Double-Acting Downhole Pumping for Reset and Power Strokes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole pump systems lack efficient methods for pumping produced liquids during both reset and power strokes, leading to inefficiencies and increased material and maintenance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A double-acting downhole hydraulic reciprocating pump system utilizing a first and second three-way valve, a power fluid reservoir, and a downhole pump with specific check valves and plungers, allowing for simultaneous flow path creation and fluid compression during reset and power strokes, reducing the need for additional components and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing downhole pump systems are used, then pumping can be performed during power strokes, but pumping efficiency is reduced and material usage increases due to inability to pump during reset strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pumping function into both the power stroke and reset stroke operations by configuring the downhole pump with check valves and a dual-acting plunger system. This allows produced liquids to be pumped during both strokes, effectively doubling the productive time compared to conventional single-acting pumps, thereby improving productivity while reducing the total material required for equivalent production capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous useful action by ensuring that pumping occurs during both the power stroke and reset stroke. The check valves maintain unidirectional flow of produced liquids while the plunger reciprocates continuously, eliminating idle time between strokes and maximizing the utilization of the pump system throughout the entire operational cycle
2Productivity
If additional components are added to enable pumping during both strokes, then pumping efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The downhole pump system is designed with multi-functionality where the same plunger and barrel assembly perform both pumping and fluid displacement functions during different strokes. The check valves are integrated into the existing pump structure, allowing the system to handle both power stroke and reset stroke pumping without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thus improving productivity while limiting complexity growth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the check valves are integrated within the pump body structure, and the dual-acting plunger system is contained within the existing barrel assembly. This nesting approach allows the additional functionality of double-acting pumping to be achieved by incorporating components within the existing structural framework rather than adding external systems, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
3Productivity
If more moving parts are used to achieve double-acting pumping, then pumping efficiency improves, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are positioned at specific locations within the pump assembly where they can be easily accessed and serviced. The design places the check valves in strategic positions that allow for localized maintenance without requiring disassembly of the entire pump system, enabling improved pumping efficiency through double-acting operation while maintaining ease of repair by concentrating moving parts in serviceable locations
4Productivity
If system components are increased to handle produced liquids during both strokes, then production rates are maintained through wellbore irregularities, but corrosion resistance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses corrosion by changing the material parameters of the pump components, specifically using corrosion-resistant materials for the pump body, plunger, and check valves. This material parameter change allows the system to maintain production rates through wellbore irregularities like kinks and doglegs while resisting the corrosive effects of produced liquids during both power and reset strokes, thereby improving productivity without compromising to corrosion resistance
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 enhances pumping efficiency, reduces material usage by 12%, minimizes corrosion, and allows for quicker deployments and redeployments with fewer moving parts, while maintaining production rates through kinks and doglegs in wellbores.
Implementation Method 1
pumping the power fluid into the restroke control line, wherein the upper plunger is forced to move toward the surface within the upper barrel
Implementation Method 2
produced liquids in the upper barrel between the upper plunger and the upper ported intake sub are compressed and forced to exit the upper ported intake sub through the upper outlet check valve and into the produced liquids tube
Implementation Method 3
the portion of the lower barrel between the lower plunger and the lower ported intake sub is filled with produced liquids through the lower intake check valve
Data Source
AI summary
A method of pumping produced liquids from the depths of a wellbore during a reset stroke and a power stroke of a pump located downhole, wherein the pump comprises an upper barrel, a lower barrel, an upper plunger within the upper barrel, a lower plunger within the lower barrel, an upper ported intake sub with an upper outlet check valve and an upper intake check valve, a dual ported mandrel, and a lower ported intake sub with a lower intake check valve and a lower outlet check valve.