U.S. patent number 10,385,673 [Application Number 15/088,745] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-20 for fluid driven commingling system for oil and gas applications.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Saudi Arabian Oil Company. The grantee listed for this patent is Saudi Arabian Oil Company. Invention is credited to Rafael Lastra, Shoubo Wang, Jinjiang Xiao.
United States Patent |
10,385,673 |
Xiao , et al. |
August 20, 2019 |
Fluid driven commingling system for oil and gas applications
Abstract
A fluid management system positioned in a wellbore for
recovering a multiphase stream from the wellbore. The system
comprising a downhole separator configured to produce a carrier
fluid having a carrier fluid pressure and a separated fluid having
a separated fluid pressure, an artificial lift device configured to
increase the carrier fluid pressure to produce the turbine feed
stream having a turbine feed pressure, a turbine configured to
convert fluid energy in the turbine feed stream to harvested
energy, the conversion fluid energy from the turbine feed stream to
harvested energy produces a turbine discharge stream having a
turbine discharge pressure less than the turbine feed pressure, and
a pressure boosting device configured to convert the harvested
energy to pressurized fluid energy, the conversion of harvested
energy to pressurized fluid energy produces a pressurized fluid
stream having a pressurized fluid pressure greater than the
separated fluid pressure.
Inventors: |
Xiao; Jinjiang (Dhahran,
SA), Lastra; Rafael (Dhahran, SA), Wang;
Shoubo (Broken Arrow, OK) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Saudi Arabian Oil Company |
Dhahran |
N/A |
SA |
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Assignee: |
Saudi Arabian Oil Company
(SA)
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Family
ID: |
55702169 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/088,745 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160290116 A1 |
Oct 6, 2016 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62141434 |
Apr 1, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B
43/122 (20130101); E21B 43/38 (20130101); E21B
43/128 (20130101); E21B 43/121 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E21B
43/12 (20060101); E21B 43/38 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1445420 |
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Aug 2004 |
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EP |
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WO2012164382 |
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Dec 2012 |
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WO |
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WO2014027895 |
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Feb 2014 |
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WO |
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WO2014058778 |
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Apr 2014 |
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WO |
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WO2015041655 |
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Mar 2015 |
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WO |
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Other References
Bhatia et al., "Artificial Lift: Focus on Hydraulic Submersible
Pumps", The Way Ahead Tech 101, 2014, pp. 29-31, vol. 10, No. 3.
cited by applicant .
Carvalho, P. M., A. L. Podio, and K. Sepehmoori. "Modeling a Jet
Pump with an electrical Submersible Pump for production of gassy
petroleum wells." SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition.
Society of Petroleum Engineers, 1998. pp. 53-65. cited by applicant
.
Harden, W. G., and A. A. Downie. "Field Trial and Subsequent
Large-Scale Deployment of a Novel Multiphase Hydraulic Submersible
Pump in the Captain Field." Offshore Technology Conference.
Offshore Technology Conference, 2001. (19 Pages). cited by
applicant .
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International
Application No. PCT/US2016/025185; International Filing date Mar.
31, 2016; dated Jun. 14, 2016. (14 Pages). cited by applicant .
Mali, Gwyn Ardeshir, et al. "Hydraulic Submersible Pumps: 10 Years
Experience on a Heavy-Oil Field in the North Sea." SPE Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum
Engineers, 2010. (13 Pages). cited by applicant .
