System for production of a hydrocarbonaceous fluid

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a system for production of a hydrocarbonaceous fluid, the system having a tubing string deployed within a wellbore; a first pump system having a pump assembly operably engaged with a motor; and a control system operably engaged with the first pump system. The pump assembly includes a housing with a stator and rotor disposed therein. The first pump system is operable to aid in production of the hydrocarbonaceous fluid from the wellbore to a production facility.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14,433,970, filed Apr. 7, 2015, which is a §371 national application of PCT Application No. PCT / GB2013 / 052773, filed Oct. 24, 2013, which claims foreign priority to GB Application No. GB 1219547.5, filed on Oct. 31, 2012. The disclosure of each application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND[0003]Field of the Disclosure[0004]The present disclosure relates to the field of hydrocarbon exploration. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein pertain to a method of pumping hydrocarbons that finds particular application for use with heavy and extra heavy fluids commonly found within the field of hydrocarbon exploration.[0005]Background of the Disclosure[0006]The definition of heavy and extra ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system for producing hydrocarbon fluids from a wellbore using a pump system. The system includes a tubing string, a first pump system with a pump assembly and a motor, and a control system. The pump assembly has stator and rotor with vanes that create a flow path for the fluid. The system can optimize production of the fluid by adjusting the operating parameters of the pump system, such as the frequency and choke settings. The system can also include a second pump system and a protector seal module. The hydrocarbon fluid produced from the wellbore can have a viscosity of greater than 2000 cP. The system can be located at various points along the wellbore and can be used in wells with high viscosity fluids.

Problems solved by technology

However, when deployed with heavy oil and extra heavy oil reservoirs the results have been poor due to the effects of friction loss and pseudo-plastic “gelling” of the reservoir fluids within the wellbore.

In a long horizontal wellbore employed with a heavy oil reservoir, up to 90% of the theoretical inflow potential may be lost due to friction loss and pseudo-plastic “gelling”.

However, such wells are technically challenging, very expensive to drill and case and have only had limited beneficial effect.

As a result, long horizontal wells are not proved effective in heavy and extra-heavy oil fields.

However, as appreciated by those skilled in the art, the drilling of multiple wells significantly increases the production costs for heavy oils and extra-heavy oils.

However, other factors exists which still limit the levels of heavy oil and extra-heavy oil that can be extracted.

However with this arrangement the high viscosity of the heavy oil in the reservoir itself is found to cause preferential production from the “heel” end of the reservoir with little or no production from the ‘toe’ end.

As reservoir fluid viscosity increases, this effect becomes more severe.

In these circumstances operators are again forced to consider multiple wells and the associated increases in the production costs.

In addition, although ESP systems have been demonstrated to be are capable of pumping fluids with viscosities up to around 1,500 cP to 2,000 cP, the performance of an ESP is greatly reduced when operating with a fluid at such viscosities.

The ESPs known in the art are simply unable to pump fluids with viscosities greater than 2,000 cP and so are not suitable for use with extra-heavy oils or even many heavy oils.

This may result in the requirement that hydrocarbon fluid should pass over the motor before entering the pump assembly.

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