Bypass Pathway for Fluid Injection Through Well Tool Obstructions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deploying chemical injection conduits in subsurface safety valves are expensive and time-consuming, as they require retrieving the entire production tubing string, which is not feasible for all wells, especially depleted ones with low hydrostatic pressure, due to obstructions like subsurface safety valves that prevent fluid communication between zones.
Innovation Solution
An anchor seal assembly and method that deploy a subsurface safety valve with a bypass pathway, allowing communication between a surface station and a lower zone, enabling fluid injection through upper and lower injection conduits, bypassing the safety valve, and utilizing an anchor seal assembly with a main body, engagement profile, and actuation conduit to maintain seal integrity and operate the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire production tubing string is retrieved to install chemical injection conduits, then fluid injection capability is achieved, but operation cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the production tubing system into segments by introducing a bypass assembly that can be deployed independently within the existing tubing string. The bypass assembly includes upper and lower injection conduits that create a separate fluid injection pathway, eliminating the need to retrieve the entire production tubing string for conduit installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass assembly is nested within the existing production tubing string structure. The upper injection conduit extends from the wellhead through the bypass assembly, while the lower injection conduit reaches the production zone, creating a nested configuration that utilizes the existing tubing space without requiring removal of the production tubing string.
2Reliability
If subsurface safety valves are installed to prevent blowouts, then safety is improved, but fluid communication between zones is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass assembly acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the safety function of the subsurface safety valve and the fluid injection requirement. The upper and lower injection conduits create a separate pathway that bypasses the safety valve mechanism, allowing fluid communication while the safety valve maintains its protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a new spatial dimension for fluid flow by creating a bypass pathway that runs parallel to but independent of the main production tubing flow path. This dimensional separation allows simultaneous operation of the safety valve in the main line and fluid injection through the bypass conduits.
3Productivity
If secondary recovery operations are performed to retrieve remaining resources, then hydrocarbon production is maintained, but operation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass assembly enables self-service fluid injection capability directly into the production zone through the lower injection conduit. This eliminates the need for complex external secondary recovery equipment by providing a straightforward injection pathway that can be operated independently of elaborate artificial lift systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods to inject chemical stimulants (284) to a production zone (102, 202) through a string of production tubing (110, 210) around a downhole obstruction are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods include deploying an anchor seal assembly (200) to a landing profile (120, 220) located within a string of production tubing (110, 210). The anchor seal assembly (200) is in communication with a surface station through an injection conduit (260, 264) and includes a bypass pathway (262) to inject various fluids to a zone below.