Manson, D. M. "Artificial Lift by Hydraulic Turbine-Driven Downhole
Pumps: Its Development, Application, and Selection." International
Meeting on Petroleum Engineering. Society of Petroleum Engineers,
1986. pp. 623-639. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Gay; Jennifer H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bracewell LLP Rhebergen; Contance
G.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application
No. 62/141,434, filed on Apr. 1, 2015. For purposes of United
States patent practice, this application incorporates the content
of the Provisional Application by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for harvesting fluid energy from a turbine feed stream
to power a pressure boosting device downhole in a wellbore, the
method comprising the steps of: separating a multiphase fluid, the
multiphase fluid having a carrier fluid component and an entrained
fluid component, in a downhole separator to generate a carrier
fluid and a separated fluid, the carrier fluid having a
concentration of the entrained fluid component, the carrier fluid
having a carrier fluid pressure, the separated fluid having a
separated fluid pressure; feeding the carrier fluid to an
artificial lift device, the artificial lift device configured to
increase the carrier fluid pressure to create the turbine feed
stream, the turbine feed stream having a turbine feed pressure;
feeding the turbine feed stream to a turbine, the turbine
configured to convert fluid energy in the turbine feed stream to
harvested energy; extracting the fluid energy in the turbine feed
stream to produce harvested energy, wherein extraction of the fluid
energy from the turbine feed stream produces a turbine discharge
stream, the turbine discharge stream having a turbine discharge
pressure, wherein the turbine discharge pressure is less than the
turbine feed pressure; and driving a pressure boosting device with
the harvested energy, the pressure boosting device configured to
convert the harvested energy to pressurized fluid energy, wherein
conversion of harvested energy to pressurized fluid energy produces
a pressurized fluid stream having a pressurized fluid pressure,
wherein the pressurized fluid pressure is greater than the
separated fluid pressure.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: mixing
the turbine discharge stream and the pressurized fluid stream in a
mixer, the mixer configured to commingle the turbine discharge
stream and the pressurized fluid stream to produce a commingled
production stream, the commingled production stream having a
production pressure.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the artificial lift device is an
electric submersible pump and the pressure boosting device is a
compressor.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the artificial lift device is a
downhole gas compressor and the pressure boosting device is a
submersible pump.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the
entrained fluid component in the carrier fluid is between 1% by
volume and 10% by volume.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiphase fluid is selected
from the group consisting of oil entrained with gas, water
entrained with gas, gas entrained with oil, gas entrained with
water, and combinations thereof.
7. A method for employing fluid energy from an energized stream to
drive a pressure boosting device, the method comprising the steps
of: feeding the energized stream to a turbine, the energized stream
having an energized pressure, the turbine configured to convert
fluid energy in the energized stream to harvested energy, wherein
the energized stream is from an energized subterranean region;
extracting the fluid energy in the energized stream to produce
harvested energy, wherein extraction of the fluid energy from the
energized stream produces a turbine discharge stream, the turbine
discharge stream having a turbine discharge pressure, wherein the
turbine discharge pressure is less than the energized pressure;
driving the pressure boosting device with the harvested energy, the
pressure boosting device configured to convert the harvested energy
to pressurized fluid energy; and increasing a pressure of a
depressurized stream to generate a pressurized fluid stream,
wherein the depressurized stream is from a depressurized
subterranean region having a zonal pressure less than the energized
subterranean region, wherein conversion of harvested energy to
pressurized fluid energy in the turbine increases the pressure of
the depressurized stream, the pressurized fluid stream having a
pressurized fluid pressure, wherein the pressurized fluid pressure
is greater than the pressure of the depressurized stream.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the pressure boosting device is a
compressor.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the pressure boosting device is a
submersible pump.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
Described are a system and method for producing a multiphase fluid
from a wellbore. More specifically, described are a system and
method for extracting energy from a multiphase stream to drive a
pressure boosting device.
BACKGROUND
There are a number of oil production operations where the use of
downhole electric submersible pumps (ESPs) is necessary to ensure
sufficient lift is created to produce a high volume of oil from the
well. ESPs are multistage centrifugal pumps having anywhere from
ten to hundreds of stages. Each stage of an electric submersible
pump includes an impeller and a diffuser. The impeller transfers
the shaft's mechanical energy into kinetic energy in the fluid. The
diffuser then converts the fluid's kinetic energy into the fluid
head or pressure necessary to lift the liquid from the wellbore. As
with all fluids, ESPs are designed to run efficiently for a given
fluid type, density, viscosity, and an expected amount of free
gas.
