A method for enabling a detector to cross an intermediate station in a long-distance super-heavy oil pipeline

Abstract

A method for enabling a detector to cross an intermediate station in a long-distance ultra-heavy oil pipeline belongs to the field of oilfield wastewater treatment technology. The method includes: prior to the arrival of the detector, opening the ball-tracing heating process pipeline to maintain the temperature within a set range; and controlling the process flow of the ultra-heavy oil to achieve the goal of enabling the detector to cross the intermediate station in the long-distance ultra-heavy oil pipeline. Beneficial effects: The ball-tracing detection process within a long-distance ultra-heavy oil pipeline is safe, efficient, accurate, comprehensive, low-cost, quick to implement, and has minimal impact on normal production. It demonstrates significant economic, safety, and social benefits and broad prospects for development and application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for enabling a detector to cross an intermediate station of a long-distance super-heavy oil pipeline, and belongs to the technical field of oilfield sewage treatment. Background Art

[0002] Existing pipeline inspection methods primarily utilize pigs and inspection devices to clean and inspect the interior of pipelines, thereby obtaining comprehensive and accurate data on pipeline corrosion conditions. Pipeline inspection technology has been developed to the point where it can be used for internal inspections of natural gas pipelines, refined oil pipelines, and light crude oil pipelines. However, since the pigs must move within the pipeline, they are prone to problems such as jamming when the medium is highly viscous.

[0003] In my country, the ball passing technology for long-distance pipeline inspection mostly adopts the segmented ball passing technology and the over-station technology. The segmented ball passing technology refers to launching the ball from the first station, picking up the ball at the intermediate station, and then continuing to throw the ball at the intermediate station and picking up the ball at the next station; the over-station technology refers to directly going over the crossing line and directly passing the intermediate station when the ball passes through the intermediate station. The advantage of the first method is that the intermediate station does not need to stop the transmission during the ball passing process, and continuous production can be achieved; the disadvantage is that the throwing and taking of the ball are too frequent, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and there is a hidden danger of causing environmental pollution. The advantage of the second method is that the inspection ball can be passed continuously throughout the long-distance pipeline without the risk of environmental pollution. The method is relatively simple, time-saving and labor-saving; the disadvantage is that the intermediate station needs to be stopped when passing through, and stopping the transmission within the station will bring various safety risks.

[0004] In the later stages of oil and gas field development, internal inspection ball technology is increasingly being applied to long-distance, ultra-heavy oil pipelines. These pipelines operate at high pressures and typically have larger diameters. This creates increasing safety and environmental concerns. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a new process that allows pigs and inspection equipment to travel across intermediate stations without interrupting the flow of oil and gas. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the safety risks associated with stopping transmission at intermediate stations during internal inspection of underground ultra-heavy oil long-distance pipelines, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a method for allowing a detector to cross an intermediate station of an ultra-heavy oil long-distance pipeline, comprising the following steps:

[0006] Step 1: Before the detector arrives, turn on the ball heating process pipeline to make the temperature of the ball heating process pipeline within the set temperature;

[0007] Step 2: Based on step 1, open gate valve b, ball valve b, ball valve c, and gate valve c, and keep other valves closed. The normal flow of super-heavy oil is as follows: super-heavy oil enters from the oil inlet end of the first station, flows through pipeline A, and flows out from the terminal end;

[0008] Step 3: After the detector is sent out from the oil inlet end of the first station, before the detector reaches pipeline B, adjust the flow of the super-heavy oil: reset all valves, open ball valve a, gate valve d, stop valve a, and ball valve d, and slowly close gate valve b. At this time, gate valve c is open, gate valve e is closed, and other valves are closed. At this point, the super-heavy oil flows from the oil inlet end of the first station, flows through ball valve a and pipeline B, flows into pipeline A, and flows out from the terminal end.

[0009] Step 4: Adjust the flow direction of the extra-heavy oil through step 3. The ball indicator a set between the confluence point of pipelines C and D and the pipeline to be tested shows that the detector has reached between the ball valve a and gate valve a of the pipeline to be tested and is located between the confluence point of pipelines B and C and the pipeline to be tested.

[0010] Step 5: Based on step 4, reset each valve, open gate valve b (5), ball valve b, ball valve c, gate valve e, gate valve a, and close ball valve a and gate valve c. At this time, the super-heavy oil flows from the oil inlet end of the first station, flows through the gate valve b, ball valve b in pipeline A, enters the intermediate station end, exits the intermediate section end, gate valve e, flows through pipeline D into the pipeline to be tested, flows through gate valve a, and flows out from the terminal end;

[0011] The super-heavy oil coming out of gate valve e drives the detector to flow. When it passes through the ball indicator b set between gate valve a and the terminal, the ball indicator b sends a signal, indicating that the detector has passed through gate valve a and is heading to the terminal.

