Laser nozzle tools

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser nozzle lowered by a cable for heating the descaling process, and a recirculation system designed to heat the descaling solution within the production tubing during the reaction to ensure its efficiency. The laser nozzle, a device resembling a metal cylinder, can be passed through the interior of the production tubing, descending by gravity and ascending via the cable, recirculating and heating the fluid. This heating compensates for heat loss in the descaling solution due to heat exchange between the riser and the seabed, maintaining the reaction temperature within the production tubing within the optimal yield range, thereby improving reaction efficiency and reducing the time required to remove scale from the well's production tubing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a laser nozzle for heating and descaling treatment, which is applied to seabed equipment such as production pipe strings, production pipelines, wet oil production trees and seabed manifolds to improve the efficiency of descaling treatment reactions. Background Art

[0002] The seabed temperature at a depth of 700 meters maintains a constant temperature of approximately 4 degrees Celsius. Mobile seabed equipment used in oil production, such as wet Christmas trees, production pipelines, and manifolds, is submerged in the seabed and therefore affected by the seabed temperature. Heat exchange within this equipment in the seabed cools the produced and / or injected fluids transported by these devices. Due to the distance between satellite wells and fixed production units, the temperature drops, causing components of the produced fluids, such as paraffins and asphaltenes, to precipitate within the production system equipment. Other precipitates that may form within seabed production equipment include barium sulfate and / or strontium sulfate in sandstone formations and calcium carbonate in carbonate formations. When salt scale forms within the production tubing, production losses can occur due to blockages within the tubing. Salt scale removal is achieved by pumping a chelating agent solution positioned within the fouled tubing. The cations present in the salt undergo complexation reactions within the fouled tubing, thereby removing the salt scale and unclogging the tubing. The efficiency of the complexation reaction depends on the temperature, with the optimal temperature range being around 80°C; however, due to heat exchange with the seabed, the distance can be up to about 8 km, so the temperature drops during the pumping process and reaches the pipe column at a temperature lower than the ideal temperature for the complexation reaction.

[0003] Descaling treatments are typically pumped through production pipelines and / or gas lift lines to the fouled portion of the pipelines and / or equipment, and allowed to rest within the pipelines and / or equipment (e.g., production tubing) for a period of time to allow a chelation reaction to occur, thereby removing the scale. However, due to heat exchange issues with the seabed, during the pumping and displacement of the chelating chemicals through the gas lift lines, the pumped descaling product cools due to heat exchange between the pipeline and the seabed as it travels from the production platform to the production pipeline where the fouled portion is located. Consequently, the yield of the descaling reaction is ultimately low, with the yield depending on the temperature of the treatment upon reaching the production pipeline at the interval of interest.

[0004] Document US10301912B2 relates to various high-power laser systems for unclogging pipelines and maintaining flow. The laser system it claims is capable of delivering 20KW of power to a long transmission cable so that electricity can be delivered within the pipeline. Generally speaking, the systems, tools, and methods in the above-mentioned documents are directed to removing, preventing, managing, cracking, splitting, melting, changing, or reducing unwanted materials (e.g., scale, sediment, corrosive substances, or other substances) from, on, or around a structure (e.g., a workpiece, a work area, a target area, a target surface, or a work surface, including an inner surface). Such unwanted materials may include, for example, asphalt, rust, corrosion, corrosion byproducts, sediments, wax, degraded or old paint, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, gas hydrates, or old coatings, paints, coatings, waxes, hydrates, microorganisms, paraffin, waste, biofilms, tar, sludge. Despite similarities and the same purpose (fouling removal), the document does not disclose modules with different functions, such as pumping, heating, and recycling structures, as in the present invention.

[0005] Document US2005217855A1 discloses a method and apparatus for removing scale primarily from an oil pipeline. A cleaning pig is typically connected to an umbilical tube that extends from the surface to the scaled area. The umbilical tube extends axially through the pig in a sealed manner, and the umbilical conduit terminates within the pipeline at the end of the pig facing the hydrate plug. After the pig is moved to the scaled area, a fluid with hydrate-dissolving properties, such as a hot fluid and / or a chemical, circulates as the fluid flows back through at least another umbilical conduit until the scale is removed. In this process, the tool can be advanced simultaneously with the dissolution of the scale. The pig can then be pumped back, for example by pumping fluid through the umbilical tube, or it can be pulled out of the pipeline, for example by a feeder and / or umbilical spool. By using a method and tool different from the present invention, this document is similar to the present invention only in that heat is used to remove scale.

[0006] Document RU2101468C1 discloses a device for removing wax or asphalt deposits from the inner walls of pipelines (for example, in tubular elements located at the center of oil production wells or in oil pipelines). This device, installed within the pipeline, comprises a heat generator, a mechanical device for cleaning the pipeline walls, and a device for moving along the pipeline. The heat generator consists of a reaction liquid that undergoes an exothermic decomposition reaction. This liquid is stored in a container connected to a reactor and a decomposition chamber via a valve. The decomposition chamber is equipped with nozzles through which jets of gaseous products from the decomposition of the reaction liquid are ejected during operation of the heat generator. These jets heat the wax or asphalt deposits on the inner walls of the pipeline. While this document discloses a device for removing wax or asphalt deposits from the inner walls of pipelines, it has the disadvantage that it can only operate by stopping the circulation of hydrocarbons in the pipeline and does not mention the use of lasers.