Free gas, associated gas, or gas entrained in liquid is produced
from subterranean formations in both oil production and water
production. While ESPs are designed to handle small volumes of
entrained gas, the efficiency of an ESP decreases rapidly in the
presence of gas. The gas, or gas bubbles, builds up on the
low-pressure side of the impeller, which in turn reduces the fluid
head generated by the pump. Additionally, the volumetric efficiency
of the ESP is reduced because the gas is filling the impeller
vanes. At certain volumes of free gas, the pump can experience gas
lock, during which the ESP will not generate any fluid head.
Methods to combat problems associated with gas in the use of ESPs
can be categorized as gas handling and gas separation and
avoidance.
In gas handling techniques, the type of impeller vane used in the
stages of the ESP takes into account the expedited free gas volume.
ESPs are categorized based on their impeller design as radial flow,
mixed flow, and axial flow. In radial flow, the geometry of the
impeller vane is more likely to trap gas and therefore it is
limited to liquids having less than 10% entrained free gas. In
mixed flow impeller stages, the fluid progresses along a more
complex flow path, allowing mixed flow pumps to handle up to 25%
(45% in some cases) free gas. In axial flow pumps, the flow
direction is parallel to the shaft of the pump. The axial flow
geometry reduces the opportunity to trap gases in the stages and,
therefore, axial pumps can typically handle up to 75% free gas.
Gas separation and avoidance techniques involve separating the free
gas from the liquid before the liquid enters the ESP. Separation of
the gas from the liquid is achieved by gas separators installed
before the pump suction, or by the use of gravity in combination
with special completion design, such as shrouds. In most
operations, the separated gas is then produced to the surface
through the annulus between the tubing and the casing. In some
operations, the gas is produced at the surface through separate
tubing. In some operations the gas can be introduced back into the
tubing that contains the liquids downstream of the pump discharge.
In order to do this, the gas may need to be pressurized to achieve
equalization of the pressure between the liquid discharged by the
pump and the separated gas. A jet pump can be installed above the
discharge of the ESP, the jet pump pulls in the gas. Jet pumps are
complex and can have efficiency and reliability issues. In some
cases however, the gas cannot be produced through the annulus due
to systems used to separate the annulus from fluids in the
wellbore.
Non-associated gas production wells can also see multiphase
streams. Wet gas wells can have liquid entrained in the gas. As
with liquid wells, artificial lift can be used to maintain gas
production where the pressure in the formation is reduced. In such
situations, downhole gas compressors (DGC) are used to generate the
pressure necessary to lift the gas to the surface. DGCs experience
problems similar to ESPs, when the liquid entrained in the gas is
greater than 10%.
In addition to ESPs and DGCs, equipment at the surface can be used
to generate pressure for producing the fluids from the wellbore.
Multiphase Pumps (MPPs) and Wet Gas Compressors (WGCs) can be used
on oil and gas fields respectively. MPP technologies are costly and
complex, and are prone to reliability issues. Current WGC
technology requires separation, compression, and pumping, where
each compressor and pump requires a separate motor.
SUMMARY
Described are a system and method for producing a multiphase fluid
from a wellbore. More specifically, described are a system and
method for extracting energy from a multiphase stream to drive a
pressure boosting device.
In a first aspect, a fluid management system positioned in a
wellbore for recovering a multiphase fluid having a carrier fluid
component and an entrained fluid component from the wellbore is
provided. The fluid management system includes a downhole
separator, the downhole separator configured to produce a carrier
fluid and a separated fluid from the multiphase fluid, the carrier
fluid having a concentration of the entrained fluid component, the
carrier fluid having a carrier fluid pressure, the separated fluid
having a separated fluid pressure, an artificial lift device, the
artificial lift device fluidly connected to the downhole separator,
the artificial lift device configured to increase the carrier fluid
pressure to produce a turbine feed stream, the turbine feed stream
having a turbine feed pressure, a turbine, the turbine fluidly
connected to the artificial lift device, the turbine configured to
convert fluid energy in the turbine feed stream to harvested
energy, where the conversion in the turbine of fluid energy from
the turbine feed stream to harvested energy produces a turbine
discharge stream, the turbine discharge stream having a turbine
discharge pressure, where the turbine discharge pressure is less
than the turbine feed pressure, and a pressure boosting device, the
pressure boosting device fluidly connected to the downhole
separator and physically connected to the turbine, the pressure
boosting device configured to convert the harvested energy to
pressurized fluid energy, where conversion of harvested energy to
pressurized fluid energy produces a pressurized fluid stream having
a pressurized fluid pressure, where the pressurized fluid pressure
is greater than the separated fluid pressure.