[0012] Step 6: After steps 1 to 5, the detection process of the detector in the pipeline to be detected is completed;

[0013] Step 7: After the detector leaves the terminal, resume the intermediate station process; reset all valves, open gate valve c and gate valve b), close gate valve e, gate valve d, stop valve a, ball valve d, and gate valve a, close the heating pipeline, and drain the oil after the temperature of the process pipeline drops. At this time, the direction of the super-heavy oil is that the super-heavy oil flows from the oil end of the first station through pipeline A and flows out from the terminal.

[0014] Furthermore, the set temperature in step 1 is 60-80°C.

[0015] Furthermore, the ball heating process pipeline described in step 1 includes the pipeline to be tested (16), pipeline A, pipeline B, pipeline C, and pipeline D.

[0016] Furthermore, the pipeline to be tested is provided with an oil inlet end of the first station, a ball valve a, a gate valve a and an oil outlet end in sequence.

[0017] Furthermore, one end of the pipeline A is connected between the oil inlet end of the first station of the pipeline to be tested and the ball valve a, and the other end of the pipeline A is connected between the gate valve a and the end of the terminal.

[0018] Furthermore, it is characterized in that the pipeline A is provided with a gate valve b, a ball valve b, an intermediate station inlet end, an intermediate section outlet end, a ball valve c, and a gate valve c in sequence.

[0019] Furthermore, it is characterized in that the gate valve b is located on the side close to the oil inlet end of the first station.

[0020] Furthermore, one end of the pipeline B is connected between the gate valve b and the ball valve b, and the other end is connected between the ball valve a and the gate valve a of the pipeline to be tested.

[0021] Furthermore, the pipeline B is provided with a ball valve d, a filter, and a stop valve a in sequence.

[0022] Furthermore, the ball valve d is located close to the gate valve b.

[0023] Furthermore, one end of the pipeline C is connected between the ball valve a and the gate valve a of the pipeline to be tested, and the other end is connected between the filter and the stop valve a.

[0024] Furthermore, the pipeline C is provided with a gate valve d.

[0025] Furthermore, one end of the pipeline D is connected between the ball valve c and the gate valve c of the pipeline A, and the other end is connected between the ball valve a and the gate valve a of the pipeline to be tested.

[0026] Furthermore, the pipeline D is provided with a gate valve e.

[0027] Furthermore, the detector is used to detect a passing ball.

[0028] Beneficial Effects: The ball-rotating process developed by this invention for inspecting and testing long-distance ultra-heavy oil pipelines represents significant innovation in both its technical principles and construction methods. This unique process is safe, efficient, accurate, comprehensive, low-cost, quick to implement, and minimally impacts normal production. It has been successfully applied to the Liaohe Special Stone ultra-heavy oil pipeline inspection project. Following the inspection, the pipeline has operated safely and stably for over 2,900 hours, transporting over 400,000 cubic meters of ultra-heavy oil, demonstrating significant economic, safety, and social benefits and promising development and application prospects.

[0029] The purpose of this patent is to combine the segmented ball throwing process with the cross-station process to develop a new method for super-heavy oil detection by continuously transporting the detection ball across the intermediate station in response to the development needs of underground super-heavy oil pipeline detection in China and the shortcomings of the current underground pipeline detection technology.

[0030] The ball-rotating process for detecting extra-heavy oil in long-distance pipelines developed by the present invention is suitable for detecting extra-heavy oil in long-distance pipelines. Compared with traditional segmented detection and over-the-counter detection technologies, it has the following characteristics:

[0031] (1) It does not affect normal production. During the ball passing process, there is no need to stop the intermediate station and continuous production is possible.

[0032] (2) Continuous ball passing and easy operation. The pipe cleaner and detection device can continuously pass the ball throughout the long-distance pipeline, eliminating the need to repeatedly drop and remove the ball and the risk of environmental pollution.

[0033] (3) Small footprint and low cost. The patented method is a modification of the original process flow, requiring little space on site and low investment cost.

[0034] (4) Easy to operate. No need for tank trucks, steam trucks, etc., no need to hire external professionals, only the staff of the station need to be trained to operate.

