Replication device for replicating the behavior of oil and gas wells

Abstract

The device (10) comprises a cell (12) including a cylindrical wall (14) defining an internal space. A cylindrical sleeve (26) is arranged in the internal space, with a first annular space (28) defined between the sleeve (26) and the wall (14), intended to be filled with oil. A rock cylinder (32) is arranged inside the sleeve (26). A cylindrical casing (34) is arranged inside the cylinder of rock (32) with a second annular space (36) radially arranged between the casing (34) and the cylinder (32), intended to be filled with a sealing component. A temperature measurement device (38) is housed inside the casing (34). The device (10) comprises sensors for measuring the behavior of the simulated well. The replication device (10) comprises a control and monitoring system for controlling pressure, temperature and / or other parameters.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a replication device for replicating the behavior of oil and gas wells, in particular such as well as CO 2 or H 2 wells.

[0002] Oil and gas wells are subject to severe constraints, in particular high pressures (until 1000 bars or more), and high range of temperatures (up to 250°C). CO 2 injector wells are in addition subject to negative temperatures (down to -50°C). Frequent variations of pressure and temperature are observed. These severe constraints may lead to cracks in the well, impairing its integrity.

[0003] In order to secure such a well, there is a need to predict the behavior of the well, in particular to predict how cracks form, in particular as a function of temperature and / or of pressure.

[0004] To this end, the invention is intended to provide a replication device configured to monitor and understand the behavior of a well, for example during its production period or / and when CO 2 is injected into a well at low temperatures. The replication is for example intended to calibrate a simulation software intended to evaluate the behavior of a well when producing gas or oil, or / and when injecting CO 2 or H2.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to a replication device for replicating the behavior of an oil and gas well, and / or a CO 2 well and / or a H 2 well, characterized in that: the replication device comprises a cell including a cylindrical wall defining an internal space, a cylindrical sleeve is arranged in the internal space, with a first annular space defined between the sleeve and the wall, the first annular space being intended to be filled with oil, a rock cylinder is arranged inside the sleeve in contact with an inside face of the sleeve, a cylindrical casing is arranged inside the cylinder of rock with a second annular space radially arranged between the casing and the cylinder, the second annular space being intended to be filled with a sealing component, a temperature regulation device is housed inside the cylindrical casing. the replication device comprises sensors for measuring the behavior of the simulated well. the replication device comprises a control and monitoring system for controlling pressure, temperature and / or other parameters.

[0006] A replication device according to the invention may comprise one or several of the following features, taken alone or in any possible combination: The sensors comprise at least one pressure sensor, chosen between a first pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the cylindrical casing, a second pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the second annular space, and / or a third pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the first annular space. The sensors comprise at least one temperature sensor, chosen between a first temperature sensor arranged inside the cylindrical casing, a second temperature sensor arranged inside the second annular space, and / or a third temperature sensor arranged inside the first annular space. The sensors comprise strain gauges, preferentially a first set of strain gauges arranged on an inside wall of the casing, and / or a second set of strain gauges arranged on an outside wall of the rock cylinder, each set of strain gauges comprising at least one, preferentially two, axial strain gauges, and at least one, preferentially two, radial strain gauges. The sensors comprise Acoustic sensors, preferentially at least one first acoustic sensor arranged on an inside wall of the casing, at least one second acoustic sensor arranged on the sleeve, and / or at least one third acoustic sensor arranged on the sleeve. The replication device comprises an ultrasonic emitter arranged on an inside wall of the casing, and an ultrasonic receptor arranged on the sleeve. The cell comprises an upper flange and a lower flange, the upper and lower flanges being connected together via at least one rod, tightened with nuts. One of the flanges is provided with at least one duct for filling the first annular space with oil, and / or one of the flanges is provided with at least one duct for filling the second annular space with the sealing component. The cell comprises a heating collar arranged around the wall, preferentially in contact with the external face of the wall.