In certain aspects, the fluid management system further includes a
mixer, the mixer fluidly connected to both the artificial lift
device and the pressure boosting device, the mixer configured to
commingle the turbine discharge stream and the pressurized fluid
stream to produce a commingled production stream, the commingled
production stream having a production pressure. In certain aspects,
the artificial lift device is an electric submersible pump and the
pressure boosting device is a compressor. In certain aspects, the
artificial lift device is a downhole gas compressor and the
pressure boosting device is a submersible pump. In certain aspects,
a speed of the turbine is controlled by adjusting a flow rate of
the turbine feed stream through the turbine. In certain aspects,
the concentration of the entrained fluid component in the carrier
fluid is less than 10% by volume. In certain aspects, the
multiphase fluid is selected from the group consisting of oil
entrained with gas, water entrained with gas, gas entrained with
oil, gas entrained with water, and combinations thereof.
In a second aspect, a method for harvesting fluid energy from the
turbine feed stream to power a pressure boosting device downhole in
a wellbore is provided. The method includes the steps of separating
a multiphase fluid, the multiphase fluid having a carrier fluid
component and an entrained fluid component, in a downhole separator
to generate a carrier fluid and a separated fluid, the carrier
fluid having a concentration of the entrained fluid component, the
carrier fluid having a carrier fluid pressure, the separated fluid
having a separated fluid pressure, feeding the carrier fluid to an
artificial lift device, the artificial lift device configured to
increase the carrier fluid pressure to create the turbine feed
stream, the turbine feed stream having a turbine feed pressure,
feeding the turbine feed stream to a turbine, the turbine
configured to convert fluid energy in the turbine feed stream to
harvested energy, extracting the fluid energy in the turbine feed
stream to produce harvested energy, where the extraction of the
fluid energy from the turbine feed stream produces a turbine
discharge stream, the turbine discharge stream having a turbine
discharge pressure, where the turbine discharge pressure is less
than the turbine feed pressure, and driving a pressure boosting
device with the harvested energy, the pressure boosting device
configured to convert the harvested energy to pressurized fluid
energy, where the conversion of harvested energy to pressurized
fluid energy produces a pressurized fluid stream having a
pressurized fluid pressure, where the pressurized fluid pressure is
greater than the separated fluid pressure.
In certain aspects, the method further includes the step of mixing
the turbine discharge stream and the pressurized fluid stream in a
mixer, the mixer configured to commingle the turbine discharge
stream and the pressurized fluid stream to produce a commingled
production stream, the commingled production stream having a
production pressure. In certain aspects, the artificial lift device
is an electric submersible pump and the pressure boosting device is
a compressor. In certain aspects, the artificial lift device is a
downhole gas compressor and the pressure boosting device is a
submersible pump. In certain aspects, a speed of the turbine is
controlled by adjusting a flow rate of the turbine feed stream
through the turbine. In certain aspects, the concentration of the
entrained fluid component in the carrier fluid is less than 10% by
volume. In certain aspects, the multiphase fluid is selected from
the group consisting of oil entrained with gas, water entrained
with gas, gas entrained with oil, gas entrained with water, and
combinations thereof.
In a third aspect, a method for employing fluid energy from an
energized stream to drive a pressure boosting device is provided.
The method including the steps of feeding the energized stream to a
turbine, the energized stream having an energized pressure, the
turbine configured to convert fluid energy in the energized stream
to harvested energy, extracting the fluid energy in the energized
stream to produce harvested energy, where the extraction of the
fluid energy from the energized stream produces a turbine discharge
stream, the turbine discharge stream having a turbine discharge
pressure, where the turbine discharge pressure is less than the
energized pressure, driving a pressure boosting device with the
harvested energy, the pressure boosting device configured to
convert the harvested energy to pressurized fluid energy, and
increasing a pressure of a depressurized stream to generate a
pressurized fluid stream, where the conversion of harvested energy
to pressurized fluid energy in the turbine increases the pressure
of the depressurized stream, the pressurized fluid stream having a
pressurized fluid pressure, where the pressurized fluid pressure is
greater than the pressure of the depressurized stream.