[0035] (5) Safe and environmentally friendly. No oil pollution is generated during the ball rotation process, and there are no safety hazards or environmental pollution problems. There is no problem of handling hazardous waste. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 The process flow chart for the detector to cross the long-distance super-heavy oil pipeline;

[0037] Figure 2 This is the heat tracing flow chart for the detector across the long-distance extra-heavy oil pipeline.

[0038] Explanation of the serial numbers in the figure: 1. Oil inlet end of the first station; 2. Ball valve a; 3. Gate valve a; 4. Oil outlet end of the final station; 5. Gate valve b; 6. Ball valve b; 7. Oil inlet end of the intermediate station; 8. Oil outlet end of the intermediate section; 9. Ball valve c; 10. Gate valve c; 11. Ball valve d; 12. Filter; 13. Stop valve a; 14. Gate valve d; 15. Gate valve e; 16. Pipeline to be tested; 17. Pipeline A; 18. Pipeline B; 19. Pipeline C; 20. Pipeline D. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following is combined with Figure 1 The present invention is further described in detail with reference to the following specific embodiments: This application is further described with reference to this example.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a method for enabling a detector to cross an intermediate station of a long-distance super-heavy oil pipeline, comprising the following steps:

[0042] Step 1: Before the detector arrives, turn on the ball heating process pipeline to make the temperature of the ball heating process pipeline within the set temperature;

[0043] Step 2: Based on step 1, open gate valve b5, ball valve b6, ball valve c9, and gate valve c10. Keep other valves closed. The normal flow of super-heavy oil is as follows: super-heavy oil enters from the first station's oil terminal 1, flows through pipeline A 17, and flows out from the terminal 4.

[0044] Step 3: After the detector is sent out from the first station's oil inlet terminal 1 and before it reaches pipeline B 18, adjust the flow of the extra-heavy oil: Reset all valves, open ball valve a 2, gate valve d 14, stop valve a 13, and ball valve d 11, and slowly close gate valve b 5. Gate valve c 10 is now open, gate valve e 15 is closed, and all other valves are closed. At this point, the extra-heavy oil flows from the first station's oil inlet terminal 1, flows through ball valve a 2 and pipeline B 18, flows into pipeline A 17, and exits at the final station terminal 4.

[0045] Step 4: After adjusting the flow of the extra-heavy oil through step 3, the ball indicator a, which is installed between the confluence point of pipelines C 19 and D 20 and the pipeline to be tested 16, indicates that the detector has reached between the ball valve a2 and gate valve a3 of the pipeline to be tested 16 and is located between the confluence point of pipelines B 18 and C 19 and the pipeline to be tested 16.

[0046] Step 5: Based on step 4, reset the valves. Open gate valve b5, ball valve b6, ball valve c9, gate valve e15, and gate valve a3. Close ball valve a2 and gate valve c10. The super-heavy oil now flows from the oil inlet terminal 1 of the first station, passes through the gate valve b5, ball valve b6, the intermediate station terminal 7, the intermediate section terminal 8, and gate valve e15 in pipeline A17, flows through pipeline D20 into the pipeline to be tested 16, flows toward gate valve a3, and flows out from the terminal 4.

[0047] The super-heavy oil coming out of gate valve e 15 drives the detector to flow. When it passes through ball indicator b set between gate valve a and terminal 4, ball indicator b sends a signal, indicating that the detector passes through gate valve a 3 and goes to terminal 4.

[0048] Step 6: After steps 1 to 5, the detection process of the detector in the pipeline to be detected 16 is completed;

[0049] Step 7: After the detector leaves the final station 4, resume the intermediate station process; reset all valves, open gate valve c 10 and gate valve b 5, close gate valve e 15, gate valve d 14, stop valve a 13, ball valve d 11, and gate valve a 3, close the heating pipeline, and drain the oil after the temperature of the process pipeline drops. At this time, the super-heavy oil flows from the first station oil terminal 1 through pipeline A 17 and out of the final station 4.

[0050] The set temperature described in step 1 is 60-80°C.

[0051] The ball heating process pipelines described in step 1 include pipeline to be tested 16, pipeline A 17, pipeline B 18, pipeline C 19, and pipeline D 20.

[0052] The pipeline to be tested 16 is provided with an oil inlet end 1 of the first station, a ball valve a2, a gate valve a3 and an oil outlet end 4 in sequence.

[0053] One end of the pipeline A17 is connected between the oil inlet end 1 of the first station of the pipeline to be tested 16 and the ball valve a2, and the other end of the pipeline A17 is connected between the gate valve a3 and the oil outlet end 4.

