Method and system for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a hydrocarbon well

Abstract

Production from a hydrocarbon well is facilitated when heat generated by surface equipment used to produce hydrocarbons from the well is continuously injected into the well to heat the well system. The heat may be further concentrated using a vortex tube to separate a hot component from a cold component of compressed gas injected into the well.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is the first application filed for the present invention. MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0002] Not applicable. TECHNICAL FIELD [0003] The invention relates generally to producing hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon well and, in particular, to enhancing hydrocarbon production from a hydrocarbon well by heating the hydrocarbon well using heat generated by surface equipment used to produce the hydrocarbons from the well. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Hydrocarbons production zones, especially subterranean natural gas production zones have a natural pressure when the hydrocarbon well is drilled to communicate with the zone. The production zone also has a natural geothermal temperature. Production zones often contain natural gas and other fluids such as hydrocarbon condensates, water, crude oil, etc. All of those fluids in the production zone are at ambient temperature and pressure when the well bore is drilled. Normally, in a commercial gas well...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for facilitating production from a hydrocarbon well that is simple to construct, requires little maintenance and uses waste energy to heat the well system.

Problems solved by technology

However, as the well matures the pressure in the production zone is depleted and a velocity of hydrocarbons produced at the wellbore decreases, allowing some of the fluids to fall below a critical velocity for the natural gas to lift the fluids from the well.

Sea floor temperatures can be low, causing further cooling of natural gas and potential plugging of the flow from the well.

Furthermore, the expansion and cooling of the rising natural gas can cause fluids to freeze causing ice plugs and resulting in a complete blockage of fluid production.

In many instances, fluid accumulation in a well and the resulting hydrostatic pressure can cause fluid production to drop significantly, or to stop completely.

While electrical heating systems are technically achievable, the application of electrical heat requires the installation of an electrical power system to the well, the deployment of electrical cable within the well and a risk of explosion due to electrical sparks in a gaseous environment.

However, such systems generally require expensive additives and frequent maintenance.

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