[0007] The invention also relates to a method of replicating a well with a replication device as disclosed above, characterized in that it comprises: simulating temperature into the well, using the temperature regulation device and simulating temperature around the well via the oil in the annular space, for example using an heating collar, measuring the behavior of the simulated well with the sensors.

[0008] Several aspects and advantages of the invention will be enlightened in the following disclosure, given as a non-limitative example and made in reference to annexed drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a replication device according to an example of embodiment of the invention Figure 2 is a cross section view of a cell equipping the replication device of Figure 1.

[0009] Figure 1 shows a replication device 10 according to an example of embodiment of the invention.

[0010] The replication device 10 comprises a cell 12 shown on figure 2, in which a well is replicated, as explained later.

[0011] The replication device 10 comprises a control panel 100, for allowing an operator to control the replication device.

[0012] The replication device 10 comprises at least one display device 102, for example two display devices, for monitoring the behavior of the cell 12, as explained later.

[0013] The replication device 10 also comprises other devices that are used for the implementation of environment conditions in the cell 12, such as reservoirs 104, 106 combined with pumps 108, 110, and an heat exchanger 112.

[0014] The replication device 10 also comprises an electric cabinet 114 for the electrical management of the replication device10.

[0015] The cell 12 is defined around a vertical axis X. In the disclosure, the wordings "interior" and "exterior" are defined radially in respect to this vertical axis X.

[0016] The cell 12 comprises a cylindrical wall 14 having an external face and an internal face. The cell 12 also comprises an upper flange 16 and a lower flange 18. The upper 16 and lower 18 flanges are preferentially connected together via a plurality of rods 20 distributed around the wall 14, tightened with nuts 22 in order to maintain the structure of the cell 12.

[0017] Preferentially, the cell 12 comprises a heating collar 24 arranged around the exterior of the wall 14. The heating collar 24 is intended to simulate the formation temperature at a considered depth.

[0018] The internal face of the cylindrical wall 14 defines an internal space.

[0019] The cell 12 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 26 arranged in the internal space, preferentially coaxial with the cylindrical wall 14. The sleeve 26 is preferentially made of rubber, for example of Viton ™< .

[0020] A first annular space 28 is let between the sleeve 26 and the wall 14. The first annular space 28 is intended to be filled with an hydraulic oil, preferentially a temperature resistant oil. One of the flanges 16, 18 is provided with at least one duct 30 for filling the first annular space 28 with hydraulic oil. This hydraulic oil is intended to maintain a predefined pressure preferentially representing the confining pressure.

[0021] Inside the sleeve 26, a rock cylinder 32 is arranged, in contact with an inside face of the sleeve 26.

[0022] For example, the rock corresponds to that forming the simulated well. As a variant, the cylinder may be made of salts or clay or others. More particularly, the wording "rock" refers to any cylindrical material suitable for the cell (sandstone, carbonate, shale, salt, synthetic materials, etc.).

[0023] Thus, any kind of rock can be arranged here, provided that this rock is usual rocks that we may encounter in oil and gas fields. For example, the internal diameter of the rock cylinder is about 130 mm, and the external diameter of the rock cylinder is about 230 mm, and the height of the rock cylinder is about 200 mm.

[0024] A cylindrical casing 34 is arranged inside the cylinder of rock 32, coaxially to this cylinder of rock 32, with a second annular space 36 radially arranged between the casing 34 and the cylinder 32. The casing 34 is preferentially made of carbon steel but it should be noticed that the casing 34 could be made of any material than can be used in an oil and gas well or in a CO2 / H2 well.

[0025] More particularly, the casing can be made of metal, glass fiber, carbon fiber, or any suitable material.

[0026] The second annular space 36 is intended to be filled with a sealing component, for example a cement. To this end, one of the flanges 16, 18 is provided with at least one duct for filling the second annular space 36 with liquid cement.

[0027] The sealing component could be any type of sealing material, such as polymers, cements etc.

