in an upper completion that is
deployed in a wellbore; discharging the hot effluent through a bore
of a stinger landed in a packer, the stinger carrying a seal
element; and circulating a water through a passage from an inlet
port to an outlet port, the passage located proximate to the
stinger seal.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the outlet port is in
communication with one of the stinger bore and a water inlet to the
DSG.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the passage is located between
an inner mandrel forming the stinger bore and an outer mandrel
carrying the seal element.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein: the circulating the water
includes communicating the water from the wellbore through the
inlet port into the passage; and the outlet port is in
communication with one of the stinger bore and a water inlet to the
DSG.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein: the circulating the water
includes communicating the water through a supply tubing to the
inlet port into the passage; and the outlet port is in
communication with one of the stinger bore and a water inlet to the
DSG.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein the stinger comprises: an inner
mandrel forming the stinger bore; an outer mandrel carrying the
seal element; and an insulation located between the inner mandrel
and the mandrel.
24. The method of claim 18, wherein: the passage is located between
an inner mandrel forming the stinger bore and an outer mandrel
carrying the seal element; the outlet port is in communication with
one of the stinger bore and a water inlet to the DSG; and the
circulating the water includes communicating the water to the inlet
port through one selected from the wellbore and a supply tubing.
Description
SUMMARY
[0001] A thermal regulating completion device in accordance to one
or more embodiments includes an inner mandrel having a bore, an
outer mandrel carrying a seal element, and a passage located
between the inner and outer mandrels to circulate a cooling fluid
between an inlet port and an outlet port. A completion in
accordance to one or more embodiments includes a downhole steam
generator (DSG) having a water inlet and a discharge to convey a
hot effluent away from the DSG, a stinger having an inner mandrel
forming a stinger bore in communication with the discharge and an
outer mandrel carrying a seal element, and a passage located
between the inner mandrel and the outer mandrel to circulate a
cooling fluid from an inlet port to an outlet port. A method
includes generating a hot effluent at a downhole steam generator,
discharging the hot effluent through a bore of a stinger landed in
a packer, and circulating water through a passage located proximate
to the stinger seal.
[0002] The foregoing has outlined some of the features and
technical advantages in order that the detailed description of
thermal regulating well completion devices, systems and methods
that follows may be better understood. Additional features and
advantages of the thermal regulating well completion devices,
systems and method will be described hereinafter which form the
subject of the claims of the invention. This summary is not
intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed
subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting
the scope of claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Embodiments of thermal regulating well completion devices,
systems and methods are described with reference to the following
figures. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to
reference like features and components. It is emphasized that, in
accordance with standard practice in the industry, various features
are not necessarily drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of
various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for
clarity of discussion.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a well system and completion in which
thermal regulating devices, systems and methods may be incorporated
and utilized.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a well system and completion in which
thermal regulating devices, systems and methods may be incorporated
and utilized.
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates a thermal regulating device incorporated
in a completion and discharging an outlet fluid to a downhole steam
generator in accordance to one or more embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a thermal regulating device incorporated
in a completion and discharging an outlet fluid through a lower
completion in accordance to one or more embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a thermal regulating device incorporated
in a completion having insulation and a cooling fluid passage in
accordance to one or more embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates a well completion incorporating thermal
regulating devices and methods in accordance to one or more
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] It is to be understood that the following disclosure
provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing
different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of
components and arrangements are described below to simplify the
disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not
intended to be limiting. In addition, the disclosure may repeat
reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This
repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does
not in itself dictate a relationship between the various
embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
[0011] As used herein, the terms "connect," "connection,"
"connected," "in connection with," and "connecting" are used to
mean "in direct connection with" or "in connection with via one or
more elements"; and the term "set" is used to mean "one element" or
"more than one element". Further, the terms "couple," "coupling,"
"coupled," "coupled together," and "coupled with" are used to mean
"directly coupled together" or "coupled together via one or more
elements". As used herein, the terms "up" and "down"; "upper" and
"lower"; "top" and "bottom"; and other like terms indicating
relative positions to a given point or element are utilized to more
clearly describe some elements. Commonly, these terms relate to a
reference point as the surface from which drilling operations are
initiated as being the top point and the total depth being the
lowest point, wherein the well (e.g., wellbore, borehole) is
vertical, horizontal or slanted relative to the surface.