In certain aspects, the pressure boosting device is a compressor.
In certain aspects, the pressure boosting device is a submersible
pump. In certain aspects, a speed of the turbine is controlled by
adjusting a flow rate of the energized stream through the turbine.
In certain aspects, the energized stream is from an energized
subterranean region. In certain aspects, the depressurized stream
is from a depressurized subterranean region having a zonal pressure
less than the energized subterranean region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages will become
better understood with regard to the following descriptions,
claims, and accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that
the drawings illustrate only several embodiments and are therefore
not to be considered limiting of the inventive scope as it can
admit to other equally effective embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the fluid management
system.
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the fluid management
system.
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the fluid management
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the invention will be described with several embodiments, it
is understood that one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will
appreciate that many examples, variations and alterations to the
apparatus and methods described throughout are within the scope and
spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described
throughout are set forth without any loss of generality, and
without imposing limitations, on the claimed invention.
A method to produce multiphase fluids from a wellbore that allows
for the separation of gases, while minimizing the complexity of the
system is desired.
The fluid management system targets artificial lift and production
boost either downhole or at the surface. In the example of an oil
well producing some gas, a multiphase fluid is separated in a
separator into a carrier fluid (a liquid dominated stream) and an
entrained fluid (a gas dominated stream). A pump is used to
energize the liquid dominated stream. The energized liquid
dominated stream is then used to drive a turbine coupled to a
compressor. The compressor is used to compress the gas dominated
stream. The pump can be sized to provide sufficient power so that
the pressure increase in both the liquid dominated stream and the
gas dominated stream is sufficient to propel both streams to the
surface.
FIG. 1 provides a flow diagram of an embodiment of the fluid
management system. Fluid management system 100 is a system for
recovering multiphase fluid 2. Fluid management system 100 is
placed downhole in the wellbore to increase the pressure of
multiphase fluid 2, to recover multiphase fluid 2 at the surface.
Multiphase fluid 2 is any stream being produced from a subterranean
formation containing a carrier fluid component with an entrained
fluid component. Examples of carrier fluid components include oil,
water, natural gas and combinations thereof. Examples of entrained
fluid components include oil, water, natural gas, condensate, and
combinations thereof. In at least one embodiment, multiphase fluid
2 is oil with natural gas entrained. In at least one embodiment,
multiphase fluid 2 is water with natural gas entrained. In at least
one embodiment, multiphase fluid 2 is a combination of oil and
water with natural gas entrained. In at least one embodiment,
multiphase fluid 2 is natural gas with oil entrained. In at least
one embodiment, multiphase fluid 2 is natural gas with condensate
entrained. The composition of multiphase fluid 2 depends on the
type of subterranean formation. The amount of entrained fluid in
multiphase fluid 2 can be between about 5% by volume and about 95%
by volume.
Downhole separator 102 of fluid management system 100 receives
multiphase fluid 2. Downhole separator 102 separates multiphase
fluid 2 into carrier fluid 4 and separated fluid 6. Downhole
separator 102 is any type of separator capable of separating a
stream with multiple phases into two or more streams. Examples of
separators suitable for use in the present invention include
vapor-liquid separators, equilibrium separators, oil and gas
separators, stage separators, knockout vessels, centrifugal
separators, mist extractors, and scrubbers. Downhole separator 102
is designed to maintain structural integrity in the wellbore. In at
least one embodiment, downhole separator 102 is a centrifugal
separator.
Carrier fluid 4 contains the carrier fluid component from
multiphase fluid 2. Examples of fluids that constitute carrier
fluid 4 include oil, water, natural gas and combinations thereof.