[0054] The pipeline A 17 is provided with a gate valve b 5, a ball valve b 6, an intermediate station inlet end 7, an intermediate section outlet end 8, a ball valve c9, and a gate valve c 10 in sequence.

[0055] The gate valve b 5 is located on the side close to the oil inlet end 1 of the first station.

[0056] One end of the pipeline B 18 is connected between the gate valve b 5 and the ball valve b 6, and the other end is connected between the ball valve a 2 and the gate valve a 3 of the pipeline to be tested 16.

[0057] The pipeline B 18 is provided with a ball valve d 11, a filter 12, and a stop valve a 13 in sequence.

[0058] The ball valve d 11 is located close to the gate valve b 5.

[0059] One end of the pipeline C 19 is connected between the ball valve a 2 and the gate valve a 3 of the pipeline to be tested 16, and the other end is connected between the filter 12 and the stop valve a 13.

[0060] The pipeline C 19 is provided with a gate valve d 14.

[0061] One end of the pipeline D 20 is connected between the ball valve c 9 and the gate valve c 10 of the pipeline A 17, and the other end is connected between the ball valve a 2 and the gate valve a 3 of the pipeline to be tested 16.

[0062] The pipeline D 20 is provided with a gate valve e 15.

[0063] The detector is used to detect the passing ball.

[0064] Example 2

[0065] like Figure 2The pipeline heating in this invention adopts the station heat transfer oil heating method, double-pipe heating, and multiple cross-lines, which can be heated in sections. After the temperature field is established, the detection ball enters the intermediate station and the detection ball indicator sends a signal.

[0066] Pass the test ball through the pre-modified process flow, such as Figure 1 Then, by changing the process flow, the pipeline flow into the intermediate station is cut out, and the position of the detection ball is changed to the position of the pipeline out of the station. Then, the upstream valve is opened to move the detection ball out of the station.

[0067] Before the detector arrives, turn on the ball heating process pipeline to make the temperature of the ball heating process pipeline within the set temperature;

[0068] First, open gate valve b5, ball valve b6, ball valve c9, and gate valve c10, and keep other valves closed. The normal flow of super-heavy oil is as follows: after super-heavy oil enters from the oil inlet terminal 1 of the first station, it flows through pipeline A17 and flows out from the terminal 4 to the terminal. Secondly, after the detector is sent out from the oil inlet terminal 1 of the first station, before the detector reaches pipeline B18, adjust the flow of super-heavy oil: reset each valve, open ball valve a2, gate valve d14, stop valve a13, gate valve d11, and slowly close gate valve b5. At this time, gate valve c10 is in the open state, gate valve e15 is in the closed state, and other valves are closed. At this time, the flow of super-heavy oil is as follows: after super-heavy oil enters from the oil inlet terminal 1 of the first station, it flows through ball valve a2 and pipeline B18, flows into pipeline A17, and flows out from the terminal 4 to the terminal. Adjust the flow of super-heavy oil through step 3, pipeline C19, pipeline D From the ball indicator a set between 19 and the confluence point of the pipeline to be tested 16, it can be seen that the detector has reached between the ball valve a2 and the gate valve a3 of the pipeline to be tested 16, and is located between the confluence point of pipelines B 18 and C 19 and the pipeline to be tested 16; again, reset the valves, open the gate valve b5, ball valve b6, ball valve c9, gate valve e15, gate valve a3, and close the ball valve a2 and gate valve c10. At this time, the super-heavy oil flows from the oil inlet end 1 of the first station, flows through the gate valve b5, ball valve b6 in pipeline A 17, enters the intermediate station end 7, exits the intermediate section end 8, and ball valve e15, flows through pipeline D 20 into the pipeline to be tested 16, flows toward the gate valve a3, and flows out from the terminal end 4; from the gate valve e The super-heavy oil coming out of 15 drives the detector to flow. When it passes through the ball indicator b set between the gate valve a and the terminal 4, the ball indicator b sends a signal, indicating that the detector passes through the gate valve a 3 and goes to the terminal 4.