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a well system 5 having a completion 10 in
which thermal regulating devices, systems and methods may be
incorporated and utilized. A wellbore 12 extends from a surface 14
to a formation 16 which is in communication with wellbore 12. At
least a portion of wellbore 12 may be lined with casing 18.
Completion 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a steam injection and
production completion. The thermal regulating devices, systems and
method are not limited to the completion illustrated in FIG. 1.
Completion 10 includes a lower completion 20 installed downhole
above formation 16 and an upper completion 22 deployed below
wellhead 24 and landed in lower completion 20.
[0013] Lower completion 20 includes a packer 26 (i.e. production
packer) having a polished bore receptacle (PBR) 28 and a tail pipe
30 extending below packer 26. Lower completion 20 may include an
isolation device 32 such as a valve (i.e. flow control device)
located in tail pipe 30 below packer 26. The thermal regulating
devices, systems and methods may be utilized to protect
temperature-sensitive components of the lower completion 20 (e.g.
seal elements) from the downhole temperatures that may be elevated
for example in response to hot effluent 74 (e.g., steam, gas,
liquid) discharged from upper completion 22.
[0014] Upper completion 22 includes a downhole steam generator
(DSG) 36 (e.g. combustor) that utilizes a fuel such as natural gas
or methane, and air to convert water to a hot effluent 74, for
example steam, for injection into formation 16. Upper completion 22
may include a control line 38 extending from the surface to one or
more downhole devices. Control line 38 may be a cable, or
umbilical, having more than one conduit for transmitting power and
or signals. For example, control line 38 may include hydraulic
conduits, electrical conductors, optic fibers and the like. Control
line 38 is illustrated in FIG. 1 connecting a surface controller 40
with downhole steam generator 36. Control line 38 may be connected
for example to sensors, gauges, hydraulic and electrically operated
flow control devices, and artificial lift devices (e.g. pumps).
Controller 40 may include without limitation electronic circuits,
processors, transmitters, receivers and power supplies (i.e.
hydraulic, electric), and valves (valve manifolds).
[0015] Upper completion 22 is deployed in the wellbore on a tubing
42 extending from the wellhead to a stinger 44 (seal assembly,
stabber assembly) which is landed in PBR 28 of lower completion 20.
In accordance to one or more embodiments stinger 44 is configured
as a thermal regulating device 44 to thermally regulate lower
completion 20, including stinger seals 84. The systems and methods
of the present disclosure can be used with any type of packer and
with any type of lower completions component that may be sensitive
to elevated temperatures. The thermal regulating systems and
methods of the present disclosure distributes high-temperature
fluids and low-temperature fluids as appropriate to protect such
temperature-sensitive components and to efficiently selectively
distribute thermal energy.
[0016] Upper completion 22 includes a Y-tool 76 at a top end that
separates or splits a second or bypass conduit 78 from tubing 42.
Bypass conduit 78 is connected back to or combined with tubing 42
downhole at a lower inverted Y-tool 46. Tubing 42 is connected to
thermal regulating stinger 44 below inverted Y-tool 46. The section
of tubing 42 located between Y-tool 76 and inverted Y-tool 46 is
referred to as continuous conduit 80 from time to time.
[0017] Downhole steam generator 36 is connected to bypass conduit
78 and it is in communication with air supply 60 or water supply 64
via tubing 42 to receive air or water during steaming operations.
Hot effluent 74 (e.g. steam and flue gas) is discharged from DSG 36
into a section of bypass conduit 78 referred to as discharge 48.
Discharge 48 of DSG 36 is connected to thermal regulating stinger
44 through inverted Y-tool 46. In accordance with some embodiments
a valve 50 (e.g. check valve) is connected within steam discharge
48 between DSG 36 and inverted Y-tool 46 to prevent back flow into
DSG 36 from below lower completion 20, e.g. formation fluid. Tubing
42 may include a include a barrier 52, for example a valve or
nipple and plug, located in continuous conduit 80 to selectively
close the conduit to divert supply fluid (i.e. water or air) to DSG
36 through bypass conduit 78. A plug 53 is illustrated in FIG. 1
landed in barrier 52 blocking tubing 42 in continuous conduit 80.
