Oscillating jet pump system

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are provided for recovery of hydrocarbons or fluids in a reservoir using an oscillating jet pump, including a first pump to pump a power fluid; an oscillating device configured to receive the power fluid from the first pump and to output the power fluid in a pulsed manner; and a jet pump comprising: a channel configured to receive the pulsed power fluid from the oscillating device; a flow restriction to restrict flow of the power fluid and reduce the pressure of the power fluid; an outer casing comprising one or more openings through which a recovery fluid from the reservoir enters the jet pump; a chamber adjacent to the flow restriction configured to allow creation of a mixture the recovery fluid and the reduced pressure power fluid; and a conduit to transport the fluid mixture out of the jet pump.

Description

[0001] OSCILLATING JET PUMP SYSTEM

[0002] Field of the Application

[0003] The present application relates to an oscillating jet pump system, which can be used for example in the recovery of oil and / or gas from a reservoir.

[0004] Background of the Disclosure

[0005] Jet pumps are a known device used to extract fluids from oil and gas reservoirs. Jet pumps operate by including a flow restriction of a power fluid pumped in a first direction (e.g., downward into an underground use case) through the flow restricting device, for example a nozzle or a throat. The flow restriction results in a decrease in pressure, causing the intake of a reservoir fluid into the pump, which is then mixed with the power fluid and delivered back to the surface in the opposite direction due to the increase in fluid pressure from the mixture.

[0006] FIGS. 1A-1C show several examples of different jet pumps, including a conventional jet pump 10a, a parallel jet pump 10b, and a concentric jet pump 10c. FIG. 2 shows an example of a concentric jet pump 10c in operation. In a jet pump lifting system, the pump 10c can be run downhole without a need for a rig. At the surface, a power fluid system uses a pump (not shown) to pressurize and inject a power fluid 11 into a wellbore of a reservoir comprising another fluid 12 to be recovered such as oil and / or gas. The power fluid 11 travels downhole through the jet pump 10c to a nozzle in a jet pump chamber 13, which reduces the fluid pressure due to the Venturi effect. The fluid pressure drop causes the intake of the other fluid 12 into the jet pump chamber 13 through openings 15 in the jet pump 10, where the fluid 12 is mixed with the power fluid 11 to create a fluid mixture 14 that is propelled to the surface due to its increased pressure. Jet pumps have many different designs known in the art, as shown for example in FIGS. 1A-1C, but all work on the same Venturi principle.

[0007] Summary of the Disclosure

[0008] By adding pulses to the power fluid using an oscillator in accordance with the present application, the extraction performance of a jet pump improves and can adjust its performance by controlling pump pressure and oscillating frequencies.

[0009] In accordance with a first general aspect of the present application, an apparatus is provided, comprising a first pump configured to pump a power fluid and an oscillating device configured to receive the power fluid from the first pump as an input and to output the power fluid in a pulsed manner. The apparatus further comprises a jet pump comprising: a channel having a first end configured to receive the pulsed power fluid from the oscillating device; a flow restriction at a second end of the channel configured to restrict the flow of the power fluid and reduce the pressure of the power fluid; an outer casing comprising one or more openings through which a recovery fluid enters the jet pump; a chamber adjacent to the flow restriction configured to allow creation of a fluid mixture comprising a mixture of the recovery fluid and the reduced pressure power fluid; and a conduit configured to transport the fluid mixture out of the jet pump.

[0010] In various embodiments of the apparatus of the first aspect of the application, one or more of the following features may be incorporated, separately or in combination. The flow restriction of the jet pump can be a nozzle or a throat having a narrow central portion. The conduit that is configured to transport the fluid mixture can be disposed concentrically around the channel. The oscillating device may comprise a rotating ball valve configured to output the power fluid in pulses having a frequency. In accordance with a second general aspect of the present application, a system is provided. The system comprises: an underground reservoir comprising a recovery fluid therein; a wellbore in the underground reservoir; a first pump configured to pump a power fluid; and an oscillating device configured to receive the power fluid from the first pump as an input and to output the power fluid in a pulsed manner. The system further comprises a jet pump arranged in the wellbore, and comprising: a channel having a first end configured to receive the pulsed power fluid from the oscillating device; a flow restriction at a second end of the channel configured to restrict the flow of the power fluid and reduce the pressure of the power fluid; an outer casing comprising one or more openings through which the recovery fluid enters the jet pump from the reservoir; a chamber adj acent to the flow restriction configured to allow creation of a fluid mixture comprising a mixture of the recovery fluid and the reduced pressure power fluid; and a conduit configured to transport the fluid mixture out of the jet pump.