[0069] The above is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with a specific preferred technical solution, and the specific implementation of the present invention cannot be considered to be limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art of the present invention, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made, which should be considered to be protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for making a detector span an intermediate station of a long-distance super-heavy oil pipeline, characterized in that: The device involved in the method is as follows: the pipeline to be tested (16) is provided with an oil inlet end (1), a ball valve a (2), a gate valve a (3) and an end-to-end end (4) in sequence; one end of the pipeline A (17) is connected between the oil inlet end (1) of the pipeline to be tested (16) and the ball valve a (2), and the pipeline A (17) is provided with a gate valve b (5), a ball valve b (6), an intermediate station inlet end (7), an intermediate section outlet end (8), a ball valve c (9), and a gate valve c (10) in sequence; one end of the pipeline B (18) is connected between the gate valve b (5) and the ball valve b (6), and the other end is connected between the ball valve a (2) and the gate valve a (3) of the pipeline to be tested (16), and the pipeline B (18) is provided with a ball valve d (5), a ball valve b (6), an intermediate station inlet end (7), an intermediate section outlet end (8), a ball valve c (9), and a gate valve c (10) in sequence. (11), filter (12), stop valve a (13), ball valve d (11) is located near gate valve b (5); one end of pipeline C (19) is connected between ball valve a (2) and gate valve a (3) of pipeline to be tested (16), and the other end is connected between filter (12) and stop valve a (13), and pipeline C (19) is provided with gate valve d (14); one end of pipeline D (20) is connected between ball valve c (9) and gate valve c (10) of pipeline A (17), and the other end is connected between ball valve a (2) and gate valve a (3) of pipeline to be tested (16), and pipeline D (20) is provided with gate valve e (15), and gate valve b (5) is located near the oil inlet end (1) of the first station; The method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Before the detector arrives, turn on the ball heating process pipeline to make the temperature of the ball heating process pipeline within the set temperature; Step 2: Based on step 1, open gate valve b (5), ball valve b (6), ball valve c (9), and gate valve c (10), and keep other valves closed. The normal flow of super-heavy oil is as follows: super-heavy oil enters from the oil inlet end (1) of the first station, flows through pipeline A (17), and flows out from the terminal end (4); Step 3: After the detector is sent out from the oil inlet end (1) of the first station, before the detector reaches pipeline B (18), adjust the direction of the super-heavy oil: reset each valve, open ball valve a (2), gate valve d (14), stop valve a (13), ball valve d (11), ball valve b (6), ball valve c (9), and slowly close gate valve b (5). At this time, gate valve c (10) is in the open state, gate valve e (15) is in the closed state, and other valves are closed; at this time, the direction of the super-heavy oil is that the super-heavy oil enters from the oil inlet end (1) of the first station, flows through ball valve a (2), pipeline B (18), flows into pipeline A (17), and flows out from the terminal end (4); Step 4: After adjusting the direction of the extra-heavy oil through step 3, the ball indicator a set between the connection point of pipeline C (19), pipeline D (20) and the pipeline to be tested (16) can be seen that the detector has reached between the ball valve a (2) and gate valve a (3) of the pipeline to be tested (16) and is located between the connection point of pipeline B (18), pipeline C (19) and the pipeline to be tested (16); Step 5: Based on step 4, reset each valve, open gate valve b (5), ball valve b (6), ball valve c (9), gate valve e (15), gate valve a (3), close ball valve a (2) and gate valve c (10). At this time, the super-heavy oil flows from the oil inlet end (1) of the first station, flows through the gate valve b (5), ball valve b (6) in pipeline A (17), enters the intermediate station end (7), exits the intermediate section end (8), ball valve c (9), gate valve e (15), flows through pipeline D (20) into the pipeline to be tested (16), flows toward gate valve a (3), and flows out from the terminal end (4); The super-heavy oil coming out of the gate valve e (15) drives the detector to flow. When it passes through the ball indicator b set between the gate valve a and the terminal (4), the ball indicator b sends a signal, indicating that the detector passes through the gate valve a (3) and goes to the terminal (4). Step 6: After steps 1 to 5, the detection process of the detector in the pipeline to be detected (16) is completed; Step 7: After the detector leaves the terminal (4), the intermediate station process is restored; reset the valves, open gate valve c (10), gate valve b (5), close gate valve e (15), gate valve d (14), stop valve a (13), ball valve d (11), gate valve a (3), close the heating pipeline, and drain the oil after the temperature of the ball-turning process pipeline drops. At this time, the direction of the super-heavy oil is that the super-heavy oil flows from the oil inlet end (1) of the first station through pipeline A (17) and flows out from the terminal (4).

2. The method for making a detector cross an intermediate station of a long-distance super-heavy oil pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: The set temperature described in step 1 is 60-80°C.

3. The method for making a detector cross an intermediate station of a long-distance super-heavy oil pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball heating process pipeline described in step 1 includes the pipeline to be tested (16), pipeline A (17), pipeline B (18), pipeline C (19), and pipeline D (20).

4. The method for making a detector cross an intermediate station of a long-distance super-heavy oil pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detector is used to detect the passing ball.

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