In at least one embodiment, carrier fluid 4 has a concentration of
the entrained fluid component. The concentration of the entrained
fluid component in carrier fluid 4 depends on the design and
operating conditions of downhole separator 102 and the composition
of multiphase fluid 2. The concentration of the entrained fluid
component in carrier fluid 4 is between about 1% by volume and
about 10% by volume, alternately between about 1% by volume and
about 5% by volume, alternately between about 5% by volume and
about 10% by volume, and alternately less than 10% by volume.
Carrier fluid 4 has a carrier fluid pressure. In at least one
embodiment, the pressure of carrier fluid 4 is the pressure of the
fluids in the formation.
Separated fluid 6 contains the entrained fluid component from
multiphase fluid 2. Separated fluid 6 is the result of the
separation of the entrained fluid component from the carrier fluid
component in downhole separator 102. Examples of fluids that
constitute separated fluid 6 includes oil, water, natural gas,
condensate, and combinations thereof. Separated fluid 6 contains a
concentration of the carrier fluid component. The concentration of
the carrier fluid component in separated fluid 6 depends on the
design and operating conditions of downhole separator 102 and the
composition of multiphase fluid 2. The concentration of carrier
fluid component in separated fluid 6 is between about 1% by volume
and about 10% by volume, alternately between about 1% by volume and
about 5% by volume, alternately between about 5% by volume and
about 10% by volume, and alternately less than 10% by volume.
Separated fluid 6 has a separated fluid pressure. In at least one
embodiment, the pressure of separated fluid 6 is the pressure of
the fluids in the formation.
Carrier fluid 4 is fed to artificial lift device 104. Artificial
lift device 104 is any device that increases the pressure of
carrier fluid 4 and maintains structural and operational integrity
under the conditions in the wellbore. The type of artificial lift
device 104 selected depends on the phase of carrier fluid 4.
Examples of phases include liquid and gas. In at least one
embodiment, carrier fluid 4 is a liquid and artificial lift device
104 is an electric submersible pump. In at least one embodiment,
carrier fluid 4 is a gas and artificial lift device 104 is a
downhole gas compressor. Artificial lift device 104 increases the
pressure of carrier fluid 4 to produce turbine feed stream 8.
Turbine feed stream 8 has a turbine feed pressure. The turbine feed
pressure is greater than the carrier fluid pressure. Artificial
lift device 104 is driven by a motor. Examples of motors suitable
for use in the present invention include a submersible electrical
induction motor and a permanent magnet motor.
Separated fluid 6 is fed to pressure boosting device 106. Pressure
boosting device 106 is any device that increases the pressure of
separated fluid 6 and maintains structural and operational
integrity under the conditions in the wellbore. The type of
pressure boosting device 106 selected depends on the phase of
separated fluid 6. Examples of phases include liquid and gas. In at
least one embodiment, separated fluid 6 is a liquid and pressure
boosting device 106 is a submersible pump. In at least one
embodiment, separated fluid 6 is a gas and pressure boosting device
106 is a compressor. Pressure boosting device 106 increases the
pressure of separated fluid 6 to produce pressurized fluid stream
10. Pressurized fluid stream 10 has a pressurized fluid pressure.
The pressurized fluid pressure is greater than the separated fluid
pressure.
Turbine feed stream 8 is fed to turbine 108. Turbine 108 is any
mechanical device that extracts fluid energy (hydraulic power) from
a flowing fluid and converts the fluid energy to mechanical energy
(rotational mechanical power). Turbine 108 can be a turbine.
Examples of turbines suitable for use include hydraulic turbines
and gas turbines. The presence of a turbine in the system
eliminates the need for more than one motor, which increases the
reliability of the system. Turbine 108 converts the fluid energy in
turbine feed stream 8 into harvested energy 12. The speed of
turbine 108 is adjustable. In at least one embodiment, changing the
pitch of the blades of turbine 108 adjusts the speed of turbine
108. In at least one embodiment, a bypass line provides control of
the flow rate of turbine feed stream 8 entering turbine 108, which
adjusts the speed (rotations per minute or RPMs) of turbine 108.