[0011] In various embodiments of the system of the second aspect of the application, one or more of the following features may be incorporated, separately or in combination. The flow restriction of the jet pump can be a nozzle or a throat having a narrow central portion. The conduit configured to transport the fluid mixture can be disposed concentrically around the channel. The oscillating device may comprise a rotating ball valve configured to output the power fluid in pulses having a frequency.

[0012] In additional embodiments of the system, which may be combined with or exclude the above recited features, the recovery fluid comprises oil and / or natural gas. The power fluid may comprise water or brine. The system may further comprise a fluid separator configured to separate fluids in the fluid mixture into oil and / or natural gas and water and / or brine. The separated water and / or brine can be provided back to the first pump for use as the power fluid and the system may comprise a filter in between the fluid separator and the first pump through which the separated water and / or brine passes.

[0013] In accordance with a third general aspect of the present application, a method is provided for recovering fluids in an underground reservoir comprising: pumping a power fluid by a first pump; receiving the power fluid by an oscillating device; outputting the power fluid by the oscillating device in a pulsed manner to a jet pump arranged in a wellbore of the underground reservoir; restricting the flow of the power fluid within the jet pump to reduce the pressure of the power fluid; mixing the power fluid with recovery fluid in a chamber of the jet pump adjacent to the flow restriction to create a fluid mixture comprising a mixture of the recovery fluid and the reduced pressure power fluid; and transporting the fluid mixture out of the jet pump.

[0014] In various embodiments of the method of the third aspect of the application, one or more of the following features may be incorporated, separately or in combination. The oscillating device may comprise a rotating ball valve for outputting the power fluid in pulses having a frequency. The recovery fluid may comprise oil and / or natural gas, and the power fluid may comprise water or brine. The method may further comprise separating, by a separator, fluids in the fluid mixture into oil and / or natural gas and water and / or brine. The method may still further comprise providing the separated water and / or brine back to the first pump for use as the power fluid and optionally filtering the separated water and / or brine before the first pump.

[0015] Brief Description of the Figures

[0016] FIGS. 1A-1C show examples of different jet pump designs according to the prior art;

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a jet pump operation according to the prior art;

[0018] FIG. 3 shows an oscillating jet pump in accordance with the present application;

[0019] 4

[0020] RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) FIG. 4 shows an oscillating jet pump according to the present application;

[0021] FIG. 5 shows a further oscillating jet pump system according to the present application;

[0022] FIG. 6A shows an exploded view of an oscillator according to the present application;

[0023] FIGS. 6B-6C show perspective views of an oscillator according to the present application;

[0024] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate controls to optimize extraction using the oscillation jet pump and analysis for production wells in accordance with the present application; and

[0025] FIGS. 7C-7D illustrate an example of how the oscillating jet pump of the present application can improve oil recovery.

[0026] Detailed Description of the Figures

[0027] The apparatus, system, and method of the present application will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3-7D.

[0028] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an oscillating jet pump 20, and a system comprising the same, in accordance with the present application. A concentric jet pump 20 is used as the example jet pump in the Figures that follow, but it is to be understood that other jet pump designs may be used in the present invention without deviating from its scope, including those shown in FIGS. 1 A and IB, or other designs not shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 3 shows an example of an oscillating jet pump 20, and FIG. 4 shows an example of a system comprising the oscillating jet pump 20 below the surface (indicated generally by the dashed line in FIG. 4) in a downhole wellbore into a reservoir comprising a recovery fluid 22 that is to be recovered and delivered above the surface.

[0029] A power fluid 21 , such as water or fdtered brine, is supplied into the jet pump 20 by a pump 52 on the surface. The power fluid 21 output from the pump 52 is forced through an oscillator device 101, which is configured to oscillate the power fluid 21 into a central channel 20a of the jet pump 20 in a pulsed manner, rather than as a steady stream. For example, the oscillator device 101 may comprise a rotating ball valve through which the power fluid 21 passes intermittently as the ball valve rotates, as described further herein. The general direction of flow of the power fluid 21 through the jet pump 20 is identified by arrow 21a in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0030] The jet pump 20 comprises a jet pump compartment 23 including a flow restricting nozzle or throat and a mixing chamber arranged below the nozzle. The power fluid 21 is provided into nozzle or throat restriction in the jet pump 20, narrowing the flow path from the central channel 20a. The act of restricting the flow of the fluid 21 has the effects on the fluid of increasing fluid velocity and decreasing fluid pressure (i.e., the Venturi effect).

