Methods for controlling temperatures in the environments of gas and oil wells

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling temperatures in the environments of oil, gas condensate, or gas wells. Methods are provided for reducing the melting of glaciers and ice dams through the deployment of hydrate-forming substances. Active methods involve employing a vapor-compression refrigerator/heat pump cycle in an annulus lying between the relatively hot production string and the relatively cold outer pipe. Passive methods include: deploying cold hydrate-forming fluids into the external ice-laden environment of an oil, gas condensate, or gas well in a permafrost area and allowing those hydrate forming fluids to mix with any melt-water that may be present or that may subsequently form due to the loss of heat from the oil, gas condensate, or gas well. Mixtures of the hydrate forming fluids and the melt-water will set up into a solid having a much higher melting point and a much lower thermal conductivity than those of ice.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of the filing date of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 207,464 entitled “Methods for controlling temperatures in the environments of gas and oil wells” and filed Feb. 12, 2009, Confirmation No. 3995. Said provisional application is incorporated by reference herein.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to the recovery of oil, gas condensate, and gaseous hydrocarbons. In particular, embodiments disclosed herein relate to the recovery of oil, gas condensate, and gaseous hydrocarbons from subterranean petroliferous reservoirs wherein there is a need to limit the transfer of heat from the relatively hot produced fluids into the environment surrounding the production string of pipe.[0005]2. Background Art[0006]Production of oil, gas...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0030]Methods and equipment are provided (1) for controlling temperatures in the environments of oil, gas condensate, or gas wells and (2) for reducing the melting of glaciers and ice dams through the deployment of hydrate-forming substances. The environmental temperature control includes both (1a) active and (1b) passive methods or a combination of the two. The active method involves employing a vapor-compression refrigerator/heat pump cycle in an annulus lying between the relatively hot production string and the relatively cold outer pipe. In this method, heat is pumped away from the relatively cold outer pipe so that the ΔT becomes small there; and heat is pumped toward the relatively hot production string so that the ΔT becomes small there as well.

[0031]The passive methods include: deploying cold hydrate-forming fluids into the external ice-laden environment of an oil, gas condensate, or gas well in a permafrost area and allowing those hydrate forming fluids to mix with any melt-water that may be present or that may subsequently form due to the loss of heat from the oil, gas condensate, or gas well. The mixture of the h

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, the thermal conductance of melt-water is higher than those of ice or hydrate; consequently, the elimination of melt-water limits the transfer of heat subsequently.

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