Continuous conduit 80 can be blocked or closed for example during
steam generating and injection operations so that a DSG operational
fluid such as water or air can be supplied through tubing 42 into
bypass conduit 78. During production operations tubing 42 is opened
so that formation fluid 72 can be produced to the surface.
[0018] Upper completion 22 includes a fuel supply tubing 54 in
communication between DSG 36 and a fuel supply 56 (e.g. natural
gas, methane, hydrogen, etc.) located at the surface. Fuel supply
56 may include a compressor. Air is communicated to DSG 36 from air
supply 60 for example via tubing 42 and bypass conduit 78 or
through supply tubing 66. Water may be supplied from water supply
64 for example via tubing 42 and bypass conduit 78, via supply
tubing 66, or through the tubing-casing annulus (i.e. wellbore 12).
The air and gas are combusted at DSG 36 to convert the supplied
water into a hot effluent 74 which is discharged through the lower
completion and into the formation. Hot effluent 74 may include the
flue gas from the combustion at DSG 36.
[0019] Cooling or insulating fluid, for example water, may be
supplied (i.e. communicated) to a cooling inlet port 34 of
regulating device 44 for example from water supply 64. The cooling
fluid may be communicated to regulating device 44 for example
through a supply conduit or through wellbore 12. The cooling fluid
may be discharged below packer 26 (e.g. into tail pipe 30) or
discharged above lower completion 20 and in some embodiments
communicated to the inlet of DSG 36. For example, with reference to
FIG. 1, cooling fluid is communicated from water supply 64 through
a supply conduit 58 to inlet port 34 of thermal regulating stinger
device 44. The cooling fluid may be discharged below packer 26
(e.g., FIG. 4) or communicated to DSG 36. In the FIG. 1
illustration, DSG supply water may be communicated directly to DSG
36 from the surface for example through tubing 42 and bypass 78 or
via supply tubing 66. In accordance to some embodiments, DSG supply
water may include the fluid discharged from the outlet of the
thermal regulating device.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a steam completion 10 installed in
wellbore 12. In this embodiment upper completion 22 is configured
to be deployed during steaming operations and then pulled out of
the wellbore prior to placing the well on production. A production
completion may be run into the wellbore for the production stage.
Upper completion 22 includes a fuel supply conduit 54 and an air
supply tubing 66 extending from the surface to DSG 36. In the
depicted completion, water 62 is supplied as cooling fluid from
water supply 64 (FIG. 1) into wellbore 12 and into cooling inlet
port 34 of the seal element regulating device 44. Inlet port 34 is
open to and in communication with the annulus (i.e. wellbore 12)
above packer 26 in FIG. 2. Water 62 may be supplied to inlet port
34 through a supply conduit, such as supply tubing, for example
tubing 58 (FIG. 1), instead of through wellbore 12. Water 62 is
circulated through regulating device 44 and discharged as outlet or
preheated water 63 through an outlet port 35. Inlet port 34 and or
outlet port 35 may include or be formed by a one-way flow control
device (e.g., check valve) allowing in one direction from inlet
port 34 to outlet port 35 and blocking flow in the reverse
direction.
[0021] Outlet port 35 may be in communication with the water inlet
of the DSG or the stinger bore. In FIG. 2, outlet water 63 is
discharged above packer 26 and communicated to inlet 65 of DSG 36
via conduit 67. In accordance to some embodiments, outlet water 63
may be discharged back into wellbore 12 above packer 26. In some
embodiments, outlet water 63 is discharged into wellbore 12 and
communicated to DSG 36 through inlet 65 that is open to wellbore
12. Water 62 may be heated when it is circulated through regulating
device 44 and the preheated outlet water 63 communicated to DSG 36
may aid in generating higher quality steam.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a regulating device 44 utilized in a
completion 10 in accordance to some embodiments. Packer 26 is
deployed and set in the well with packer seal element 68 and slips
70 engaging casing 18. Thermal regulating stinger 44 includes an
outer mandrel or sleeve 82 carrying one or more seal elements 84
for sealing with polished bore receptacle 28 of packer 26. Thermal
regulating stinger 44 includes an inner sleeve or mandrel 86
forming a stinger bore 88. Stinger bore 88 is in communication with
discharge 48 of DSG 36 and tail pipe 30.
