Gas lift side-bag work string with modular interchangeable pockets

Abstract

This invention discloses a side-pocket type working cylinder for use in a gas lifting system, the side-pocket type working cylinder being configured to allow for valve sleeve replacement. The side-pocket type working cylinder has a central body, a receiver offset laterally from the central body, and a valve sleeve removably fixed to the receiver. The valve sleeve may be configured for a threaded connection to the receiver to allow for convenient replacement of a modular valve sleeve at the receiver. Gas from the valve sleeve can be carried to the central body of the side-pocket type working cylinder via one or more external gas lines or one or more internal gas injection channels.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 112,561, filed November 11, 2020, entitled “Gas Lift Side Pocket Mandrel with Modular Interchangeable Pockets”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of oil and gas production, and more specifically to a gas lifting system incorporating an improved gas lifting module. Background Technology

[0004] Gas lift is a technique used to improve the production of hydrocarbons from underground reservoirs via a tubing string installed in a well. A gaseous fluid is injected from the surrounding annulus in the well into the tubing string to reduce the density of the fluid produced within the tubing string, allowing formation pressure to push the less dense mixture to the surface. The gaseous fluid is typically injected into the annulus from the surface.

[0005] A series of gas lift valves allows gas to enter the production tubing from the annulus. The gas lift valves are configured to open automatically when the pressure gradient between the annulus and the interior of the production tubing exceeds the closing force required to hold each gas lift valve in the closed position. The gas lift valves are typically housed in one or more gas lift manifolds connected to the tubing string. In most facilities, each gas lift manifold within the gas lift system is positioned above a packer or other area isolation device to ensure that fluids and wellbore fluids do not interfere with the operation of the gas lift valves. Increasing the pressure in the annular space above the packer forces the gas lift valves to open, thereby injecting pressurized gas into the production tubing.

[0006] To allow unobstructed production of wellbore fluids through the production tubing, a gas lift valve is housed in a "side pocket" of a gas lift working barrel (sometimes called a "side pocket working barrel"), where the valve sleeve is offset laterally from the production tubing. Because the gas lift valve is housed in these laterally offset valve sleeves, the tool can be deployed and retrieved through the open main channel of the side pocket working barrel. The predetermined position of the gas lift valve in the production tubing string controls the entry point for gas into the production string.

[0007] While existing gas lifting systems have achieved widespread commercial success, the currently available side-capped working casings are expensive and complex to manufacture. Components must be precisely welded to ensure proper performance of the side-capped working casing. Furthermore, because the valve sleeve is permanently fixed inside the side-capped working casing, the gas lifting valve must be selected to match the available valve sleeve within the casing. This presents potential supply chain constraints if the only available gas lifting valves are not sized appropriately for the side-capped working casing in a particular well. Therefore, an improved gas lifting system is needed to overcome these and other shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a side-pocket type working cylinder for use in a gas lifting system. The side-pocket type working cylinder has a central body, a receiver offset laterally from the central body, and a valve sleeve removably fixed to the receiver.

[0009] In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a gas lifting module for use within a gas lifting system deployed in a well. The gas lifting module includes a side-capped working barrel and a short drill pipe connected to the side-capped working barrel. The side-capped working barrel includes a central body, a receiver offset laterally from the central body, and a valve sleeve removably secured to the receiver. A gas lifting valve is releasably secured within the valve sleeve using a latching mechanism.

[0010] In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a method for replacing a valve sleeve on a gas boosting module, wherein the gas boosting module includes a central body, a receiver offset laterally from the central body, a first valve sleeve connected to the receiver, and a first gas boosting valve housed within the first valve sleeve. The method includes the steps of: removing the first valve sleeve from the receiver; installing a second valve sleeve onto the receiver; and installing a second gas boosting valve into the second valve sleeve. In some embodiments, the step of installing the second valve sleeve onto the receiver includes screwing the second valve sleeve onto the receiver. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a side view of a gas lifting system deployed in a conventional well.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a side view of a side-pocket type working cylinder constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the side-pouch type working cylinder.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The lower end view of the side-pouch type working cylinder.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the valve sleeve shows the arrangement of the gas lift valve.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a side-pouch type working cylinder with an internal gas passage.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a side view of an embodiment of a side-pouch type working cylinder with an external protective element above the valve sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0018] As used herein, the term "petroleum" broadly refers to all mineral hydrocarbons, such as crude oil, natural gas, and combinations of oil and natural gas. The term "fluid" generally refers to both gas and liquid, and "two-phase" or "multiphase" refers to a fluid comprising a mixture of gas and liquid. "Upstream" and "downstream" can be used as positional references based on the movement of fluid flow from an upstream location in the wellbore to a downstream location on the surface. Although embodiments of the invention may be disclosed in conjunction with conventional wells that are substantially vertically oriented, it should be understood that embodiments may also be applicable in horizontal, off-center, or unconventional wells.

[0019] Turn Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a gas lifting system 100 installed in well 102. Well 102 includes a casing 104 and a series of perforations 106 that allow wellbore fluid from a producing geological formation 108 to enter the well 102 through the casing 104. An annular space 110 is formed between the gas lifting system 100 and the casing 104. The gas lifting system 100 is connected to a production tubing 112, which transports produced wellbore fluid from the formation 108 to a wellhead 114 on the surface.