Changes in the flow rate (volume/unit of time) of a fluid in a
fixed pipe results in changes to the velocity (distance/unit of
time) of the fluid flowing in the pipe. Thus, changes in the flow
rate of turbine feed stream 8 adjusts the velocity of turbine feed
stream 8, which in turn changes the speed of rotation (RPMs) in
turbine 108. In embodiments of the present invention, the fluid
management system is in the absence of a gearbox due to the use of
a bypass line to control the speed of turbine 108, the absence of a
gearbox reduces the complexity of fluid management system 108 by
eliminating an additional mechanical unit.
The conversion of fluid energy from turbine feed stream 8 in
turbine 108 reduces the pressure of turbine feed stream 8 and
produces turbine discharge stream 14. Turbine discharge stream 14
has a turbine discharge pressure. The turbine discharge pressure is
less than the turbine feed pressure.
Turbine 108 is physically connected to pressure boosting device
106, such that harvested energy 12 drives pressure boosting device
106. One of skill in the art will appreciate that a turbine can be
connected to a mechanical device through a linkage or a coupling
(not shown). The coupling allows harvested energy 12 to be
transferred to pressure boosting device 106, thus driving pressure
boosting device 106. Pressure boosting device 106 operates without
the use of an external power source. In at least one embodiment,
the only electricity supplied to fluid management system 100 is
supplied to artificial lift device 104. The linkage or coupling can
be any link or coupling that transfers harvested energy 12 from
turbine 108 to pressure boosting device 106. Examples of links or
couplings include mechanical, hydraulic, and magnetic. Pressure
boosting device 106 is in the absence of a motor. The driving force
of the pressure boosting device is provided by the turbine.
Artificial lift device 104, pressure boosting device 106, and
turbine 108 are designed such that the turbine discharge pressure
of turbine discharge stream 14 lifts turbine discharge stream 14 to
the surface to be recovered and the pressurized fluid pressure of
pressurized fluid stream 10 lifts pressurized fluid stream 10 to
the surface to be recovered. Artificial lift device 104 is designed
to provide fluid energy to turbine feed stream 8 so turbine 108 can
generate harvested energy 12 to drive pressure boosting device
106.
The combination of artificial lift device 104, pressure boosting
device 106, and turbine 108 can be arranged in series, parallel, or
concentrically. Artificial lift device 104 and pressure boosting
device 106 are not driven by the same motor. The fluid management
system can be modular in design and packaging because the
artificial lift device and the pressure boosting device are not
driven by the same motor. The fluid management system is in the
absence of a dedicated motor for the artificial lift device and a
separate dedicated motor for the pressure boosting device.
When conditions downhole allow, the fluid management system is in
the absence of any motor used to drive either the artificial lift
device or the pressure boosting device. If a well is a strong well,
there is enough hydraulic energy and the turbine can be driven by
the carrier fluid, such as is shown in FIG. 3. As used here,
"strong well" refers to a well that produces a fluid with enough
hydraulic energy to be produced from the formation to the surface
without the need for an energizing device and can drive a jet pump.
As used here, a "weak well" refers to a well that produces a fluid
that does not have enough hydraulic energy to be produced from the
formation to the surface and thus requires the an energizing
device, such as a jet pump.
Incorporating those elements described with reference to FIG. 1,
FIG. 2 provides an embodiment. Turbine discharge stream 14 and
pressurized fluid stream 10 are mixed in mixer 112 to produce
commingled production stream 16. Commingled production stream 16
has a production pressure. Mixer 112 is any mixing device that
commingles turbine discharge stream 14 and pressurized fluid stream
10 in a manner that produces commingled production stream 16 at the
surface. In at least one embodiment, mixer 112 is a pipe joint
connecting turbine discharge stream 14 and pressurized fluid stream
10. In at least one embodiment, commingled product stream 16 is not
fully mixed. In at least one embodiment, artificial lift device
104, pressure boosting device 106, and turbine 108 are designed so
that the production pressure of commingled production stream 16
lifts commingled production stream 16 to the surface to be
recovered. In at least one embodiment, the pressurized fluid
pressure and the turbine discharge pressure allow the pressurized
fluid stream 10 and turbine discharge stream 14 to be commingled in
mixer 112.