[0023] In accordance to one or more embodiments, a passage 92 in
communication with or connecting inlet port 34 and outlet port 35
is located between inner mandrel 86 and outer mandrel 82. Inlet
port 34 and or outlet port 35 may include or be formed by a one-way
flow control device allowing one-way fluid flow in the direction
from inlet port 34 to outlet port 35 and blocking fluid flow in the
direction from outlet port 35 through inlet port 34. Passage 92 may
be formed by a member 90 (e.g. sleeve or coil) surrounding inner
mandrel 86. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, member 90 is
illustrated as a coil member surrounding inner mandrel 86 (e.g.
co-axially aligned) and providing passage 92 as a helical path
around the inner mandrel. Passage 92 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and
5 formed by a sleeve member 90. Cooling fluid 62 (e.g. water) is
circulated through passage 92 and discharged as a preheated outlet
fluid 63 and supplied into DSG 36 and converted to hot effluent 74
in FIG. 3. Circulating the water through passage 92 may provide a
thermal regulating layer between hot effluent 74 and the stinger
seal elements 84 and packer 26. FIG. 3 illustrates water 62 being
supplied to inlet port 34 through supply tubing 58 and outlet water
63 communicated from outlet port 35 to DSG inlet 65 through a
conduit 67. Outlet port 35 is located at an upper end 43 of thermal
regulating stinger device 44 in FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates thermal regulating stinger 44 discharging
the cooling fluid through lower completion 20 in accordance to one
or more embodiments. Passage 92 is illustrated in FIG. 4 formed by
sleeve member 90. Cooling fluid 62 is supplied via wellbore 12 or
supply tubing, for example tubing 58, to inlet port 34 of thermal
regulating stinger 44 and is circulated through passage 92 from
inlet port 34 located at an upper end 43 of thermal regulating
device 44 to outlet port 35, which is in communication with bore
88, located at a lower end 45 of thermal regulating device. Fluid
flow through passage 92 may be limited to one-way fluid flow from
inlet port 34 through discharge port 35. For example, inlet port 34
and or outlet port 35 may include or be formed by a one-way flow
control device allowing one-way fluid flow in the direction from
inlet port 34 to outlet port 35 and blocking fluid flow in the
direction from outlet port 35 through inlet port 34. The circulated
fluid 62 may remove heat (i.e. conduction) and thermally regulate
elements such as seal elements 84 and 68 that are exterior of
passage 92 from the hot effluent 74 passing from DSG 36 through
stinger bore 88 of thermal regulating device 44. The cooling fluid
is discharged as outlet fluid 63 at outlet port 35 into wellbore 12
below lower completion 20 for example into stinger bore 88 and tail
pipe 30. Outlet fluid 63 may mix with hot effluent 74. In this
example, water 62 may be supplied to inlet 65 of DSG 36 through
wellbore 12 or through a supply conduit, for example supply tubing
42.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates thermal regulating stinger device 44
having thermal insulation 94 located with passage 92 between outer
mandrel 82 and inner mandrel 86. In this example, insulation 94 is
illustrated as a tubular member (e.g. sleeve) located
concentrically about inner mandrel 86. Insulation 94 may be made of
various materials including solids, gases and liquids and
constructed in various configurations to provide thermal insulation
between hot effluent 74 and the exterior elements such as seal
elements 84, 68. Insulation 94 may be constructed of one or more
materials that have a low thermal conductivity and or to reflect
thermal radiation. Insulation 94 may include a material or fluid
disposed in a wall portion of insulation sleeve 94.
