Air Packer Testing for Vacuum Fluid Removal in Isolated Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packer testing methods in well drilling require the use of submersible pumps to remove water and fluids from isolated zones, which are time-consuming and inefficient, and data collection is delayed until after the test is completed.
Innovation Solution
An air developed packer system uses a vacuum effect created by introducing air to remove fluids from the isolated zone, eliminating the need for submersible pumps and enabling faster data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a submersible pump is used to remove water from the isolated zone, then the pump can effectively pump water out, but the test duration becomes excessively long (days instead of hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using an air compressor to introduce compressed air into the isolated zone through a hose. The compressed air creates pressure that forces water and fluids out of the isolation zone rapidly, eliminating the need for submersible pumps and reducing test duration from days to hours.
2Ease of operation
If a submersible pump system is used, then fluid removal is achieved, but the system complexity and equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex submersible pump system and replaces it with a simple air compressor connected via hose. The solution removes the need for lowering equipment into the wellbore, simplifying the system to surface-based operations only, which significantly reduces equipment complexity and operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed air system uses the natural pressure differential created by introducing air at pressure to automatically force fluids out of the isolation zone. The system leverages the physical properties of compressed gas to perform the fluid removal function without requiring complex mechanical pumping equipment.
3Loss of information
If traditional pump-based systems are used, then data collection occurs after test completion, but real-time monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pressure transducers that continuously monitor pressure changes in the isolation zone during the air development process. This real-time feedback allows operators to monitor fluid removal progress and obtain immediate data about the isolated section's characteristics, enabling informed decisions during the test rather than waiting for post-test analysis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The air developed packer system allows for quicker fluid removal and data acquisition, reducing test duration from days to hours, and enables real-time surface readout of downhole pressure transducers.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum effect caused by the introduction of air is used to remove water and other liquids from the isolation zone
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for performing packer testing in subterranean wells using air to remove liquids from an isolated section of the well. Packers are inflated to isolate a section of the well. Air is introduced into the tubing, which creates a vacuum in the tubing. The vacuum pulls liquids out of the isolated zone and up to the surface and out of the well. The vacuum empties the isolated zone so that the zone can be tested.