CSP Deliquification System for Natural Gas Wellbore Liquid Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid loading in natural gas wellbores occurs due to condensation and accumulation of liquids, leading to reduced production and corrosion issues, with existing deliquification methods being costly and requiring well shutdowns.

Innovation Solution

A system using concentrated solar power to heat a working fluid, which is conveyed down-hole to maintain the production fluid in a gaseous state through a closed conduit, preventing condensation and reducing corrosive effects, driven entirely by solar energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If concentrated solar power heating is implemented, then liquid loading prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid loading preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct functional modules: solar collectors for energy capture, working fluid circulation system for heat transport, and wellbore injection system for deliquification. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability for preventing liquid loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A working fluid serves as an intermediary carrier, transferring thermal energy from the solar collectors to the production fluid in the wellbore. This mediator enables indirect heating, preventing direct contact between solar components and the wellbore environment, thereby reducing complexity in harsh wellbore conditions while maintaining effective liquid loading prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If solar energy conversion systems are installed, then energy efficiency is improved, but initial investment cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidinitial investment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes free solar energy from the environment to heat the working fluid and maintain production fluid temperature. Once installed, the system serves itself by converting abundant solar radiation into thermal energy without requiring external fuel or power inputs, significantly improving long-term energy efficiency and reducing operational costs despite high initial investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If thermal heating is applied continuously, then production fluid temperature is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction fluid temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system operates periodically based on solar availability, heating the working fluid when solar energy is present and allowing natural heat retention in the wellbore when solar input is unavailable. This periodic operation maintains production fluid temperature through accumulated thermal energy, reducing continuous energy consumption while achieving the desired temperature maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This approach effectively prevents liquid loading, enhances production rates, extends well life, and reduces maintenance costs by maintaining the production fluid in a vapor phase and minimizing corrosive interactions with tubing.

Implementation Method 1

concentrated solar power (CSP) heating subsystem operable to heat a working fluid by directing solar energy collected over a relatively large field into a relatively small area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConcentrated solar power heating: Solar Energy

Implementation Method 2

concentrating the solar energy into a relatively small area with respect to the collection field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConcentration of solar energy: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

enable heat transfer from the working fluid to the production fluid through the closed fluid conduit within the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

maintain the production fluid in a gaseous or vapor phase. Maintenance of the production fluid in vapor phase avoids condensation associated with liquid loading

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9777562B2Method of using concentrated solar power (CSP) for thermal gas well deliquification

Publication Date: 2017.10.03 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A concentrated solar power (CSP) deliquification system for discouraging the accumulation of liquids in a wellbore includes a CSP heating subsystem, and an injection and recirculation subsystem. A working fluid is heated by the CSP heating subsystem and conveyed down-hole into the wellbore by the injection and recirculation subsystem. Heat is transferred from the working fluid to a production fluid within the wellbore, which facilitates maintenance of the production fluid in a gaseous or phase while in the wellbore.