[0031] The recovery fluid 22, such as oil, gas, brine, or a mixture thereof in the reservoir, is able to enter the jet pump 20 through openings 25 in an outer casing of the jet pump 20. The recovery fluid 22 is drawn into the area of low pressure created by the power fluid 21 restriction in the jet pump 20, and commingles with power fluid 21 in the mixing chamber of the jet pump 20 to create a fluid mixture 24 of the power fluid 21 and the recovery fluid 22.

[0032] The fluid mixture 24 having an increased pressure then enters the diffuser and conduit(s) 20b outside of the central channel 20a and is returned to the surface for processing. The general direction of flow of the mixed fluid 24 through the jet pump 20 is identified by arrow 24a in FIGS. 3 and 4. By oscillating the power fluid 21 into the jet pump 20, resonant flow paths in the oil and gas reservoirs are created at different controllable frequencies, aiding in the recovery of the recovery fluid 22 comprising oil, gas, and / or brine.

[0033] The fluid mixture 24 comprising comingled power fluid 21 and recovery fluid 22 is returned from the jet pump 20 to the surface, where it can be provided to a fluid separator 50. The fluid separator 50 separates the returned fluid mixture 24 into brine or water 31, oil 32 and gas 33. The oil 32 and gas 33 can be recovered for separate use or storage. The brine or water 31 can be filtered by a filter 51 to remove unwanted particulates, and supplied to the pump 52 and oscillator 101 as the power fluid 21 for returning to the downhole wellbore via the jet pump 20.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a further example of an oscillating jet pump system according to the present application for a production well 53 for oil and / or gas recovery from a reservoir 100. As in the system in FIG. 4, the power fluid 21, such as brine or water, is provided to a pump 52 and oscillator device 101. The pump 52 and oscillator 101 may utilize a controller 54 to oscillate the power fluid 21 into the jet pump 20 of the production well 53 at a desired frequency. Sensors (not shown) may be provided in the jet pump 20 and the reservoir 100, which are configured to take measurements such as flow and pressure, which can be provided to the controller 54.

[0035] Recovery fluids 22, such as oil, gas, and / or brine can be recovered from the reservoir 100. The recovered fluids 22 are mixed with the power fluid 21 and the mixed fluids 24 are supplied to the surface by way of the jet pump 20. The returned fluid mixture 24 may be provided to a first, solid separator 55 to separate solids, such as sand, from the fluid mixture 24. The mixed fluids 24 may then be provided to a fluid separator 50 to separate natural gas 33, oil 32, and brine 31 from the mixture 24. The brine 31 can be filtered by a filter 51 to remove unwanted particulates, and returned to the reservoir 100 as the power fluid 21 for the jet pump 20, as previously described. The power fluid 11 (i.e., filtered brine 31) can also be provided to a storage tank 40, for storage for later use in the system, or for an alternative use.

[0036] The oscillating jet pump 20 has proven performance in downhole applications and lacks moving parts. The oscillating jet pump system described herein can be integrated into enhanced oil recovery systems, such as those described in applicant’s earlier U.S. Patent 10,443,364 issued October 15, 2019 (titled “Comprehensive Enhanced Oil Recovery System”) and International Patent Application PCT / US22 / 81436 filed December 13, 2022 (titled “Comprehensive Energy Systems”), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. The surface oscillator 101 drives the jet pump 20 pulsation wave of power fluid 21, and a system controller 54 and sensors (not shown) can be provided to sense downhole waves and optimize performance by controlling pump 52 pressure and oscillator 101 frequency.

[0037] FIGS. 6A-6C show an oscillator device 101 that can be used in connection with a jet pump according to the present application. Although one example is shown in the Figures, it is noted that the oscillator device 101 can be other devices for achieving the same purpose, including for example any of those described in applicant’s earlier International Patent Application PCT / US22 / 45009 filed September 28, 2022 (titled “System and Method of Using Oscillator to Create Pulsing Waves”), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, and operate accordingly.

