Degradable Sleeve Gas Separator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas separators in hydrocarbon wells face issues with gas interference, gas-locking, and potential damage to downhole equipment, leading to downtime and increased production costs, with existing solutions being inefficient and difficult to install or maintain.
Innovation Solution
A gas separator assembly featuring a degradable sleeve made of polymer or dissolvable metal, positioned between ports in the annular space of the inner and outer casing members, which prevents fluid and cement intrusion, allowing for controlled degradation and ensuring effective gas separation without the need for mechanical or hydraulic actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gas separators are used in horizontal wells, then gas separation is achieved, but they occupy large amounts of space within the well casing and are difficult to install and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The gas separator is divided into an inner member and an outer member that can be assembled together. The inner member includes a screen section and a sump section, while the outer member provides structural support and defines the annular space. This segmentation allows the components to be inserted separately through the well casing and assembled in place, significantly easing installation and removal operations while maintaining effective gas separation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The inner member is nested within the outer member to form the complete gas separator assembly. The inner member containing the screen and sump is positioned inside the annular space defined by the outer member. This nested configuration maximizes the use of available space within the well casing while keeping the overall assembly compact for easier handling and installation
2Ease of manufacture
If cement is placed in the wellbore, then well completion is achieved, but cement may intrude into the annular space and cause gas-locking
Solution Approach 1:
A degradable sleeve is positioned in the annular space between the inner and outer members before cement placement. This sleeve acts as a temporary barrier that prevents cement from intruding into the annular space during the well completion process. The sleeve is designed to degrade over time, allowing the annular space to be utilized after cement placement is complete, thus preventing gas-locking while enabling proper well completion
Solution Approach 2:
The degradable sleeve serves as an intermediary element between the cement and the annular space. It temporarily blocks the annular space during cement placement, preventing direct contact between cement and the gas separation pathways. Once the cement placement is complete, the sleeve degrades and disappears, allowing the annular space to function normally without cement intrusion causing gas-locking
3Ease of operation
If the annular space is left open, then installation is simplified, but fluid and cement intrusion may cause clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The degradable sleeve is pre-installed in the annular space before the gas separator assembly is placed in the wellbore. This preliminary action provides immediate protection against fluid and cement intrusion during installation and well completion operations. The sleeve remains in place throughout the installation process, ensuring the annular space remains protected without complicating the installation procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The degradable sleeve is designed as a temporary, disposable component that serves its protective function during installation and cement placement, then degrades and disappears. This disposable approach provides reliable protection against clogging during critical operations without requiring permanent complex mechanisms, and the degradation products are minimal and harmless to well operations
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 degradable sleeve effectively prevents clogging, reduces installation complexity, and ensures reliable operation by allowing controlled flow and separation of gas and liquid, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs while maintaining well integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve is disposed in the annular space between the first port and the second port
Implementation Method 2
A gas separator assembly with a degradable sleeve formed thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A gas separator assembly has a pump inlet that generates an artificial sump in a production casing. The assembly includes an inner casing in series with the production casing of the well and an outer casing supported externally of the inner casing. First and second ports at opposing top and bottom ends of the outer casing communicate from the production casing to an annulus between the inner and outer casings. A barrier supported in the primary passage between the first and second ports diverts flow through the annulus. One or more dissolvable sleeves within the annulus prevents the annulus from filling with material during construction of the casing but dissolves when the sleeves come in contact with wet wellbore fluid.