Downhole Pumping Apparatus Using Wellbore Gas Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing liquids from wellbores, such as gas lift systems and reciprocating surface pumps, face challenges like restricted flow, energy loss, and increased complexity due to the need for external compressors or surface equipment, especially when downhole gas pressure is low.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a sealing device to create upper and lower wellbore sections, powered by the natural gas pressure within the wellbore, which includes a pump drive and pumps to efficiently move fluids between sections, reducing the need for external power and minimizing energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a gas lift system uses small diameter tubing string to transport liquids to the surface, then gas pressure and gas velocity are sufficient to carry liquids, but liquid flow is significantly restricted and gas production is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is segmented into an upper section and a lower section by a packer, allowing independent pressure control and fluid management in each zone. This enables the gas lift system to operate with larger tubing diameter in the lower section while maintaining controlled conditions in the upper section.
Solution Approach 2:
A freely moveable plunger is introduced as an intermediary element in the tubing string to minimize gas penetration through the liquids. The plunger acts as a barrier that allows liquid transport while preventing excessive gas-liquid mixing, enabling more efficient fluid handling.
2Productivity
If gas lift systems operate continuously, then liquids are removed continually, but natural gas pressure cannot recover to sufficient levels to maintain lifting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The gas lift system operates periodically rather than continuously. The valve is set to periodically open at timed intervals, allowing natural gas pressure to recover between cycles. This periodic operation maintains liquid removal effectiveness while preserving gas pressure for subsequent lifting cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous liquid removal capability through periodic operation. By timing the valve opening to coincide with pressure recovery, the system ensures that liquid lifting is continuously effective without requiring constant high pressure input.
3Productivity
If reciprocating surface pump is used to power downhole pump, then liquids can be pumped to surface, but energy loss occurs as gas travels from bottom of well to surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural gas pressure already present in the wellbore to drive the liquid pumping operation. By allowing the gas to expand and do work as it rises, the system converts the gas's internal energy directly into pumping work, eliminating the need for separate surface-powered pumps and reducing energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The reciprocating mechanical pump system is replaced with a pneumatic expansion system. The natural gas pressure and expansion directly drive the pump mechanism, substituting complex mechanical surface equipment with a simpler gas-pressure-based system that reduces energy losses.
4Productivity
If compressor is used to introduce pressurized fluid into well, then liquids can be lifted, but cost and complexity of production apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural gas pressure already present in the wellbore to drive the liquid pumping operation. By allowing the gas to expand and do work as it rises, the system converts the gas's internal energy directly into pumping work, eliminating the need for separate surface-powered pumps and reducing energy losses.
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 solution enhances fluid movement within the wellbore by leveraging natural gas pressure, reducing energy loss and complexity, and maintaining efficient operation even at low downhole gas pressures, thereby improving well production without the need for external power sources.
Implementation Method 1
a pump drive operably connected to the first pump and the second pump, for driving the first pump and the second pump, wherein the pump drive is adapted to be powered using the lower wellbore gas pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a sealing device for sealing a wellbore, a first pump for pumping fluids from a lower wellbore section, a pump drive powered using wellbore gas, a gas inlet for supplying the pump drive with wellbore gas, and a gas outlet for exhausting wellbore gas to an upper wellbore section from the pump drive. The apparatus may further include a second pump for pumping fluids from the upper wellbore section into the lower wellbore section, a vent for venting wellbore gas to the upper wellbore section, and a switch for controlling the pump drive. A method for moving fluids in a wellbore including sealing the wellbore, supplying wellbore gas to a pump drive and driving a first pump with the pump drive. The method may further include driving a second pump with the pump drive and venting the wellbore gas to an upper wellbore section.