[0038] In the embodiment of the oscillator 101 illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, the oscillator 101 comprises a housing. The housing comprises an upper housing 102a secured to a lower housing member 102b. Within the housing, a chamber 103 is formed, which is configured to house a valve body 106 of an oscillating valve 105. Channel portions 104 may also be provided on adjacent surfaces of the upper housing 102a and lower housing 102b and on opposing sides of the chamber 103, which are configured to receive a shaft 108a, 108b on each side of the valve body 106. In the oscillator 101 shown in the Figures, the upper and lower housing 102a, 102b are secured to each other using a series of bolts 117 and nuts 118. The upper housing 102a comprises a series of openings 116a and the lower housing 102b comprises a corresponding series of openings 116b, which are configured to align with the openings 116a through the upper housing 102a, and the bolts 117 pass through the openings 116a, 116b to secure the upper and lower housing 102a, 102b to each other, with the utilization of nuts 118. In other embodiments, the upper and lower housing 102a, 102b can be affixed to each other using other mechanisms, such as clamps, threading, snap fits, and other suitable connecting means known in the art.

[0039] In accordance with embodiments of the present application, the oscillating valve 105 comprises a valve body 106 having an opening 107 formed therethrough. In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures and described herein, the oscillating valve 105 is a ball valve comprising a ball bearing as the oscillating valve body 106 having the opening 107 formed therethrough. The dimensions and shape of the opening 107 through the valve body 106 of the oscillating valve 105 can vary. As shown for example in FIG. 6A, a substantially circular opening 107 can be provided through the valve body 106. The circular opening 107 may be dimensioned with the same or similar cross-sectional area as the upper and lower housing ports 114, 115 so as to substantially align with the upper and lower housing ports 114, 115 every 180° rotation of the oscillating valve 105. However, as alternative oscillating valves 105 can be provided having an opening 107 that is not circular, but may take a different cross-sectional shape. The different flow that occurs through different shapes of the openings of the valves can determine the shape of the wave.

[0040] The oscillating valve 105 also comprises a shaft 108a extending from an outer surface of the valve body 106 and secured to the valve body 106. Two shafts 108a, 108b may be provided on two opposing sides of the valve body 106 as shown in FIG. 6A, or only a single shaft 108a may be provided on only one side in other embodiments. The shaft 108a comprises on an end furthest from the valve body 106 a shaft connector 109, which is configured to connect the shaft 108a and oscillating valve 105 to an electric motor. The electric motor causes the shaft 108a to rotate, thereby causing the entire oscillating valve 105 to rotate. In embodiments where the oscillating valve 105 is not a ball valve, the electric motor may control the opening and closing of the oscillating valve 105 in alternative manners. A cap 111, 112 can be provided over each of the shafts 108a, 108b for covering the shafts 108a, 108b. The caps 111, 112 can be secured to the housing 102 by way of screws 113, which for example may be threaded screws 113 configured to engage threaded openings on the upper and lower housing 102a, 102b. Corresponding cutouts may also be provided on the upper and lower housing 102a, 102b that are shaped and dimensioned to receive each of the caps 111, 112 therein. The cap 111 that is adjacent to the shaft connector 109 may comprise an opening through the cap 111 through which the shaft connector 109 may pass to connect to the motor.

[0041] The upper housing 102a of the oscillator 101 comprises a port 114 and the lower housing 102b of the oscillator 101 also comprises a port 115. The two ports 114, 115 align with each other, and have the chamber 103 and oscillating valve 105 arranged between them. The ports 114, 115 may also comprise elements that allow the ports 114, 115, and by extension the oscillator 101, to be connected to other objects used with the oscillator 101, such as a pump or pipes. For example, in the embodiments shown in the Figures, the ports 114, 115 each comprise a circumferential flange having a plurality of through holes that may be configured to receive a bolt or screw to connect the flange to a pump or pipe having corresponding through holes. Other connection means can be used to connect the oscillator 101 to pumps, pipes, hoses, or other fluid communication lines, such as clamps, threading or other suitable connecting mechanisms known in the art.

[0042] FIG.7A shows an oscillator analysis for production wells 53. By applying the oscillation jet pump solution shown and described herein, the effective extraction is increased. Depending on the reservoir, by providing the right pump pressure the drainage reach can be increased, and optimizes the flow by continuously using different frequencies to converge on the optimum extraction flow. FIG. 7A shows the change in drainage that can be provided by the oscillation device 101 used with a production well 53. Whereas a typical drainage 61 without the use of a pulsing oscillator 101 may be five hundred feet, an increased drainage 62 is provided. The production well 53 creates a low pressure, pulsing drainage zone 63, as shown in FIG. 7B.