[0028] The cylindrical casing 34 delimits an internal space. For example, the diameter of the internal space is about 90 mm. A temperature regulation device 38 is housed in this internal space. The temperature regulation device 38 includes at least one tube 40 conveying a heat transfer fluid, connecter to the heat exchanger 112. The tube 40 allows a good filling of the casing 34 with a heat transfer fluid and it allows improving circulation of fluid in the casing 34, facilitating heat exchange.

[0029] The temperature of the heat transfer fluid is chosen as a function of a desired temperature inside the internal space of the cylindrical casing 34.

[0030] The device 10 allows simulating a well made of a casing surrounded by cement, arranged in a drilled rock.

[0031] The temperature regulation device 38 allows simulating temperature inside the well, and the heating collar 24 and the oil in the first annular space 28 allow simulating the formation temperature.

[0032] The oil in the first annular space 28 also allows simulating pressure around the well, applied to the rock, to the cement and to the casing.

[0033] The simulation device 10 comprises a plurality of sensors intended to measure several parameters during a simulation, in particular pressure and temperature.

[0034] Preferentially, the sensors comprise Pressure sensors P1, P2, P3. A first pressure sensor P1 is connected to the internal space of the cylindrical casing 34 in order to measure the pressure inside this internal space of the cylindrical casing 34. A second pressure sensor P2 is measuring the pressure inside the second annular space 36. A third pressure sensor P3 is measuring the pressure inside the first annular space 28. The pressure sensors P1, P2, P3 are for example quartz sensors or other types of sensors.

[0035] The pressure sensors P1, P2, P3 are for example arranged on pipes outside the cell 12, each pipe connected to the corresponding space.

[0036] Preferentially, the sensors comprise temperature sensors T1, T2, T3, T4, T5. A first temperature sensor T1 is arranged inside the internal space of the cylindrical casing 34. A second temperature sensor T2 is arranged inside the second annular space 36. A third temperature sensor T3 is arranged inside the first annular space 28. The temperature sensors are for example thermocouple sensors.

[0037] Preferentially, a fourth temperature sensor T4 is arranged in the upper flange 16, and a fifth temperature sensor T5 is arranged in the lower flange 18. The temperature sensors are for example thermocouple sensors.

[0038] Preferentially, the sensors comprise Strain Gauges. A first set of strain gauges S1 is arranged on the internal wall of the casing 34. The first set of strain gauges S1 comprises at least one, preferentially two, axial strain gauges, and at least one, preferentially two, radial strain gauges. A second set of strain gauges S2 is arranged on the external wall of the rock cylinder 32. The second set of strain gauges S2 comprises at least one, preferentially two, axial strain gauges, and at least one, preferentially two, radial strain gauges.

[0039] Preferentially, the sensors comprise Acoustic sensors. More particularly, a first ultrasonic emitter U1 is arranged in the internal space of the casing 34, and a second ultrasonic receptor U2 is arranged on the sleeve 26 in the first annular space 28. At least one third acoustic sensor A3, preferentially a plurality, is arranged on the sleeve 26 in the first annular space 28.

[0040] The sensors allow studying the behavior of the rock, the cement, the casing, and the interfaces between these elements.

[0041] The pressure sensors allow monitoring the pressure instructions into the internal space of the cylindrical casing 34, the second annular space 36 and the first annular space 28.

[0042] The temperature sensors allow monitoring the temperature instructions into the inner space of the cylindrical casing 34 and in the first annular space 28, and the evolution of temperature in the components of the device 10.

[0043] The radial strain gauges allow monitoring the radial deformation (swelling) of the casing and the rock.

[0044] The axial strain gauges allow monitoring the axial deformation of the casing and the rock.

[0045] The ultrasonic emitter emits a compression wave which is received by the ultrasonic receiver. The wave goes through the casing, the cement and the rock and the interfaces between these elements.

[0046] When the cement is poured in liquid form (slurry) in the second annular space 36, the wave is highly attenuated. The wave has another shape when the cement is solid (cured).

[0047] The wave has another shape in case of cracks in the cement or in the rock. Thus, the ultrasonic sensors allow detecting cracks formations.