[0020] The gas lifting system 100 includes one or more gas lifting modules 116. Each gas lifting module 116 includes a side-capped working tube 118 that can be connected to a short drill pipe 120. An inlet pipe 122 extends through one or more packers 124 into the lower region of the well 102 closer to the perforation 106. In this way, the generated fluid is carried through the inlet pipe 122 into the lowest (upstream) gas lifting module 116. The generated fluid is carried through the gas lifting system 100 and the production tubing 112, which delivers the generated fluid through the wellhead 114 to a surface-based storage or treatment facility.

[0021] Based on the generally accepted principle of gas lifting, pressurized fluid or gas is injected from the surface into an annular space 110 surrounding the gas lifting system 100. When the pressure gradient between the annular space 110 and the production tubing 112 exceeds a threshold, the gas lifting module 116 allows pressurized gas to enter the production tubing 112 through a side-capped working cylinder 118. The pressurized gas mixes with the generated fluid in the gas lifting module 116 to reduce the overall density of the fluid, which facilitates the recovery of the generated fluid from the well 102. The gas lifting system 100 is applicable in the recovery of liquids and multiphase hydrocarbons, as well as in the unloading of water and water-based fluids from the well 102.

[0022] Turn Figures 2 to 7 Various depictions of the gas lifting module 116 are shown therein. For example... Figures 2 to 3 As shown, the gas lift module 116 includes a replaceable valve sleeve 126 configured to accommodate a retrievable gas lift valve 128. Unlike prior art gas lift modules (where the valve sleeve is integrally formed with the side pocket working cylinder), the valve sleeve 126 of the gas lift module 116 constructed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is detachable from the side pocket working cylinder 118. Thus, the valve sleeve 126 is modular, because various different valve sleeves 126 can be installed within a given gas lift module 116. This allows the operator to interchange the valve sleeves 126 on a specific side pocket working cylinder 118 to accommodate different gas lift valves 128 or to provide different performance characteristics.

[0023] like Figure 3 and Figure 7 As depicted in the cross-sectional view, the side-pocket working cylinder 118 includes a central body 130 substantially aligned with the production tubing 112, and a receiver 132 laterally offset from the central body 130. The central body 130 and receiver 132 each include an internal fluid passage connected within the side-pocket working cylinder 118. The side-pocket working cylinder 118 may include an internal directional sleeve 133. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the internal directional sleeve is configured to interact with a kickover tool for installing and removing the gas lift valve 128 within the offset receiver 132. The valve sleeve 126 and the valve 128 may include latching mechanisms (e.g., "RA" and "RK" latches) for securing the gas lift valve 128 within the valve sleeve 126.

[0024] The proximal end of the valve sleeve 126 can be threadedly attached to the receiver 132 of the side-capture working cylinder 118. In other embodiments, a high-pressure concentric snap-fit ​​engagement is used to capture the proximal end of the valve sleeve 126 within the receiver 132. In an exemplary embodiment, the valve sleeve 126 is configured to be mounted on or removed from the receiver 132 at ground level. This provides a significant improvement over prior art systems because it allows the gas lift module 116 to be easily adapted to receive gas lift valves 128 of different sizes by connecting the appropriately sized valve sleeve 126 within the receiver 132.

[0025] For example, if an operator wants to operate a 1.5" gas lift valve 128 in a side-capped working cylinder 118 initially configured to receive a 1" gas lift valve 128, the operator can install a valve sleeve 126 that will receive a larger 1.5" gas lift valve 128 without replacing the entire side-capped working cylinder 118. The interchangeability of the valve sleeve 126 and the receiver 132 also allows for the installation of valve sleeves 126 of different lengths, which can be helpful if additional components will be housed inside the valve sleeve 126.

[0026] For applications where the maximum outer diameter of the side-capped working cylinder 118 is limited by the inner diameter of the sleeve 104, it may be useful to replace the first valve sleeve 126, which has a first outer diameter and a first length, with a second valve sleeve 126 having a substantially the same outer diameter but a second length longer than the first length, to accommodate a longer gas lift valve 128 with additional inlet ports 134 and outlet ports 136 to increase the gas flow rate through the gas lift valve 128. The opposite replacement is also contemplated within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. The longer valve sleeve 126 can be replaced with a shorter valve sleeve 126, which may have a larger or smaller outer diameter depending on the available space within the sleeve 104.

[0027] continue Figures 2 to 5 In the illustrated embodiment, valve sleeve 126 includes an inlet port 134 and an outlet port 136. Inlet port 134 allows pressurized fluid to reach gas lift valve 128 from annular space 110. When gas lift valve 128 is open, pressurized gas is carried out of valve sleeve 126 through outlet port 136. Gas line 138 connects the outlet port 136 and inlet port 140 on the central body 130 of side-capped working cylinder 118. Figure 6 In an alternative embodiment shown, valve sleeve 126 includes one or more internal gas injection channels 142 that guide pressurized gas upward through valve sleeve 126 and receiver 132 to center body 130, rather than through external gas line 138. In some applications, it may be desirable to use both external gas line 138 and internal gas injection channels 142.