[0043] FIGS. 7C and 7D show diagrams of pulsing pressure waves in an oil field. FIG. 7C shows examples of viscous fingering in a connate paraffin oil example where pulsing was not used after approximately fifty -five seconds (left) and approximately 139 seconds (right). In comparison, FIG. 7D also shows examples of viscous fingering in a connate paraffin oil example where pulsing was used after approximately fifty -five seconds (left) and approximately 139 seconds (right). Exemplary results of the pulsing based on tests that include pulsing and non-pulsing for oil recovery include: a faster general flow rate with pulsing, slower water breakthrough with pulsing, oil cuts that remain higher for longer with pulsing, a far greater oil sweep efficiency with pulsing, a suppressed viscous finger length with pulsing, and a greater stability of a fingering front with pulsing.

[0044] While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and / or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and / or elements and / or method steps shown and / or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED1. An apparatus comprising: a first pump configured to pump a power fluid; an oscillating device configured to receive the power fluid from the first pump as an input and to output the power fluid in a pulsed manner; and a jet pump comprising: a channel having a first end configured to receive the pulsed power fluid from the oscillating device; a flow restriction at a second end of the channel configured to restrict the flow of the power fluid and reduce the pressure of the power fluid; an outer casing comprising one or more openings through which a recovery fluid enters the jet pump; a chamber adjacent to the flow restriction configured to allow creation of a fluid mixture comprising a mixture of the recovery fluid and the reduced pressure power fluid; and a conduit configured to transport the fluid mixture out of the jet pump.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow restriction of the jet pump is a nozzle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow restriction is a throat having a narrow central portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit configured to transport the fluid mixture is disposed concentrically around the channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the oscillating device comprises a rotating ball valve configured to output the power fluid in pulses having a frequency.

6. A system comprising: an underground reservoir comprising a recovery fluid therein; a wellbore in the underground reservoir; a first pump configured to pump a power fluid; an oscillating device configured to receive the power fluid from the first pump as an input and to output the power fluid in a pulsed manner; and a jet pump arranged in the wellbore, and comprising: a channel having a first end configured to receive the pulsed power fluid from the oscillating device; a flow restriction at a second end of the channel configured to restrict the flow of the power fluid and reduce the pressure of the power fluid; an outer casing comprising one or more openings through which the recovery fluid enters the jet pump from the reservoir; a chamber adjacent to the flow restriction configured to allow creation of a fluid mixture comprising a mixture of the recovery fluid and the reduced pressure power fluid; and a conduit configured to transport the fluid mixture out of the jet pump.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the flow restriction of the jet pump is a nozzle, or a throat having a narrow central portion.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the conduit configured to transport the fluid mixture is disposed concentrically around the channel.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the oscillating device comprises a rotating ball valve configured to output the power fluid in pulses having a frequency.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the recovery fluid comprises oil and / or natural gas.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the power fluid comprises water or brine.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a fluid separator configured to separate fluids in the fluid mixture into oil and / or natural gas and water and / or brine.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein separated water and / or brine is provided back to the first pump for use as the power fluid.

14. The system according to claim 13, comprising a filter in between the fluid separator and the first pump through which the separated water and / or brine passes.

15. A method for recovering fluids in an underground reservoir comprising: pumping a power fluid by a first pump; receiving the power fluid by an oscillating device; outputting the power fluid by the oscillating device in a pulsed manner to a jet pump arranged in a wellbore of the underground reservoir; restricting flow of the power fluid within the jet pump to reduce the pressure of the power fluid; mixing the power fluid with recovery fluid in a chamber of the jet pump adjacent to the flow restriction to create a fluid mixture comprising a mixture of the recovery fluid and the reduced pressure power fluid; and transporting the fluid mixture out of the jet pump.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the oscillating device comprises a rotating ball valve for outputting the power fluid in pulses having a frequency.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the recovery fluid comprises oil and / or natural gas.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the power fluid comprises water or brine.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising separating, by a separator, fluids in the fluid mixture into oil and / or natural gas and water and / or brine.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing the separated water and / or brine back to the first pump for use as the power fluid.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising filtering the separated water and / or brine before the first pump.

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