Chemical Prospector Spool for Multi-Well Fluid Quantification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional well testing systems in gas-oil separation plants face challenges in accurately identifying and quantifying the flow of diverse fluids, such as oil, gas, and water, due to their varying properties and the need for multiple measurement principles.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a chemical prospector spool apparatus with a porous layer containing a unique prospector molecule that has chemical affinity for specific fluids. This molecule diffuses into the fluid flow, allowing for the identification and quantification of different fluid types from multiple wells using a single commingled sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flow meters and sensors are used to measure diverse fluids, then measurement coverage is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to varying fluid properties requiring different measurement principles
Solution Approach 1:
A chemical prospector molecule is introduced as an intermediary substance that selectively interacts with specific fluid components (oil, gas, or water). The molecule diffuses into the fluid phase it has chemical affinity for, serving as a mediator that enables identification and quantification of that phase without requiring direct measurement of the fluid's physical properties. This resolves the contradiction by providing a universal measurement approach that adapts to different fluid types through chemical selectivity rather than requiring different measurement principles for each fluid type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from direct physical measurement of fluid properties to detection of chemical prospector molecule concentration. By measuring the concentration of the prospector molecule that has diffused into the fluid, the system achieves precise identification and quantification of oil, gas, and water phases regardless of their varying physical properties, thus maintaining measurement precision across diverse fluid types.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measurement systems are deployed to handle diverse fluids, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical prospector system provides a universal measurement approach that can identify and quantify all fluid phases (oil, gas, water) using a single type of device. Instead of deploying multiple specialized measurement systems for different fluid types, the prospector molecule-based system performs multiple measurement functions through chemical selectivity, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy across diverse fluids.
3Loss of information
If conventional sampling methods are used for fluid analysis, then fluid composition can be identified, but time consumption increases due to separate analysis of each well's fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the sampling and identification process by using the chemical prospector molecule as both a tracer and an identification marker. A single commingled sample containing prospector molecules from multiple wells can be analyzed to identify fluid composition and origin simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate analysis of each well's fluid and significantly reducing time consumption while preserving complete fluid composition information.
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 system provides both quantitative and qualitative rate measurements for fluids produced from multiple wells, improving the accuracy and efficiency of flow rate measurements and data analysis compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
The prospector molecule may have a chemical affinity for fluid selected from the group consisting of oil, gas, or water, and is configured to diffuse into the fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
a porous layer comprising a polymer media and a prospector molecule embedded therein, the porous layer being positioned within the housing between the inlet end and the outlet end, an inner surface of the porous layer defining a flow channel therethrough configured to allow fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
A system for identifying and quantifying a fluid in a gas-oil separation plant conduit includes a first wellhead and a second wellhead, a first flowline, a first prospector spool apparatus and a second prospector spool apparatus, a header, and a collection point. The first and the second prospector spool apparatus each include a porous layer with a prospector molecule. The prospector molecule has chemical affinity for oil, gas, or water, and is configured to diffuse into fluid flow. A method includes providing a system, producing a first fluid from a first well and a second fluid from a second well, flowing the first fluid through the first prospector spool apparatus and the second fluid through the second prospector spool apparatus, allowing the first fluid and the second fluid to commingle, collecting a sample of and analyzing the commingled fluid to provide a quantitative and qualitative analysis.