In at least one embodiment, artificial lift device 104 and pressure
boosting device 106 are contained in the same production pipeline
or production tubing. In an alternate embodiment, artificial lift
device 104 is contained in a separate production line from pressure
boosting device 106.
In at least one embodiment, fluid management system 100 includes
sensors to measure system parameters. Examples of system parameters
include flow rate, pressure, temperature, and density. The sensors
enable process control schemes to control the process. Process
control systems can be local involving preprogrammed control
schemes within fluid management system 100, or can be remote
involving wired or wireless communication with fluid management
system 100. Process control schemes can be mechanical, electronic,
or hydraulically driven.
Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of fluid management system 100
is provided. Energized stream 20 is received by turbine 108.
Energized stream 20 is any stream having sufficient pressure to
reach the surface from the wellbore. Energized stream 20 has an
energized pressure. In at least one embodiment, energized stream 20
is from an energized subterranean region, the pressure of the
energized subterranean region providing the lift for energized
stream 20 to reach the surface. In an alternate embodiment,
energized stream 20 is downstream of a device to increase pressure.
Turbine 108 produces harvested energy 12 which drives pressure
boosting device 106 as described with reference to FIG. 1.
Pressure boosting device 106 increases the pressure of
depressurized stream 22 to produce pressurized fluid stream 10.
Depressurized stream 22 is any stream that does not have sufficient
pressure to reach the surface from the wellbore. In at least one
embodiment, depressurized stream 22 is from a depressurized
subterranean region, the zonal pressure of the depressurized
subterranean region being less than the energized subterranean
region.
In certain embodiments, energized stream 20 is produced by a strong
well and can be used to drive turbine 108, which drives pressure
boosting device 106 to increase the pressure of depressurized
stream 22 which is produced by a weak well. In embodiments where
the fluid management system is used to produce fluids from separate
wells, for example where a fluid from a strong well is used to
produce a fluid from a weak well, the fluid management system will
be located on a surface.
Fluid management system 100 can include one or more packers
installed in the wellbore. The packer can be used to separate
fluids in the wellbore, isolate fluids in the wellbore, or redirect
fluids to the different devices in the system.
In at least one embodiment, fluid management system 100 can be
located at a surface to recover multiphase fluid 2. Examples of
surfaces includes dry land, the sea floor, and the sea surface (on
a platform). When fluid management system 100 is located at a
surface, fluid management system 100 is in the absence of a packer.
A fluid management system located a surface can be used to boost
the pressure of fluids in the same well or from neighboring
(adjacent) wells. A fluid management system located downhole can be
used to boost the pressure of fluids in the same well.
In at least one embodiment, fluid management system 100 is in the
absence of a jet pump. The combination of turbine and compressor in
fluid management system 100 has a higher efficiency that a jet
pump.
In at least one embodiment, fluid management system 100 is in the
absence of reinjecting into the wellbore or reservoir any portion
of turbine discharge stream 14, pressurized fluid 10, or commingled
production stream 16.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described
in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from
the principle and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of
the present invention should be determined by the following claims
and their appropriate legal equivalents.
The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents,
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
"Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described
event or circumstances can or may not occur. The description
includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and
instances where it does not occur.
Ranges may be expressed as from about one particular value to about
another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to
be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular
value and/or to the other particular value, along with all
combinations within said range.
Throughout this application, where patents or publications are
referenced, the disclosures of these references in their entireties
are intended to be incorporated by reference into this application,
in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which the
invention pertains, except when these references contradict the
statements made here.
As used throughout and in the appended claims, the words
"comprise," "has," and "include" and all grammatical variations
thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning
that does not exclude additional elements or steps.
As used throughout, terms such as "first" and "second" are
arbitrarily assigned and are merely intended to differentiate
between two or more components of an apparatus. It is to be
understood that the words "first" and "second" serve no other
purpose and are not part of the name or description of the
component, nor do they necessarily define a relative location or
position of the component. Furthermore, it is to be understood that
that the mere use of the term "first" and "second" does not require
that there be any "third" component, although that possibility is
contemplated under the scope of the present invention.
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