Check Valve Assembly for Injection Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Injection systems in unconsolidated reservoirs face issues with unsustained injectivity and erosion due to high flux rates of solids, leading to screen failure and loss of injectivity, exacerbated by backflows and pressure surges.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a flapper type check valve downstream of an in-flow control device (ICD) to automatically close during flow reversals, blocking fluid passage during crossflows and backflows and maintaining flow conformance, thereby preventing fines production and injection performance degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high flux rate injection is used to stimulate production, then injection effectiveness is improved, but screen erosion and fines production increase leading to reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is installed upstream of the screen to preemptively block formation fluids and fines before they can reach and erode the screen. This preliminary protective action prevents the harmful effects of backflow and crossflow before they can cause damage, allowing the system to maintain high flux rates without compromising screen integrity or service life.
2Productivity
If injection operations continue despite pressure differentials, then production stimulation is maintained, but backflows and crossflows cause sand failure and loss of injectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve acts as an intermediary protective device positioned between the injection system and the screen. It selectively blocks formation fluids and fines during backflow and crossflow events caused by pressure differentials, while allowing normal injection operations to proceed. This intermediary protection prevents sand failure and maintains injectivity without interrupting production stimulation.
3Reliability
If flow control devices are used to maintain injectivity, then injection performance is stabilized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is a passive, self-activating device that automatically opens during normal injection flow and closes during backflow or crossflow events based on flow direction. It requires no external control systems, power sources, or complex mechanisms, thereby maintaining injectivity stability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 effectively prolongs the service life of injection systems by preventing formation fluids from entering the injector string during flow reversals, maintaining injectivity and preventing screen erosion, even under conditions of frequent shut-ins and pressure differentials.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve assembly interposed between the open, opposite end portion of the housing and the screened space, with the check valve assembly being operative to allow fluid to flow in a first axial direction from the port, through the housing channel and into the screened space and to close fluid flow responsive to perturbations in fluid flow tending to redirect fluid flow in a direction opposite of the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
In a well related to the production of hydrocarbons, an injection apparatus including: a base pipe including a radial port; an in-flow control device including a flow restriction device and a housing, with the housing being external and concentric of the base pipe. The housing includes a closed end portion and an open, opposite end portion and a housing channel communicating the opposite end portion. The flow restriction device is disposed at an intermediate location along the housing channel and adapted to control a rate of flow along the housing channel. A fluid transmissive screen is concentric of the base pipe and extends from the open, opposite end portion of the housing. A check valve assembly is interposed between the opposite end portion of the housing and a screened space.