[0026] Passage 92 extends between inlet port 34 and outlet port 35
for example spiraling about inner mandrel 86. Passage 92 is
illustrated in FIG. 5 formed by sleeve member 90. Water 62 may be
communicated into inlet port 34 through wellbore 12. For example
with additional reference to FIG. 2, inlet port 34 may be open to
the annulus (wellbore 12) above packer 26 and water 62 may be
supplied through wellhead 24 (FIG. 1) into wellbore 12 and
communicated into open inlet port 34. Water 62 may be communicated
for example from the surface through supply tubing, for example
tubing 58, through inlet port 34 and into passage 92. Water 62 may
be discharged from outlet port 35 as outlet water 63 into wellbore
12 above packer 26, below packer 26 into tail pipe 30 or stinger
bore 88 for example as illustrated in FIG. 4, or directly into DSG
36 for example as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In accordance to
some embodiments, fluid flow may be restricted to one-way flow
through passage 92 in the direction from inlet port 34 to outlet
port 35.
[0027] DSG supply water may be communicated to DSG 36 for
conversion to hot effluent 74 from the surface through supply
tubing and or through wellbore 12. The water supplied to the DSG
inlet may include outlet water 63 discharged from the thermal
insulating device. For example, in some embodiments water inlet 65
of DSG 36 may be open to wellbore 12, i.e. in communication with
the wellbore annulus, above packer 26 to receive water for
conversion to hot effluent 74. Surface water supply 64 (FIG. 1) may
be communicated through the wellhead into the wellbore and
communicated to DSG 36 for example through inlet 65. Outlet water
63 may be discharged into wellbore 12 above packer 26 and supplied
to DSG 36 through open inlet 65. Outlet water 63 may be discharged
from outlet port 35 and communicated directly into DSG 36 for
example through a conduit (e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3). Water inlet 65 may
be in communication with surface water supply 64 (FIG. 1) for
example through a supply conduit for example as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 4.
[0028] Insulation 94 is illustrated in FIG. 5 located between inner
mandrel 86 and passage 92; however, it may be located between
passage 92 and outer mandrel 82. In accordance to an embodiment,
thermal insulating stinger 44 may include inner mandrel 86,
insulation 94 formed as a sleeve surrounding inner mandrel 86,
passage 92 formed by member 90 surrounding insulation 94 and outer
mandrel 82 resisting the external pressure and supporting stinger
seals 84.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a completion 10
incorporating thermal insulating stinger 44 and a thermal
regulating device 144. In this example, thermal regulating stinger
44 includes insulation 94 disposed between outer mandrel 82 and
inner mandrel 86. In accordance to embodiments, thermal regulating
stinger 44 does not include cooling fluid passage 92. Thermal
regulating device 144 includes a coil shaped member 90 forming a
cooling passage 92 (FIGS. 3-5) in communication between inlet port
34 and outlet port 35. Thermal regulating device 144 is deployed
proximate to thermal insulating stinger 44 and packer 26. Thermal
insulating device 144 may be in contact with stinger 44 and or
packer 26. Cooling fluid 62 may be supplied from water supply 64
(FIG. 1) for example through wellbore 12 or supply tubing 58 and
circulated through coil member 90 of thermal insulating device 144
and discharged through outlet port 35. For example, the water may
be discharged as outlet water 63 into wellbore 12 or into a conduit
67 and communicated to inlet 65 of DSG 36. The supply tubing 58 can
discharge fluid such as water into a space 91 above the stinger 44
through openings 93 in the supply tubing. The supply tubing 58 can
include one-way valves or other mechanisms to control flow of fluid
into and out of the supply tubing 58. The loose fluid cools
temperature-sensitive components, such as seal elements 68. The
loose water discharged can be left in the well or removed through
the supply tubing 58 or another conduit.
[0030] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so
that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of
the disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that
they may readily use the disclosure as a basis for designing or
modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same
purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments
introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the disclosure, and that they may make various
changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of the
invention should be determined only by the language of the claims
that follow. The term "comprising" within the claims is intended to
mean "including at least" such that the recited listing of elements
in a claim are an open group. The terms "a," "an" and other
singular terms are intended to include the plural forms thereof
unless specifically excluded.
* * * * *