Bypass Packer Wellbore Assembly for Uniform Injection Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current injection well technologies face challenges in controlling fluid injection into specific subsurface intervals, leading to uneven pressure distribution and stagnant flow regions, which can result in reduced efficiency and increased plugging due to preferential flow paths and variations in permeability.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore assembly featuring a string of casing perforated across multiple intervals with strategically placed bypass packers that create incremental pressure drops through annular regions, allowing for controlled fluid injection and optimized pressure support across subsurface intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is injected into multiple intervals simultaneously using the same injection well, then injection efficiency is improved, but pressure distribution becomes uneven and preferential flow paths occur
Solution Approach 1:
The injection well is divided into multiple isolated injection zones using packers. Each zone can be injected independently with controlled pressure, eliminating the preferential flow paths that occur when injecting multiple intervals simultaneously through a single wellbore. The packers segment the annulus into separate compartments that can be managed independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different injection zones are assigned different injection rates and pressures based on their specific formation characteristics. Each zone receives customized injection parameters optimized for its permeability and pressure requirements, rather than using a uniform injection strategy across all intervals.
2Productivity
If injection tubing extends into the subsurface formation, then fluid injection capability is improved, but stagnant flow regions develop and plugging risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of injecting fluid directly down the tubing into the formation, the system injects fluid down the tubing and then allows it to flow back up the annulus between the tubing and casing. This reverse flow path prevents stagnant regions from forming in the tubing while maintaining effective injection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid circulation creates continuous flow through the annulus, preventing stagnant regions from developing. The continuous movement of fluid eliminates the plugging risks associated with static or slow-moving fluid in the tubing.
3Stress or pressure
If bypass packers with restricted openings are used, then pressure control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packers incorporate adjustable or pre-configured restricted openings that can be selected to achieve desired pressure drops across different zones. By changing the opening parameters (size, number, configuration), precise pressure control is achieved without requiring complex active control systems.
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 solution enables uniform fluid injection and optimized pressure distribution across subsurface intervals, reducing stagnant flow regions and plugging, while maintaining efficient fluid distribution and preventing preferential flow paths.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more channels in the first packer and in the second packer are sized to impart incremental pressure drops through the annulus to optimize wellbore injection
Data Source
AI summary
Wellbore assembly for injecting fluid into a subsurface formation having multiple intervals comprising a plurality of packers having bypass channels at desired locations between the respective intervals. The assembly allows fluid to be injected down a tubing string, back up an annular region, and through the series of packers to impart incremental pressure drops along the intervals. The assembly enhances pressure support by allowing the operator to optimize wellbore injection along intervals having different formation characteristics.