Down-hole Gas Separation System for Pump Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current down-hole pumping methods in low-pressure wellbores often result in gas locking, where gas separates from fluids and prevents the pump from functioning, leading to reduced liquid production and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
A gas separation system comprising a pressure loss cylinder and stacked production separation cylinders, which uses annular regions and transport tubes to separate gas from liquids, allowing gas to exit while liquids are drawn into the production pipe, thereby preventing gas locking and enhancing fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pumping fluids in low pressure wellbores, then liquid production is achieved, but gas separates and causes gas locking preventing pump operation
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is divided into multiple vertical zones using packers to create isolated chambers. Each chamber separates gas and liquid phases independently, allowing continuous pumping by preventing gas from accumulating in the production tube. The segmentation creates multiple discrete separation zones rather than a single continuous flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to gas-liquid separation by creating stacked chambers at different elevations. Gas is directed to higher chambers while liquids are pumped from lower chambers, utilizing gravitational separation in the vertical dimension. This dimensional approach prevents gas from reaching the pump intake.
2Productivity
If gas separates from pumped fluid and bubbles to top of fluid column, then gas-lock prevents production, but pumping continues to be attempted
Solution Approach 1:
Gas separation is performed preliminarily in isolated chambers before fluids reach the production tube. Packers are positioned in advance to create separation zones, and gas is removed in advance through dedicated gas vent paths. This preliminary gas removal prevents gas-lock before it can occur in the production system.
3Ease of operation
If gas is allowed to accumulate in production tube, then pump becomes gas locked, but gas separation increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The production tube serves multiple functions: it transports liquids to the surface and provides a pathway for gas venting from lower chambers. The packers serve dual purposes of isolating chambers and directing flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Packers act as intermediary elements that mediate between the wellbore environment and the production tube. They create isolated chambers that serve as intermediate zones for gas-liquid separation, preventing direct contact between gas and the pump intake while maintaining system simplicity.
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 effectively separates gas from liquids, preventing gas locking and increasing the flow rate of liquids, allowing continuous pumping by utilizing the chimney effect and extended vertical distance for gas separation.
Implementation Method 1
gas separates from the fluid and bubbles to the top of the fluid column
Implementation Method 2
gas separates from the fluid and bubbles to the top of the fluid column
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for separating of gas from liquids in a wellbore, the apparatus enabling the receiving of wellbore fluids into two or more production separation chambers, operating in parallel. The apparatus further enabling the receiving of production separation chamber fluids into a production pipe through a thief jet port disposed in a lower chamber beneath the production separation chambers. The apparatus further enabling extraction of bottom hole gas fluids in the wellbore from under the two or more production separation chambers and disposing the gas fluids back into the wellbore above the two or more production separation chambers.