Downhole Formation Testing Tool for Real-Time EOR Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fracturing and testing hydrocarbon reservoirs face challenges such as pressure losses and equipment damage due to the transportation of pressurized fluids, and they lack real-time in-situ monitoring of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, which can lead to inaccurate and time-consuming results.
Innovation Solution
A downhole formation testing tool with integrated fluid storage and pumping capabilities, allowing for the direct injection of EOR substances into the reservoir and real-time monitoring of their effects, using a snorkel and packer system to seal and communicate with the wellbore, avoiding the need for surface pumps and minimizing pressure losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pressurized fluid is transported from surface to wellbore through tubing or casing, then the fluid can be delivered to the formation, but substantial pressure drops occur and large capital costs are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressurization function from the surface location and places it downhole within the wellbore. The pump is positioned inside the wellbore to pressurize the fluid locally at the treatment zone, eliminating the need for long-distance pressurized fluid transport through tubing or casing and avoiding the associated pressure drops and capital costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a downhole pump as an intermediary device that receives fluid at ambient pressure and converts it to pressurized fluid directly at the treatment location. This intermediary pump system eliminates the need for surface pressurization and long-distance high-pressure transport
2Ease of operation
If EOR substances are pumped through surface equipment, then the substances can be injected into the wellbore, but the corrosive and abrasive substances damage the pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pump from the surface location and places it downhole within the wellbore. This eliminates the exposure of surface pumps to corrosive and abrasive EOR substances, preventing equipment damage while maintaining injection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The downhole pump system serves itself by being located in the same environment where it operates. The pump is surrounded by the formation fluids and EOR substances it handles, eliminating the need for complex protection systems against corrosion and abrasion
3Measurement precision
If laboratory testing is used to predict EOR effectiveness, then material selection can be made, but the results take months to years and may not accurately reflect in-situ conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical laboratory testing system with an in-situ downhole testing system. Instead of conducting experiments in surface laboratories with reconstituted fluids, the system performs actual EOR substance injection and formation testing directly in the wellbore under authentic reservoir conditions, providing accurate real-time results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the testing parameters from controlled laboratory conditions to authentic in-situ reservoir conditions. The downhole system maintains actual formation temperature, pressure, and fluid composition during testing, eliminating the need for time-consuming laboratory reconditioning and providing immediately actionable results
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
Enables efficient and safe injection of corrosive and abrasive fluids, providing real-time data on EOR effectiveness, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional methods by allowing immediate assessment of reservoir responses to EOR substances without equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
isolating a portion of the wellbore from the surface and pressurizing the fluid within the isolated portion of the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
pressurizing the fluid within the isolated portion of the wellbore to some pressure that in turn produces a fracture in the formation
Implementation Method 3
conveying the pressurized fluid from the pressure source to the region within the wellbore where the fluid is being delivered
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for delivering EOR substances and determining their efficiency in real time, or near real time, are disclosed. The systems and methods of the present disclosure are especially important in determining petrophysical information about the reservoir as well as the in-situ effect of substances on enhanced oil recovery.