[0048] The wave also has another shape in case of failure (debonding) at the interface between the casing and the cement or at the interface between the cement and the rock. Thus, the ultrasonic sensors allow detecting such failures at interfaces.

[0049] The acoustic sensors also allow detection cracks formations, by "hearing" fractures in the cement and / or the rock. By positioning a plurality of acoustic sensors, it is also possible to localize the cracks, in a tridimensional manner.

[0050] It appears that the replication device 10 according to the invention allow monitoring crack formations and interface failures as a function of temperature and / or pressure.

[0051] The instructions of pressure and temperature follow cycles to reproduce the entire life of the well.

Claims

1. A replication device (10) for replicating the behavior of an oil and gas well, and / or a CO2 well and / or a H2 well, characterized in that: - the replication device (10) comprises a cell (12) including a cylindrical wall (14) defining an internal space, - a cylindrical sleeve (26) is arranged in the internal space, with a first annular space (28) defined between the sleeve (26) and the wall (14), the first annular space (28) being intended to be filled with oil, - a rock cylinder (32) is arranged inside the sleeve (26) in contact with an inside face of the sleeve (26), - a cylindrical casing (34) is arranged inside the cylinder of rock (32) with a second annular space (36) radially arranged between the casing (34) and the cylinder (32), the second annular space (36) being intended to be filled with a sealing component, - a temperature regulation device (38) is housed inside the cylindrical casing (34). - the replication device (10) comprises sensors for measuring the behavior of the simulated well. - the replication device (10) comprises a control and monitoring system (100, 102) for controlling pressure, temperature and / or other parameters.

2. The replication device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sensors comprise at least one pressure sensor, chosen between a first pressure sensor (P1) for measuring the pressure inside the cylindrical casing (34), a second pressure sensor (P2) for measuring the pressure inside the second annular space (36), and / or a third pressure sensor (P3) for measuring the pressure inside the first annular space (28).

3. The replication device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sensors comprise at least one temperature sensor, chosen between a first temperature sensor (T1) arranged inside the cylindrical casing (34), a second temperature sensor (T2) arranged inside the second annular space (36), and / or a third temperature sensor (T3) arranged inside the first annular space (28).

4. The replication device (10) according to any of preceding claims, wherein the sensors comprise Strain Gauges, preferentially a first set of strain gauges (S1) arranged on an inside wall of the casing (34), and / or a second set of strain gauges (S2) arranged on an outside wall of the rock cylinder (32), each set of strain gauges comprising at least one, preferentially two, axial strain gauges, and at least one, preferentially two, radial strain gauges.

5. The replication device (10) according to any of preceding claims, wherein the sensors comprise Acoustic sensors, preferentially at least one first acoustic sensor (A1) arranged on an inside wall of the casing (34), at least one second acoustic sensor (A2) arranged on the sleeve (26), and / or at least one third acoustic sensor (A3) arranged on the sleeve (26).

6. The replication device (10) according to any of preceding claims, comprising an ultrasonic emitter (U1) arranged on an inside wall of the casing (34), and an ultrasonic receptor (U2) arranged on the sleeve (26).

7. The replication device (10) according to any of preceding claims, wherein the cell (12) comprises an upper flange (16) and a lower flange (18), the upper (16) and lower (18) flanges being connected together via at least one rod (20), tightened with nuts (22).

8. The replication device (10) according to claim 6, wherein one of the flanges (16, 18) is provided with at least one duct (30) for filling the first annular space (28) with oil, and / or one of the flanges (16, 18) is provided with at least one duct for filling the second annular space (36) with the sealing component.

9. The replication device (10) according to any of preceding claims, wherein the cell (12) comprises a heating collar (24) arranged around the wall (14), preferentially in contact with the external face of the wall (14).

10. A method of replicating a well with a replication device (10) according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - simulating temperature into the well, using the temperature regulation device (38) and simulating temperature around the well via the oil in the annular space (28), for example using an heating collar (24), - measuring the behavior of the simulated well with the sensors.

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