[0028] Because conventional side-capped working cylinders are expensive and difficult to manufacture, the modular, replaceable design of the side-capped working cylinder 118 reduces costs and minimizes supply chain constraints by allowing the same side-capped working cylinder 118 to be easily reconfigured in remote locations to accommodate various gas booster valves 128. The use of replaceable valve sleeves 126 simplifies the manufacturing process, as valve sleeves 126 can be manufactured separately and then assembled to the receiver 132 via threaded or quick-connect connections. This eliminates the need for costly and error-prone complex and difficult welding or machining procedures.

[0029] To protect the valve sleeve 126 during the installation of the gas lifting module 116, the valve sleeve 126 can be protected using the cover 144. Figure 7 The valve sleeve 126 is fixed to the center body 130 or the short drill pipe 120. The cap 144 surrounds the valve sleeve 126 to shield it from collision with objects in the well 102. Alternatively, the protrusion 146 may be mounted on the short drill pipe 120 or the center body 130 below the distal end of the valve sleeve 126. When the gas lifting module 116 is operating in the well 102, the protrusion 146 extends away from the short drill pipe 120 to a degree that shields the valve sleeve 126 from contact with the casing 104, downhole equipment, or cuttings.

[0030] It should be understood that although many features and advantages of various embodiments of the invention, as well as details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, have been set forth in the foregoing description, this disclosure is merely illustrative, and detailed changes may be made to the fullest extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms set forth in the appended claims, particularly in relation to the structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the teachings of this invention can be applied to other systems without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A side-pocket type working cylinder for use in a gas lifting system, the side-pocket type working cylinder comprising: A central body, which is configured to be substantially aligned with the production oil pipe; A receiver, which is offset laterally from the central body; A valve sleeve, the valve sleeve being removably secured to the receiver; A gas booster valve, which is removably housed within the valve sleeve; An internal directional sleeve is configured to interact with a directional tool for installing and removing a gas lift valve within the offset receiver, wherein the gas lift valve and / or the valve sleeve can be deployed and retrieved by the directional tool through the open main channel of the side-pocket working cylinder; The side-pouch type working cylinder further includes a cover that protects the valve sleeve, wherein the cover is configured to secure the valve sleeve to the central body by surrounding the valve sleeve.

2. The side-pocket type working cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the valve sleeve is removably fixed to the receiver by a threaded connection.

3. The side-pocket type working cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the valve sleeve is removably fixed to the receiver by a high-pressure concentric buckle.

4. The side-pocket type working cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the valve sleeve comprises: An inlet port that allows pressurized gas to enter the gas lift valve; An outlet port that carries pressurized gas from the gas booster valve.

5. The side-pouch working cylinder according to claim 4, wherein the central body includes an air inlet port, and wherein an external gas line connects the air inlet port on the central body to the outlet port on the valve sleeve.

6. The side-pocket type working cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the valve sleeve comprises: An inlet port that allows pressurized gas to enter the gas lift valve; as well as One or more internal gas injection channels carry the pressurized gas from the gas booster valve to the central body.

7. A gas lifting module for use in a gas lifting system deployed in a well, the gas lifting module comprising: The side-pocket type working cylinder according to claim 1; and A short drill pipe, which is connected to the central body.

8. The gas boosting module according to claim 7, wherein the valve sleeve is removably secured to the receiver via a threaded connection.

9. The gas boosting module according to claim 7, wherein the valve sleeve is removably fixed to the receiver by a high-pressure concentric snap fastener.

10. The gas lifting module according to claim 7, wherein the valve sleeve comprises: An inlet port that allows pressurized gas to enter the gas lift valve; An outlet port that carries pressurized gas from the gas booster valve.

11. The gas boosting module of claim 10, wherein the central body includes an inlet port, and wherein an external gas line connects the inlet port on the central body to the outlet port on the valve sleeve.

12. The gas lifting module according to claim 10, wherein the valve sleeve comprises: One or more internal gas injection channels carry the pressurized gas from the gas booster valve to the central body.

13. The gas lifting module of claim 7, wherein the gas lifting module further includes a protrusion on the short drill pipe, wherein the protrusion is configured to shield the valve sleeve when the gas lifting module descends into the well.

14. A method for replacing a valve sleeve on a gas boosting module according to any one of claims 7-13, wherein, The valve sleeve is referred to as the first valve sleeve, and the method includes the following steps: Remove the first valve sleeve from the receiver; Install a second valve sleeve onto the receiver; and Install the second gas booster valve into the second valve sleeve.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removing the first valve sleeve from the receiver further comprises unscrewing the first valve sleeve from the receiver.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of mounting the second valve sleeve to the receiver further comprises screwing the second valve sleeve into the receiver.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of installing the gas booster valve into the second valve sleeve is performed prior to the step of installing the second valve sleeve onto the receiver.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of connecting an external gas pipeline between an outlet port on the second valve sleeve and an inlet port on the central body.

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