[0007] Document US20080047712A1 discloses a process for simultaneously removing asphaltene and / or paraffin waxes and other foulants associated with these types of substances from wells. This novel process uses a unique aqueous cleaning emulsion, including water, a detergent, a hydrocarbon solvent, and an acid (e.g., a mineral acid), which is placed in contact with the well tubing for a sufficient period of time to break down the asphaltene and / or paraffin waxes and scale. This is the only step in this process, but it is aided by the use of a new cleaning tool, which is within the scope of this invention. The emulsion is injected into the well using a tool that combines pressure flushing and ultra-high strength. After the emulsion remains in the well for a short time, the cleaning tool is connected to the well line. The tool is then repeatedly moved to the bottom of the well and to the surface. Like the present invention, this document discloses the use of a tool that is introduced into the well and assists in scale removal with multiple functions, but lacks laser heating and a temperature sensor that optimizes the inventive process.

[0008] As will be described in more detail below, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art in a practical and effective manner. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a laser nozzle lowered by a cable for heating the descaling process, and a recirculation system designed to heat the descaling solution within the production tubing string during the reaction to ensure its efficiency. The laser nozzle is a cylindrical tool that penetrates the interior of the production tubing string, descends by gravity and ascends under the cable, recirculating and heating the fluid. This heating compensates for heat loss in the descaling solution due to heat exchange between the riser and the seabed, maintaining the reaction temperature within the production tubing within the optimal yield range, thereby improving reaction efficiency and reducing the time required to remove scale from the production tubing string within the well.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide better efficiency in the reaction of scale removal processes in subsea systems, thereby eliminating flow obstructions caused by scaling.

[0011] The present invention aims to perform pumping treatment at an appropriate temperature to improve the reaction efficiency of the complexation reaction.

[0012] The invention aims to use a device lowered by a cable and equipped with a heating system using a laser, as well as a recirculation system, the purpose of which is to heat the descaling solution inside the production string during the reaction, in order to ensure its efficiency and minimize heat losses.

[0013] The above and other objectives will be achieved through the implementation of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent examples thereof in a schematic form and which do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0015] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the laser nozzle tool structure, which includes a cable connection module (A), a fluid inlet module (B), a pumping module (C), a laser heating module (D), a temperature sensor module (E), and a fluid injection end (F);

[0016] Figure 2 The production string (1) in the well is shown, the production string (1) is connected to the wet oil production tree (8), the wet oil production tree (8) is connected to the manifold (3) through the production pipeline (4), and the manifold (3) is connected to the fixed production unit through the second section of production pipeline (7). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] First, it is emphasized that the following description will start from the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments.

[0018] The laser nozzle (10) is a cylindrical device originally designed for cleaning the interior of a production pipe, such as a production string (1). The device can pass through the interior of the production string (1), descend by a cable under its own gravity, and rise under the action of the cable, and can recirculate and heat the fluid inside the production string (1) along the length of the scaled area, thereby maintaining the reaction temperature of the chelating agent to remove the scale. The device (10) includes a modular cylindrical device, in which six modules are connected in sequence to form the laser nozzle (10), such as Figure 1 The schematic diagram is shown in which the first module is the cable connection module (A), which provides the necessary energy for the operation of the laser diode. The laser heating module (D) is provided with a laser diode that generates the laser light, and the optical fiber cable will be used to drive the laser light from the laser diode to the collimator, which will be used to release the laser radiation into the fluid so that the fluid can be heated by the laser nozzle (10). The fluid inlet module (B) is where the descaling solution can enter the tool from the annular space between the inner walls of the production tubing to be heated by the laser nozzle. The pumping module (C) will displace the descaling solution inside the tool. The temperature sensor module (E) is designed to monitor, inform and control the temperature of the fluid, and finally there is the injection fluid terminal (F), through which the heated fluid inside the tool will be pumped back into the tubing at a position below the tool. The fluid can be directed to subsea equipment and can be directed to operations to remove scale from the production tubing and / or even used in operations to inhibit squeezing of sandstone and carbonate reservoirs (such as pre-salt layers).

[0019] Several variations are possible within the scope of protection of the present application, and therefore it is emphasized that the invention is not limited to the specific configurations and embodiments described above.

[0020] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0021] The above-described embodiments merely illustrate several implementations of the present invention, and while their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the patent for this invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A laser nozzle tool, characterized in that: Included in the interconnection arrangement are: Cable connection module (A); a fluid inlet module (B) configured to allow a descaling fluid to enter the laser nozzle tool; a pumping module (C) located downstream of the fluid inlet module (B) and configured to displace the descaling fluid within the laser nozzle tool; a laser heating module (D) located downstream of the pumping module (C) and configured to heat the descaling fluid by releasing laser radiation into the descaling fluid; a temperature sensor module (E) located downstream of the laser heating module (D) and configured to monitor the descaling fluid heated by the laser heating module (D); and An injection tip (F) is configured to discharge the descaling fluid heated by the laser heating module (D) to remove scale in the production tubing string where the laser nozzle tool is located.

2. The laser nozzle tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The fluid inlet module (B) is also configured to perform recirculation of the descaling fluid.

3. The laser nozzle tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The temperature sensor module (E) is also configured to inform and control the temperature of the descaling fluid.

4. The laser nozzle tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The laser nozzle tool is lowered by gravity and raised by the action of the cable.

5. The laser nozzle tool according to claim 1, characterized in that The laser nozzle tool is cylindrical and made of metal.

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