System and method for separating, monitoring and sampling coiled tubing flow back returns

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for separating, and safely monitoring and sampling flow back fluid returns from coiled tubing operations in oil and natural gas wells. The system comprises a flow back tank; one or more gas diffusers; one or more shale shakers; and a chute, which diverts flow from the gas diffusers to a sampling site positioned near the perimeter of the flow back tank. The system also has a volume level indicator on or near the perimeter of the flow back tank. The method comprises piping fluid returns from a wellbore, separating the trapped gases from the fluid returns, directing the degassed fluids to a shale shaker to separate the solids and directing the separated solids and liquids into separate tanks for analysis and reconditioning, if necessary. Cleaned liquids may be recirculated back to the wellbore.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a system and method for separating and real time monitoring of high pressure flow back returns during coiled tubing drilling and other oil and gas well operations, more particularly inspecting and sampling the returns and analyzing the samples to monitor downhole operational performance.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In coiled tubing oil and gas operations, it is critically important to monitor the effectiveness of the downhole operations, particularly the condition of downhole tools and their work performance. This is especially important in coiled tubing operations, which circulate fluids and completion fluids under extremely high pressures. Conditions are encountered downhole that adversely affect the coiled tubing downhole operations. Tubulars can fail; tools break; debris from the formation mixes with return fluids; formations fracture; and other detrimental events can occur. Knowing what is happening downhole is im...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]The present method and system of separating, monitoring and sampling high pressure coiled tubing flow back fluid returns from oil and natural gas wells allows an operator to quickly and safely identify the physical characteristics of the flow back return fluids by minimizing the hazards facing the operator. The greatest danger lies in the need for the operator to monitor and sample the returns to understand what is happening down the wellbore, especially deep drilling and offshore wellbores where the returns are under pressures as high as 12,000 psi to 14,000 psi and greater.

Problems solved by technology

The greatest danger lies in the need for the operator to monitor and sample the returns to understand what is happening down the wellbore, especially deep drilling and offshore wellbores where the returns are under pressures as high as 12,000 psi to 14,000 psi and greater.

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